Free Gift

Noah, Izza and Lona, show us how it is done.

Another memory verse that I learned long ago is Titus 3:5,6 (NIV) He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

If you do not know Christ in a personal way (you will know if you do) and want to, don't be held back by the lie from Satan that you are not deserving. (Romans 3:10 as it is written. "There is none righteous, not even one;") I heard a pastor say one time, that "Grace is getting what you do not deserve, and Mercy is not getting what you do deserve." We do not deserve Salvation, but God chose to give it to us through His Son, Jesus (read above verse again). Romans 3:23 (NASB) for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. I also heard a pastor say "All means all and that's all all means." So yes, you and me fall in to that category. We do deserve eternal death. The good new comes in Romans 6:23 (NASB) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who doesn't like a free gift? Well my friend, this is the ultimate one, eternal life. All you have to do is receive it.

So if you want a free gift, even though you don't deserve it, say the prayer in the upper right hand corner of this blog, to Jesus from your heart (Romans 10:10 That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.) and experience true salvation from the only one who can give it.

Where did everybody go?
I will probably post beach pictures until we go back.

We changed some of our sleeping arrangements around today and gave Noah his own room. He said "can this be my room forever?" We said, when Changlais and Schnieder come, can they share it with you? His reply was "Oh yes, they are my sons." Good Stuff.

If you are looking for a good verse to memorize I got one for you. I have memorized (psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you) many verses over the years, and the one I am about to give you is by far the one I use most. Now if we are talking about chapters Romans 8 tops the charts at #1, but for verses, 2 Timothy 1:7 comes in handy in almost every situation. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." I have to give credit to a mentor of mine who showed me this verse and the magnitude of it. I mean do you ever fear? Yes, of course you do, we all do. With this verse I have to stop in my tracks and say, wait a minute, the Bible says that this fear is not from God. If not from God, then who? You only have one choice left. Satan. If we live in fear, we will sin, and when we sin who does that please? Again satan. Grab hold of this verse and receive the power to resist, the love to be Christ-like and the sound mind to choose Him. Thanks Al, I love you brother.

We are commanded to care for orphans

Classic moment - I was in the garage working out and Noah was quietly sitting in the big purple papa-san chair playing with his (play) cell phone. I finished and said, "I'm done let's go inside". Noah looked at me and said "Praise the waord (Lord) I'm itchy" Hilarious, even for a 4yr old.

The video above is moving and heart wrenching, but it is our (Peterson's) world and we are the blessed ones and privileged to be a part of it.