Joyful in hope

Romans 12 Christian
1 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.

2 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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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Why is it so difficult to not let Satan's lies of God's wrath be upon His own?

Why can't we as Christians rest in the finished work of the Cross?

If there is no condemnation for those in Christ why the extra rules?

The accuser loves to whisper lies on God's own.

Do you see the lies he tries to feed you throughout the day?

Do you have scriptures to counter his lies when they attack?

We do need to regularly confess our sin, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, and not grow too comfortable in where we sit.

The work of Jesus on the Cross was finished, complete, accomplished. It's all forward focused. Mission-oriented.

If the Father sees us through His son Jesus, what does that make you?



His child.

Giving Thanks

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Thank you, Jesus!

Trading My Sorrows

This week God has continuously shown me that He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

I've been a little vulnerable with lack of finances. Its been a couple months that I joined the unemployed. Although I keep myself pretty busy with homeschool and ministry; enjoying what I do, it doesn't have a paycheck to it. Recently my husband released me to home and children duty while I remain patient with him, as he cannot care for the kids at this time, maintain upkeep of our home, work, and church activity, along with his own life of things he wants to do. I've worked for a long time, so this made it a bit uneasy, but I agreed to wait on the Lord.

-Last week I met with a bunch of ladies as part of the WMU praying for Christian churches around the world. It was a very uplifting time, as God reminded me through their prayers to be grateful for everything. I think my heart had become hardened with the expectation of God's provision when it did not come through, and I was doing everything I thought in my power to have it come through (spending time with Him, careful in my decisions, tithing, etc). Those incidents told me, God would provide through another avenue. After hearing the graciousness in these women's prayers (who were older and wiser than I BTW), and their pleas before God, I had some repenting to do. It was a reminder that anything we receive from God is truly a blessing from His hand. He showed me His eyes of compassion, and the stubborness in my heart that I repented of long ago thinking, "Lord, you owe me". I was very humbled, and just wept over my pathetic heart of stone. While waiting on God earlier this week, I checked the Classifieds and been looking for ways to make money. Is that trusting? Doesn't look like it to me. In my anxiety, God would remind me He is my provider, and not some paycheck. We had decided a few months ago that for Thanksgiving we would open our home to anyone that has no where to eat/stay. Going with that, we tried to minister to other families with what we had inviting them over for dinner, or shoveling snow for them. We wanted them to see God and not us. In doing this God released us from some unsettling issues we were having at church as well. My husband has been home for two days this week. While he is home at times that has been my opportunity to work, but this client I had been cleaning for sold her home, and I have not worked for her. While waiting, I would feel uneasiness as the bills came in, and would tell myself God will provide. He had continuously brought verses to mind about seeking His kingdom first, don't worry about tomorrow, do not be anxious for anything, etc.

-Wed I had exterminated the church kitchen down for silverfish. Thurs. I went to clean it up. I was tired, low on fuel, but glad to finally have this overdue job done. I had some reward coupons from the store I frequently shop, and was told I could not use them towards fuel. Bummer. That told me God would provide another way. I had $7.00 in my acct., and pondered as I filled my car how I was going to make it to payday which wasn't for another 1 1/2 weeks. Fretting over this driving out of the parking lot, a raven God allowed me to see up ahead and pass, swooped down in front of my windshield as I turned out. They're a bit of a nuisance in the winter, kinda like seagulls in Summer. I thought it was going to hit my windshield as it turned while I turned in front of my car. God centered my eyes on his beak eventhough its back turned toward us in front of me and my windshield. It had something that looked like a piece of bread in its mouth. Immediately I broke down in tears. It soared forward across the street and parked itself at a corner stoplight eating what it had in its mouth. The scripture that came to mind as I looked at its mouth was the story of Elisha, and how God used the ravens to feed him when he was weak. Also, the birds of the air. He said, "are you not of more value than these?" How much more would my Heavenly Father provide for me! I could not contain the emotion and broke down in tears, agreeing with God that I would change my sorrows for His joy!-When I came home Thurs. Night after 10pm, there was a turkey and two bags of stuffing at my door.

-When Pastor heard that we were going to open our home to others in the church for Thanksgiving, he pitched in some money to pay for the meal, and fuel. What can I say, except Praise Him! Even in that I cannot praise Him enough. This is only a glimpse of His glory. Hallelujah!

God's Eyes of Compassion

We can say God showed empathy and sympathy to those in the bible, but the way God showed compassion was in doing.

God our Father showed compassion through sending His son, Jesus to die as atonement for our sin.

Jesus showed compassion thru His own demonstration. Throughout His life and love for the souls of man He gave that we would have life abundantly through Him.

Jesus spent the whole day healing people who were sick and performing miracles throughout the crowd. But when it came time to eat, the disciples did not know how they would feed everyone. Jesus feed 5,000 with only a few loaves of bread and fishes.

Jesus had proven that not only could he heal people of their illnesses, he could provide their basic needs, such as food. And to do this, he used what little a young boy could provide. It doesn't matter how much or how little we have, Jesus can use us for his work. We simply must be willing to do what we can for Him.

Jesus shows us compassion teaching us to serve, pray, and leaving us with the Holy Spirit after His ascension. The Holy Spirit is God Himself living in every believer. We have been given the HS to accomplish much in Jesus name, to be reminded of Jesus' words, to live a life free from sin. We as believers do not want to grieve or quench the HS work in us, or others.

Praise God for the extent He went for us, and still goes for us each day. Jesus is the Hope for every man. His eyes are His compassion. They are the windows to His heart.

Kellie, did you miss it?

Forgiveness is an easy word, but so hard to do when it hurts.

I can agree, except forgiveness is not a word, but an act Jesus demonstrated for us all at Calvary. Forgiveness without the act is meaningless. It reduces the word, to just that a word. Jesus gave it power with His own life.

Luke 9
22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will
save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the
same shall save it.

May God heal you with His unfailing love on your journey to Him.

Frustrations of a Parent

I'm not an advocate for homeschool.

In fact, I have many Christian friends that teach in Public Schools.

I enjoyed Public School.

Recently I was even debating with my husband after a time, to put our kids in Public School as to not burden him with sole financial responsibility of our home.

I just read an article (as I was searching for something else) from January 2006 that had about 61 cases if I counted right, of articles of teachers inappropriate actions to students.

I know we cannot let fear control us.

Every time when I think of giving up on homeschool, something like this is shown to me, and fears me into letting them go.

Why do I feel it would be like throwing them into the lion's den?

A parent would rightfully so be frustrated at this struggle.

I continue to go before the Lord of what to do.

Praise God for those teachers that are a light in a dark world. Pray for our teachers, and students. God help us.

Teacher investigated for 'raping' boy quitsWoman, 29, resigns high-school
position for alleged sexual battery of 17-year-oldhttp://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48304

Other
cases collected by WND from news reports include:
Adrianne
Hockett: Accused of having sex with a 16-year-old special-needs student in a
Houston apartment she rented for the get-togethers. The boy has testified the
pair would "have sex, drink beer and smoke weed."
Amber
Jennings, 31: Initially charged with having sex with a 16-year-old, the
counts against the Sturbridge, Mass., woman were reduced to a single charge of
disseminating harmful materials to a minor. She reportedly admitted e-mailing
naked photos of herself to a former student.
Amber
Marshall, 23: Northwest Indiana woman allegedly had sexual contact,
including intercourse, with several students, and turned herself into
authorities, telling police she knew what she did was illegal.
Amira
Sa'Di, 30: Clayton County, Ga., woman remarked she didn't think her
relationship was inappropriate based on her Internet research, learning the
Peach State's age of consent is 16.
Amy
Gail Lilley, 36: Inverness, Fla., woman charged with an alleged relationship
with a 15-year-old girl.
Angela Comer
Angela
Comer, 26: Middle-school teacher from Tompkinsville, Ky., fled with her
alleged lover, her 14-year-old male student, before being tracked down in Mexico
where she planned to marry the boy. She was indicted for illegal sex acts with a
minor and returned to Kentucky.
Angela
Stellwag, 24: Delran, N.J., woman accused of having sex in her apartment
with a 14-year-old boy she met in school.
Beth
Raymond, 31: Private-school employee from Pownal, Maine, charged with risk
of injury to a minor and second-degree sexual assault of a juvenile male.
Bethany
Sherrill, 24: Daughter-in-law of school-board president is charged with
molesting a middle school student when he was 14.
Carol Flannigan
Carol
Flannigan, 50: Boca Raton, Fla., music teacher reportedly slept with
11-year-old former student, and also had a simultaneous sexual relationship with
the boy's father.
Cathy Heminghaus
Cathy
Heminghaus, 46: Special-education teacher from Ferguson, Mo., charged with
statutory sodomy involving at least three of her students at Ferguson Middle
School. She reportedly told friends she had performed oral sex on the children
on several occasions.
Celeste
Emerick, 32: Police in Huber Heights, Ohio, say she hosted a party where
students were shown porn.
Christina
Gallagher, 26: Jersey City, N.J., woman ordered to pay more than $1,000 in
fines, sentenced to a lifetime registration as a convicted sex offender and
ordered to attend therapy for having sex with a 17-year-old student.

Deanna Bobo, 37: Arkansas teacher allegedly had sex twice with a 14-year-old boy in his own bed while his parents were not home.
Donna Carr Galloway, 33: Married mother of two found naked in a car with a 17-year-old student.
Elisa Kawasaki, 25: Officials say ex-biology teacher had sexual relations with a 16-year-old student on up to 20 different occasions.
Elizabeth Miklosovic, 36: Grand Rapids, Mich., woman pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student she "married" in a pagan ritual.
Elizabeth Stow, 26: Woman from Fresno, Calif., area convicted of having sex with three of her students was sentenced to nine years, but the judge suspended that sentence and gave her one year, possibly on house arrest, as well as faces five years probation.
Ellen Garfield, 43: Former student says teacher took him into an empty classroom where she worked, partially disrobed, and coaxed him into having sex with her in 1998. Garfield was acquitted of all charges in September of this year.
Emily Morris, 28: Alabama woman faced a possible 20-year sentence, but received one year in jail for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old student.
Erica Rutters, 29: York, Pa., woman allegedly wrote erotic messages to a 17-year-old student and had sexual intercourse with him four times in her apartment.
Georgianne Harrell, 24: Sylvester, Ga., woman charged with performing oral sex on a 9-year-old boy, allowing students to gaze down her blouse and slashing her wrists with glass in front of her students. She pleaded not guilty.
Gwen Ann Cardozo, 33: Colorado woman charged with having sex with a 17-year-old male student.
Heather Ingram, 30: Mathematics, science and business teacher in British Columbia had sex with a 17-year-old student.
Janelle Marie Bird, 24: Accused of having a two-year affair with a 15-year-old student from East Hill Christian School, in Pensacola, Fla.
Jaymee Wallace
Jaymee Wallace, 28: Basketball coach in Tampa, Fla., charged with having an 18-month lesbian relationship with a student.
Joan Marie Sladky, 28: Redwood City, Calif., woman sentenced to six months in county jail for having sex with a 16-year-old student after pleading no contest to four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation and penetration with a foreign object.
Katherine Tew, 30: Married English teacher from Greenville, N.C., arrested for having sex with a 17-year-old student.
Kathy White, 39: Charged with having sex with a 17-year-old student in Lumberton, Texas. Victim alleges: "She just started grabbing me and hormones were on and it just happened."
Kelly Lynn Dalecki, 28: Woman from St. Augustine, Fla., pleaded no contest to charges she had sex with a 13-year-old boy.
Kristen Margrif, 27: Michigan woman accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student in her car or at his summer workplace.
Kristi Oakes
Kristi Dance Oakes, 32: Former Tennessee high-school teacher allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old boy who was in her biology class the previous year.
Lakina Stutts, 40: School-bus driver admitted to cops she had sex with a 14-year-old student in her home and in a car outside the boy's home.
Laura-Anne Brownlee, 26: Former music mistress at a top private school in Belfast, N. Ireland, was sentenced on six charges of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
Laura Lynn Findlay, 30: Middle-school band teacher in Buena Vista Township, Mich., charged with having sex with at least 5 students, one as young as 14.
Margaret De Barraicua
Margaret De Barraicua, 30: Sacramento, Calif., area woman arrested after police found her having sex with a 16-year-old male student in her car while the woman's toddler was strapped into a seat in the back.
Maria Saco, 28: Passaic, N.J., woman sentenced to a year in jail for an intimate relationship with a teen student who was 14 when they first met.
Mary Kay Letourneau, 34: Des Moines, Wash., woman did prison time after having an affair with a sixth-grade student, and had two children by him. The couple recently married.
Melissa Michelle Deel, 32: Bristol, Tenn., woman pleaded guilty to crossing the state line into Virginia to have oral sex with a 13-year-old male student.
Michelle Kush, 29: Ohio woman allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old boy several times during summer break.
Nicola Prentice, 22: British woman from Sheffield, England, given a 12-month suspended jail sentence after she seduced a 16-year-old student and began a 19-month affair.
Nicole Barnhart
Nicole Andrea Barnhart, 35: Colorado woman reportedly told police she loves the 16-year-old boy with whom she was having sex. She pled guilty to felony sexual assault on a child, resulting in a two-year prison sentence and a minimum of 10 years in a sex-offender probation program.
Nicole Long
Nicole Long, 29: English teacher at Ayersville High School in Ohio resigned her teaching post after being accused of raping a 17-year-old boy.
Nicole Pomerleau, 31: High-school English teacher in Charlotte, N.C., accused of having a sexual relationship with her 16-year-old student.
Pamela Smart, 22: Media-services director at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, N.H., had convinced her 15-year-old lover to murder her husband. The Nicole Kidman film "To Die For" is based on her story.
Pamela Turner, 27: Former model and beauty-pageant contestant accused of having a three-month sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy.
Rachelle Vantucci, 32: Ex-substitute teacher in western New York admitted having sex with a 16-year-old boy.
Rebecca Boicelli, 33: Redwood City, Calif., woman gave birth to a baby last year and DNA test results gave prosecutors enough evidence to prove the father is Boicelli's former student, who was 16 at the time of conception.
Rhianna Ellis, 24: New York City teacher who allegedly had a 10-month affair with an 18-year-old, and allgedly gave birth to his baby.
Robin Gialanella, 26: Elementary teacher in Toms River, N.J., engaged in kissing, and inappropriate conduct and conversations with two sixth-grade boys, ages 11 and 12. She was sentenced to 364 days in jail.
Robin Winkis, 29: York, Pa., woman allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old boy after giving him alcohol.
Samantha Solomon, 29: Fired after school bosses learned she was having sex with a teenage boy. She denies the charges.
Sandra "Beth" Geisel, 42: Albany, N.Y., woman was fired from her job at an private all-boys school after police in found her in a parked car with a 17-year-old. She pleaded guilty to a single count of rape and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Shelley Allen, 35: East Texas teacher's aide accused of sexual assault and faces a possible 20 years behind bars.
Shelley White, 24: Geography teacher in Britain had been engaged to be married before she kissed a 15-year-old student on at least three occasions. She avoided jail, but received 12 months community service.
Sherry Brians, 41: Middle-school language-arts instructor in Buttonwillow, Calif., arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 12-year old boy.
Stephanie Burleson: Volleyball coach and teacher at Floresville High School in Texas six years ago, pleaded guilty to all charges for molesting a 16-year-old female student. She was sentenced to 10 years probation, and required to register as a sex offender.
Susan Eble, 35: Former teacher's aide is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy.
Tara Lynn Crisp, 29: Police allege she had sex with a student at least three times beginning when he was 14.
Toni Lynn Woods, 37: The Braxton County, W.Va., woman confessed to having sexual intercourse with three juveniles a total of four times and oral sex with one of those juveniles and another juvenile a total of four times. She resigned.