Pictures of Robin and Billy's Wedding have now been uploaded to My Yahoo! Photos Album.
Check out the link to My Photo Album on the Sidebar!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Another blog - sort of
Oh my! Even my dog can have a blog (well, sortof - more of just a webpage maybe)! Check this out: http://www.dogster.com/ Does Paisley have one you ask? Well, not at the moment. I am tempted to create one for her... but I dont know why. It is silly. Maybe I am tempted because I am silly. It isnt like dogs can actaully read or post. Just for bragging doggie parents i guess. There are some cute pictures of dogs on there.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Not Now!!
I love stormy weather... but not when I am watching LOST!!! I hope I didnt miss any good scenes as the signal came in and out. But I am appreciative of the Weather Man, as he waited to commercial to make announcements - and assured us he wouldnt inturrupt LOST. He's so nice.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
In His Image, But Likeness Too?
Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness..."
Is His image and likeness the same? Well, it was always taught to me that if God repeats Himself, then you should look at it again. So when I study it, I realize that no, it isnt the same. Being created in His image makes us different from all other creation because we have a spirit. But His likeness is how we use the spirit. Think of it like a wristwatch. We have them, they all do the same thing (tell time). The watch is the spirit (His Image). But, what if the watch is broken? It hasnt conformed the image. It is not useful. So how do I use the Spirit in which God has given me? We are all broken, but step one is to receive salvation. Check. But just because we are saved doesn't mean that we are automatically in His likeness... we still have to submit to Him - and in the submission we can be effective in fulfillingHis calling.
Being in His likeness, however, is an ongoing process in which we partake everyday. Think of it as the processes of purifying silver. The silversmith takes raw silver and heats it. (We allow God to light our fire.) As the silver heats, impurities rise to the top. The silversmith then skims the impurities from the silver and discards it. It is just trash (dross). That is our sin. As we spend time in God's word and submit to Him, our impurities/unrighteousness/sins rise to the surface, and we give them over to God. He removes/forgives those sins/desires from our lives. Thing is, this process goes on and on... the silversmith has to remove the dross until it is pure silver - which may take a while. Here is the best part - the silversmith knows the silver is pure only when he can see his reflection in it. We will never have this purity in our own lives here on Earth, but when we get to Heaven, we will be a reflection of Christ! His name will be written on our foreheads!
So, I may be created in His image, but have I been conformed to his likeness? Not yet - not completely. But am I working towards His likeness? Have I submitted to the Lord - allowing Him to get rid of my dross?
And what about you?
Is His image and likeness the same? Well, it was always taught to me that if God repeats Himself, then you should look at it again. So when I study it, I realize that no, it isnt the same. Being created in His image makes us different from all other creation because we have a spirit. But His likeness is how we use the spirit. Think of it like a wristwatch. We have them, they all do the same thing (tell time). The watch is the spirit (His Image). But, what if the watch is broken? It hasnt conformed the image. It is not useful. So how do I use the Spirit in which God has given me? We are all broken, but step one is to receive salvation. Check. But just because we are saved doesn't mean that we are automatically in His likeness... we still have to submit to Him - and in the submission we can be effective in fulfillingHis calling.
Being in His likeness, however, is an ongoing process in which we partake everyday. Think of it as the processes of purifying silver. The silversmith takes raw silver and heats it. (We allow God to light our fire.) As the silver heats, impurities rise to the top. The silversmith then skims the impurities from the silver and discards it. It is just trash (dross). That is our sin. As we spend time in God's word and submit to Him, our impurities/unrighteousness/sins rise to the surface, and we give them over to God. He removes/forgives those sins/desires from our lives. Thing is, this process goes on and on... the silversmith has to remove the dross until it is pure silver - which may take a while. Here is the best part - the silversmith knows the silver is pure only when he can see his reflection in it. We will never have this purity in our own lives here on Earth, but when we get to Heaven, we will be a reflection of Christ! His name will be written on our foreheads!
So, I may be created in His image, but have I been conformed to his likeness? Not yet - not completely. But am I working towards His likeness? Have I submitted to the Lord - allowing Him to get rid of my dross?
And what about you?
Why do you have to deny?
Well, yesterday I went to sign my lease at my new apartment complex. (So Excited about that by the way!) But on my way back to work, while sitting at the stoplight, the car behind me so graciously bumped into my car. Thankfully the damage is even less than minor, and the lady did stop to say she was sorry. But I had to drag her information out of her. She insisted that she hadn't scratched my car. "I didnt do that" she said, "I didnt hit you that hard". I agreed, she hadnt hit me hard enough to dent my car, to destroy my rearend (of the car that is) or to do harm to myself... but a mark had been left.
As I think about it today (and thank the Lord that she had insurance and that her insurance company has been so helpful and prompt in resolving the issue), I think about how God uses event in our life to teach us about Him - and our unrighteousness. Yesterday's event has had so many correlations brought to mind.
So many times we say "I didn't do that" or "No, my actions didnt cause that". We deny, deny, deny. And from the denial comes a mark left on our relationship with God - a mark of separation. The more we deny, the more we become separated. As sinners, we can so easily get lost in the denial game. If we dont realize our sin, we cannot turn from it and we cannot reconcile with Christ. Isaiah 30:15 tells us that in repentance and rest is our salvation, in quietness and trust is our strength. Can we learn to repent and rest in God? To be quiet by admitting to our faults and trust that God has won victory over them?
Lord, please help me realize what areas in my life I have denied. What areas have I not penetrated with your flowing freedom? Help me to realize these areas, to let them go, to give them to you - that I might come closer to what you have designed me to be - an image of you Lord.
As I think about it today (and thank the Lord that she had insurance and that her insurance company has been so helpful and prompt in resolving the issue), I think about how God uses event in our life to teach us about Him - and our unrighteousness. Yesterday's event has had so many correlations brought to mind.
So many times we say "I didn't do that" or "No, my actions didnt cause that". We deny, deny, deny. And from the denial comes a mark left on our relationship with God - a mark of separation. The more we deny, the more we become separated. As sinners, we can so easily get lost in the denial game. If we dont realize our sin, we cannot turn from it and we cannot reconcile with Christ. Isaiah 30:15 tells us that in repentance and rest is our salvation, in quietness and trust is our strength. Can we learn to repent and rest in God? To be quiet by admitting to our faults and trust that God has won victory over them?
Lord, please help me realize what areas in my life I have denied. What areas have I not penetrated with your flowing freedom? Help me to realize these areas, to let them go, to give them to you - that I might come closer to what you have designed me to be - an image of you Lord.
Do you know Jesus?
DO YOU KNOW JESUS??
First, Ask yourself 2 questions:
1. Have you come to a place in your life that you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you'll go to heaven when you die?
The Bible says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
2. Suppose you were standing before God right now and he asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?" What do you think you would say?
God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible states it this way, "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." (John 3:16). God's Purpose is that we have eternal life.
GOD'S PURPOSE
Do You know and understand what Eternal Life is?
1. We receive eternal life as a free gift.
Romans 6:23b tells us "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2. With eternal life, we can live a full and meaningful life right now!
The Lord tells us in John 10:10 that "He came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly."
3. When we have eternal life, we will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus.
Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:3).
As we search for true meaning in life, we discover that our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
OUR NEED
Why do You need Jesus?
1. We are all Sinners by nature and by choice.
Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. We cannot save ourselves.
Nothing we do, no good work can get us into heaven. Ephesians 2:9 says, "not by works, so that no one can boast."
3. We deserve death and hell.
Because of our sin, we do not deserve to go to heaven. Romans 3:23a says that we wages of sin are death.
God is Holy and Just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6).
GOD'S PROVISION
What did He do for You?
1. Jesus is God and Became Man.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:1,14)
2. Jesus died for us on the Cross.
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18)
3. Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
The only way for Jesus to affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
OUR RESPONSE
What do You need to do?
1. You must repent of your sins.
Acts 3:19 tells us "repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord".
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for your sins. Acts 26:20 tells us to "repent and turn to God, and do works which give evidence of repentance." Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from your sin.
2. You must place your faith in Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. (James 2:19) Faith is trusting God.
3. You must surrender to Jesus as Lord.
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control of our lives. As evidence of giving Jesus control, we will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way is to confess Jesus publicly, and to follow Him in baptism and church membership.
THE COMMITMENT
Are you ready?
1. Does what I have just read make sense to me?
If you don't understand or still have questions, contact Plymouth Park Baptist Church @ 972-986-7729 or email me
2. Is there any reason why you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?
If you there is any reason that you would not be willing to receive God's FREE gift of eternal life, please please contact the church office. There is someone there that would love to help you figure things out and better understand this decision.
3. Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus?
If you are willing, GREAT!! You are ready to become God's child and live a life that glorifies Him!
Just Remember: To receive Jesus, you must:
1. Repent of your sins.
2. Place your faith in Jesus.
3. Surrender to Jesus as Lord.
PRAYER
Tell God!!
If you are ready to receive Christ into your life, then pray and tell him. Prayer is just talking to Jesus and it is essential to our spiritual life like breathing is essential to our physical life.
Pray to God and tell Him you understand what being His follower is all about.
The Bible says, " Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). If you truely want the Lord to give you eternal life, tell Him out loud.
Pray to God telling Him you want to receive His gift of eternal life and that you want to be committed to Him.
Welcome to the Family of God! You have just made the most important decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life!!
Now thank God for His gift in a prayer of thanksgiving. Tell Him how wonderful He is!!
Receiveing Jesus into your life is only the begining of a wonderful experience. Contact someone (me, a church, a friend) and let us know what a wonderful decision you have made and we can help you be sure that you have eternal life and know how to grow as a Christian!!
First, Ask yourself 2 questions:
1. Have you come to a place in your life that you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you'll go to heaven when you die?
The Bible says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
2. Suppose you were standing before God right now and he asked you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?" What do you think you would say?
God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible states it this way, "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." (John 3:16). God's Purpose is that we have eternal life.
GOD'S PURPOSE
Do You know and understand what Eternal Life is?
1. We receive eternal life as a free gift.
Romans 6:23b tells us "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2. With eternal life, we can live a full and meaningful life right now!
The Lord tells us in John 10:10 that "He came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly."
3. When we have eternal life, we will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus.
Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:3).
As we search for true meaning in life, we discover that our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
OUR NEED
Why do You need Jesus?
1. We are all Sinners by nature and by choice.
Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. We cannot save ourselves.
Nothing we do, no good work can get us into heaven. Ephesians 2:9 says, "not by works, so that no one can boast."
3. We deserve death and hell.
Because of our sin, we do not deserve to go to heaven. Romans 3:23a says that we wages of sin are death.
God is Holy and Just and must punish sin, yet He loves us and has provided forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6).
GOD'S PROVISION
What did He do for You?
1. Jesus is God and Became Man.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:1,14)
2. Jesus died for us on the Cross.
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18)
3. Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
The only way for Jesus to affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
OUR RESPONSE
What do You need to do?
1. You must repent of your sins.
Acts 3:19 tells us "repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord".
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for your sins. Acts 26:20 tells us to "repent and turn to God, and do works which give evidence of repentance." Repentance is turning to God through Jesus and away from your sin.
2. You must place your faith in Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. (James 2:19) Faith is trusting God.
3. You must surrender to Jesus as Lord.
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control of our lives. As evidence of giving Jesus control, we will want to identify with Him. The New Testament way is to confess Jesus publicly, and to follow Him in baptism and church membership.
THE COMMITMENT
Are you ready?
1. Does what I have just read make sense to me?
If you don't understand or still have questions, contact Plymouth Park Baptist Church @ 972-986-7729 or email me
2. Is there any reason why you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?
If you there is any reason that you would not be willing to receive God's FREE gift of eternal life, please please contact the church office. There is someone there that would love to help you figure things out and better understand this decision.
3. Are you willing to turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus?
If you are willing, GREAT!! You are ready to become God's child and live a life that glorifies Him!
Just Remember: To receive Jesus, you must:
1. Repent of your sins.
2. Place your faith in Jesus.
3. Surrender to Jesus as Lord.
PRAYER
Tell God!!
If you are ready to receive Christ into your life, then pray and tell him. Prayer is just talking to Jesus and it is essential to our spiritual life like breathing is essential to our physical life.
Pray to God and tell Him you understand what being His follower is all about.
The Bible says, " Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). If you truely want the Lord to give you eternal life, tell Him out loud.
Pray to God telling Him you want to receive His gift of eternal life and that you want to be committed to Him.
Welcome to the Family of God! You have just made the most important decision of your life. You can be sure you are saved and have eternal life!!
Now thank God for His gift in a prayer of thanksgiving. Tell Him how wonderful He is!!
Receiveing Jesus into your life is only the begining of a wonderful experience. Contact someone (me, a church, a friend) and let us know what a wonderful decision you have made and we can help you be sure that you have eternal life and know how to grow as a Christian!!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Yeah, but Why?
So why have I decided to start this Blog?
Well, because I have decided to keep general journal of my life. My grandmother always had yearly diaries... more like books for appointments and schedules, but she always wrote what happened on each day - a child became a christian, got engaged, had a fight... just whatever. I have thought about following my grandmother's footsteps in doing this, but have decided to do it electronically. Why? First of all it is just eaiser. But also because I would love to comprise a book of my grandmother's life through what she journaled, but it would be so much eaiser if it were already entered into the computer... of course, she didnt have a computer in her time... but if my grandkids want easy access, I'll help them out a bit (even though this technology will be ancient by that time!).
I also wanted to journal my thoughts, expressions, and ideas as I spend time with the Lord through Bible Study. I think it will be a good way to gather and finalize thoughts. Sometimes I try to keep a prayer journal, but I am never consistent. Maybe because I tend to write things over and over (which should be a lesson to me) or maybe because I dont express everything since I know it will get lengthy and my hand would get tired quickly - and I am of the interent age, so typing everything out is so much easier. You may see some entries here from what I learn from BSF.
So, thanks to some encouragement from a friend (Thanks Sara! Even if you didnt know it!) that is why I have started this blog. I pray the Lord does great things through it!
Well, because I have decided to keep general journal of my life. My grandmother always had yearly diaries... more like books for appointments and schedules, but she always wrote what happened on each day - a child became a christian, got engaged, had a fight... just whatever. I have thought about following my grandmother's footsteps in doing this, but have decided to do it electronically. Why? First of all it is just eaiser. But also because I would love to comprise a book of my grandmother's life through what she journaled, but it would be so much eaiser if it were already entered into the computer... of course, she didnt have a computer in her time... but if my grandkids want easy access, I'll help them out a bit (even though this technology will be ancient by that time!).
I also wanted to journal my thoughts, expressions, and ideas as I spend time with the Lord through Bible Study. I think it will be a good way to gather and finalize thoughts. Sometimes I try to keep a prayer journal, but I am never consistent. Maybe because I tend to write things over and over (which should be a lesson to me) or maybe because I dont express everything since I know it will get lengthy and my hand would get tired quickly - and I am of the interent age, so typing everything out is so much easier. You may see some entries here from what I learn from BSF.
So, thanks to some encouragement from a friend (Thanks Sara! Even if you didnt know it!) that is why I have started this blog. I pray the Lord does great things through it!
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