I know Someone who can mend broken hearts

This world is full of heartache.  It's all around us.  Every person we encounter carries some sort of burden.  Why is that so, and what can be done about it?

I was speaking to a little girl in our after-school Bible club.  She is one of my thinkers.  I asked her what she was thinking about concerning the things we were studying in club.  She told me that she had trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, but there was something that troubled her.  She said, "Every Monday after club I go home and pray to God that I will have a good day...but I never do."  She had tears in her eyes as she spoke.  We talked about her situation at home.  Unfortunately, it is typical of most of the children we work with- she was being raised by her grandmother, her mother was in and out of the picture, she didn't know her father, other cousins were also in and out of the home, she was constantly surrounded by arguing, anger, and frustration.  

Does God hear the cries of this heart-broken little girl?  Does He care?  Why doesn't He do something?

First of all, God does hear. 
Psalm 34:15-  "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry."
Psalm 69:33- "For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners."

Secondly, He does care.
Mark 10:13-14- "Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.'"
Mark 9:42- "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."

So...why doesn't He do something?

To begin with, we must understand that when God created this world it was a perfect, wonderful place.  People are the ones that ruined it.  We are the ones who brought in sin when we chose to disobey God.  There are consequences to sin.  When sin entered the world, it brought with it sorrow, sickness, pain, and death.   Sin destroys everything that is good and beautiful.  Worst of all, it separates us from God.

So God did do something- He sent His own perfect Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who went to the cross, giving His life to pay the penalty for our sins.  The Lord Jesus died and was buried, but on the third day, He rose from the dead.  Now He lives to give new life- eternal life- to anyone who will put their trust in Him as the only Saviour.  This is God's promise- "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This little girl and I talked about the wonderful promises God has given to her.  She has the Spirit of God Himself living within her who is working to make her character more and more like that of the Lord Jesus.  She cannot control the people in her life or the circumstances she finds herself in, but she can rest in the love that God has for her.  Though there is turmoil all around her, she can have the peace that passes all understanding.  Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  And one day, she will too.

 Thought I would post this years Thanksgiving decorations so I can remember what I did and what I would do different. This wreath greets those who enter my front door. The back of a different wreath on the inside is showing through the window. May need to rotate the outside wreath to cover that up. Funny how you notice things in pictures that you don't see otherwise.

This is on the table to the right of the front door.  I am not pleased with the look of this arrangement at all. Although I love the white ceramic vases,  the contrast between the carved wood and them is too much. The gourds would look better in an wood or organic bowl rather than the blue ceramic that I put them in. Will be rethinking this area for next year. 

These pilgrims decorate the fireplace. I would like to add a bow the the candle holder next year. 

Every table needs a centerpiece and this is on my kitchen table.

This is the centerpiece for the table in the sun room. This table can seat up to 12 people. For next year I would like to add a table runner to connect the table with the centerpiece better.

These Indians are beautiful.  The candle needs a small wreath around it and I think I would remove the pumpkins. 

Wreath on the back door on the inside of sun room.

My yard pilgrim, made by the kids second grade teacher, welcomes all the back door visitors.

So that the Word of God will not be dishonored.

Today we memorize why. Why our behavior is important and why we cannot live to please our self. 

Here is our beautiful seamstress telling us "sew that".  So that

Here pictured is my Bible open. The Bible is the word of God. So that the Word of God......

Have you ever been disciplined by writing I will not....whatever over and over again?  I am hoping that this will remind us of the words "will not". So that the word of God will not.....
The picture of the bee reminds of the word be. I used a upside down crown in between laurel leaves to symbolize dishonored. I thought about a soldier having his metals of honor removed but could not find a picture of it or the difference in having them removed and put on. What would you have used to picture dishonored? So the word of God will not be dishonored.

 Do you understand why?

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior,

 not malicious gossips 

nor enslaved to much wine, 

teaching what is good, 

 so that they may encourage the young women 

to love their husbands, 

to love their children, 

 to be sensible, 

pure,

workers at home, 

kind, 

being subject to their own husbands, 

so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Into Thy Hands I Commit My Children

This morning I watched a son walk out the door, get into his packed-to-the-brim car, and start out on an 800+ mile drive that would take him into the next stage of his life.  Different friends have asked, "Isn't it hard for you to have your children live so far away?"  It is true that I do miss being able to see them regularly and be a part of their daily lives, but this is what we raised them for- to live their own lives before the Lord.  My desire is for them to be who, where, and what God wants them to be.  If they are in the center of His will, I must let them go- whether it be a 10-minute drive from my house, or half-way around the world.  Though I am not with them physically, the Spirit of God is.  The Lord Himself has promised to never leave them nor forsake them.  And I can always surround them with my prayers.  

I have always loved Psalm 84:3- "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young- even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God."  I can learn a lesson from these little birds.  The very best place for me to place my children is before the Lord.  The altar is a place of sacrifice and offering.  Our children have been given to us as a gift, a stewardship, that we might offer them back to the Lord.  May He use them for His glory.  

Being Subject to Their Own Husbands

I have not posted since we left for vacation so I let us review Titus 2:3,4,5 we know so far. If you are just joining us the you can see the other pictures here

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, 

not malicious gossips 

nor enslaved to much wine, 

teaching what is good, 

so that they may encourage the young women 

to love their husbands, 

to love their children,  

to be sensible, 

pure, 

workers at home, 

kind, 

To day we add "being subject to their own husbands,". I start with a picture of a bee (sometimes it stings to be subject to our own husbands) and add ing. 

This text book labeled subject 2 reminds us that in order to be subject to our own husbands we need to be a student of our husbands so that we may act in a manner consistent with their desires. We also study God's Word so we can act in a matter consistent with God's desires.

Being subject to their own husbands,

In order to remember "their own" I found this beautiful picture by Valarian Warrior of a roan horse which we are labeling "The Roan". "The Roan" sounds like their own.

L

Roan is a color created by an even mixture of colored and white hairs on the body of an animal.  We are using "The Roan" horse to remember the words “their own”. Can you remember "The Roan”?

Being subject to their own husbands, 

Mentally place a picture of your own husband here. Those who don't have a husband picture the qualities that make a good husband. 

Congratulations one more phrase and we are finished!

Picture review

Service with a Smile

So many times I perform my daily tasks with a grimace or a sigh. That’s because I forget whom I serve.  I am not merely serving those around me- who may or may not appreciate, or even notice, what I’m doing.  

Colossians 3:23-24 tells me where my focus should be:  “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”  


So look past those around you and see the Lord Himself.  Do your service for Him.  He notices and He appreciates all that is done for Him.  He assures us that “…whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to     Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41)  

What a kind and loving God we serve.

Look at His face and catch His smile as you serve Him with a right heart attitude.  

Reflect that in your own countenance. 

We really do serve the best of masters!  

"They looked to Him and were radiant, 

and their faces were not ashamed."

(Psalm 34:5)