Praise the Lord

Last night Jeff was rushed to E.R., he thought that he was having a heart attack. So, the unit rushed him from his work to the hospital. I have to tell you, fear struck my heart. I was so afraid that I was going to loose my husband. I prayed out loud for the Lord to be with Jeff and to give the Doctors wisdom. When Jeff's dad and I reached the hospital, his blood pressure was 140 over a 100 and his pulse was 99. As time went on it all leveled out. And it was not a heart attack, but a build up of stomack acid. He has been taken it easy today and he will be okay as the coming days roll by. The Lord is good and I still stand on the fact that God is going to do something awesome in the year 2008. This is Jeff's faith walk and he will be making some changes in eating and exercising. I am right with him and I support him. I just wanted to share the awesome power of prayer and the Lord in action. Jeff is doing much better today and it will take some time for his body to get back in swing of things. But we are fine here.

"Flyboys"

Tonight, I was able to watch a movie that really touched my heart. The movie is called "Fly boys". The movie deals with a group of American men who joined the French to Fight the Germans. All these men were Americans and they had to learn how to fly. It was a dramatic movie and I do not recommend your children seeing it, but for a war movie it was excellent. As I watched this movie I was so taken with how we as Americans are so blessed. As far as I know, the only wars fought on our soil was the Civil War and the Revolutionary War. People in France gave up their homes and their lives to protect land that was in their families for years. I felt so blessed and then I felt remorse that I as an American have not protected the land that God has given me. I do not help clean highways or even take that much care in my own lawn. I was so amazed by my attitude towards America, did not the Lord tell Adam and Eve that they had dominance of the earth? Do we not have a job here to protect and thrive this land? Well, I can not go out and mow the lawn or trim trees, but I can start with the caucus that is coming up on January 3rd, 2008. I choose to become more of a voice for the country that God has given me. And I am going to pray for our country and lift is up more to the Lord. I feel that I have a responsability to pray and protect what God has given me. I love our Country and I am not going to take advantage of it any more.

Up Coming New Year!

Happy New Year 2008

I realize that I should not focus on the future so much. I was so blessed in 2007 and I can not wait to see what happens in 2008. Of course there is more excitement in 2008, because we are talking about an election year. I also believe that God has something really awesome in store for our family in 2008. I love sitting back and watching God do his awesome work. Last year, we attended a new church and we were so blessed with a new view of God. The scriptures came alive and hope became more of a realty for me. I watched my children grow in Christ and our son start his new job at McDonald's. Our daughter find her art skills and reading skills. I watched my husband grow so much closure to the Lord and see him take more control of the family as the head of the household. And he made a decision to start a home church. I can honestly say this Christmas all of December bills were paid and we a walking into the new year a head financially. God provided all the money for our gifts this year, and after seventeen years of marriage, Jeff and I were able to buy each other gifts for Christmas. I was able to watch health miracles in Jeff's family and in mine. I had to say good by to dear friends, and make new friends. I am so blessed to have beautiful friends that love me and keep me accountable to Jesus. With all these blessing that I am looking at, I hope to bless more people in the end of 2007 and all of 2008. So, yes I should not be looking at 2008 so much, but I would rather look at it with a positive attitude, than to dread changes and fight it all the way.

God Bless you and your families, and I hope that all of you have a wonderful start to the new year!!

Amazing Grace

I would like to share one of my Christmas presents with you. I had been holding off buying "Amazing Grace" because it was so expensive. But, Jeff and the kids surprised me with the movie for Christmas. I have to say, it amazed me, not only did he see that this crusade was a direction from God, and he built a relationship with the Lord. He had to be patient through this ordeal. He may of stood before the council and gave awesome proof of the cruelty of the slaves, but the law did not pass for some years after. It made me think about times in my life that I wanted something so bad and I prayed and prayed and never seen it done. Finally, I give it back to God and even forget about it and a couple of years later God grants my prayer. This is what had to happen to William De foe, he had to go through some valleys in order to be able to address the law later in life. So, if you are in deep prayer about something and God has not granted it, give it back to Him and then focus back on God. Do not loose heart, God give you the desires of your heart "Psalm 37:4."

Actually let me show you Psalm 37:3-9 "Trust in the Lord, and do good: so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him: and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday, Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."

Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Put your heart in His hands and focus on Him and he will take care of you. If you have not seen this movie, I suggest that you do. It was really good.

Merry Christmas from the Ross Family

Merry Christmas

I hope that all of you had a blessed Christmas.

I would like to introduce my family to all of you. Some of you will know these faces and some will not. This little girl in all the pink is our daughter Melanie. She is ten this year and she is our angel. We love her alot.

This is my handsome husband Jeff. He is such a kidder. He love Steve Martin, and so for Christmas, his sister got him a Steve Martin Movie.



This is our son Luke, he is sixteen and he keeps growing. I am so amazed at how manly he looks every day. Jeff and Luke have an awesome relationship and I am so proud of both of them.




And of course, I saved the best for last. Here I am with my new buddy. He is so cute. I can not think of a name for him, any one have any ideas, please let me know. Well, I am so glad that I am able to share my family with all of you. We hope that during this time you are just pulling into Christ and know that he is the reason for the season. Love alots from, Jeff, Tanya, Luke and Melanie.

Prepare for Rain

"There are these two farmers, they both prayed for rain. One sat back and waited the other prepared his fields. Which farmer are you?" quoted from "Facing the Giants"

As Jeff and I watched the movie, I was struck by the conversation between the coach and the man who has prayed for the school. I looked at Jeff and said "We need to prepare our fields." Jeff agreed.

Jeff has been on this journey that has been amazing for me to sit back and watch. The revelations that has come out of his time with the Lord and the growth that has protruded from him. I know that God has something awesome for Jeff. I am not the one to stand at his ear and tell him either. First of all, I believe that if I am the one who is telling him, it is not God's will for him. Second of all, if what I say bombs, then he will be mad at me. But I also as a wife have to prepare for rain for me role as his wife and mother. It is really complicated sometimes to be a wife and yet with God it is easy. I know at this point I am babbling, so here is why I blogged this. There is some huge changed in 2008 for all of us. God is going to move the Christians in a mighty way, whether it is to defend our faith or it is to defend issues that we believe. I believe we are going to be put to some major tests. So, as christians are we preparing our fields for rain? I am really challenging all of you who are my friends, I love you all and I want to be able to stand with strong, mature believers. God Bless all of you and I will be praying for your walks with Jesus.

Our Christmas Tree

I posted a picture of our christmas tree on the blog. A friend was asking me whose tree it was. I told her it was a picture of our tree. Well, then I realized there is a story about this Christmas Tree. It started a couple of years. We had one of those trees from the dollar store. Everytime we put a decoration on this tree it would fall over. Well, we really did not have the money to go our and buy a new tree, so we put up with picking the tree off the floor. During this time, I started praying out loud that the Lord would provide us a beautiful tree. One night Jeff's dad came over to ask us some questions about gifts for Christmas and as he was here the tree fell over. He asked, what was up with the tree and we told him. He shrugged it off and left to go to Omaha. A couple of hours later Jeff's dad showed up and brought a hugh box in the house. On the side of it was one of the most beautiful Christmas tree that you would ever see. I looked at Jeff's dad and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and I just cried and thanked the Lord for His provisions. But, it does not end there. Jeff's dad asked that we pay him back for the tree around tax time. So, no promblem. But a week later we received a check in the mail and was able to pay him back before Christmas and get the kids gifts. This is no coincidents, this is God. So, we received the most beautiful trees, the one that rotates and has a thousand lights on it and was able to pay back the money. God is so good, and he suprises me every time I turn around. I am so glad that I have God in my life.

Christmas Hoopla

Okay, here it goes. I am going to tell you about past Christmas'

1. I have spent Christmas in Washington (Everett and Spokane), Germany (Kitzigen), and Iowa (Red Oak).

2. We always opened our presents on Christmas morning, except if we spent Christmas in Spokane, then we opened them on Christmas eve.

3. My Grandmother Richards gave all ten children and grandchildren pajamas every Christmas.

4. My mother started listening to Christmas music in September and she did not stop until the end of January.

5. My mother put out the nativity with only Joseph and Mary, the three Wise men were place somewhere far away from the nativity and every day they moved closure to it. On Christmas morning Baby Jesus showed up and also the Wise men.

6. Our Christmas tree goes up right after Thanksgiving and come down the week after New Years.

7. My mom gave my sister and I Cher dolls one Christmas. I loved that doll. Mom also gave Charlene and I a barbie town house.

8. We have an advent calandar that the kids put up a star for every day. They love that calandar, and if it was up to our daughter she would put a star up for every hour.

9. We spend most of Christmas day with Jeff's parents and we make a hugh meal and open gifts up.

10. My step mother gives me a subscribtion to Taste of Home magazine every year. I love that magazine.

11. Jeff and I try to have our own Christmas with the kids. Jeff is as much a kid as the kids. He loves playing with their toys and spending time with the kids.

12. Jeff always reads the Christmas story to the kids from Matthew or Luke. And the kids always bake a birthday cake for Jesus, they even decorate. It is really cool.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Moving on With God

As most of you know, my husband Jeff and I are in the midst of setting up a home church. Right now, the group consist of Jeff, Jeff's mother Shirley, His dad Duane, our two children and I. We started in Genesis, we let the Holy Ghost guide us and direct what we read. Last night we finished Genesis. I can not tell you all the things that God revealed to us. It is amazing, I have such a better appreciation of the Lords direction for creation, Abraham's seed, the flood etc. But most of all the impact that this has had on my husband. He has been doing some great changes, I have been looking at him with different respect. for instance, he started a blog and the other morning he was setting up some songs for it. Well, one thing lead to another and I made a comment about the selections of songs he made. At the time I did not realize how this comment made a ripple in our relationship. The day was bad, and later on I was praying out loud and realized what I had done. I called Jeff to apologise and he shared with me his feelings. After we made up, he blogged about it. I was not impressed with his blog, only because I felt like he made me sound like a mean, over opinionated wife . We again talked and I realize I had some issues from my past that I needed to deal with. Jeff and I grew up with different parents. My parents (I love them) were lead by fear and they were very overbearing. Jeff parents (and I love them also.) grew up with lots of music, and different bands. Jeff's dad was a musician and had his own band, for many years. I have to remember that even Christian singers or bands fall, they do thing for glory of men, money, attention etc. And granite, I do not listen to some of Jeff's music, I do have favorites of my own, that I listened to from my past. I choose at this time to fill my ears with the word and worship. This does not mean that I can not support my husbands decisions. And I will back him and I will pray for him. I am not Jeff's Holy Spirit. And I am not going to judge my husband and cause strife. This does not mean he is not a good christian or he falls short. This means his faith is strong and he is standing in an area of truth from his heart. I have to say, I admire that and it makes me feel secure. So, I am going to support my husband and I know he is a man of God. I love you, Jeff.
Love Tanya

Open the eyes of my heart

As all of you know, I volunteer at the local pregnancy center on Tuesday nights. Today, I was asked to go to the Good Samaritan Nursing home to except some baby blankets that the residents made for the center. I was pretty nervous, because I was getting my picture taken with the residents to be put in the paper. When I got there, the reporter had not shown up, so I was asked to give information to the residents about the center. I was so taken back by their questions. They really wanted to know what we do, and how we support the community. I guess I forget that just because you are in a nursing home or wheel chair, that you are not human or feel anymore. I am deeply sorry for looking at these beautiful women like this. And I hope that when I am that age, I will still be able to support the center with making blankets and loving other. God is so good and He makes me see his heart. There is a song by Babbie Mason called "Trust in His heart." This is true, I should not lean on my own understanding, but by his understanding.

Overcoming

Well, I am really glad to report, that today December 17th, 2007 I have overcame my fear with the computer. I have been able to add things to my blog, copy and paste, and now my blog has music. Look out world here I come!!! Now, my next step is to create a different blog template. Keep looking for the changes, cause they are coming. Tanya

Legacy

I was watching a show the other night, where the officer was reading a victim's diary to learn more about her. Later in the show the officer was talking to the family member and stated to the husband that he should tell the rest of the story to finish her legacy. This is true, we have so much time on the earth to share our legacy, through diaries, time lines, journals and biographies. Now with technology we have blogging. Our legacies are being made with every word that we write and express. This is also shown in the Word of God. He left us a legacy of promises that have been truly fulfilled. Every word in the bible is living and the promises are to be meditated day and night and planted on our hearts. If we loose hope in this, we will loose hope for generation to come. This is why we need to hold on to the promises and spread them with our family and friends. Tell your story. I remember a friend told me, their are sixty six book in the bible and our story is the sixty seventh. Make that story.

Promises of God through the word:

Joshua 1:8
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Psalm 19:11
"Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Luke 11:28
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

John 8:31
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;"

Revelation 1:3
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

Psalm 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee,"

Luke 2:19
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."


The Word of God is so important in our lives. If we truly want to change and grow in God, we need to make the word a daily part of our lives. I hope that this new year becomes more evident to you because of the word. Amen

Jesus is our Safety Net

Well, normally I sit back and think of what I am going to blog about the next day. But let me tell you God laid this right in my lap. Last night our son and daughter went out side to walk our dogs. They opened the door and the dogs ran out. Well out side was a man walking his dog. Well our children were in the wrong because they did not have leashed on, but the man's dog did not have a leash on either. So, this man wailed into our son and used some choice language and threaten to call the Police. Scared our son and daughter very badly. Then to top it all off, the man came back and literally beat down our door, when Jeff answered the door, the man told Jeff that if he seen our dogs off the leashes again he would kill them. Jeff couldn't even calm the man down, he had melt down all over Jeff. Well of course with all the resent shootings and activity that is going on, I became fearful. I spent most of the night just terrified about what this man said and how freaked out he was. So I went into my little office(bathroom) and I binded fear in the name of Jesus Christ and sent it to where it needed to go. I refuse to live my life in fear. I laid back down and I started to remember all the promises that Jesus says:

Luke 21:18
"But there shall not an hair of your head perish."

Not one hair on my head will be touched, because Jesus is my safety.

Luke 1:74
"That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear."

Luke 10:19
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

John 10:28
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

Romans 8:31
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Hebrews 13:6
"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

And the list goes on and on. He is our comfort and safety net. Not on hair will be touched, no man can harm us and the Lord will always prevail. Amen

His Liberating Power

His Liberating Power, means to ultimate freedom. I really believe that we take Christ power for granite. He has the power to raise the dead, cast out demon, heal the sick, stop the storms, etc, etc. He is really awesome, and we should never take it for granite. Here are some scriptures to peruse and pray over, give Jesus reverence this Christmas season.

Luke 11:14
"And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered."

John 8:32
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 8:36
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 7:25
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Romans 8:2
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:21
"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

Galatians 5:1
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Remember because of His power, we are free. But we need to know the Lord as our Lord and savior, and we also need to be in the word every day to know His truth that will set us free.

Steve Harvey introduction to Jesus

This is the most awesome introduction to Jesus I have ever heard.

Christ the Morning Star

In the KJV there is some refrences for Christ being the morning star.

Numbers 24:17
"I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come s Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corniers of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth."

2 Peter 1:19
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart:"

Revelation 2:28
"And I will give him the morning star."

Revelation 22:16
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the brught and morning star."

Define: 1. a planet, especially Venus, visiable in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Why wouldn't He be called the morning star? After all, He created the beautiful star to begin with. Have a great day.

Tis the Season to be Icy

This morning when my husband came home from work, I got up to fix him breakfast. He told me how the other guys at work could not get the doors to their vehicles opened and the ice was so thick on the windshields of the cars. As we were talking we were standing in the entry way with the front door opened. We had the dogs outside doing their morning ritual. Our littlest dog ran across the sidewalk and his back paws met up with his front paws and he almost went head first into the snow. He has a tendency to want to run around until he finds the right spot to mark. Well, not this morning, every time he moved a paw it would slide this way and that. It was such a sight to see. He barely got up the front steps. So, while we were enjoying this comic relief from the family pet, I noticed the branches on our tree and the ice that covered the tree. The wind picked up and the tree cracked and creaked as it moved with the wind. It was a powerful moment for me, the power of our Lord in action concerning His creation. It amazes me to think how powerful our Lord is, and we may never ever see the full power of God until we reach Heaven. I am at awe with Him. It just warms my heart for this season to see another example of His power.

Jesus is the Word

The Lord is the Word, and will always be the word. As long as we read the word, it will fill us with His promises, blessings and guidance. So today's attribute is Christ the Word.

John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

1 John 1:1
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;"

1 John 5:7
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Wordm and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

Revelation 19:13
"And he was clothed with a vesture diped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God."

And of course the list goes on and on. He is the Word. So the next time you read your bible, remember the Word lives.

Christ is Love

This weekend was so awesome. Jeff and I connected and it was a wonderful time to grow. I really believe that without Christ, Jeff and I would probably not be married. Only Christ strengthened our marriage and caused us to grow. So, these scriptures are about love, marriage and family. Christ is in us, therefore, we love because of Christ.

Genesis 29:20
"And Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her."

Esther 2:17
"And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vasthi."

Proverb 31:11
"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."

Proverbs 31:28
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,"

Ephesians 5:28
"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."

Ephesians 5:33
"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husbands."

Mothers

Hagar's love for her child
Genesis 21:6
"And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept."

The mother of Moses
Exodus 2:3
"And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein: and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."

2 Samuel 21:9
"And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the Lord: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest."

Matthew 15:22
"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil."

John 19:25
"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene."

Love starts at home, and through Christ. He is the one who first loved us.

Jesus Our Healer

I want to share this. Last night my husband and I had a wonderful night alone. The kids were with their grandparents. We went to a Christmas party, then we watched movies and talked. by time the night was over it was about five a.m. So we fell asleep and I was woke up by a weird noise. Jeff was sitting in the chair and his eyes were closed. He was making a small noise, when I got close to him and touched him, he opened his eyes and looked at me. The first words out of his mouth was "I am Healed." I smiled at him and said, "yes you are, God loves you and He wants you healed." So this day I want to share with you the scriptures of our Lord the Healer.

Healing: to be made sound, well, whole, healthy.

Job 5:18
"For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundethm and his hands make whole."

Matthew 8:3
"And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleaned."

Matthew 8:16
"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:"

Mark 1:31
"And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."

Mark 10:52
"And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

Luke 17:14
"And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed."

Its Power

Mark 6:56
"And withersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if itwere but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole."

Luke 6:19
"And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all."

Acts 5:15
"Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."

Acts 19:11-12
"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."

I listed these, because Jesus gave Peter and Paul the power to heal and cast out demons.

Believe that our Lord is healer, these are not my words. These are in the bible, and you can not pick or choose what to believe. You either believe all of the bible or none of it.

8 Reasons Why I Don't Share My Faith -- Remixed

This is a really funny video on sharing your faith with others.

Our Lord is our King

Jesus is so special to me, I know he is my friend, He is my Father, He is my Mother. Jesus fulfilled so much in my life. Most honorably, is his kingship to all of us, the sacrifice He made for us. That at this moment he is seated next to his father. So, today I will honor the Lord with scripture about His kingship.

Mark 15:26
"And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Luke 1:33
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

John 1:49
"Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."

John 12:13
"Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."

1 Timothy 6:15
"Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lord."

Define: potentate: a potent, or powerful, person; a monarch.

1 Corinthians 15:25
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet."

Psalm 2:6
"Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."

Isaiah 32:1
"Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment."

I am so rejoiceful that the Lord pulled me to Him. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the ultamite Monarch. So remember He had to live to die, and live again for us.

Lighthouse Ministries

This is a skit that a youth group put together. This skit is really powerful. I hope that you enjoy it. Tanya

Lighthouse Everything Skit

Conditions Required for Salvation

Okay, I have finally gotten the salvation situation. It is not that all these scriptures point in different direction, or there are other meaning of salvation. It is a time line of actions that direct the way to salvation or to be saved. It is like being handed a messed up Rubiks Cube. As you keep twisting and twisting to get all the colors together, the final result is that you solved it. The same with salvation, the only way to get saved or salvation is through Jesus Christ. And as you are saved you need to do things to grow in that salvation: reading the word, being obedient, knowing his promises, believe in the power that is given you through His word. You also, have ministry work and spreading the news of Jesus Christ. But the first key is excepting Jesus as your savior, and inviting Him into your heart.

Define:

Salvation-1. A saving or being saved; preservation from destruction; rescue. 2. a person or thing which is a means, cause, or source of preservation or rescue. 3. in theology, spiritual rescue from sin and death, saving of the soul through the atonement of Jesus, redemption.

Conditions Required:

Endurance
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10:22

Faith and Confession
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
1 Corinthians 1:21

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 3:15

Spiritual Receptivity:
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:21

Spiritual Diligence
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11

Spiritual Cleansing
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14

So as I lay out the time line of salvation, I hope that you will see the many facets of salvation.

1. The plan of salvation.

2. Announced by prophets

3. Salvation of God (Old Testament).

4. Salvation of Jesus Christ (New Testament).
a. Jesus the only door
b. Jesus the only savior
c. Jesus' grace is sufficient
d. Jesus' blood avails us
e. Salvation to whom obeys Jesus
f. Jesus' coming again

5. Conditions Required
a. Endurance
b. Faith and confession
c. Spiritual receptivity
d. Spiritual diligence
e. Spiritual cleansing

6. Available to All
a. A free gift of excepting salvation (eternal life)
b. We need to seek out the Lord, ( through prayer and the word)
c. The promise

Just remember that good works are important for our growth in the Lord, but it is not the way to Heaven. We have to except Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Then we need to be in prayer for our ministry work. Well, this has been interesting, so tomorrow I will look at another attribute of God. Tanya

Salvation part II

Hi ya all, before I blog tonight I would like to pray for the fourteen people who were either wounded or killed in the shooting today at West Roads Mall. And most definitely, I would like to pray for the families trying to understand this terror that has now effected their families.

Dear Awesome Father:
I lift up these families that are now coming to grips with the pain that they now face. I pray that loving Christian people grace their life with love and support. I also pray for the victims that witnessed this attack, protect their dreams and thoughts that will run in their minds. I pray for protection on these people and their families. I also ask for healing on the victims that are now in the hospital. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers. Amen

Well tonight I am going to give some scriptures on Salvation, as I said, I was alittle surprised at the different meanings of salvation.

Salvation only available through Christ:

The Only Door:
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." John 10:9

The Only Savior:
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

His Grace Sufficient:
"But we believe that throught the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." Acts 15:11

His Blood Avails:
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath throught him." Romans 5:9

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9

For the Obedient:
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Hebrew 5:9

At the Coming:
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:28

Well, I still can not believe all these different meaning of salvation. Tomorrow I will type some scriptures on conditions required of salvation. I will also look up some meanings of scripture in the dictionary. I hope that you are enjoying these different looks at the Lord in the bible through his scriptures. Have a wonderful night. Tanya

Weather

I have to share a story that is funny but serious. Last night my husband and I were watching the news. I was really surprised about the weather that Washington State was getting. They are having 100 mile an hour winds, flooding and landslides. So, I grabbed the phone an calling my parents, I was a little concerned. My step mother answers the phone and I ask her if the house has moved closer to Bremerton Washington, my parents live north of Bremerton. My step mother laughs and said almost. My dad was telling me that they have had snow storms that do not last, high winds and land slides and flooding more north of my parents. Dad said, he really wants to sell the house and move somewhere warm. I tell him, they should move to Iowa. Dad said he wanted to but my step mother does not. I reassured dad that we did have indoor plumbing and if your lucky, you can get a house with air conditioning. I think people honestly think we are hicks. Ha, Ha. So please be praying for the weather, and the safety of others during this winter. Tanya

He is our Salvation

I was looking up the word salvation in Jeff's Topical Bible, I was really shocked at how many meanings there is for salvation. I will share some of these different angles of salvation in the next coming days. But today I will be sharing the salvation of God.

Salvation of God:

A minister that I have listened to used this passage as a well of life and we can draw it out.

"And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Isaiah 12:1-6

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again not more for ever."
Exodus 14:13

"And hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."
1 Samuel 2:1

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
1 Timothy 4:10

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God." Revelation 19:1

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zep 3:17

Wow, He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy, love and singing. That is so amazing to me, what an awesome God we have. Our God is awesome and He is the only reason for this season. I will share another area of salvation tomorrow. This area is the Salvation thru Christ alone, the only door. Have a great day and meditate on His word day and night.
Tanya

For He Is Our Comfort

I came across a scripture last night that really spoke to me. The Lord is our provider, he gives us joy, He is our Savior. But how many of us use God as our comforter. I think sometimes I forget this. So today's attribute will be comforter.

Comforter:

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isaiah 40:1-5

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18

(And behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.)" Matthew 9:20-22

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Acts 9:31


There are so many scriptures on comfort. But know this, that during this time of the year and if fact everyday, all we have to do is know that the Lord is right next to us and He is comforting us. We are never alone.

Omnipresent-Always Present

I thought that this Christmas I would focus on Jesus. So I am going to start with one of His attributes.

Omnipresent:

"Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath; there is none else." Deuteronomy 4:39

"Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye built unto me? And where is the place of my rest?" Isaiah 66:1

"But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens can not contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice to Him?" 2 Chronicles 2:6

"If I ascend up to heaven thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." Psalm 139:8

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord, do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the Lord." Jeremiah 23:24

"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every on of us." Acts 17:27

If you look at these scriptures, they are clear that the Lord is every where at all times. So during this time of the year, when I feel alone, I am going to remember these scriptures and know that Jesus is sitting right by me and he will go through every thing with me.

Artists

I have to boast a little bit. My darling daughter has been taking these art classes with another home school mom. She has also been learning about different Artist, she has learned about Picasso and Di Vici. She prepared a picture of a tiger before she went to the art class. She came home with the finished project, she did a wonderful job. I am so proud of her. She really likes to draw, she is drawing all the time. For her birthday this year Grandpa got her an easel It has a role of paper on it and she is always painting. For Christmas I think I will have to get her more paint and paper. She also likes to sketch with pencils and art books. I am so glad that we have the freedom to express ourselves through art, music, and poetry. I am not sure how the Lord is going to use our daughters talents, but I am so thankful that she can express herself with the gift. About four years ago, my mother died suddenly. My sister and I were preparing all the details, and my aunt told my sister and I to go through all of her belongings. She had only three rubber made boxes left of her life. But these boxes were filled with art supplies. She also left a stack of finished art drawings in chalk. Now I knew my mother could sing like no other and I knew my mother had wrote peotry, but I did not know she drew. I felt a little lost, I mean, I guess I did not know that much about her. But at the time, well all my life we ware not close. I am so glad that I was able to see something about her that she loved. She did express herself throught these chalk drawings. I look at the one I have and I can see her on the beach drawing the lighthouse and feeling good.

Forgiveness Is The Important Key!!

Saturday I borrowed a CD set from a friend. It is called "Affabell", if you can get a copy listen to it, it is powerful. Anyways, I do not want to ruin it for you, but some issues came to my heart. One is unforgiveness, the Lord can not work in your life if you have unforgiveness in your heart. In Mark 11:25-26 says"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Wow, does this mean that if you do not forgive others that the Lord will not be able to work in your life? I am not sure, but I do know that God brings up forgiveness and forgiving others many times in His word. Another passage is Matthew 6:14-15 says "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." If we are to love one another, we must let down our walls. This reminds me of the story's my husband tells me about, during the tear down of the wall in Germany that separated the east from the west. My husband was serving in the Army when this happened. He said that it was a powerful moment in the country as they let down their wall and trusted each other more. This is what we are to do, we are to love and trust each other. If you keep up the wall God will not be able to work in your heart. I realized at this moment I needed to let down my walls. I prayed out "Lord if I have unforgiveness on my heart surface it like fat from chicken. I do not want to be the wall between the Lord's work and what I need to do as a believer. Ask yourself this question "Do you still remember why you have unforgiveness toward this person?" Or, "Does that person even realize that your are still upset with them?" You and I are special, the Lord created us to love and spread the message of the Lord. Can you do it with anger and resentment on your heart?

Dear God, I pray for anyone who is reading this blog. I pray that they reach to you and let you surface their unforgiveness. Love on them Lord and let the shame and guilt fade away. Let the love flow through their heart and let them start forgiving right now. In your powerful name, Amen.

18 Inch Jump South

For a couple of months I have been examining myself. I have realized that I have not had reverence towards the Lord like I need too. I have been praying out loud to the Lord and I have been looking up the attributes of the Lord. Now, granted I know the word, I understand it mentally, I am not sure it is planted in my heart. So Sunday, I was on my couch reading this bible study about Sanctification and Holiness. In the bible Study the author writes about Jesus' death on the cross. He writes,"The sinful nature which still resists God has been legally dealt with. God has no program for this sinful nature except crucifixion. He does not want to educate it, to heal it, to accept it or to love it. It must be killed, It has been killed, legally, at the cross. Our old man was crucified with him." At the moment of reading this the knowledge of this very idea jumped from my head straight to my heart. I understood it, if I am sinning continually, God does not want me to go to the website to educate myself on the sin, or look up all the books on it. He doesn't even want me to try to understand why I keep doing it. He wants me to focus on the Word of God and let the Word correct me. Not focusing on the sin, but on the Word of God. All my life I have been focusing on the wrong thing. I have been blaming this person or that person in my past, or thinking it was a generational curse or something. Trying to understand why I kept sinning in certain areas of my life. But now I totally understand why Jesus died for me, my sins are already dead, I need to repent and then not focus on it again. And in that reality, I repent and then I know that guilt and shame does not have a place in my life, because Jesus had to die and rise again for me to live. I belong 100% to Him and I believe that. I am no longer going to say that I do not have reverence for the Lord, because after Sunday I look at Him with more reverence than ever.

My Thankful Heart

Well another Thanksgiving has come upon us and has rushed away just as quickly. I really kind of dreaded this one. My mother in law had a knee replacement and my sister in law was in Iowa City. I was the only one going to make dinner. My Father in law did put in the Turkey and he did carve it and my mother in law did get up a little to make the potatoes. But I did most of the rest. I realized through this day, that I was so thankful for a lot of things. 1. I get along with my mother in law very well, she has taught me most of the cooking, besides Lori. 2. I was able to cook and learn to make the family stuffing. 3. We were together and all is well with all of us. 4. I live in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving, because some people long ago wanted to break from Tierney and worship the Lord freely. 5. Through the week I was surrounded by loving and caring sister's in Christ who love me very much. 6. I am living in a free country and I can love others freely and choose the people I want to surround my life. 7. I am blessed to Home school my children and teach them about the Lord. I could go on and on, I am blessed and I really enjoyed my Thanksgiving. I have vowed to be thankful every day and praise the Lord with all my heart. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

A Beautiful Women

Recently, I have been reading another book for our Saturday Ladies Group. The book is Captivating, I read the first chapter and one of the questions in the workbook made me look at women in my life who have inspired me. One special women who popped into my head was my Grandmother Gussie. Grandma raised ten children by herself. My Grandfather died early and left Gussie with ten children, the oldest was sixteen and there was two sets of twins still in diapers. She worked so that she could put all seven of the boys in Gonzaga Prep, an all boy Catholic school. She was a God fearing women and she loved the Lord with all of her heart. She loved all of her 28 grandchildren and here 19 great grandchildren. She was really the glue that held the family together, she was soft spoken and she loved us very much. I hope that I could be like her. After the children all grew up, my grandmother traveled the world, she went to the Holy Lands, Spain, New york and many other places. She was such an inspiration for me. She once sat down with me and told me how she met Grandpa, she actually went on a date with another guy and double dated with her friend who was dating Grandpa. She walked away from the date realizing that she was going to marry her friends date. And later on they met again and feel in love. She was a wonderful story teller and boy could she make cookies. I will always have a place in my heart for her. I love her very much and I miss her.

Everything is Going to change?

So tonight is our sons official night at his new job. He is running around getting ready when our daughter comes down and sits next to me on our ottoman. "Everything is going to change, nothing stays the same", she replies. I looked at her and said "What do you mean?" "Luke will not have time for me." I hugged her and I reassured her that time does change, but we all have to grow up. She wanted to know why, why does everyone change? So after a small conversation she was reassured and she went in the other room. I started thinking, time does change, we change. I can not truly say that I am the same person who moved to Iowa sixteen years ago. God has really changed me, maybe it's because I wanted to change. Or maybe I needed to not hold on to things of the past that could harm my family. I am not sure, I know I am not the same person. I pray to the Lord everyday, please change my heart and let me learn something new everyday. I guess I need to give this prayer to my children and let them be more open to change from the Lord. It is how the Lord works, if we are humble and just He can work in our lives. So everything is going to change. Be ready to change!!!!

Getting Older in one Week

Well, I am now a proud mother of a sixteen years old with a job. Starting Friday of this week my son will now be in the working world. He will be working at McDonald's here in town. I am not sure who actually is getting older, our son or me? You know when you first have them you think, what do I do next? How do you take care of them and will I eventually be good at it? Then time goes by and you teach them the things that you do not want them to do and the things that you want them to learn, you even feel a little more confident in your parenting skill. Maybe the biggest reason is because you know that they are under you and nothing can hurt them. But then they turn sixteen and they start naming all these things that they want and you know that you can not afford, like a new car and PlayStation 3 etc, etc. So, you start pointing to the work world and they are now under someone else, and you so hope that you taught them what they needed to know. This is where I am today, I am so hoping that I taught him what he needed to know, I guess if you think about it, did I know everything when I got my first job? This is were the maturity starts or could crash violently. I should talk to him about being humble and being able to be teachable everyday. So, I guess having children lets me know that I am getting older, and maybe a little wiser.

P.A.R.T.Y spells HELP!!!

Well, you really do not realize how old you are until you take five kids to a huge event. This happened to DH and I, in fact as I am blogging this, DH is still out cold with exhaustion. So last night my DH and I took our sweet sixteen year old son, our dearly daughter and some of our son's friends to the pizza place in Omaha called the 'Amazing Pizza Machine". First of all it is on the other side of Omaha closest to Fremont Nebraska, so the drive was long. And when we were three street lights away from it you could see it, it is a strip mall by itself. A large lump formed in my throat and I started praying "Lord give me strength." So all the kids piled out of the van and my DH and I are giving orders and rules as we are walking into this giant warehouse of fun. We hit the lobby and I proceed to go up to the counter to confirm our reservation, as I talked to this lady, she is looking for our sweet sixteen's name on the list and they can not find it. I decided I was not going to be testy or angry but know that God is in control here. So after about ten minutes they find our son's name and this young man who is our host shows up. Bubbly young man named Patrickvand the kids really liked him from the beginning. He took our DH and all the kids to the room that we reserved, while I talk to the young gal about squaring up the bill. So, she scans the paper that all of our information is on and the card number that I used to put down the deposit is now not working for her. So, I stand there determined not to blow a gas get and let God take this over. It took three people to figure out this promblem and I just stood there and kind of chuckled. So, they figure it out and I am finishing and about to find my party, when one of the people who was trying to figure out all these hang ups hand me a little credit card with twenty dollars stamp on it. I said "what is this for?" He replied " for being so patient with us and our mistake?" So I thanked Him. Now, the credit card is what helps you pay for all the games and rides. So, I payed for six cards of ten dollars a pieces and I got a twenty dollar one for free. I thanked the Lord for this wonderful gift. and proceeded down this hall, when I hear "Hay supermom." I turn around and there is Patrick, he tells me were our room is and all the things we can do. My DH and I decide we need to let the kids eat first. We walk down this hall and into this room that is filled with buffet style tables. You could have anything you wanted. They even had a Macaroni Pizza. The kids ate all their food and we gave them their cards and they were off. They rode the go carts, bumper cars, little roller coaster, bowled, they played all kinds of video games. My darling husband and I played air hockey, I realized I am not so good at the game. But, by the end of the night my DH and I were exhausted trying to keep up with all the kids. But in reality I was really starting to like the idea of all the children. I myself came from big families. My Dad came from a family of ten and my mother came from a family of thirteen. My step-mother called me on my cell phone and I was telling my mother that I liked all these children and I wanted some more of my own. My step-mother laughed and told me more grandchildren would be great. So if you get to Omaha, go to the Amazing Pizza Machine it is pricey, but it is worth it. It may even bring out the kid in you!!!!!!

"Sweet 16"

Well it is official, as of today I am the proud mother of a sixteen year old. I can not believe the time that has swiftly passed by me. So, I have to tell you, the other night my now sixteen year old was pondering a PlayStation 3, he was so engrossed in it and was telling his grandfather how he wanted one. So, DD pipes up and says, well if you would get a job, and a driving liescence you could get it yourself. So our sixteen year old with all the wisdom in his little world, pipes up and says, I have been looking, I have been beating the pavement. Ha, ha, my DH tells our son, sitting on the couch or playing video games does not count in job hunting. So, I ask you how much more challenging will this sixteen year old become. I am not sure but I am in deep prayer for him now and every second of every hour, and all day. He has gotten really bold with DH and I, which in some ways are good and bad. He has also shown some real grown up decisions, but not enough of them to support living on his own yet. I remember when I was sixteen, I wonder if my parents felt the same way about me or worse? All of you who have teenagers understand, one moment you look at them and remember how small they were and how much they clung to you like glue. Then in one fail move they become bold and stand offish. I guess this is why we not only need to equip our children with education but also with God, they will not survive without Him. Amen

openning my heart

I am amazed at how much the Lord is doing for me. My husband wanted to start a Home Church. At first I was not support with it. But, I prayed out to God, I looked up scriptures and God gave me peace about it. Now God has been blessing us through it. I can not tell you how many meetings we have had and I have walked away looking at God with wider eyes and amazement of His word. He is opening up our eyes. So, Monday night we laid hands upon my mother in law who was going into the hospital on Wednesday to have a total knee replacement. The peace rushed upon us and we knew that Jesus was going to be over her while she was going to have this procedure done. Yesterday we all sat at the Hospital for about eight hours, this is prep time for Mother, the surgery was actually only an hour an a half. When we were finally permitted to go up to the room where she was staying and we were able to see her, she looked good. I can not even explain this, it was God. She held my hand and I said, "Mom from the moment that you told me that you were going to have this done, I have felt peace." Mom looks at me and replies"It was God, I have had peace going in to it." God directed all of this, he sent the right doctor, the right hospital and the right day, mom only had two weeks notice of this. She will be getting out of bed today and walking. She is so excited about this, and this was because of God and his word. I feel blessed, oh I could just be saying it because I am a christian and I have to say it, but I do feel blessed, I am ready to die to my flesh and let God do with me that he wants. I am ready. I am tired of fighting. Tanya

Being Lead

I really believe that I am getting this being lead by God thing. I have been volunteering at the local Pregnancy Center. I have done some counciling and up until last night I have not felt very comfortable about this. I have been praying and reading God's word and trusting that this is where he has wanted me to be. But I still walked away each Tuesday alittle unsure. So, last night when a client came in, I felt that unsure feeling. But as I spent time with her, God gave me the words to speak to her and I really felt peace. I know now that this is where I am suppose to be and as long as I listen to the Lord, He is going to give me the words and the ways to connect with the people who walk into the center. This most important reality for me is to be in the word and in prayer always and forever. The moment that I do not do these things, I will fall back into old habits and not be lead by the Lord. I am really blessed to have a redemmer who loves me so much and he wants me to spread the word of Him to others. Thank you, Lord.

Gods direction

I do not have much time to share this, but this is grand. This weekend Jeff, the kids, the grandparents and I drove to Iowa City to celebrate Fall birthdays. Well the weekend was really good to begin with. But the most exciting moment was Sunday. All of us from Red oak, wanted to share with the Iowa City Folks about our home church. All of sat down together and started reading from Genesis 15. When we finished with one chapter mind you, questions started to rumble. We had a wonderful conversation about God. Then my niece shared somethings that she was really struggling with and she really felt some guilt. We talked to her about having authority over Satan and I suggested that we pray over her. As I prayed , Jeff and his mother prayed in the spirit. When we were done, there was not a dry eye in the place and we all felt something, because there were amens and hallelujahs all over. I tell you the spirit will meet you were you are. Read the word and pray for wisdom and knowledge. I believe God directed this family in a whole new way. Amen

Years go By fast

I was looking at my blog and I realized it had been a while since I made an entry. Time is going really fast, before I will know it Christmas and the New Year will be here. I started thinking about when I was a child. My mother loved Christmas. She was lighting candles and playing Christmas music in September. This was a great way to tease my sister and myself. We would ask over and over again how close Christmas was. Of course, it was three months away and it seemed like forever. Now, I look at September and panic if I have enough time to get everything done. Oh, those were the days. I remember them like they were yesterday. Well, now my kids ask "How long is it till Christmas?" And of course we count the days. But I am happy to say, I do not start Christmas music till after Thanksgiving. Tanya

Blessings

Well, I am reminded that today is Monday. Yesterday, Jeff and I celebrated our seventeenth wedding anniversary with Jeff's Parents. We were up pretty late and decided to go to Walmart. It was about one in the morning. So, I did not get up real early today. But, when I got up and around, I started panicking about everything. And, after having a complaining (on my part) conversation with a friend. I realized that I need to sit back and remind myself of the blessings from God. I think I rely to much on my friends and family to uplift me. I need to rely on God and let his word uplift me. I am blessed, I just celebrated seventeen years with one spouse. I have not had to experience divorce like my parents did. I have been blessed with my kids. I am a homeschooling mom, who does not have to work. I can give my children the teachings of the Lord in their schooling. I have freedoms that other mothers do not have. God protects me and loves me. I am blessed that I have such wonderful in-laws that love me and took me in, when my family would not. I really need to realize that I am blessed to live in a country where I am free to worship Jesus. I do not have to hide my bible or be afraid of who I talk to. I am blessed. Thank you God for You!!!!!

Be Careful What You Say?

I realize that in this day and age that Christians are an example of Christ's love. I believe that you should be a positive speaking person. But when your words have to be so positive that you can not speak out loud to God or speak what is on your heart, it has gone to far. God knows what is on our heart, and I do not believe that Christianity should be so hard and uncomfortable that our sister's or brother's in Christ are reprimanding us because of our verbs. I am a little concerned about this name it, claim it movement. This movement talks about naming what you want and it will be given unto you. Where is discipline and obedience? God says in His word "That he will provide all my needs, according to His riches" Phil 4:19. God's word if full of all kinds of promises and riches, but if you are going through something you should be able to talk to another Christian or talk to God. Not feel guilty because you feel that way or because your fellow christian is telling you that you may of caused it because of your speech. This to me is dangerous, does your words cause you to be poor, or does your words cause a car accident? I think this is giving Satan too much power. He is a defeated foe, he looses in the end, so why are we making fellow Christians feel guilty, because they feel this way? I realize that we should not focus on being poor, or health issues, we need to focus on Christ's love. Encourage each other, love each other as you would yourself (Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself) Matt 19:19. But do not make your friend in Christ feel bad because they are struggling with something. Take them to the word, pray over them and most of all encourage, not discourage. If we want to be positive with our words, lets start with each other. Lets look at this passage in Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that man shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by they words thou shalt be justified, and by they words thou shalt be condemned." I guess we as Christians have to ask ourselves, with our words are we turning other Christians away from God? If you are you will have to make an account to them. 1 Corinthians 11:28 says "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." So the next time you talk to a fellow christian examine your life and your speech to uplift and encourage your christian brother or sister in Christ.

Would You Like To Meet My Friend?

Every day, I sit and ponder about what in the heck am I going to type about tonight. Then I sit in front of the computer and look at the screen and type different titles. I have even gotten half way throught a paragraph and end up erasing the whole thing. So, tonight as I am sitting in front of the computer I started the same old rift. I realized that I love my son and daughter and they make my heart leap with joy. So, I can share about them. But they are not the ones who got me to this point of my life, God has. He has pulled me from lowest of pits and set me on solid ground. I can remember so many years ago, of thinking about walking away from my husband and children, feeling like I was trapped and I had no escape. I wanted to run for ever and not look back. But I walked into this church and my whold life flooded and flopped upside down and this way and that. I could not get enough of this God. He was showing me things that I thought I would never see or even want to change. Like being a mother, I was not a good one. I did not have a good one, I deceided that I was going to be a good one for my kids and love them more than I had felt loved. I was even asked by my husband to Homeschool, why do that I replied. I could not believe it. But the Lord changed my heart and I did it. I would not have it any other way. I love my kids and I love my husband. I do know that I still struggle through things and I need God more than ever. He has given me a changed and repented heart. I want you to know about my friend. Once you meet Him, he will change your life! Are you ready?

My Children

Today we had another fun filled day with homeschool. My daughter and I did home education, we made cinnamon rolls. I really believe God has changed my heart. A couple of months ago, I tried to show my daughter how to make something and all I did was get so frusterated with her. But today was different. I had so much fun with her, she was patient and she listened to every direction. She had fun, and so did I. And the cinnamon rolls were wonderful. Both my children have in the past been slow learners. This year they both are working very hard and they have brought themselves up. I do believe this change has also helped because I have changed the way that I have been talking to both of them. Over the summer, I tried to uplift them, telling them both that I have been proud of both of them, that God has a wonderful ministry for them. That they are handsome or beautiful. They have both shown some wonderful growth. I am so excited to see what this year produces in both of them. My son is even mentioned college a few times, this is news to me. I am so proud of both of them and I am so blessed to see their fruit bloom. It is an experience that I am so thankful that God laid on my husband's heart. If God is laying homeschool on your heart, heed the direction. You will be blessed.

Slowdown

I was watching Sunday night television, when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came on. I always like to watch the show. This episode involved a mother's plea to finish a home that her sixteen year old son started building. Her son was also head of the family, he tragically was killed in a car accident. I was really moved, this young boy did not just take care of the family or started building the family home, but he donated his organs to others. I was so moved by this young boys life. At sixteen he touched a whole community, four other people who needed organs and left such a print on his mother and sisters hearts. I started thinking about the day and what I wanted to share tonight on my blog. It made me zone in on the discussion in my women's sunday school class this morning. Malachi 3:10 " Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." This discussion this morning was on tithing and offerings. That as christians we have an obligation to God to offer tithes to our church or other placed that we feel God is directing us. But above our tithes we need to be helping others or giving offerings to the Lords creation. This show tonight and the discussion this morning really have made a heavy impact on my heart. It is not about reconition or being better than anyone else. It is about doing the work of the Lord. I do not care who know what I am doing with the money or blessings that God has blessed us with. But, I do care what the bible says and the obediance that the Lord expects of me. If a sixteen year old teenager shows that much love toward others, where is my heart at? What am I doing to further God's Kingdom?

A long Road To Peace and Joy

Well, it has been a long road, but I am back. It is funny how you go through a trial and everything else gets put on the back burner. This summer has been a long one. Our teenager went to Oklahoma for a week and my baby went to camp for the first time. Talk about struggles, I really had a hard time letter her go. Do not get me wrong, if she was going with family, I would of been okay with it. But she went to another state. I really pulled in God for this trial. But, she made it through. In fact, when I asked her how camp was, her reply to me was, "I cried at least three nights and I got sick. So this is where I make my move, "So are you saying that you did not have fun and you do not want to go back?" " No I did not mean that, I want to go back." she replied. I had really hoped that she would not want to go back. But, life goes on and so does your children. My teenager will be 16 this year, I can remember when he was a tiny baby. Which has been making me think how short of a time I will have him at home. But anyways, this summer has been really a trial for me. A good friend moved away and there was a lot of surgeries in our family. I have also realized that I need to be a structured person. If I do not have a structure I wander around aimlessly. So, I was glad to start home school again. I am so amazed with my children, I thought that we would have to do a lot of review, but they picked up where they left off. I feel so blessed by my children and my husband. I am really seeing God's work in my heart, I have done a lot of praying and spending time in the word. Through it all I see my place as my husband's wife. I am the keeper of the home. I will do this ministry with a grateful heart and have joy. So, through this trial came peace and joy. And that is what a christians life is all about.

Teenagers

I have to share this, Sunday I was doing some extra cleaning. I was using Brasso to clean the brass around the house. Well my teenager wanted to clean something of his. I showed him how to use the brasso and I received a phone call. As I was on the phone, my son came in the room with rubber gloves, and a surgical mask on and he was holding the Brasso can as if it could explode any minute. He really caught me off guard and I started laughing at him. Oh the things we do to protect ourselves. I really am going through struggles and this reminded me of resisting the devil. We always need to cover ourselves with the word and prayer. The Lord will protect us and we have to ask. Also, remember that Satan can not read your mind, so when you resist the devil you have to yell out loud. And remember to always praise the Lord.

Attitude?!

So, I am sitting in church tonight and feeling a little down. I have not been able to walk the last couple of days because of rain. I also think food looks a little more tempting. But anyway, Pastor Mike starts his sermon on attitude. Can you believe it? He starts to talk about Joesph and his dreams, if he had listened to people down his dreams he could of become a negative person(Genesis 37). And really through all the things that Joesph goes through, he could of became negative. But, he stay steadfast and waits. Pastor Mike also talks about the Israelites and the ten spies, who come back and talked fear about the promise land. The only two that are stead fast are Joshua and Caleb. They both knew that God would get them through, and help them conquer the land. But because of fear, this caused all the rest of the Israelites to loose out on the blessings. Joshua and Caleb are the only two that will receive this blessing of the promise land. (Numbers 13:26-33). And oh my goodness let us not forget David as a boy, who knew that the Lord would help him defeat Goliath. Come on, how awesome is that. The knowledge and boldness of David, wow I would love to be like that. But of course, that is the point isn't it? I have a choice. I can choose to be negative or positive, I can choose to be bold or weak. Well I choose to be positive and bold, strong and loving. My words, body language, faith, lifestyle etc, hinges on the Lord and my attitude towards His word. I would like to see my boldness like Paul. He had so many things happen to him and he still was bold and knew his Lord. He even called himself a prisioner of Jesus Christ. He was ready to go to Heaven at any time. But, Paul also knew he had a task to fill, and that was to reach people for Christ. So, we need to get out of our little zones and start reaching people for Christ. I am going to do that. God bless anyone who wants to join me.

My Words

I have really heard lots of sermons on the "way that I speak, will be the way that I live". At first, I thought this was really ridiculous. So, I put it to the test, and sure enough it is true. Not only is it true in the world, but God has alot to say about our words. Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearer." The words that we say every day should be uplifting and loving. If we are always complaining, that will be the life we live. I am choosing to be more uplifting. See, we are to encourage and love one another. I really do not want to be a downer. Up lift your words and the Lord will show us a blessed life. Look up the word, "word" in the concordance and you will see lots of them. God even said in Jeremiah 1:9 "Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth, and the Lord said unto me, behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit there of." Well, that just clinches it, I am going to be more up beat and loving, encouraging my family and friends to be more love and not turned down. God is good and He loves me.