Boys, Kitties . . . and You

>> Tuesday, October 26, 2010

This little boy's triumphant smile and the rather uncomfortable kitty trapped in his fist has probably made you laugh! It captures a very real part of life, doesn't it? People, especially younger people, are often oblivious to how their actions are affecting those around them. 

Do you, perhaps, have your grip on something that God is calling you to release? Don't make the mistake of thinking your lack of obedience to the promptings of God only affects you. No man is an island unto himself! 

Remember Achan? His sin was private (or so he thought), but it removed the blessing of the Lord on their battle at Ai, a city that should have been easy to conquer. It cost him his life, and the lives of his family, plus the destruction of all that he owned!  ( See Joshua 7.)

Or think of David, who was responsible for the death of 70,000 men after numbering his people in spite of Joab's warning (see II Samuel 24). There are many examples in Scripture of how the choices of ONE person had a huge effect on the lives of those around them. But before you get too discouraged, remember that it's not just the bad choices we make that affect others. The good choices we make have just as large of an impact on the Lord's dealings with us, our families, our churches and even our country. 

Look at the lives of Esther, Joseph, Daniel and Mary. These young, strong hearts saved thousands because they were willing to trade the pleasures of this world for the riches of another. Next time you read their stories, take note of how the measure of their surrender to God determined the measure of their victory on earth.

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. All it takes is ONE heart fully devoted to the Lord, ONE life willing be laid down for the sake of others, ONE person to catch the attention of GOD and be the vessel of His power, strength and saving mercy.


The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to the Holy Spirit.
Henry Varley
 

"Say cheese, kitty! CHEEEEESE!"

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The Forgotten Man

>> Friday, October 22, 2010

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New Blog

>> Wednesday, October 20, 2010


Learn about the impact of genuine joy as my sister shares some motivating insights on her NEW blog!! Jewel is a precocious thinker and a great communicator; I know she will have some astute blog posts for you all to enjoy - so hop on over and follow Jewel's Joy! :)

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Psalm 23:4

>> Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
Psalm 23:4


trust:

 firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something 
• acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation 

~~~~~~~~~

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.                                        Proverbs 3:5-6

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Scripture Memory Challenges, VII & VIII: Modesty

>> Friday, October 15, 2010











Fall is definitely in full swing here in southeast South Dakota - and that meant another seasonal series of Scripture Memory Challenges for the young ladies in our area!! Instead of choosing a book of the Bible to collectively memorize this time, a poll was given to the group participating in our Summer challenge to discern the area of most interest. Modesty was the topic that came out on top for both the preteens and the teens & up groups, so 20 applicable verses on this subject were selected as a challenge for each girl to memorize by this week!




As daughters of the King of Kings, we have a very important calling - not only to represent Christ in our works and words, but in our appearance! It has been a true delight for me these past couple days (Thursday for preteens and Friday for teens & up) to see our Lord honored as His Word was being memorized, recited, and then applied to our lives.



To begin our morning, we met at a beautiful park with hiking trails, water falls, and beautiful scenery. Jewel and I had previously been to "Devil's Gulch" to take get familiar with the area, and then take pictures of 20 things in preparation for this challenge.



The ladies were divided into 2 groups - each with 10 items to find before the other team found their 10 items.


As soon as their list was completed, the winning team was rewarded, and the recitation began! Each thing - whether it was a certain kind of flower, a task to perform, or a specific place to find - represented one of the verses from the 20 they were to have previously memorized, which they then quoted as we sat overlooking the water below.



Afterwards, we listened to portions of Sarah Malley's supplement CD, Daughters of the King (set 8 from the Bright Lights material - available here if you're interested) from which we heard inspiring testimonies, insights, and practical applications on this topic of modesty.




Lucas selected some very encouraging quotes from young men expressing their appreciation for a high standard in this area that our group read during the discussion time.





Would you like to lay up in YOUR heart these passages of Scripture?







Although some of these may not seem to be specifically on "modesty" they do address the root issues many girls deal with, such as fear of man, love of the world, honoring parents, and standing alone.



I Timothy 2:9-10
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.


I John 2:15
Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in Him.


Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.




Proverbs 31:30
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, 
she shall be praised.


Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: 
but the LORD pondereth the hearts.


II Chronicles 16:9a 
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.



I Thessalonians 4:4-6
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.



Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.


Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: 
that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.




I Peter 3:3-5
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, 
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, 
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,
 which is in the sight of God of great price. 
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, 
who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjections unto their own husbands:



Romans 8:5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.


II Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.


Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.













Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.


I Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, 
or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.

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90 Years Old on 10-10-10

>> Monday, October 11, 2010

   
Our Grandma Thelma Ferguson (affectionately called "Mia") turned a beautiful 90 years old yesterday. As you'll see in these pictures, her face is often looking up towards the heavens - where the One, Who has long been the delight of her sweet heart, resides. Mia is an example to us all of delighting in Christ, His Word, and the Church. As a way of showing special appreciation for her on her 90th birthday, one of her other daughters, Shirley, and her family were able to travel from Tennessee to be with us as we celebrated her life together by watching an outstanding slideshow Mom had made of her past, and then enjoying a time of fellowship with her church family.



My grandma smiles when I hold her hand. She looks down and softly laughs. She does not know my name and does not know I'm her daughter's child, but her love is still there for me to feel. She pats my hand as I hold her other, and she begins to sing to me. Her voice is beautiful as a sweet mellow bird and I hear her soul as it praises our God from words of devotion in her song. My grandma cannot see well and she tells me the same things over and over. I have to dress her in the morning before we go to church and she is forgetting how to use a spoon, but my grandma, how beautiful is her soul. How alive and full of wisdom to share. My grandma does not know me. She does not know my name, but she has shown me she is strong. Her hands are wrinkled, but she has shown me beauty. Her hands don't know how to move a pencil any longer, but she has shown me wisdom. My grandma's hands are warm in mine and she passes down to me her love.

- Melissa Schuurmans

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Greetings from Texas!

>> Sunday, October 3, 2010


Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!


 Trying to be serious. . . [sort of].


Serious was too boring. =)

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Who Will You Be in 10 Years?

>> Saturday, October 2, 2010


10 years makes a difference. 

How will the choices you are making now 
affect your future?

So teach us to number our days,  
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 
Psalm 90:12

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