I used to play-------

                                                   

How many people used to play a musical instrument?  I used to play the piano.  Now I am not saying that I played well but maybe when I practiced I played good.  I played good enough that when the pianist was not available I would fill in as a teenage and actually later on was the pianist for a small church, which was quite a while ago.   I must tell you though the more I practiced the gooder I got.  I don't think I ever got to the excellent level but I did get gooder!

Today for some reason I played the piano.  Wow, I am not even close to gooder. In fact it sounded quite terrible.  The dog even started howling!  I just told him to hush and kept going.  He eventually quieted down.  I probably played for thirty to forty minutes and I must admit that even though I didn't sound gooder,  the sound was a little better than when I first took a seat at the piano.


Then the thought hit me, I am only gooder through Christ!  I am not good on my own!  I am only gooder because Christ died and rose again!  I might get gooder at playing piano by practicing but I only had to accept Jesus as my Savior to know that when I die I will be in paradise with my Savior.

I also had the thought hit me that I did need to get gooder at reading my Bible, praying and listening to the Holy Spirit!  God will take my gooder and make it excellent!

Only through Christ can anyone be excellent!

John 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Yesterday was a two shower day

                                                   

                                                                               

Yesterday was a two shower kind of day.  It started out normal, you know, shower, getting dressed  and head to Sunday School, church,then lunch and a nap.  Well after my nap I decided that maybe it would be a good time to go fill up my gas tank.

I have done this many, many time and I have never had this happen.  I went to my normal place to put gas in my vehicle and got everything started and things were normal until the tank was full.  I took the hose out of my car only to be sprayed with lots of gas.  My car also got a bath.  Oh my it was horrible.

I drove home as fast as I could and parked in my garage and since no one was home I started stripping as soon as the garage door was closed.  I then ran to the shower.  I then had to throw away the shoes and wash my clothes and open the garage door so that the car would air out.  That gas splashing all over me certainly got my attention.  From now on I will be more careful when taking the hose out of my gas tank.

The gas splashing everywhere made me think of how sometimes I just go through the motions and do not pay attention and don't realize that sin is splashing all over and all around me. Before I realize it I am stinking with the smell of sin.  I need to shower myself in the word, in prayer and with the love of my Savior!  I want to smell like Christ!

Do you need a shower?

John 14:6-7 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

I'm Okay

I have had so many people checking on me to make sure that I am okay!  I just want everybody to know that I am truly okay!  There are days that I think of Richard all day long and even let a tear or two escape but that doesn't mean I am not okay.  I will always, always miss my husband but I am okay!

Do you know why I am okay?  I know that my husband had asked Jesus into his heart and I know that my husband is okay.  He has no more pain, no more sorrow because his soul left his body and soared to meet his Savior!  He is more than okay, he is in paradise!

What my husband would want me to ask you is, are you okay?  Do you know where you would go if you died today?  Would you be okay?  If not you can be!  Accept Jesus as your Savior, Believe that he died and rose again, Confess Him as Lord of your life!

Romans 10:9(NKJV)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Are you Ready?

                               

                                 

I have been saddened and appalled by the events that have been happening around the world and in the United States.  The massacre in Paris yesterday was horrific and terrifying.  This could happen anywhere.  The murderers that are doing this are everywhere.  One of the thoughts that went through my mind when hearing the terrible news was that I hope that those killed were ready.  Not that anybody is ready for the end but it does help to know that you are ready.

What I mean by this is that you know that if you are a child of God through the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ then you know that you are ready no matter what happens.  I have been reading in revelation and there are things written in that book  that seem to be happening right now. That leads me to this question: Are you ready? 

Are you ready if Christ comes back today?  Are you ready if you are killed just like the people in Paris today?  Are you ready if you die from a heart attack today?  Are you ready if you die in a car wreck today?  You get the picture, you have to be ready!

Revelation 14:9-10   

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.  Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword will die by the sword.

This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.

Have you been listening?  Do you understand?  Are you one of God's people?  

Will you be left behind if Christ comes for His people today?  Are you ready?

John 3:16

For God so love the world that whosoever believes in shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Revelation 3:20-21

Look, I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we shall share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

The Strangest Thing

Yesterday the strangest thing happened.  I was driving east on Randolph which is a street in the town where I live. It is a two lane road with grass on either side of the road.  I noticed that the cars in front of me were slowing down and coming to a stop.  I couldn't figure out what was going on until I saw the strangest thing. There was a car heading west but it was not in the west bound lane.  This car was on the grass on the south side of the road.  The person driving this car looked like a wild man and was driving at a very fast speed.  

I was shocked as the car sped by me on the side of the road, still on the wrong side of the road.  I knew that if it came back onto the road that someone would be hurt.  I was in a line of about ten cars that just sat there for several minutes and we were probably all wondering what to do.  I looked in my rear view mirror and could see the dust flying as the car was still going the wrong way.

I could see in the mirror that a red pickup had pulled off the road.  I am not sure if that car clipped him or if he just pulled off to call the police.  I was reaching to pick up my phone when I saw flashing lights and heard sirens.  I wondered what on earth was wrong with that person.  Was he drunk or high on drugs?  How on earth did he get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road?

It made me realize that sometimes I get headed down the side of the road, on the wrong side of the road. It's not because I am drunk or high.  It's not because I am a wild person. (Well not too often)

It is because I have gotten off course.  I have forgotten which direction I should be headed.  

It is not sirens and flashing lights that direct me back to the right side of this road.  It is the prick of a still small voice telling me that I am headed the wrong way. It keeps me from getting hurt.  It reminds of the way, the truth and the light and of what Christ has done for me.  Did you know that Christ did the strangest thing? He left the comfort of heaven to be born a baby in a stable and to die on the cross.  He died and rose again for me and for you! 

If you are headed down the wrong side on the road, He is waiting with all the right directions!

Luke 2:10-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher ofour faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

How Great Thou Art!!

This morning I woke up with a song in my heart and a sense of comfort!  God reminded me again that no matter what happens in my world that His Hands are on me!  I can draw on His strength and power even in the face of death.(hoping that doesn't happen for a while)  I felt His presence surround me with His song of joy!

I hope that you have His song of joy!

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

How Great Thou Art Hymn

Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel he gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think that God his son not sparing,
Sent him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

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