Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Dealing with loss

One of my very best friends lost a close family member recently.  They are a very private person so I don't want to put their name on here, but please say a prayer for that family.  God knows who they are.  It is always hard when we lose a loved one to death.  We have joy and can take comfort in the fact that they are better off if they have been saved.  Because a person who knows Jesus as their Saviour is with Him as soon as they leave this world.  But we are only human and we miss that person being in our lives.  Praise God that if our loved one has been saved and we have been saved, we will meet them again one day in Paradise.  If you have loved ones that have gone Home to be with the Lord, but you yourself have not accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour, I encourage you to read How To Be Saved by going to http://www.geocities.com/lighthousebaptistchrch/howtobesaved
 
Don't let that family circle be broken!  For those of us that have been redeemed, death is only the beginning!  A better (perfect) world awaits us!  I thank God for His mercy and grace by which I was saved.  I have a grandmother, a grandfather, a great grandmother, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends that I know are waiting for me in Heaven!  What a great reunion day that will be.  But we must remember to pray for the family and friends left behind where death has entered in.  So please remember my friend's family in prayer.  Thank you, and until next time, be blessed.............
 
Love,
Stephanie

Sunday, July 24, 2005

A Song For Mary Magdalene

I just had to make one more post tonight. I was doing some research on Mary Magdalene and came across this poem written by Irish poet Padraic Pearse called "A Song For Mary Magdalene". I hope it blesses you as it did me. I think it is absolutely beautiful. ENJOY!


O woman of the gleaming hair,
(Wild hair that won men's gaze to thee)
Weary thou turnest from the common stare,
For the shuiler Christ is calling thee.
O woman of the snowy side,
Many a lover hath lain with thee,
Yet left thee sad at the morning tide,
But thy lover Christ shall comfort thee.
O woman with the wild thing's heart,
Old sin hath set a snare for thee:
In the forest ways forspent thou art
But the hunter Christ shall pity thee.
O woman spendthrift of thyself,
Spendthrift of all the love in thee,
Sold unto sin for little pelf,
The captain Christ shall ransom thee.
O woman that no lover's kiss
(Tho' many a kiss was given thee)
Could slake thy love, is it not for this
The hero Christ shall die for thee?

Something to share

I received an email tonight from a lady I had never met. She had ran across the church website and emailed me because she said she was encouraged by what she had read. She is in a bad position and has no family or friends around her. It always breaks my heart to hear of someone going through such a bad time. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we fail to look around and see others that are hurting. It is our job, as servants of Christ, to help those that are lonely and hurting. We must show love to those around us. More often times than not, we are quick to judge and talk about those around us who are in a bad position. I know when I had walked away from God and was living in the world I was miserable. And I know that there were some people who proclaim themselves as Christians who were readily putting me down and judging me instead of praying for me and trying to help me back up. Now, don't get me wrong...there were many that tried to talk to me and encourage me to turn back to the Lord. But I wonder sometimes, just which category do we fall in? Are we like the scribes and Pharisees that were ready to stone the woman that was caught committing adultery. How many of us would have stood, stones in hand, ready to judge and condemn her? And how many of us would have been like Jesus, running to her rescue, ready to help her? All of us at some time or another have been in the position where we were not exactly where God wanted us to be. None of us are perfect. But I think sometimes we get so full of our own selves that we forget that and tend to think that we are better than others. I don't want to ever get to that point. I know there is nothing that I have done that could ever make me deserving or worthy of God's grace and mercy. We need to show that same love and mercy to others to help them along their way. After all, shouldn't we all be working to help each other make it Home? I'm not just talking about ministering to the lost, either. There are many of God's children that are sick and hurting and have fallen back on their journey. Those of us that are standing firm have an obligation to reach out that helping hand. I don't really even know how I got on this subject tonight, but obviously it was meant for me to say it! I would like to leave you with John 8:3-12 and I want you to ask yourself which side you would have been on? Until next time, be blessed (and be a blessing to others!)....

3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Angels



I just found these anime pictures of angels and thought I would share them. I think they are beautiful. You know the Bible speaks of "entertaining angels unaware". I honestly believe that sometimes God sends angels to earth to live among us and help us and we never know that they are angels. I also think that is one reason we need to be careful how we treat other people. You never know when you may be entertaining angels unaware! Until next time, be blessed...

Love,
Stephanie

Friday, July 22, 2005

Closed Doors

This was sent to me in an email from my friend (and cousin) Angela.  I couldn't have written it better myself.  I thank God for all the doors He has closed in my life.  It all goes to show that it's about PERSPECTIVE.  Sometimes we don't always see things as they really are.  As I have said so many times, God sees "the big picture".  Here is the email.  I hope it blesses you as it has me.
 
Praise Him for Closed Doors

I've learned to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as I do an
open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not
prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong
door we would never find the right door. God directs our paths
through the closing and opening of doors.

One door closes; it forces you to change your course. Another door
closes; it forces you to change your course again. Then finally you
find the open door and you walk into your blessing. The Lord
directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but
instead of praising Him for the closed door (which keeps us out of
trouble) we get upset because we "judge by appearances."

You have an ever-present help in the time of need who is always
standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble
down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly! But
through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or
push aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble we
start crying "Lord how could You have done this to me?" We have got
to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say
that No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?

If you get terminated from your job - praise God for the new
opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be another
job, it might be school. If that man or woman won't return your
call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a
roadblock (just let it go).

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through
judging by appearances. I'm so grateful, my friends, for the many
times Our Father has closed doors to me just to open them in the
most unexpected places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words:
"Go to the left, now to the right" - sometimes! He will just close
the wrong doors.

Saturday, July 16, 2005

My past few days...

I am glad to be able to tell you that David's mom, Joanne is doing really well. Please continue to remember that family in prayer. I went to my doctor's visit yesterday and I really feel like we got a lot accomplished. She put me on a fluid pill because of the swelling in my legs and feet. She said it comes from me sitting with my legs bent at the knee all day (like when you sit at a COMPUTER!!!). The pills seem to be helping and I just started them yesterday. She also put me on Paxil to help with my anxiety. So far I can't see any effects of that yet, but she said it takes up to two weeks to really get in your system before you can see any difference. Of course, the pills are a very minor part of that. I happen to be a patient of the Great Physician as well! I know that God has His hand on me. Without that, there aren't any pills or treatments or anything that would do me any good.

Today my kids and I went with my friends Debbie, Robin, Annie Ruth (and her boyfriend, Don), and Terra to Asheboro to sing for the mother of a friend of Debbie's. Her name is Betty and she is dying of cancer. Please pray for her and her family. Betty is saved and on her way Home, but she has many loved ones that are lost and are in need of your prayers. I pray that something that was said or done today will make a difference in someone's life. If just one soul is saved because of our endeavors, then it is worth it all!! We got lost going up there and a trip that should have taken around 45 minutes ended up taking us almost 2 & 1/2 hours!! But that was ok, because we had a lot of fun talking and singing and praising the Lord.

I always get uplifted when I am around them. They have been so good to me and are just like family to me. Debbie is such an inspiration to me. She has been through so much and is such a wonderful witness for the Lord. If you haven't seen her website, http://www.geocities.com/debbiesstory , then you really need to go check it out and read her testimony. I am going to try to talk her into starting a blog like this one so that she can update it more often. A blog is just so much easier to manage than an entire website. Anyway, Debbie is continually a blessing to me and when I feel weak or tested, I usually think of her and it encourages me to go on and try harder.

Robin has been my friend for a long time and she has always been a blessing to me. She loves the Lord so much and I firmly believe she really tries to put Him first in her life. I know that she has been an inspiration to so many people. She has a couple of websites too, that if you haven't seen them you need to! Her websites are http://www.geocities.com/mrsrobinbunting and http://www.iwantustobetogeatherinheaven.com . She also has some of her songs on there that you really need to hear. Robin and I used to sing in a gospel group called Redeemed and those are some wonderful memories I will cherish always.

Annie Ruth has been such a good friend to me and she is like a grandmother to me. She is always there to listen if I need someone to talk to and she has the most positive outlook of anyone I have ever known. You never hear her say anything bad about anyone. She is always loving and kind and I know she has blessed so many people. She and Don just recently started dating. I am so happy for them. I pray that things work out wonderfully for them. I have prayed for a long time that God would send her a companion. She lost her husband 3 years ago and he is waiting for her on the other side. But I am glad to see her have some happiness while she is still here on earth. Annie Ruth if you are reading this...I love you, and YOU GO GIRL!!! ;-)

Terra always makes me smile. She is always one to cut up and laugh. You just can't feel bad when you are around her. She has such a wonderful voice too. And she has been a blessing to me even though I don't always tell her. She has been through a lot recently but she didn't let the devil hold her down. She got back up on her feet and kept pressing forward. I respect her for that. And I know God will honor it as long as she keeps going on for Him.

I hope that between all of us someone got a blessing today. But even if no one else there got a blessing, I did. And the funny thing is that these are the same people that never fail to tell me what a blessing I am to them. I hope they know that THEY are the blessing. They are just a few of the wonderful people God has put in my life. You know, He always knows what we stand in need of. So He knows I need encouraging and uplifting (and funny!) people in my life to help keep me strong. That's why I have friends like Debbie, Robin, Annie Ruth, and Terra.

Please continue to pray for all the prayer requests and until next time, be blessed........

Love,
Stephanie

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Hang On

My friend Robin, sent me this link.  I needed this right now.  (Thank you, Robin!!)  Maybe it will be a blessing to you too!
 
 
Until next time, be blessed......
 
Love,
Stephanie

Satan's Meeting

My friend, Annette sent this to me and I thought it was worth sharing (very true, too!):
 
 
SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)


Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.



In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.


I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?


You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Joanne

I just wanted to let you all know that I just talked to David and he said that Joanne is doing much better.  She had her surgery Monday and she is home now and doing well.  The only problem with her heart was a small artery was clogged but there was nothing they could do with it.  So thank you all for your prayers for Joanne.  Continue to pray that she would recover fast and fully!!  Thanks again!  Isn't God AWESOME?????

Another prayer request

Sometimes it seems there is so much sickness going around and so many people in need of healing.  But we can never pray too much!  Even if someone is about to go out to meet the Lord, we still need to pray for their families.  And God can work through sickness and death just like He can through anything.  So with that being said, please remember my friend JW and his family.  His grandmother is not doing well at all.  She has a lot of medical problems and is in the hospital right now.  Also continue to remember my friend David and his mother Joanne as well as the rest of their family.  I haven't heard from David in a few days so I am not sure how Joanne is doing, but I will let you all know as soon as I know.  And if you don't have anything else to pray for, pray for me.  I will be going to the doctor this Friday to find out why my feet and legs are swelling so badly and also to find out why I keep having panic attacks.  Sometimes they are so bad I feel like I am having a heart attack.  Of course, I know it is really a SATAN attack!!  Satan is the perpetrator of sickness and sorrow.  Therefore I rebuke him in the name of the Lord.  Jesus said that by HIS stripes, we are healed and I truly believe that.  So with your prayers and God's intervention I feel confident that I will get a good report from the doctor Friday. 
 
You know sickness comes in all forms, though.  Satan attacks not just our physical health, but our mental health as well.  And there are many people I know that are suffering from depression and other mental illnesses.  Pray for these people too.  There is this song that my friend, Robin sings called "We've Got The Power".  It says "though satan rages, we cannot be defeated".  I love that.  We have already won through the power of Jesus.  He gives us victory over sickness, sadness, poverty, loneliness, fear, addiction, and so many other plagues of satan.  If we will just stay prayed up and in God's will, we can overcome!!  God loves it when we pray for one another and He listens and answers our prayers according to His will.
 
One more thing before I go:  My friend Annette belongs to a motorcycle club that is very active in various community activities.  This past Saturday they had a hot dog supper to feed the homeless and needy.  She was telling me about a 21 year old woman that came to eat.  The woman was homeless....she had nothing....didn't even have shoes on her feet.  She said she had 2 children that were taken away from her when she became homeless and that the homeless shelter wouldn't even take her in because she didn't have any form of ID.  She had been living in the woods.  The girls gave her some shoes and clothes and fixed her a bag with snacks and drinks.  That will get her through for a little while.  But that woman (and so many like her) are in desperate need of your prayers.  Because although people can offer short-term help, God is The Problem Solver.  He can fix any situation.  And He can turn her whole life around.  A lot of people think that everyone that is homeless is an alcoholic or drug addict or that they "choose" to live that way.  That may be true of a percentage of people.  But there are a lot that are just like you and me.  They have run into hard times and ended up without a home or anywhere to go.  Without a permanent address it is hard for them to get a job and pull themselves out of their situation.  Don't ever think you are above being in that situation yourself!  Most Americans are only 2-3 paychecks away from being homeless!  I know myself that there were times that if it weren't for God's mercy and grace and the help of my family and friends, I could have very easily ended up homeless myself.  With the economy the way it is and jobs being lost right and left, there will be more and more people ending up on the streets.  We need to agree together in prayer for God to help these people and their situations.  And that He would get glory from whatever happens.  The Bible says that you know you are saved because you love the brethren.  Well, these people are our brothers and sisters too.  And they need our prayers. 
 
Well, I guess that is all for now, because it is already 11:30 and I have to get in bed (YAWN!!!).  Until next time, be blessed......
 
Love,
Stephanie

Monday, July 11, 2005

Today

We went to eat at a local restaurant tonight after church and as we were leaving there was a lot of smoke in the air and you could smell something was burning.  We looked across the road and noticed a lot of light coming from behind the shopping plaza that is across from the restaurant.  Wanting to know if anyone was aware of the fire, we rode over to see where it was coming from.  There were firetrucks and EMT vehicles everywhere.  Someone's house was completely ablaze.  We didn't want to be in the way of the emergency vehicles so we turned around and left.  Please remember this family, whoever they are.  I pray that no one was hurt or killed.  But even if everyone escaped alive and unharmed, that is still a terrible tragedy for anyone to lose their home.  Please pray for them.  We may not know who they are, but God does.
 
Also, I haven't heard anything new about David's mom, Joanne.  Please keep praying.  I will let you all know anything I find out as soon as I hear.  Thanks for praying!
 
Until next time, be blessed......
 
Love,
Stephanie

Friday, July 08, 2005

Prayer request

Please join me in prayer for my friend David's mother, Joanne. She is in the hospital right now and they think she may have had a heart attack. Please pray for God's healing of her body and strength and encouragement for her and her family.

Love,
Stephanie