Technology

On Thursday evening our Ohana Group was discussing John chapter 14. The subject at one point in the evening was miracles and a question was asked why we don’t see the type of miracles today that the people of Jesus time saw. One discussion led to another and someone brought up the 2 witnesses the Bible talks about in Revelation and the technology that is in place today could be used for that very purpose. After everyone left my husband turned on the news and we immediately see videos of Japan and the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami.

Upon seeing what was happening I was reminded of John 14:1

 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.


I pray you have a good week with the Lord!

Thunder

The other morning the community of Waikoloa was in the midst of rain and then a loud clap of thunder vibrated everywhere . I was awakened and jumped out of bed when I heard it. It’s rare that Waikoloa gets to experience the rain and thunder that accompanied that morning. As a kid I was really afraid of thunder and lightning especially growing up in Texas as there were some really scary storms that came through the Texas panhandle. Thunder is loud and noisy and can shake and rattle windows, but have you ever thought about what some of the people in the Old and New Testaments might have heard when God spoke and it sounded like thunder?

Pastor Frank’s sermon relates to John chapter 12 and it was in this chapter that I read a verse that I have carried in my heart all week it is found in John 12:28-29 and says this;

Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

I can’t begin to tell you what it may have sounded like, but I think I will always be reminded of this verse when I do encounter a loud clap of thunder.

Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

In His Hands

So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:3-4 (NIV)

Jeremiah noticed that the vessel was marred, and as the potter worked he started to formed it into another pot. Take a moment to think about the clay on the wheel, it gets smashed and beaten down and then as the potter works, the clay starts to take shape. The potter molds it and before too long it’s turned into a beautiful pot. But what happens to the pot after it’s formed? We all know it gets put in the furnace. Jeremiah goes on to say in verse 6, "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
What we have to remember is that God never throws us away, even if we have a flaw or struggle in certain areas. So...if you feel you are being lifted from the mud, or being turned on the wheel to be made over again, or even if you feel you’re in the furnace, you are always, always in His hands.



Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Reminders

Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I don’t know about you but I need reminded that I am part of a chosen people dearly loved by God . I also need reminded that I need to forgive because that’s what Jesus does.

Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Listening

A couple of years ago I decided to add this blog to our webpage. I don't really expect anyone to read it but our church family who may occasionally drop by. So really no expecations at all. Besides what I say on this blog is usually The Thought of the Week which is in the bulletin anyway. But I have decided to try something different this year and actual take this to a different level. In my heart I really would like for it to get read and that maybe it will bless someone or encourage someone who may be feeling a little discouraged which leads me to why I am writing this. Right now I have a friend who is very discouraged and my heart goes out to them, sometimes it's hard to say what you think they want to hear. But I have found that just listening can be an encouraging thing for the other person. I was convicted a few months back about listening to someone and I am learning to do that...just listen.
Sometimes we fail to listen to the Holy Spirit to. I know I am guilty of that. I tend to have an attitude of yeah, yeah I hear you but I don't stop to listen, hence the conviction. So as I sit and listen to the Holy Spirit He tends to lead me where I need to go not only in my relationship with Jesus but in my relationship with others. I pray that we each learn to listen with a heart full of the Holy Spirit and I pray that we each learn to encourage others just by listening.
If this doesn't make any sense I figure oh well isn't that what a blog is for????
Blessing from me!

The verse on my heart is Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Resolutions

Resolution: the act or process of resolving.

It’s a New Year. For some people it’s a time for reflection and a fresh start, for some it’s a long list of resolutions.

When I think of resolutions I think of the apostle Paul who writes in Romans 7:19-21

19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.


I don’t make resolutions; because like Paul, I am always fighting to do what is right and to keep the promises I made to myself but can’t. I am so happy that God sees my faults and still accepts me for who I am. And I am so happy that God’s mercies are new every morning and not just once a year.



Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!

Gifts

Each year at Christmas we think about what to give others. We think about the
people– their likes and dislikes then we set out to purchase the gifts we want them to have. Most of the time those gifts are tangible, they are gifts that a person can touch, smell or taste.

But have you ever thought about giving something that will last long into the years? Something that the recipient will remember and hold in their heart?

Why not consider the gifts listed below? These are gifts Jesus gave to us freely yet we hesitate to pass them on…

To your enemy: forgiveness.
To an opponent: tolerance.
To a friend: your heart.
To a customer: service.
To all: charity.
To every child: a good example.
To yourself: respect.


Have a Merry Christmas !