When my daughter was little
And scared of storms
I told her that when the thunder sounded
The angels were bowling
And when lightning hit
An angel got a strike
But when it's raining without the storm
What then?
I think Jesus is crying,
Crying for all the lost,
Crying for the ones who knew Him but turned away,
Jesus is crying
For the ones lost in sin,
And for the brokenhearted,
Jesus is crying.
If Jesus collects our tears in a bottle,
And keeps them in His book,
Then where do His tears go?
Tears like rain,
Jesus is crying,
For all the little ones
Who never got the chance to live,
Jesus is crying
For all the children
Abused and killed,
Jesus is crying.
He knows how I feel when I cry
For my lost lamb
Far away from home
For He cries too.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Do you like contests?
I found this great new writing blog through the FundsforWriters newsletter. It's called Writing Pays. In yesterday's post on the Writing Pays blog, the author is offering "GUT: How to Think from Your Middle to Get to the Top" by Karen Salmansohn as a giveaway. Check out the blog entry here: http://www.writingpays.biz/2009/10/writing-pays-free-giveaway.html and leave a comment to get a chance to win the book.
Just thought I'd pass it along! I'm working on another blog post that I hope to post this weekend, so stay tuned! See you soon!
Diane
Just thought I'd pass it along! I'm working on another blog post that I hope to post this weekend, so stay tuned! See you soon!
Diane
Monday, October 12, 2009
Shield me
There are many names for God in the Bible, both names that describe God and names that are titles for God. As I was reading in Psalms, I was struck by a name for God that we don't hear mentioned much, and that is the name "shield." We usually think of a shield as that large piece of metal that a knight in the days of old would hold to protect him from swords and spears, but according to Merriam-Webster, another definition of "shield" is "one that protects or defends." So "shield" is shorthand for a protector and a defender, both of which are attributes of God.
Below are some verses I found that reference God as a shield. These are some of my favorites, but there are more than just these; a search will turn up several other verses.
2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT): God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
Psalm 3:3 (NLT): But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 5:12 (NLT): For you bless the godly, O Lord: you surround them with your shield of love. (I really like that verse!)
Proverbs 30:5 (NLT): Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who come to him for protection.
Just as we who are earthly parents want to protect our children from anything that might hurt them, God our heavenly Father wants to protect us from danger and harm. Instead of using a large piece of metal to protect us, God Himself surrounds us (see Psalm 3:3 above). Not only does He protect us from physical harm, He surrounds us with a shield of love, as in Psalm 5:12 above. That shield of love comforts us when we are emotionally hurt. When we feel God's presence with us, we are feeling that "shield" that protects us.
Thanks for reading! See you soon!
Diane
Below are some verses I found that reference God as a shield. These are some of my favorites, but there are more than just these; a search will turn up several other verses.
2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT): God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
Psalm 3:3 (NLT): But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 5:12 (NLT): For you bless the godly, O Lord: you surround them with your shield of love. (I really like that verse!)
Proverbs 30:5 (NLT): Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who come to him for protection.
Just as we who are earthly parents want to protect our children from anything that might hurt them, God our heavenly Father wants to protect us from danger and harm. Instead of using a large piece of metal to protect us, God Himself surrounds us (see Psalm 3:3 above). Not only does He protect us from physical harm, He surrounds us with a shield of love, as in Psalm 5:12 above. That shield of love comforts us when we are emotionally hurt. When we feel God's presence with us, we are feeling that "shield" that protects us.
Thanks for reading! See you soon!
Diane
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Everyday people
Galatians 3:28 (NLT):
There is no longer Jew or Gentile,slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The TV station on which we watch the news every evening has started a new feature where they pick a local community and highlight it for a week on the evening news. Last week, it was our community's turn to be featured. On Friday night, the news anchors, the weather anchor, and the sports anchor came to our town's Oktoberfest celebration and broadcasted that evening's news. My husband, my son and I went to the festivities. My son was awed at seeing the news anchors in person. He said, "They look just the same as they do on TV!" LOL!
This is the lesson that I taught my son that evening. The people that you see on newscasts (and anywhere else, for that matter) are the same as everyone else. They all put on their pants the same way that we do. Some people may have different jobs or talents than we do, or maybe God painted them a different color. Or maybe they have more or less money than we do. But we are all the same in God's eyes. No one is any better than anyone else. We are all put on this earth to help one another, to get along with each other, and to love each other. (Yes, the title of this post is the name of a song by Sly & the Family Stone, which was also covered by Joan Jett. Take the time to Google the lyrics. Not all secular music is evil.)
People idolize those who are famous and/or talented, but the only person we should idolize is Jesus Christ. He is the only person who is above all others. We would do well to imitate the way He treated people in every strata of society. He treated all people with respect and love, especially women, who were second class citizens in the times in which He lived. And He forgave those who sinned, and we are to forgive those who sin against us. And He was filled with humility, even when He was being tried by the Sanhedrin and tortured by the Roman soldiers. If we all acted like Jesus, what a different world this would be!
My son is on a Boy Scout camping trip this weekend, so I may have another blog post soon, since I don't have to share the computer. Have a great day!
There is no longer Jew or Gentile,slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The TV station on which we watch the news every evening has started a new feature where they pick a local community and highlight it for a week on the evening news. Last week, it was our community's turn to be featured. On Friday night, the news anchors, the weather anchor, and the sports anchor came to our town's Oktoberfest celebration and broadcasted that evening's news. My husband, my son and I went to the festivities. My son was awed at seeing the news anchors in person. He said, "They look just the same as they do on TV!" LOL!
This is the lesson that I taught my son that evening. The people that you see on newscasts (and anywhere else, for that matter) are the same as everyone else. They all put on their pants the same way that we do. Some people may have different jobs or talents than we do, or maybe God painted them a different color. Or maybe they have more or less money than we do. But we are all the same in God's eyes. No one is any better than anyone else. We are all put on this earth to help one another, to get along with each other, and to love each other. (Yes, the title of this post is the name of a song by Sly & the Family Stone, which was also covered by Joan Jett. Take the time to Google the lyrics. Not all secular music is evil.)
People idolize those who are famous and/or talented, but the only person we should idolize is Jesus Christ. He is the only person who is above all others. We would do well to imitate the way He treated people in every strata of society. He treated all people with respect and love, especially women, who were second class citizens in the times in which He lived. And He forgave those who sinned, and we are to forgive those who sin against us. And He was filled with humility, even when He was being tried by the Sanhedrin and tortured by the Roman soldiers. If we all acted like Jesus, what a different world this would be!
My son is on a Boy Scout camping trip this weekend, so I may have another blog post soon, since I don't have to share the computer. Have a great day!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What's your idol?
And no, this post is not about American Idol. This post is related to the "What's your excuse?" post.
God wanted to make sure we knew about not putting anything before Him; He stated it quite clearly in the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:3-5 (NLT)
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods."
No beating around the bush there, huh? (Pardon the pun.)
In Biblical times, idols were statues or poles made of gold, stone or wood. Idols were symbols of a pagan religion, or in the case of Aaron and the golden calf, something to take the place of God - well, same difference, really. The Israelites committed spiritual adultery by worshiping these idols instead of the Lord, or in some cases, worshiping idols at the same time they were worshiping the Lord. (See Judges 17:3-4 and 2 Chronicles 33:7.) Isaiah has much to say about those who worshiped idols and what would happen to those who do in Isaiah 40, 44, and 45. In the New Testament, Paul preached to the Gentiles, who worshiped idols and false gods. Paul writes that idol worshipers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus Himself reinforced His Father's commandment by saying, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, KJV)
Today, however, people do not worship idols made of wood or stone. A modern day definition of an idol would be anything that we put ahead of God or anything we consider more important than God. Our idols can take many forms: someone who is obsessed with making as much money as possible; someone who spends all of his or her free time online on social networking sites, message boards, gaming, and/or pornography; someone who sits mindlessly in front of a television set all day and night; or someone who is obsessed with their children's lives to the point that they have no time for anything else. If you think hard enough, you can probably think of other idols that draw our attention away from God.
The Lord convicted me of an idol that I put ahead of Him. I'm a big St. Louis Cardinals fan, but a few years back, I was spending too much time following the team online, in the newspapers and magazines, etc. I became upset when the team lost a game or when my favorite players were traded. I was depressed when it wasn't baseball season. You get the picture, I'm sure. This year, the Cards are doing very well and they appear to be headed for the playoffs, and although I'm happy about that, I'm not obsessed with the team like I used to be. I am trying to spend more time in prayer and reflection.
If you are not putting God first in your life, look at yourself to see if there is an idol taking up your time, attention, and/or emotions. When (not if) you find your idol, repent before God and vow that you will put Him first in your life.
That's all for tonight. Stay tuned for my next post!
Diane
God wanted to make sure we knew about not putting anything before Him; He stated it quite clearly in the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:3-5 (NLT)
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods."
No beating around the bush there, huh? (Pardon the pun.)
In Biblical times, idols were statues or poles made of gold, stone or wood. Idols were symbols of a pagan religion, or in the case of Aaron and the golden calf, something to take the place of God - well, same difference, really. The Israelites committed spiritual adultery by worshiping these idols instead of the Lord, or in some cases, worshiping idols at the same time they were worshiping the Lord. (See Judges 17:3-4 and 2 Chronicles 33:7.) Isaiah has much to say about those who worshiped idols and what would happen to those who do in Isaiah 40, 44, and 45. In the New Testament, Paul preached to the Gentiles, who worshiped idols and false gods. Paul writes that idol worshipers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus Himself reinforced His Father's commandment by saying, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, KJV)
Today, however, people do not worship idols made of wood or stone. A modern day definition of an idol would be anything that we put ahead of God or anything we consider more important than God. Our idols can take many forms: someone who is obsessed with making as much money as possible; someone who spends all of his or her free time online on social networking sites, message boards, gaming, and/or pornography; someone who sits mindlessly in front of a television set all day and night; or someone who is obsessed with their children's lives to the point that they have no time for anything else. If you think hard enough, you can probably think of other idols that draw our attention away from God.
The Lord convicted me of an idol that I put ahead of Him. I'm a big St. Louis Cardinals fan, but a few years back, I was spending too much time following the team online, in the newspapers and magazines, etc. I became upset when the team lost a game or when my favorite players were traded. I was depressed when it wasn't baseball season. You get the picture, I'm sure. This year, the Cards are doing very well and they appear to be headed for the playoffs, and although I'm happy about that, I'm not obsessed with the team like I used to be. I am trying to spend more time in prayer and reflection.
If you are not putting God first in your life, look at yourself to see if there is an idol taking up your time, attention, and/or emotions. When (not if) you find your idol, repent before God and vow that you will put Him first in your life.
That's all for tonight. Stay tuned for my next post!
Diane
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The three hardest words
What are the three hardest words to say? It's not "I love you." Those three words are easy to say (and sometimes cheap). They can be said in the heat of passion, or by a young girl with her first crush. "I love you" rolls off the tongue of a mother or father speaking to their child.
But the three hardest words are "I forgive you." We are wronged in so many ways, whether from a divorce, bad business deals, betrayals, bad manners, etc. We get angry when someone does us wrong, and we carry that anger with us.
But that anger can consume us. We can become obsessed with the hurt and the pain. The bitterness from our anger can ruin longstanding relationships and ruin our health. It can even separate us from God, because He will not forgive us unless we forgive others first. In Matthew 6:15 (NLT), Jesus states: "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
But what if you're the one who has done wrong and you need forgiveness? Ask the Lord for courage and guidance. Go to the person you have wronged and apologize for your wrongdoing. Then (hopefully) you will hear those wonderful words: "I forgive you," and your relationship will be restored. If that person chooses not to forgive you, then put the situation in the Lord's hands and pray for that person, that they be released from their anger and bitterness and that your relationship will be restored.
Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we can be forgiven - He paid with His life. His death and resurrection show that we can be right with God and be forgiven for our sins. If Jesus gave His life for our forgiveness, surely we can make the effort to tell someone we forgive them and restore our relationship with that person. Don't delay! Tomorrow may be too late.
But the three hardest words are "I forgive you." We are wronged in so many ways, whether from a divorce, bad business deals, betrayals, bad manners, etc. We get angry when someone does us wrong, and we carry that anger with us.
But that anger can consume us. We can become obsessed with the hurt and the pain. The bitterness from our anger can ruin longstanding relationships and ruin our health. It can even separate us from God, because He will not forgive us unless we forgive others first. In Matthew 6:15 (NLT), Jesus states: "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."
But what if you're the one who has done wrong and you need forgiveness? Ask the Lord for courage and guidance. Go to the person you have wronged and apologize for your wrongdoing. Then (hopefully) you will hear those wonderful words: "I forgive you," and your relationship will be restored. If that person chooses not to forgive you, then put the situation in the Lord's hands and pray for that person, that they be released from their anger and bitterness and that your relationship will be restored.
Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we can be forgiven - He paid with His life. His death and resurrection show that we can be right with God and be forgiven for our sins. If Jesus gave His life for our forgiveness, surely we can make the effort to tell someone we forgive them and restore our relationship with that person. Don't delay! Tomorrow may be too late.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
Tonight we're going to look at God's omnipresence. Omnipresence is a big word that according to Merriam-Webster means "everywhere at all times." Let's start by looking at some Scriptures. All of them are from the New Living Translation.
Proverbs 15:3
The Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
1 Peter 3:12
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
Psalm 139:7
I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
============================
I am reminded of the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" when I think of God's omnipresence, especially the part where the lyrics read: "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake!" Santa has all of God's watchful qualities. And God always knows if you've been naughty or nice. Perhaps Santa is more like God than people realize.
God knows everything you do because He is everywhere. And the good Christian who knows he or she has sinned feels guilt because of the knowledge that he or she has sinned. For those Christians who have fallen into sin, God's omnipresence reminds them of their sin. You can't run or hide from God - He always knows where you are.
Psalm 121:8
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
But it is also comforting to know that God is everywhere and He watches over you. No matter where you go or what happens to you, God is always with you. He's only a prayer away. Thank you, Lord, for always being there when we need you!
Proverbs 15:3
The Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
1 Peter 3:12
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
Psalm 139:7
I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
============================
I am reminded of the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" when I think of God's omnipresence, especially the part where the lyrics read: "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake!" Santa has all of God's watchful qualities. And God always knows if you've been naughty or nice. Perhaps Santa is more like God than people realize.
God knows everything you do because He is everywhere. And the good Christian who knows he or she has sinned feels guilt because of the knowledge that he or she has sinned. For those Christians who have fallen into sin, God's omnipresence reminds them of their sin. You can't run or hide from God - He always knows where you are.
Psalm 121:8
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
But it is also comforting to know that God is everywhere and He watches over you. No matter where you go or what happens to you, God is always with you. He's only a prayer away. Thank you, Lord, for always being there when we need you!
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