Ella the fierce.
Ella, being the daintiest, and seemingly most frail, of all of my children walked up to an older kid and with a piercing look said "why have you been mean to my sister"? Don't mess with Ella. We have always noticed that she is super protective of her siblings (both older and younger).

One of my memory versus from several years ago is Hebrews 12:2,3 NIV "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." I don't know about you but in my mind the words Joy and Cross do not go together. Dying on the cross was the most horrific way to die one could possibly imagine. You eventually suffocated because the pain to pull yourself up by your nail pierced hands and feet to breath soon became too much to bear. Yet this verse says "for the Joy set before him he endured the cross". What was that Joy? It was knowing that he would be reconciled to us through this act. We were (are) that important to Him. Can we ever repay him? No, but we can acknowledge that he saved us by carrying our sins,(even the ones you will commit after reading this) to that cross. Also since he endured opposition so can we (have you ever run across opposition?) Go stand in the middle of a crowd and yell "I am a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and and we will all stand before him one day and be judged for our actions now" and I guarantee there will be opposition. This verse says to that "do not grow weary and lose heart". Consider and ponder what he did on the cross and think about how to respond.

Welcome to the Family of God

Noah, are you cold? No, just hungry.



If you are a new believer or you have prayed that prayer in the upper right hand corner of this blog, then you are not the same person you were. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come". Also you are not alone now like you were before. Galatians 2:20 NIV "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". My suggestion as you begin this new journey in the Kingdom of God, is to find a local church (one that teaches the Word of God - The Holy bible) and become a part of the Body of Christ with other believers. 1Corinthians 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. so it is with Christ". The body of Christ is like our physical bodies, working together to function. Next find a person(someone of the same sex) who has a solid walk with Christ and can come along side of you and mentor you as a new believer. If you are in the above category, welcome to the family of God.

Give Your Life to Jesus Today

Are we there yet?
Yes it snowed in NC and not just in the Mountains.

I wanted to take time to explain what you are reading when you come here. I teach (the Bible) in several different settings during the week, so when I post it is usually out of those messages that you are reading. Why do I do this? Matthew 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age". Why do I do this? Because if you don't know Christ (know with your heart) you will (not might) perish. 1 John 5:11,12 NKJ And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." Pretty straightforward. If you knew someone close to you was going to die, wouldn't you first explore all possibilities to save them. Of course you would. From now on you will see a prayer of salvation in the upper right hand corner. Pray that prayer or lead a lost person in that prayer and begin to experience a life with our true Savior instead of without him(on your own). He wants us and pursues us. Revelation 3:20

http://walkintheword.com/weeklywalk.aspx

If you are going through a rough time (who isn't it seems) please click on the above address. It will encourage you to know that Jesus himself is praying for you. This is so timely in light of our current situation in our Haiti adoption.

Better is one day

I was trying to figure out which Disney Princess she was and like clockwork and without me asking, Lona Rose came up beside me and said "I'm Ariel" (Know it all).

Hopefully the title of this post has you wondering what it means (and not thinking I have lost it. I have but that is or a another day). It comes from Psalm 84. This is one of my favorite chapters (I know you've heard that before). Which reminds me, I was talking to a friend at work about the Lord, and I was thinking of different scriptures as we were talking, and finally said"Why don't you just read the whole bible, because at this rate we will be here for a couple of days. Now back to Psalm 84 NASB. Please read it in it's entirety but especially pay attention to verses 6 & 10. Baca signifies dryness, or weeping as it is worded is the NIV. He will make your dry place (you fill in that blank) wet (will bring you out of it). Vs 10 says "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness". Okay you might as well focus on verses 11 & 12 as well (read those on you own). I will point out that the second part of 11 says "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly". This will be a comfort to those who are going through a tough time or have strayed. We received some discomforting new regarding our Haiti adoption and we are turning to God's word for comfort. Please do the same.

The cold doesn't bother me when I can remember the pool and 90 degree temps. Izz wasn't even 2 yet and she jumped like Greg Louganis. Hey Noah Cousteau.

My bible study here at work this morning was on Luke 15, most people recognize this by the title "the prodigal son". If you can't relate to this parable, at some point in your life, than you must be a manikin. Either you are or have been a rebellious child, or you have a rebellious child, or you are or have been jealous of a sibling or friend who you thought was getting more than you. When the son came home from a distant land and asked his father if he could be like a hired hand, the father instead opened up his arms and welcomed him back and even threw a party. Would you do that if your son or daughter wronged you and came back broken. Most people would, and that's exactly what God does when we repent and turn from our sins. He says what the father in the parable says Luke 15:24 NIV "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found, so they began to celebrate". ref Romans 3:23 NIV "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus". If you're lost and can't find the way home (God) then turn to him and He will lead you to Himself through His Son Jesus. John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me". Don't delay come to him today.

Morning Drive

As I was driving into work this morning, I looked up right before I pulled in to the parking lot and saw the sky and was awestruck at how awesome and beautiful it was while the sun was beginning to come up. I was also amazed that after driving that route every morning for the past 7 1/2 years I had never noticed that before. People ask me how I know how God is real? The most obvious answer is, look around. Romans 1:20 NIV "For since the creation of the world Gods invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". Also to get a glimpse of His awesome power read Psalm 19. I'll give you a taste, "The heavens are telling of the glory of God" Now you read the rest. Okay, here's another one, Psalm 24 "The earth is the Lords and all it contains." Again, read the whole chapter. All of these things went through my feeble brain before I walked into the front door. Then I had 3 meetings back to back to back, and my brain was hamburger. At least I had a smile on my face, from what the Lord allowed me to see this morning.
Oh yeah, the picture is from my last back packing trip to Mt Mitchell. It kind of fit with what I experienced this morning.

Rest

This is a picture of just the littles, the bigs didn't come right away when I asked them to line up for a family picture, Melissa included (well, she kinda had an excuse. I forget to tell her).

Who's tired and tired of it? The it is anything that is weighing heavy on your heart or something that seems insurmountable. I do a bible study here at work on Friday mornings and today I used this verse for that very reason. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my bruden is light". First of all it is an invitation for the weary. Again, is that you? It is me, more times that I would like to count. If He's offering, what is your excuse for not at least trying Him? Next, this is more that just physical rest when we have overdone it running here and there or trying to keep up with 6 chindren all day(that's a good thing). This if rest for your souls, let me say it again, REST FOR YOUR SOULS. Chew on that before reading on. Jesus died on the cross and took the weight of all of our sins (even the ones we have not committed yet) on his shoulders and he still say's his burden is light. How can he say that you might ask? The answer is HE is God. Also read Phillipians 4:6 so that you can have peace in the rest.

Look what I found in the Cabinet. She's proud of herself isn't she?

My Noah said somthing hilarious the other day. They (not I ) were watching Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger was being obnoxious as usual. Out of the blue as Tigger was walking out of the door, Noah said in a loud booming 4yr old voice "GET TO STEPPIN TIGGER". Where did he get that from? We are still laughing about that one.

Romans 8:38,39. NASB "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to seperate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". He loves you that way, my friend. If you havn't experienced that , than what are you waiting for? Paul say's that even death can't seperate us from the love of God. Ask him into your heart today and experience His unconditional love.

Everybody is looking at the camara and sort of smiling(and dressed). That happens about once every 50 takes. Usually as soon as we get home the church clothes start flying.

I want to put a Psalm on here that is most likely familiar to all who have ever picked up a bible or stepped into a church. Psalm 23 NASB 1The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever". I just want to shout Hallelujah after writing this. Like John 3:16(but that is for another post) it is no accident that most people are familiar with this Psalm. They are so to the point and simple (for a simple mind like mine). The first few verses says we can rest under the hand of our shepherd. So much so that when we walk through difficult times (as Christians we are under attack from the evil one: John 10:10) we will not fear. 2Timothy 1:7 (one of my favorite verses by the way) Every word in the chapter is powerful, but when you get to the word Forever, you are ready to jump out of your skin (like cheering at the end of a good movie). Read and be blessed.

He gets his good looks from me dosen't he? Don't answer that.
When you stop laughing you can start reading again.

Yes, I am back in Romans 8. Verse 26(NASB) to be exact. "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words". Have you ever been praying and even though you know what you are praying for you don't know how to ask for it. The Holy spirit not only knows us intimately but he knows (is) God. So He knows what we want(need) and He knows the will of God. Verse 27 explains this much better than I can. "and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according the will of God". This whole time during our Haiti adoption experience we have been here. Our prayers have been many and we have been heeding Paul's exhortation of praying without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We have found comfort in His Word and the knowledge that He not only hears our prayers, but intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. Wow, read that verse or commit it too memory (psalm 119:11 NIV), and you will be blown away by it's impact on your spiritual walk.

Hey, Noah wasn't playing with his dump truck, so I took advantage.

My wife put out a big "Thank You" to all who have been involved with bringing our girls (Vanessa and D'Jounela) in Haiti home. Aside for giving financially(thank you again) there has been many prayers lifted up to the Savior on our behalf. James 1:16 NASB says "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much". Who is righteous you ask? Any one who has been washed by the blood of Jesus. Colossians 1:28 NKJ. If you would like to see these verses in the translation that I reference, you can go to blueletterbible.com and select from a number of choices.

I haven't learned all of the in's and out's of Blogspot yet. My wife's is on Wordpress and it seems easier. Some kind person left a comment this morning and I hit do not publish instead of publish and it seems to be lost forever. If that was you, I'm sorry. I will try to hit the right option next time.