.....with Jesus
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Even when it's dark and lonely, there is always someone walking with us. If you've ever read "Pilgrims Progress" you might have a picture in your mind of a guy, walking along a very narrow path, surrounded by demons and horrible things, flying, whispering, screaming, clawing and biting him; him holding out a Bible, reading this scripture out loud, yet the demonic forces are so strong, the voices still penetrate his mind and heart. He chooses to read out loud, then yells it. It took strong, strong determination to drive away the voices that tormented him. But it was through his prayers and determination that Jesus was able to be there.
"Christian" invited Him to his dark and lonely place and when Jesus saw He was welcome, He went and took care of Christian. Jesus was there all the time; He just waited for the invitation to help. Jesus wants us to ask Him to be there. Jesus wants us to want Him there, to be our best friend. Sometimes we can get so caught up in every day life, that we forget the battle that is at hand. When life is going easy, we can forget that we still need Him. Jesus doesn't want to be a "fair weather friend." He wants to be a friend that is there for us at all times and for us to want Him there at all times. We can so easily just cry out to Him in our time of need and forget Him in all the other times. I know, in my life, I've found sooooo often I forget to pray for His help on a daily basis. I forget to invite Him into my daily life and chores. Then when tragedy strikes, I find myself on my knees. Then of course, I get ashamed, because I feel guilty, as if I shouldn't be asking Him for anything. Then comes the "promises" of "I promise, I'll remember to involve You in my daily life if You'll just help me now...." and then I think, "I don't and shouldn't be putting conditions on God and His help!!!" Ohhh, how many times I've gone on that circle.
When I involve Him in my daily life, even in the small things, like doing the dishes, or laundry, or making the bed, my relationship with Him is so much richer, fuller and exciting. I find Him speaking to me through the small things, and encouraging me in things that would normally be just "ordinary" in every day life.
Everyone is going to fall, fail and forget, but don't be discouraged. Jesus is always there to pick you up, brush you off and help you continue on. I've discovered that He is always willing to welcome me back as a friend, as soon as I show an interest. It's amazing how awesome He is, and how forgiving He is!!! I just wish I didn't forget to involve Him in my life as often as I do!
Blessings to you all~
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Taking God out of Schools
And Putting God Back In Schools.....
This morning I was reading on Fox News San Diego that a school pretty close to me was taken to court for hanging a sign in a classroom saying, "God bless America, In God We Trust, One Nation Under God and God Shed His Grace on Us." Of course, there is an appeal going, saying that the teacher did not violate any laws, according to the First Amendment Rights, (ok, I'm not into politics and I don't know half of what all these big words mean, but I'm just quoting what I read).
It amazes me what schools are putting into our children's minds, and then completely taking God out of it all. I thought that on American money, it says, "In God We Trust." To me, if we're not going to be allowed to have God in our schools, it should be taken off the money. It saddens me that children are growing up to think that it took millions and billions of years for the earth to evolve, when in fact, it only took 6 days! It's a miracle, and for some, it's too hard to believe. But for me, I think it's easier to believe in a God that is all miraculous.
I remember when I lived in Texas, and we lived right next to a high school, driving by in the morning and seeing all the teenagers stand in a huge circle, holding hands, heads bowed, praying! In today's schools that wouldn't be allowed! that would be considered "breaking the law." Why is it such a crime to be a Christian, and pray, in school? I'm not against other religions being "shared about" in schools. But I don't appreciate schools taking Christianity out and leaving evolution and Islam in. Those "religions" can be and often must be talked about. Especially with all the world events of today, Islam is a very big subject in every day life. It's important for our children to understand what is going on in the world, and the different religions that are believed in.
I can only hope that, we as parents, raise our children for the glory of God where they can go, and reach the world with the Good News while they're in school. That their loving God spreads to their friends around them. I'm still trying to decide, along with my husband, of course!, if we're going to send our children to school, or keep them home, and me school them. Part of me wants to protect my children from the influence of the world and all the junk that comes with going to Public School and then part of me hopes to raise my children right, to where, when they go to school, they see that as the mission field. I want to raise my children where their desire is to serve God, and to be missionaries to their friends! So many thoughts and decisions to make, but the first one is to pray for our Nation and pray that God will make me into the parent that He desires for me. And I pray every day that God will help me raise the children He has gifted me with!
This morning I was reading on Fox News San Diego that a school pretty close to me was taken to court for hanging a sign in a classroom saying, "God bless America, In God We Trust, One Nation Under God and God Shed His Grace on Us." Of course, there is an appeal going, saying that the teacher did not violate any laws, according to the First Amendment Rights, (ok, I'm not into politics and I don't know half of what all these big words mean, but I'm just quoting what I read).
It amazes me what schools are putting into our children's minds, and then completely taking God out of it all. I thought that on American money, it says, "In God We Trust." To me, if we're not going to be allowed to have God in our schools, it should be taken off the money. It saddens me that children are growing up to think that it took millions and billions of years for the earth to evolve, when in fact, it only took 6 days! It's a miracle, and for some, it's too hard to believe. But for me, I think it's easier to believe in a God that is all miraculous.
I remember when I lived in Texas, and we lived right next to a high school, driving by in the morning and seeing all the teenagers stand in a huge circle, holding hands, heads bowed, praying! In today's schools that wouldn't be allowed! that would be considered "breaking the law." Why is it such a crime to be a Christian, and pray, in school? I'm not against other religions being "shared about" in schools. But I don't appreciate schools taking Christianity out and leaving evolution and Islam in. Those "religions" can be and often must be talked about. Especially with all the world events of today, Islam is a very big subject in every day life. It's important for our children to understand what is going on in the world, and the different religions that are believed in.
I can only hope that, we as parents, raise our children for the glory of God where they can go, and reach the world with the Good News while they're in school. That their loving God spreads to their friends around them. I'm still trying to decide, along with my husband, of course!, if we're going to send our children to school, or keep them home, and me school them. Part of me wants to protect my children from the influence of the world and all the junk that comes with going to Public School and then part of me hopes to raise my children right, to where, when they go to school, they see that as the mission field. I want to raise my children where their desire is to serve God, and to be missionaries to their friends! So many thoughts and decisions to make, but the first one is to pray for our Nation and pray that God will make me into the parent that He desires for me. And I pray every day that God will help me raise the children He has gifted me with!
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