I love getting snippets of information out of a little book called; "Why You Say It" by Webb Garrison published 1992. My teen years were spent growing up in the 50's. A great time, as most of you know and those who came along later, now see it as possibly the best of times. That was the time I first heard about Riley. Riley was the figment of the imagination of a man named Rooney, who wrote about his feelings of the 'rich and famous' in a song, in the 1880's. The crux of it all was that Riley was a daydreamer. He would be so rich he wouldn't buy a ticket for a train ride, he would own the train. Get the picture!
I use to be a daydreamer. I gave my teachers problems because I would be looking out the window daydreaming instead of writing the assignment that was written on the chalkboard. Needless to say my homework left much to be desired. I loved reading books. It has been said that you can go anywhere you want, and be whomever you wished, through the pages of a book. Oh how true that is! I was always the heroine that saved the day; the princess who the prince fell in love with and the one who came home with all the gold and medals of achievement.
When I began reading I would start at the end and still do. As I ventured into the pages I would become so engrossed that I couldn't put it down until I read that last page again. I already knew how the story ended but knowing was not enough, I needed to know how the story teller reached the conclusion. Sometimes even when I read the last page I would dream the story on. Many times I was so glad that it ended that I didn't even bother reading the last few pages again. I would put that book down and never pick it up again. I could reread a good book!
Living the life of Riley is like becoming the heroine of the book. I was Nancy Drew, the nurse in the Cherry Ames series. I was always the nanny, the housekeeper's assistant in the Gothic's who eventually was discovered to be the owner of the manor and all the grounds. It is funny how much I read as a child and even in my young adult life compared with today. Now I read only God's word and the helps I seek when writing Morning Glory and my blog. I find it hard to imagine myself reading fiction again because it has even become difficult for me to become interest in a movie. If I do, I still would read the ending first. I have to know how the movie ends! I want to be entertain and not become conflicted.
God wants us to be satisfied with who we are in Him. God wants us to not covet our neighbors nor does He want us to covet riches to the point of creating a lifestyle that we cannot afford. In the parable of the sower Jesus tells about how the word is sown and how it is received. If the soil is questionable, then Satan immediately comes and takes away the word. As Jesus looks at the soil on where the word falls, He concludes with; "but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word and it proves unfruitful." Mark 4:19
Paul says; "Not that I complain of want; for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13
I suppose it would be fun to live the life of Riley. To buy the Jet instead of having to make reservations. But the rewards of living a Godly life, comes only from the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Getting up each morning, welcoming in the day with a clear conscience and with praises on your lips for the one who says; "your life with me is already bought and paid for." Lord help me to be content and to search no further! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/7/10
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
NEW YEAR! What a difference a day makes!
One day! Twenty four hours! One thousand four hundred and forty minutes! Each time we change the status the number gets larger and larger. Each time we try to explain it we become more frustrated. We say; give me a minute and I'll be there! Or we say; I'll be ready in a minute! Mmmmm; perhaps we need to rethink the calculation.
Give me a day and I can begin to make things right. Give me a day and I can wash my hands and ask the Lord to give me a clean heart through forgiveness. Give me those 24 hours and I can do the same things; just watch me use those 1440 minutes to share Jesus Christ as I walk through my daily routine. We will have the same amount of time in a day as we do 24 hours or even with 1440 minutes. Time is relative! It is how we use it that makes a difference.
A man born in 1892 in Italy moved to Brooklyn in 1905. Changed his name to Charles Atlas and became a famous body builder. It is said that he worked hard to develop his physique through success and losses until he discovered exercising muscle against muscle and it changed his life. He developed his bodybuilding method that many of our prominent body builders today emulate. His company; Charles Atlas Ltd is still in business and is said to use the following advertisement. "I turned myself from a 97 lb weakling into the worlds most perfectly developed man. And I can change your body too." Charles Atlas proclaimed he did it, one day at a time!
One day at a time is all we need to bring ouselves out of the depths of despair and into freedom. Dieting is a one day at a time process. Starting and stopping doesn't bring success, but day after day brings the achievement we are looking for. The medical profession offers pills or patches to help control and stop smoking. Counseling and proper diet will help you to curtail or stop excessive drinking habits. All of these help, require one day at a time! Going to the gym and eating right gives you the proper balance to enhance your metabolism and give you a healthier life style. Starting and stopping will not help you to reach your goal, but one day at a time will.
I heard someone say that it was easy to quit smoking because he had done it a thousand times. I understand! I have found it easy to diet, because I have done it at least that many times. I like the feeling of being in control though; don't you? When you are in control you can call the shots. You can decide what, where and when you are going to eat. You can choose to not smoke anymore or when you take that last drink and it is your last, it is your choice. I love and admire that kind of control. I have met many who have quit some of these habits, cold turkey.
"But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will and has decided this in his own heart, he will do well." 1 Corinthians 7:37 I realize this is talking about waiting to consummate your marriage before you are married. I content that if you can exercise control in one area of your life you can have control period. I am still learning this and I imagine you are too, but God says we can do all things and these things are in His will.
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all." 1 Corinthians 5:14a As Christians we want to be in control of our carnal nature. We want to do what is right with our bodies and our lives. Paul struggled with the desires of his carnal nature. He said; "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 "Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells with me." Romans 7:20 How can we get control? "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3 What a difference a few minutes with God can make! Give God every day and you will see complete transformation. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/29/09
Give me a day and I can begin to make things right. Give me a day and I can wash my hands and ask the Lord to give me a clean heart through forgiveness. Give me those 24 hours and I can do the same things; just watch me use those 1440 minutes to share Jesus Christ as I walk through my daily routine. We will have the same amount of time in a day as we do 24 hours or even with 1440 minutes. Time is relative! It is how we use it that makes a difference.
A man born in 1892 in Italy moved to Brooklyn in 1905. Changed his name to Charles Atlas and became a famous body builder. It is said that he worked hard to develop his physique through success and losses until he discovered exercising muscle against muscle and it changed his life. He developed his bodybuilding method that many of our prominent body builders today emulate. His company; Charles Atlas Ltd is still in business and is said to use the following advertisement. "I turned myself from a 97 lb weakling into the worlds most perfectly developed man. And I can change your body too." Charles Atlas proclaimed he did it, one day at a time!
One day at a time is all we need to bring ouselves out of the depths of despair and into freedom. Dieting is a one day at a time process. Starting and stopping doesn't bring success, but day after day brings the achievement we are looking for. The medical profession offers pills or patches to help control and stop smoking. Counseling and proper diet will help you to curtail or stop excessive drinking habits. All of these help, require one day at a time! Going to the gym and eating right gives you the proper balance to enhance your metabolism and give you a healthier life style. Starting and stopping will not help you to reach your goal, but one day at a time will.
I heard someone say that it was easy to quit smoking because he had done it a thousand times. I understand! I have found it easy to diet, because I have done it at least that many times. I like the feeling of being in control though; don't you? When you are in control you can call the shots. You can decide what, where and when you are going to eat. You can choose to not smoke anymore or when you take that last drink and it is your last, it is your choice. I love and admire that kind of control. I have met many who have quit some of these habits, cold turkey.
"But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will and has decided this in his own heart, he will do well." 1 Corinthians 7:37 I realize this is talking about waiting to consummate your marriage before you are married. I content that if you can exercise control in one area of your life you can have control period. I am still learning this and I imagine you are too, but God says we can do all things and these things are in His will.
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all." 1 Corinthians 5:14a As Christians we want to be in control of our carnal nature. We want to do what is right with our bodies and our lives. Paul struggled with the desires of his carnal nature. He said; "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 "Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells with me." Romans 7:20 How can we get control? "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:2-3 What a difference a few minutes with God can make! Give God every day and you will see complete transformation. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/29/09
Thursday, January 7, 2010
NEW YEAR! Does your brand show?
Metal workers of classical Greece developed a special tool used in marking. In time, this tool was referred to as a character or instrument. Through being passed around, down through several languages, it began to be called by the designation any mark made by it. Medieval courts made much use of characters. In the movie; "The Three Musketeers" the fleur-de-lis was found on the upper left arm of the villainess and it was readily known that she was a murderer. However, that was to give a mere touch of romance to the story. It actually was an "M" branded on the person who was convicted of murder and was given prison instead of the gallows. In the same fashion, an arsonist's forehead or shoulder was branded with the character "A".
Anyone branded by authorities was marked for life. One glance at a character told a stranger what offense had been committed. As a result, the term indicating a branded letter came to stand for the sum total of a person's moral qualities.* (Why you say it by Webb Garrison) I know I have talked about character before but I believe it is important because character does count. Our character is the brand we use to show the world who we are.
The character of Jesus Christ was that He was a man without sin, the son of God. The Rich Young Rulers brand was his wealth; Mary was a woman who 'did what she could' when she took the alabaster vase and washed Jesus feet with oil. Paul became the first great missionary for Christ after he was forgiven much. Steven was called the first martyr because he was the first recorded to give his life for the cause of Jesus Christ. Peter will always be remembered for his denying Jesus but at the same time he was the great orator upon the day when 3000 souls were pricked in their hearts and were baptized.
What is in your character that stands out and shouts to the world who you are? Do you have to toot your own horn or is your brand visible? Do heads turn when you walk into a room? Are you readily noticed because of how you dress, how you adorn yourself or because of who you are? Many times we buy tickets to attend a performance because we have seen or heard about the performer. We can hardly wait until we can be in the audience and enjoy the show.
I have heard many preachers! I have seen many perform their sermons! Some are very entertaining; some are serious; some are very dry; and some can keep you on the edge of your seat. I like continuity when I hear a preacher preach. Oh, I don't mind digressing once in a while. But I don't like it when their thought gets lost at the first turn and they have trouble getting back on track by using familiar cliche's and phrases. I especially like it when I learn something new. Something I hadn't thought of before and I like it when I am lifted up and encouraged to continue my walk in Jesus Christ.
"An Elder, then must be above reproach." 1 Timothy 3:21. Above reproach means to have no handles. Nothing you can grab a hold of and see their hidden brand. "And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:7 This is again talking about the Elders but I think it includes all those who take part in leadership.
The brands speak loud and clear to me! There are many avenues of service within God's kingdom and even if you come with credentials for a type of service but your life style and character speak otherwise, you need to serve in other areas. I am not being judgmental I am being circumspect. You want to bring others into the kingdom, not cause them to turn away.
"That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:6 Clean hands and a pure heart! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/29/09
Anyone branded by authorities was marked for life. One glance at a character told a stranger what offense had been committed. As a result, the term indicating a branded letter came to stand for the sum total of a person's moral qualities.* (Why you say it by Webb Garrison) I know I have talked about character before but I believe it is important because character does count. Our character is the brand we use to show the world who we are.
The character of Jesus Christ was that He was a man without sin, the son of God. The Rich Young Rulers brand was his wealth; Mary was a woman who 'did what she could' when she took the alabaster vase and washed Jesus feet with oil. Paul became the first great missionary for Christ after he was forgiven much. Steven was called the first martyr because he was the first recorded to give his life for the cause of Jesus Christ. Peter will always be remembered for his denying Jesus but at the same time he was the great orator upon the day when 3000 souls were pricked in their hearts and were baptized.
What is in your character that stands out and shouts to the world who you are? Do you have to toot your own horn or is your brand visible? Do heads turn when you walk into a room? Are you readily noticed because of how you dress, how you adorn yourself or because of who you are? Many times we buy tickets to attend a performance because we have seen or heard about the performer. We can hardly wait until we can be in the audience and enjoy the show.
I have heard many preachers! I have seen many perform their sermons! Some are very entertaining; some are serious; some are very dry; and some can keep you on the edge of your seat. I like continuity when I hear a preacher preach. Oh, I don't mind digressing once in a while. But I don't like it when their thought gets lost at the first turn and they have trouble getting back on track by using familiar cliche's and phrases. I especially like it when I learn something new. Something I hadn't thought of before and I like it when I am lifted up and encouraged to continue my walk in Jesus Christ.
"An Elder, then must be above reproach." 1 Timothy 3:21. Above reproach means to have no handles. Nothing you can grab a hold of and see their hidden brand. "And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:7 This is again talking about the Elders but I think it includes all those who take part in leadership.
The brands speak loud and clear to me! There are many avenues of service within God's kingdom and even if you come with credentials for a type of service but your life style and character speak otherwise, you need to serve in other areas. I am not being judgmental I am being circumspect. You want to bring others into the kingdom, not cause them to turn away.
"That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:6 Clean hands and a pure heart! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/29/09
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
NEW YEAR! Ready Set Go!
Remember "one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go?" Who ever came up with that? I see that Warner Bros used it in three different cartoons during the 40's. Some say Elvis Presley bought it for one of his hits. Who did he buy it from? But as for us kids, it was always the thing to say that would get us to run, be first in line or whatever. I hated competition but this would always set us up to run the race. I read a sermon with that title, but can't remember now what he was talking about except for the Rich Young Ruler. Oh well! I guess it came to my mind because I wanted to talk about being ready.
Jim has a book called "Ready set Remember!' It gave him methods on how to remember faces, places and things. He was able to teach the whole church how to memorize the books of the bible through a picture method. Lots of fun and lots of people joined our Books of the Bible Club, just by using this method to memorize the books. The point is, to remember immediately through association. It enables us to be ready, set remember.
Whenever we are planning to go someplace, we are usually ready long before it is time to go. I hate waiting! I would rather be early and upset the host than to be on time or late. Mostly because when I am ready, I am ready to go, now! Did I say I hate waiting? Conversely, when whatever we have attended is over, I am ready to leave; after all we were there early enough to get our visiting done.
When baking a cake, we set the timer and when it goes off we know that the cake is ready to take out of the oven. Timers are good to alert us to something being done. However, life doesn't run on timers. If it did we would always be in the starting and stopping mode.
Were you ready to be married? Were you ready to become parents? Were you ready for the open house to sell your home? Are you ready for tomorrow? Are you ready for the kingdom? In the days of Noah and after the ark was finished, were the people ready for rain; the flood; the end? No! They were still eating, drinking and marrying and being given in marriage. The good book says the people were not ready and that's how it will be at the coming of the Son of man.
Remember Jesus talking about the thief who comes in the night and the householder who should be watchful and not let his house be broken into. "Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew 24:44
Remember the story of the servant, who's master was delayed and so becomes unruly? "The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know." Matthew 24:50 Are you faithful and ready for His coming again? Or are you unfaithful; eating, drinking and playing the field thinking I will prepare for his coming tomorrow.
Remember the story of the 10 virgins? "And while they went to buy more supplies, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10 That is a scary thought; "and the door was shut!" Will you be among the 5 virgins who stood at the closed door and said; "Lord, Lord, open to us!" Matthew 25:11b "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:11-13
This is 2010; are you ready for the kingdom? There is no time like now! "For He says; At the acceptable time I have listened to you and helped you on the day of salvation. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 Yes, today is the day of salvation. Don't let the things of the world come between you and your being ready for the coming of the Lord. I realize it appears that He is taking His time, but in reality His timing is always perfect. It is our place to be ready! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/28/09
Jim has a book called "Ready set Remember!' It gave him methods on how to remember faces, places and things. He was able to teach the whole church how to memorize the books of the bible through a picture method. Lots of fun and lots of people joined our Books of the Bible Club, just by using this method to memorize the books. The point is, to remember immediately through association. It enables us to be ready, set remember.
Whenever we are planning to go someplace, we are usually ready long before it is time to go. I hate waiting! I would rather be early and upset the host than to be on time or late. Mostly because when I am ready, I am ready to go, now! Did I say I hate waiting? Conversely, when whatever we have attended is over, I am ready to leave; after all we were there early enough to get our visiting done.
When baking a cake, we set the timer and when it goes off we know that the cake is ready to take out of the oven. Timers are good to alert us to something being done. However, life doesn't run on timers. If it did we would always be in the starting and stopping mode.
Were you ready to be married? Were you ready to become parents? Were you ready for the open house to sell your home? Are you ready for tomorrow? Are you ready for the kingdom? In the days of Noah and after the ark was finished, were the people ready for rain; the flood; the end? No! They were still eating, drinking and marrying and being given in marriage. The good book says the people were not ready and that's how it will be at the coming of the Son of man.
Remember Jesus talking about the thief who comes in the night and the householder who should be watchful and not let his house be broken into. "Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew 24:44
Remember the story of the servant, who's master was delayed and so becomes unruly? "The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know." Matthew 24:50 Are you faithful and ready for His coming again? Or are you unfaithful; eating, drinking and playing the field thinking I will prepare for his coming tomorrow.
Remember the story of the 10 virgins? "And while they went to buy more supplies, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10 That is a scary thought; "and the door was shut!" Will you be among the 5 virgins who stood at the closed door and said; "Lord, Lord, open to us!" Matthew 25:11b "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:11-13
This is 2010; are you ready for the kingdom? There is no time like now! "For He says; At the acceptable time I have listened to you and helped you on the day of salvation. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 Yes, today is the day of salvation. Don't let the things of the world come between you and your being ready for the coming of the Lord. I realize it appears that He is taking His time, but in reality His timing is always perfect. It is our place to be ready! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/28/09
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
NEW YEAR! Beginning Again!
It's a new year, starting all over with new plans; moving the furniture; beginning the weight loss program. Stopping the smoking habits along with excessive drinking, or what's even better, is stopping them altogether. We make our lists of do's and don'ts and set back with a sigh; we are on our way for sure, this time. The important thing about beginning again is that we can; begin again!
Jim, Jennifer and I have been on a weight loss program since the end of last June. We have lost weight and through the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even new Years Eve we have maintained because we know that we are still on our weight loss program and each morning after celebrating, we just begin again. We have learned a plan and we are working the plan. It is not for a time but for the rest of our life time. Beginning again is the key! This being the first week of the new year, marks the beginning of the first week of the rest of our life in 2010.
Think about the times you have failed and felt discouraged. I know you have probably heard that old cliche'; "Dust yourself off, pick yourself up and start all over again!" I know that I have said this to many of the youth in our youth groups years past, which at the time didn't mean anything to them. But I believe today each one of them knows exactly what it means. How many times have we had to do just that, start all over again!
Remember the story of the Israelites being taken captive? The false prophets had assured them they wouldn't be held captive for long but Jeremiah told them they would be in Babylon for a long time. He said go ahead and build houses, marry, raise families and pray for the well being of the land in which you now live. He went on to say that discouragement might lead them to think they would never leave Babylon because it would be a long, long time. However Jeremiah said; "For thus says the Lord; when 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you; says the Lord and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,
says the Lord, I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you." Jeremiah 29:10-14
God was talking to the Israelites through Jeremiah then. He was not telling us that he was going to take us from here and set us up there. He was not saying that no matter where you are headed I will lead you here. God was saying to us that his plan is for us to be happy and to have a future of hope within our life with Him. One way to do that is to seek His face because He has promised when we do, we will find Him. When we stray from the path, we can seek God with all our heart and find Him waiting. We can begin again! We can only be restored by repenting and renewing our walk of unending faith through our Savior.
Israel's exile was brought about because of sin. Our failures are brought about because of sin. When sin is forsaken, gotten rid of, and we ask God's forgiveness; His purposes in mercy are then given. Forgiveness, gives us the avenue of 'beginning again.' Let's start this new year of new beginnings by getting on our knees. Let's begin today as a clean slate before our God! "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Beginning again helps us to understand that God declares sinners righteous, not because they are intrinsically righteous or have anything righteous in themselves, but simply because of their faith through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/26/09
Jim, Jennifer and I have been on a weight loss program since the end of last June. We have lost weight and through the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even new Years Eve we have maintained because we know that we are still on our weight loss program and each morning after celebrating, we just begin again. We have learned a plan and we are working the plan. It is not for a time but for the rest of our life time. Beginning again is the key! This being the first week of the new year, marks the beginning of the first week of the rest of our life in 2010.
Think about the times you have failed and felt discouraged. I know you have probably heard that old cliche'; "Dust yourself off, pick yourself up and start all over again!" I know that I have said this to many of the youth in our youth groups years past, which at the time didn't mean anything to them. But I believe today each one of them knows exactly what it means. How many times have we had to do just that, start all over again!
Remember the story of the Israelites being taken captive? The false prophets had assured them they wouldn't be held captive for long but Jeremiah told them they would be in Babylon for a long time. He said go ahead and build houses, marry, raise families and pray for the well being of the land in which you now live. He went on to say that discouragement might lead them to think they would never leave Babylon because it would be a long, long time. However Jeremiah said; "For thus says the Lord; when 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you; says the Lord and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,
says the Lord, I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you." Jeremiah 29:10-14
God was talking to the Israelites through Jeremiah then. He was not telling us that he was going to take us from here and set us up there. He was not saying that no matter where you are headed I will lead you here. God was saying to us that his plan is for us to be happy and to have a future of hope within our life with Him. One way to do that is to seek His face because He has promised when we do, we will find Him. When we stray from the path, we can seek God with all our heart and find Him waiting. We can begin again! We can only be restored by repenting and renewing our walk of unending faith through our Savior.
Israel's exile was brought about because of sin. Our failures are brought about because of sin. When sin is forsaken, gotten rid of, and we ask God's forgiveness; His purposes in mercy are then given. Forgiveness, gives us the avenue of 'beginning again.' Let's start this new year of new beginnings by getting on our knees. Let's begin today as a clean slate before our God! "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Beginning again helps us to understand that God declares sinners righteous, not because they are intrinsically righteous or have anything righteous in themselves, but simply because of their faith through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/26/09
Monday, January 4, 2010
A NEW YEAR!
It has always been a practice to make new year resolutions. I remember as a kid making them and even as an adult. My sister Jean and I use to throw wonderful New Year parties. We would invite all our friends within the young people at our church. Ages were from my age up to Jean's age which was a span of 15 years. Jean would prepare slips of paper for writing down our new year resolutions. The next year she would pass around the old year resolutions after we had written our new ones. My what a difference a year makes! However, we would laugh a lot!
Have you ever written a resolution that you actually kept? Have you ever written a resolution and within a few months let it go by the wayside? Have you ever thought this time I am going to keep my resolution? I assume since I have done this, you have too.
Jim said this last year; "How would you like to go to Iowa and visit with your brother Lisle and his family next year?" I haven't been to Iowa since I left as a child of 9, and the thought of visiting with Lisle and Harriet could set me up for possible disappointment. I have mental scenario's! I know things happen and plans don't always fall into place as you want them to. So I don't want to get my hopes up by planning as a resolution, but with reservations.
"Come now, you who say; "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain." In reality, you do not not know about tomorrow! What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say; "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that." James 4:13-15 I guess I always have this scripture in the back of my mind when making long range plans.
One of the things I always set out to do for a new year is to be organized. At work I would make new files for the new year and move all the old ones to a different, less used file. However through the new year I found myself going back to the old year for something or other. I never could quite leave them out of the current picture. But the new files were always fresh and easy to begin using. I liked new and fresh files!
In my mind I am always beginning to clean drawers, cupboards and rooms. Last year I made a good start but somewhere along the way I discovered I never finished. So a few weeks ago, I heard Jennifer say; "I need to clean this room, meaning the linen closet!" Of course, I remember thinking that, at the first of last year, but Jennifer is more apt to do it. I am thankful for Jennifer!
Keeping in mind that I want to always be in God's will, I need to think of the things I need to be doing. I know that God's will is for me to be about His business; to put my trust in Him; to pass His love onto others; to teach His word and to keep His commandments. I realize that some things I need to be doing, should not take the place of my servant hood. I have learned that I can leave many things undone so that I can do what He needs from me today. My tomorrow may or may not come but someone so beautifully said; "Only one life will soon be passed; only what's done for Christ will last!"
Where are you today in your walk? Where are your priorities? When you arise in the morning are you looking toward the heavens or feeling your way among the briars and the thorns. Do you still seek the one who came to save the lost? Someone said and I love to repeat it year after year, but in different ways to be able to rhym with the new year; "In 2010, I have all the time; to do, all that God wants me to!" Our days are numbered; let's use them wisely, for as the Psalmist says; "My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass." Psalm 102:11 Let's be mindful of our days and plan as if there is no tomorrow! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/26/09
Have you ever written a resolution that you actually kept? Have you ever written a resolution and within a few months let it go by the wayside? Have you ever thought this time I am going to keep my resolution? I assume since I have done this, you have too.
Jim said this last year; "How would you like to go to Iowa and visit with your brother Lisle and his family next year?" I haven't been to Iowa since I left as a child of 9, and the thought of visiting with Lisle and Harriet could set me up for possible disappointment. I have mental scenario's! I know things happen and plans don't always fall into place as you want them to. So I don't want to get my hopes up by planning as a resolution, but with reservations.
"Come now, you who say; "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and get gain." In reality, you do not not know about tomorrow! What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say; "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that." James 4:13-15 I guess I always have this scripture in the back of my mind when making long range plans.
One of the things I always set out to do for a new year is to be organized. At work I would make new files for the new year and move all the old ones to a different, less used file. However through the new year I found myself going back to the old year for something or other. I never could quite leave them out of the current picture. But the new files were always fresh and easy to begin using. I liked new and fresh files!
In my mind I am always beginning to clean drawers, cupboards and rooms. Last year I made a good start but somewhere along the way I discovered I never finished. So a few weeks ago, I heard Jennifer say; "I need to clean this room, meaning the linen closet!" Of course, I remember thinking that, at the first of last year, but Jennifer is more apt to do it. I am thankful for Jennifer!
Keeping in mind that I want to always be in God's will, I need to think of the things I need to be doing. I know that God's will is for me to be about His business; to put my trust in Him; to pass His love onto others; to teach His word and to keep His commandments. I realize that some things I need to be doing, should not take the place of my servant hood. I have learned that I can leave many things undone so that I can do what He needs from me today. My tomorrow may or may not come but someone so beautifully said; "Only one life will soon be passed; only what's done for Christ will last!"
Where are you today in your walk? Where are your priorities? When you arise in the morning are you looking toward the heavens or feeling your way among the briars and the thorns. Do you still seek the one who came to save the lost? Someone said and I love to repeat it year after year, but in different ways to be able to rhym with the new year; "In 2010, I have all the time; to do, all that God wants me to!" Our days are numbered; let's use them wisely, for as the Psalmist says; "My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass." Psalm 102:11 Let's be mindful of our days and plan as if there is no tomorrow! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/26/09
Friday, January 1, 2010
CHRISTMAS STORY HALL OF FAME! Herod/And a New Beginning
"A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." Matthew 2:18 It was prophesied by Jeremiah that this calamity was to come. It is not determined how long after the birth of Christ the wise men arrived in Bethlehem. But they did not see him on the night of his birth. Although it is possible the star in the sky appeared that very night. When Herod hears about the new born king, and when they first saw it, he becomes enraged; violent and uncontrolled.
When Herod discovered he had been tricked by the wise men, he began to formulate a plan. A plan of evil content; a plan so wickedly devised that you could almost smell his wickedness and furious rage. "He sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men." Matthew 2:16
In an old book written in the 1800's, tells of Herod giving a birthday party for his son who was 2 years old. He invited all the boy toddlers of 2 years and younger to celebrate with his son. Invitations were sent out and the children were even escorted to the palace. As they arrived they were to wait in the outer room near the parapet. When they were all there one child would be allowed into the room which led out onto the terrace in front of the parapet. Unknown to the parent and even the child; death awaited him on the other side of the door.
As the child went thru the door, a soldier would lift him up and throw him over the parapet to his death below. This was Herod's way of insuring all baby boys were killed and there would be no king to take his place. Makes no difference how it all actually took place, what Herod did was evil. Even today it is hard to be consoled just thinking about it, for as the prophet said; "they were to be no more".
When God told Joseph to take his family and go to Egypt; Joseph remained there until Herod died! "But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying; rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead. And he rose and took the child and his mother and went into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee." Matthew 1:19-22
Mary and Joseph returned to their home in Nazareth to fulfill the words spoken by the prophets; "He went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth. He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23 Because nothing more is said until Jesus is 12 years old, we assume their lives became that of a normal, Jewish family. Other children came, but all these things that happened 12 years earlier, Mary pondered in her heart. Joseph became the father that God created him to be and together he and Mary became the parents that God knew they would be.
We can only marvel at this story. We can only imagine the anxiety and discomfort as they walked thru this. We can assume that their trust and obedience was above reproach. I love happy endings! What more could you want if this was a fiction book that you began to read and just couldn't put down. However, this is not fiction, it is truth; it is fact! It is the history of our beginning! "God sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!" John 3:16 If you haven't made this decision to believe in Jesus, remember it is your choice and God will honor your choice. By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/21/09
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