I love some of the things that Chuck Swindoll shares so today's Insight for Living I want to share with you....
Proverbs 1:1:7
Doing all things "decently and in order" applies to a lot more areas than theology. It's remarkable how many guys who have the ability to articulate the most exacting details and nuances of their area of expertise never get their desks cleared off or their workrooms organized. They're brainy enough to rebuild some complex engine, but the trash under the kitchen sink can overflow until it's ankle deep, and they aren't even aware of it. Isn't it amazing how many men have quiz-kid heads and pigpen habits?
And it's not limited to the male species. Some women have the toughest time just keeping a path clear from the front door to the den. I heard last week about a gal who was such a lousy housekeeper that Good Housekeeping canceled her subscription! She must have been a friend of Erma Bombeck. She's the one who admitted that her cupboard shelves were lined with newspapers that read "MALARIA STOPS WORK ON THE CANAL." Of course, it's possible to become a "neatness neurotic." Like the fastidious wife of that poor fella who got hungry and got out of bed for a midnight snack. When he came back to bed, she had it made.
Truthfully, however, most of us don't struggle with being too orderly.
Our problem is the other side of the coin. And the result is
predictable: We burn up valuable energy and lose precious time.
Stop and think that over. Maybe a few questions will help prime the pump of self-analysis:
Do you often lose things?
Are you usually late for appointments and meetings?
Do you put off doing your homework until late?
Are you a time waster . . . like on the phone or with TV?
Are you prompt in paying bills and answering mail?
How many unfinished projects do you have lying around?
Does your desk stay cluttered? How about the tops of tables and counters?
Can you put your hands on important documents right away?
Do you have a will? Is it in a safe place?
Can you concentrate and think through decisions in a logical manner?
We'll talk some more about this tomorrow. For now, think about this:
Spending what it takes to become a little more efficient is an investment that pays rich dividends. When we are reluctant to do so, our lives are marked by mediocrity, haphazardness, and disorder.
Time spent on the right things is never wasted.
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
what lays around the corner?
I had the priviledge of speaking at my brother-in-law's funeral service this week!
Our family was truly blessed to have known and loved this wonderful generous man! Antonio Sanchez was married to my eldest sister Lisa for 42 years. He battled with cancer and went to be with the Lord on Saturday. They have three grown children.
As I traveled to the funeral I felt overwhelmed and troubled for my sister and all that she was going through...You can imagine the pain and loss we all felt.
Antonio was a boot maker..."an artist"...he made boots for 6 US presidents, and many Hollywood stars. I will never forget one weekend he was in town... I can't remember when exactly this was but it was in the 80s. He was making a run to deliver some boots he had made to a client and that was the reason he was in town. He asked "Do you want to go with me to deliver the boots" I thought it was odd that he was asking me and I just simply said that I couldn't cause I had errands to run. He left and later on in the day when he returned I asked him how his delivery went. He simply said "it was good, but I got lost looking for the ranch". I then asked him "whose ranch?" and he said "Patrick Swayze's". My mouth fell open...I said "why did you not tell me he was your client"! He simply said "you did not ask" and smiled at me. That was Antonio....
He was a simple man with a great talent! The captioned picture above shows the boots he made called "The Liberty Bell". These are held at the Smithsonian for viewing.
At 4AM, the morning of the funeral, I awoke and my head was flooded with a message for the funeral. I fought the Lord and told him I was not scheduled to speak, just to sing. I could not sleep as I kept having visions of these people in the room that I was supposed to share Christ with. I finally told the Lord.....ok, if the opportunity presents itself I will obey you of course. Well.....when I arrived at the funeral by brother who is a minister came to me and said that he was going to officiate the message in english and that his interpreter was not going to be able to assist him. My sister Lisa then told me to go ahead and plan on speaking after my brother spoke. She wanted me to deliver a message to them in Spanish! Well, the Lord set me up again!!!
I delivered the message of having a personal relationship with the Lord to a room full of unbelievers and devout catholics. I had no idea when I went to the funeral what lay around the corner...I had no idea what God had in store for me to do...
There is nothing more difficult that speaking to a room filled with you whole family...the strangers are no biggy to me... I've done that many times before. But my family is my greatest hurdle. How could I say no to my dear Sister? How could I disobey my Lord? He gave me the strength to do this and for that I am so greatful. The Lord wants us to obey him above our hurdles and He will set you up!!!
I will miss my dear Brother in law, but I know that he walked straight into eternity and was received with open arms by Jesus! Please pray for my sister and her family.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Grace...continued
We had an awesome time with the Lord on Wednesday night studying When Women Worship! It was a cold night and it had started to rain....My dear husband help me get organized and left me with a nice fire in the fireplace. (He had small group with Men elsewhere where he taught on the book "Maximized Manhood").
I loved that we ladies sat around the fireplace and we drew each other out of our long busy day. We literally just shared our lives with one another. We prayed for one another and we look forward to next week's study.
I want to get back to you on one of the enemy's attack that I mentioned in my last post.
Two Sunday's ago, we had a special speaker for our Sunday service and therefore we had a Sunday night service that day. The day had been filled with great things from the preaching to the praying at the altar. We literally left the evening service on such a high.
We decided to go eat out after the service. Three couples. We so enjoy a little pizza bistro in our neck of the woods. Anyway as we arrived I noticed that there was only 2 other tables occupied. The place was pretty empty which is strange because we always have to wait in line for a table. But I guess it was a bit later than usual and Sunday night.
About 15 minutes into our meal...we noticed a boy about 14 years of age came toward our table. At first we were so busy talking that we did not notice his behaviour. Then he came toward our table and pretty much began to walk up and down the aisle behind us and as he paced back and forth I noticed his eyes would roll back into his head, and he was talking to himself (or someone in his head) and he would then jump in place flaying his arms and then run up the aisle again. He did this for about 15 minutes as we waited for our Pizza. I began to pray for him underneath my breath. My son, Harold and Garry all had their backs to the aisle so they could not see this young man's travail. I whispered to Jeannette "this boy is possessed" she agreed.
Chris stopped eating and was feeling pretty uncomfortable at this point. He wanted to leave. I looked over at a bus boy that was closed by and mouthed to him "who is he with?" He looked to the other side of the restaurant and I saw the family sitting having dinner.
This ordeal went on for another 15 minutes....I finally spoke to the Spirit as the boy passed by me and I held my hand out towards him and I rebuked it in the name of Jesus. I commanded the spirit to leave the boy alone! Wow!!!!!!! I felt so bold at the time and determined. I knew immediately that the Spirit of the Lord was with me. I had chills going up my arms! The boy, I'm not kidding you...stopped and walked directly to his parents table and sat down quietly. They then left. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
The tension was lifted from around us and we continued to have a nice dinner....
I was still shaking from the force that I felt. I don't know if anyone else had felt it. We sort of just fell back into our fellowship.
Let me tell you....I knew that I knew that I had authority over that demon at that moment and he fled.
Harold and I talked about it later that night and I looked at him and said "Did you realize really what took place?" See the three men had their backs to the boy and really did not see the impact of his face.
What I know...first hand, is the power of the Holy Spirit!
What I learned through out all these different attacks recently is that We all have to put on the armor of God everyday as soon as we awake. We don't know what we will face through out our days. We don't know when we will come face to face with a person that is on the attack. We don't know when we will receive a phone call with bad news.
I pray for that young man. In our society, I'm sure his parents think he was just born this way. Or they've been told is autistic... But the things I saw in his face were of possession, let me tell you this young man was possessed with a spirit that heard the authority of the Holy Spirit. That I do know. The word says: "My people perish for lack of knowledge"...
Lord, keep us prepared and protected as we live out each day! Amen!
I loved that we ladies sat around the fireplace and we drew each other out of our long busy day. We literally just shared our lives with one another. We prayed for one another and we look forward to next week's study.
I want to get back to you on one of the enemy's attack that I mentioned in my last post.
Two Sunday's ago, we had a special speaker for our Sunday service and therefore we had a Sunday night service that day. The day had been filled with great things from the preaching to the praying at the altar. We literally left the evening service on such a high.
We decided to go eat out after the service. Three couples. We so enjoy a little pizza bistro in our neck of the woods. Anyway as we arrived I noticed that there was only 2 other tables occupied. The place was pretty empty which is strange because we always have to wait in line for a table. But I guess it was a bit later than usual and Sunday night.
About 15 minutes into our meal...we noticed a boy about 14 years of age came toward our table. At first we were so busy talking that we did not notice his behaviour. Then he came toward our table and pretty much began to walk up and down the aisle behind us and as he paced back and forth I noticed his eyes would roll back into his head, and he was talking to himself (or someone in his head) and he would then jump in place flaying his arms and then run up the aisle again. He did this for about 15 minutes as we waited for our Pizza. I began to pray for him underneath my breath. My son, Harold and Garry all had their backs to the aisle so they could not see this young man's travail. I whispered to Jeannette "this boy is possessed" she agreed.
Chris stopped eating and was feeling pretty uncomfortable at this point. He wanted to leave. I looked over at a bus boy that was closed by and mouthed to him "who is he with?" He looked to the other side of the restaurant and I saw the family sitting having dinner.
This ordeal went on for another 15 minutes....I finally spoke to the Spirit as the boy passed by me and I held my hand out towards him and I rebuked it in the name of Jesus. I commanded the spirit to leave the boy alone! Wow!!!!!!! I felt so bold at the time and determined. I knew immediately that the Spirit of the Lord was with me. I had chills going up my arms! The boy, I'm not kidding you...stopped and walked directly to his parents table and sat down quietly. They then left. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
The tension was lifted from around us and we continued to have a nice dinner....
I was still shaking from the force that I felt. I don't know if anyone else had felt it. We sort of just fell back into our fellowship.
Let me tell you....I knew that I knew that I had authority over that demon at that moment and he fled.
Harold and I talked about it later that night and I looked at him and said "Did you realize really what took place?" See the three men had their backs to the boy and really did not see the impact of his face.
What I know...first hand, is the power of the Holy Spirit!
What I learned through out all these different attacks recently is that We all have to put on the armor of God everyday as soon as we awake. We don't know what we will face through out our days. We don't know when we will come face to face with a person that is on the attack. We don't know when we will receive a phone call with bad news.
I pray for that young man. In our society, I'm sure his parents think he was just born this way. Or they've been told is autistic... But the things I saw in his face were of possession, let me tell you this young man was possessed with a spirit that heard the authority of the Holy Spirit. That I do know. The word says: "My people perish for lack of knowledge"...
Lord, keep us prepared and protected as we live out each day! Amen!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Grace...
Wow! I love Paul he is so candid:
I've been reading 1 Timothy 1:15
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (Ok, I can apply that to me personally)....16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (He has sooo been patient with me for years!) 18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. (How many times do we forget who we are in Christ and what prophecies he has given to us?) Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.(This means some of us Christians can and will reject Him) 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (This is scary because they will go through a season of punishment).
I want to please the Lord at all times. Do I? Probably not! Oh but His Grace....
At church we are getting ready to launch our Women's Bible study as small groups. I will be teaching one for the next 5 consecutive weeks. I've been prayerfully getting prepared and have spent time studying. Today I read all the letters Paul wrote to the churches. He blows my mind! I can't wait to meet him when I get to heaven. I think we have lots in common in the way we think! You probably do too!
I do not take this time of teaching lightly. Paul is constantly admonishing us to live a holy life. Let me tell you...one thing I do know is that if you are going to teach a study you'd better be prepared for the attack of the enemy! Well let me tell you... in the last two weeks I've been attacked from all sides. I've felt the blows coming at me and even though one knocked me down for a bit...I bounced back up the next day! I believe on Sunday night I had a breakthrough: I will tell you about that victory in my next post...stay tuned its a great one!
I'm confident this study will be GREAT! Because I'm ready! For any of you out there that are getting ready to teach a bible study. I encourage you to clear yourself of the trash that accumulates in us with our thougths, the negative words we say to ourselves and out loud to others, negative comments we write, because at the end of the day....God sees it all and his laws do not change. If you gossip....its a sin. If you hurt someone purposely...its a sin. If you write something on facebook that is negative about someone...its a sin. Nothing you can say will justify that. Our study is called "When Women Worship" we are first asked to put or Spirit back in charge to rule our life. How do we do this? You ask yourself to weigh every decision with the question, "Does this empower my flesh or does this empower my spirit? If we really want transformation in our life we need to question every decision, especially the routine ones...
Lord, forgive me of my sins....I don't ever want to be a stumbling block for anyone! Show me your ways....
I've been reading 1 Timothy 1:15
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (Ok, I can apply that to me personally)....16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (He has sooo been patient with me for years!) 18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. (How many times do we forget who we are in Christ and what prophecies he has given to us?) Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.(This means some of us Christians can and will reject Him) 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (This is scary because they will go through a season of punishment).
I want to please the Lord at all times. Do I? Probably not! Oh but His Grace....
At church we are getting ready to launch our Women's Bible study as small groups. I will be teaching one for the next 5 consecutive weeks. I've been prayerfully getting prepared and have spent time studying. Today I read all the letters Paul wrote to the churches. He blows my mind! I can't wait to meet him when I get to heaven. I think we have lots in common in the way we think! You probably do too!
I do not take this time of teaching lightly. Paul is constantly admonishing us to live a holy life. Let me tell you...one thing I do know is that if you are going to teach a study you'd better be prepared for the attack of the enemy! Well let me tell you... in the last two weeks I've been attacked from all sides. I've felt the blows coming at me and even though one knocked me down for a bit...I bounced back up the next day! I believe on Sunday night I had a breakthrough: I will tell you about that victory in my next post...stay tuned its a great one!
I'm confident this study will be GREAT! Because I'm ready! For any of you out there that are getting ready to teach a bible study. I encourage you to clear yourself of the trash that accumulates in us with our thougths, the negative words we say to ourselves and out loud to others, negative comments we write, because at the end of the day....God sees it all and his laws do not change. If you gossip....its a sin. If you hurt someone purposely...its a sin. If you write something on facebook that is negative about someone...its a sin. Nothing you can say will justify that. Our study is called "When Women Worship" we are first asked to put or Spirit back in charge to rule our life. How do we do this? You ask yourself to weigh every decision with the question, "Does this empower my flesh or does this empower my spirit? If we really want transformation in our life we need to question every decision, especially the routine ones...
Lord, forgive me of my sins....I don't ever want to be a stumbling block for anyone! Show me your ways....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)