A FEW YEARS AGO a movie came out called; “Return to me!” It was about a prosperous career woman who worked in a zoo with the Apes. She is killed in a car accident and as a donor, her heart was transplanted into a young woman who worked in her father’s restaurant. I can’t remember the names of the stars, or all of the story except that the first woman’s husband, during his grieving for his wife, meets the woman who now has his wife’s heart. I loved, the love story and it ended happily ever after; which of course, is my favorite kind of story! When the grieving young man meets the woman with the new heart, she is afraid to reveal the scar she bears, and when she finds out that the heart she was given, had belong to his wife, she runs away. When the young man comes to his senses he looks for her and finds her.
HAVE YOU EVER ran away from the one who holds your heart? Now I am not referring to the romantic side of the heart filled with love for some someone. I am referring to the one who lives within you and fills your heart and soul with Godly purpose. When you come to your senses do you search for that one? Do you reveal your need for your continued relationship?
AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT bible study we were in chapter one of Zechariah. The prophet of old was talking to those who returned from captivity in Babylon for the purpose of rebuilding God’s Temple. His message was a call for national repentance! Sounds familiar doesn’t it? We have a call into our Nation for a 40 day prayer fast, for national repentance. We are committed to humble ourselves and to seek God’s face. We come with repentant hearts so that He will hear our prayers and heal our land.
THE LORD of hosts says to Zechariah; “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.” Therefore, says the Lord of hosts; ”Return to me, and I will return to you!” Zechariah 1:2-3. When I heard that scripture, I felt my heart within my breast skip a beat. Maybe that is a literal interpretation of God spoke to me! I felt excited! If we return to Him, He will return to us! I know what that said to me, but what does it say to you?
WHEN I return to the Lord, it means that I have been off wandering in the desert without Him. My desert may be the place I have allowed myself to go, when I am not in fellowship with my church family. Perhaps it is going to places, and doing things that the Holy Spirit within me doesn’t like. It may be causing distress for the one who call’s my body His temple. If we are to return then that means we have been away!
WHEN THE LORD says; “Return to me and I will return to you” says that while I was away, He also left me! Otherwise, why would He say; “I will return to you?” “Turn to Him from whom you have deeply revolted, O people of Israel. For in that day every one shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.” Isaiah 31:6-7
THE PROPHET Malachi also speaks for the Lord to His people when he says; “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statues and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you. But you say; ‘How shall we return? Will man rob God?’ Yet you are robbing me, with your tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:7-8 We know when we withhold our tithes and offerings how difficult it is to pay our bills. We know that when we forsake our Lord, peace is gone!
WE LIVE in a world of turmoil and unrest. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.” James 4:8 We have been called to 40 DAYS OF PRAYER! You are not limited to 40 days but it is a good start. Lifting our voices in praise and thanksgiving is a call to worship. Let’s return to Him so that He can return to us! One voice; in unity; one Nation under God, who are called by His name. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/27/12
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
COME WITH ME! 9/23/12
WHEN I was a young woman, fresh out of Highschool and before the voting age was changed to 18, I was a member of the “Young Republicans.” Eisenhower /Nixon were on the presidential ticket and I was living in an exciting time in America. Through the years it has been exciting to watch the process and praying for my candidate. Sometimes I won and sometimes I lost. America has survived throughout those many years of the democratic process, and the world has watched and wanted freedoms for themselves.
LITTLE BY LITTLE freedoms have come to other countries. Some have broke away from what they had known all their lives so they could have a say so, in their part of the world. I remember visiting Egypt and being confronted by salesmen on the streets. I was greeted with “I love America; hi-ho-silver!” Today with the confusion in the 3rd world society, many are expressing their hatred for America. I think back and wonder why? Today it has been brought to my attention, by those who report the news, that there are still those who love America, and are ashamed of what is going on.
WE CANNOT condemn the whole but need to pray for the few that cause death and destruction wherever they go. Our GOD is bigger than a prophet and can give us the peace that passes all understanding. The world does not understand God’s peace and they never will until they are brought to the feet of Jesus. I’ve been there, and find it difficult to lift myself any higher, than the place I have found at His feet.
IT IS POSSIBLE for all the trouble makers in the world to come to Jesus. When the Apostles followed Jesus about, watching Him bringing others to Himself, they asked the question; “Who then can be saved?” “But Jesus looked at them and said to them; “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 You and I pray for God to take vengeance upon our adversaries, but God waits patiently for all men to come to Him. We must wait also!
DO YOU REMEMBER who you were before Christ entered into your life? Do you remember the kind of person you were? Do you remember the kinds of thoughts you entertained in your mind? Do you remember? I do! I remember being selfish and thinking that the words I said, were waiting to be heard by everyone, on bated breath. I think I thought that clear up to about 20 years ago. I still talk too much, but I ask you to forgive me because God is not finished with me yet!
DO YOU HAVE a tendency to want to tell people how to live and how to spend their money, and where they should go. Do you? I had an answer to everyone’s problems, but mine just seemed to keep growing. My problems were me! Go figure! I am my own problem! Not Jim’s; not my children’s; nor even my grandchildren. I can’t even blame me on my siblings. You and I create our own personal world of “Wo’esme’s!”
GOD’S WORD is where we find the recipes for living a Christian life. We all struggle through this together. His Word tells us about the armor we are to put on. The Holy Spirit, through baptism, has placed Himself inside of us along with His fruit. The Spirit, that is Jesus Christ, is within us. His attributes are the fruit that is now within you and me. The Gifts of the Spirit is something else. We all have a place in the SON and the Holy Spirit enables us to find our place of service. In my old age it is writing a blog; leading a ladies Bible Study and being faithful to His body, the church.
WE CRINGE when we watch the news and think “how can the world hate us so?” “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hid their faces he was despised and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3 Jesus knew the scriptures and so He knew what was ahead. But He faced it anyway. Why did He do that? Because “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life!” John 3:16 Please note that John says; “should not perish!” Come, with me to the foot of the cross; there you will find Jesus! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/22/12
LITTLE BY LITTLE freedoms have come to other countries. Some have broke away from what they had known all their lives so they could have a say so, in their part of the world. I remember visiting Egypt and being confronted by salesmen on the streets. I was greeted with “I love America; hi-ho-silver!” Today with the confusion in the 3rd world society, many are expressing their hatred for America. I think back and wonder why? Today it has been brought to my attention, by those who report the news, that there are still those who love America, and are ashamed of what is going on.
WE CANNOT condemn the whole but need to pray for the few that cause death and destruction wherever they go. Our GOD is bigger than a prophet and can give us the peace that passes all understanding. The world does not understand God’s peace and they never will until they are brought to the feet of Jesus. I’ve been there, and find it difficult to lift myself any higher, than the place I have found at His feet.
IT IS POSSIBLE for all the trouble makers in the world to come to Jesus. When the Apostles followed Jesus about, watching Him bringing others to Himself, they asked the question; “Who then can be saved?” “But Jesus looked at them and said to them; “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 You and I pray for God to take vengeance upon our adversaries, but God waits patiently for all men to come to Him. We must wait also!
DO YOU REMEMBER who you were before Christ entered into your life? Do you remember the kind of person you were? Do you remember the kinds of thoughts you entertained in your mind? Do you remember? I do! I remember being selfish and thinking that the words I said, were waiting to be heard by everyone, on bated breath. I think I thought that clear up to about 20 years ago. I still talk too much, but I ask you to forgive me because God is not finished with me yet!
DO YOU HAVE a tendency to want to tell people how to live and how to spend their money, and where they should go. Do you? I had an answer to everyone’s problems, but mine just seemed to keep growing. My problems were me! Go figure! I am my own problem! Not Jim’s; not my children’s; nor even my grandchildren. I can’t even blame me on my siblings. You and I create our own personal world of “Wo’esme’s!”
GOD’S WORD is where we find the recipes for living a Christian life. We all struggle through this together. His Word tells us about the armor we are to put on. The Holy Spirit, through baptism, has placed Himself inside of us along with His fruit. The Spirit, that is Jesus Christ, is within us. His attributes are the fruit that is now within you and me. The Gifts of the Spirit is something else. We all have a place in the SON and the Holy Spirit enables us to find our place of service. In my old age it is writing a blog; leading a ladies Bible Study and being faithful to His body, the church.
WE CRINGE when we watch the news and think “how can the world hate us so?” “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hid their faces he was despised and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3 Jesus knew the scriptures and so He knew what was ahead. But He faced it anyway. Why did He do that? Because “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life!” John 3:16 Please note that John says; “should not perish!” Come, with me to the foot of the cross; there you will find Jesus! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/22/12
Monday, September 10, 2012
IN REMEMBRANCE! 9/11/12
I WAS BORN just before WWII but not before trouble
was brewing. Of course I don’t remember anything first hand, but the world remembered. My brother Lonnie joined the Navy at the age of 17. Jim’s two brothers, Carl and Glenn were Pilots and Glenn ended up in a concentration camp. Jim’s oldest brother Ed, was also in the Navy. Our families remember! Wars and rumors of wars are in the history of mankind and also in world and American history books. Those who were there wrote it down so that we can study about it. Interestingly enough, some books have been rewritten and views have been changed. Young people look at our history and have a cynical view of the purpose and reasons behind the stories that brought America into a world power.
“IN THE BEGINNING GOD;” is found in Genesis 1:1. Our forefathers were God fearing men. You wouldn’t realize that today when you hear young people speak about the whys and wherefores of our beginning. Our country prospered under the influence of Godly people. Instead of saying where is God; we should be asking; “where are the Godly people in leadership today?” I am not saying that there are not Godly people today, but having become politically correct and watering down the biblical influences within our society, it is hard to know who to follow as they lead.
“PUT YOUR TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding! In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 When you hear the stories about George Washington and all of his close calls as he led his men in and out of battles, you have to look at his faith and trust in God. When he was finished and the white house was being completed, he fell pray to a throat infection and died two weeks later. He never lived in the white house, nor did he live long after his battles in a position of worldly power.
ELEVEN YEARS AGO today, America was reminded of their vulnerabilities in the world. Powerful as America may have been, God being left out of the equation brought devastation and destruction to our home land, once again. The sleeping giant was revived from it’s sleepy eyed tranquility of satisfaction within itself. Some asked; “Where is God?” “Why?” God is and always will be there, but the powers that took God out of the realm of protection, left her with her shields down and opened her doors to harmful elements.
I LOVE READING Psalms. David was familiar with war but he followed God’s directions and included God in his plans. David says in 118:5 “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” No wonder David says; “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8 No wonder David could say; “All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!” Psalms 118:10 Read chapter 118 and see the witness of David. He saw the Lord as his companion. “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” Psalms 118:14
GOD DOESN’T cause our troubles, they come because we live in a sinful world, and we are not including Him in our plans. Take a step back and remember the God of the mountains and realize that He is the same God in the valley’s. No matter where we are, He has promised to be with us. Take time out of your daily activities and pray for our country; our leaders; our place in the SON and in the world. In remembrance of the sad days in America, we should be brought low, to the feet of the Savior.
OUR HISTORY doesn’t follow us, it goes before us. Our history doesn’t need to be rewritten, it needs to be taught as it happened. We need to stand in the halls yelling; “NO KING BUT KING JESUS!” Even though we remember a shout from the past, and even if it is still in the shadows, it can still be a motto for all mankind, who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! God blessed America, well over 200 years ago, and He can today! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/10/12
was brewing. Of course I don’t remember anything first hand, but the world remembered. My brother Lonnie joined the Navy at the age of 17. Jim’s two brothers, Carl and Glenn were Pilots and Glenn ended up in a concentration camp. Jim’s oldest brother Ed, was also in the Navy. Our families remember! Wars and rumors of wars are in the history of mankind and also in world and American history books. Those who were there wrote it down so that we can study about it. Interestingly enough, some books have been rewritten and views have been changed. Young people look at our history and have a cynical view of the purpose and reasons behind the stories that brought America into a world power.
“IN THE BEGINNING GOD;” is found in Genesis 1:1. Our forefathers were God fearing men. You wouldn’t realize that today when you hear young people speak about the whys and wherefores of our beginning. Our country prospered under the influence of Godly people. Instead of saying where is God; we should be asking; “where are the Godly people in leadership today?” I am not saying that there are not Godly people today, but having become politically correct and watering down the biblical influences within our society, it is hard to know who to follow as they lead.
“PUT YOUR TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding! In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 When you hear the stories about George Washington and all of his close calls as he led his men in and out of battles, you have to look at his faith and trust in God. When he was finished and the white house was being completed, he fell pray to a throat infection and died two weeks later. He never lived in the white house, nor did he live long after his battles in a position of worldly power.
ELEVEN YEARS AGO today, America was reminded of their vulnerabilities in the world. Powerful as America may have been, God being left out of the equation brought devastation and destruction to our home land, once again. The sleeping giant was revived from it’s sleepy eyed tranquility of satisfaction within itself. Some asked; “Where is God?” “Why?” God is and always will be there, but the powers that took God out of the realm of protection, left her with her shields down and opened her doors to harmful elements.
I LOVE READING Psalms. David was familiar with war but he followed God’s directions and included God in his plans. David says in 118:5 “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” No wonder David says; “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8 No wonder David could say; “All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!” Psalms 118:10 Read chapter 118 and see the witness of David. He saw the Lord as his companion. “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” Psalms 118:14
GOD DOESN’T cause our troubles, they come because we live in a sinful world, and we are not including Him in our plans. Take a step back and remember the God of the mountains and realize that He is the same God in the valley’s. No matter where we are, He has promised to be with us. Take time out of your daily activities and pray for our country; our leaders; our place in the SON and in the world. In remembrance of the sad days in America, we should be brought low, to the feet of the Savior.
OUR HISTORY doesn’t follow us, it goes before us. Our history doesn’t need to be rewritten, it needs to be taught as it happened. We need to stand in the halls yelling; “NO KING BUT KING JESUS!” Even though we remember a shout from the past, and even if it is still in the shadows, it can still be a motto for all mankind, who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! God blessed America, well over 200 years ago, and He can today! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/10/12
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