Even The Bad Is Good

Now to many people that statement will just not make any sense.  But to those that follow the Lord, those that know HIS ways, YES even the bad is good.


How can this be?


Well not only does the Scripture say that "all things will work together for good", (Rom 8:28) but we know that God, as a loving Father, keeps a close and intimate "eye" on us. 
 2 CHRONICLES 16:9
For the eyes f the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.

So in the Good, Bad and the Ugly, if we are following hard after the Lord, we are on solid ground and we have nothing to fear.  He is with us.  He will make a way.  He is working out a plan in our lives.  He is molding us and making us into His image.  

Don't move friend....His timing is PERFECT!   Just praise Him right where you are!

Blessings 

Deflated Santa

Mom and I took a ride today and everywhere I looked I saw "deflated" Santas.  So Sad.  


Santa tends to only be "alive and well " during the Christmas season.  


 I'm so thankful for Jesus, the manger, the cross and the empty tomb.  These symbols never deflate.  They remain a firm foundation to the Christian faith. They are tangible and real. 

There is power in the Name of Jesus. 

He is alive.  He hears and answers prayer.  

He never slumbers or sleeps.  He is everywhere at once!  

He is ALL powerful!  He is ALL knowing.  Nothing is too difficult for Him!  

His will is for healing, deliverance, freedom and  eternal life with Him!

Yes life is hard....but that is beside the point!  It would be harder without the Lord.  Do not be fooled. 

Jesus is the answer for the world today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whjZTug_O-Y

Hes Everything to Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywzlq2AiAuM&feature=related

I honestly don't remember life without Jesus.  I am so blessed by this.  I cant even imagine.   


Today let's pray that HE will give us opportunity to share with someone.  That we will, by HIS grace, be bold and fearless to throw out the lifeline to someone going "down".  Watch and pray, listen and speak, HE will guide your steps and your voice to speak HIS love to a dying generation.


Blessings

December 25, 2011

Dear Friends ~


Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!  


 Let's pretend that we are sitting by the roaring fire.  The snow is drifting slowly down and there are no deadlines to meet and  no places to go.   We have hours to chat, snack, enjoy the quiet and the Lord.
What a wonderful scene, right?


Well, who knows, this may be the  year of the Lord ..  Lets prepare our hearts today for HIS coming again.
Thank you for reading these blogs and for being good friends.


I simply pray Gods richest blessings on you all.


May you be filled afresh and anew this coming New Year .


Blessings!
Marnie 

Testing Testing Testing

I love the saying,  "I was the perfect parent until I had children!"   Well that applies to our Christianity as well!  I can see numerous places that the Lord has changed me.  This has been an encouragement.  But having the kids around has made me keenly aware that there is still MUCH more work to be done!


Sarcasm has always been a speciality in our family....friendly teasing, words of banter,  sharp wit.  I felt, now that the kids have left, that I have done alot of work in this area    HA~   Are you kidding!??  I simply did not have anyone to do it TO!   So there you have it..... my tongue is still alive and "well" although I use that term loosely.


So the test begins.  HE has made it apparent to me ~ gotten my attention ~  let me see the looks and hear the "Moms" and let me see clearly that there is still an issue I need to put "to death"


The holidays are the perfect time to "Check your gauge" ~ especially if you feel you have arrived!   Stress, overindulgence, tiredness and PEOPLE will be what the Lord uses as a "dip stick" to see what needs to be added or subtracted from our lives.


Do not disdain this my friend..... just see it as a place to bring to the Lord for grace and guidance.  Oh to be like HIM this is our prayer!


"Oh I want to be like Jesus" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kALNwn5utU

Just Step Aside

I read this in a post:   " I've had a tough couple days... My emotions are run ragged."

Whether it is a tough couple of days, weeks or just an hour or two, I implore you to take a moment and just "step aside".  I hold a personal thought when I read about how often Jesus "stepped aside".  He often

separated Himself to go and spend time with His Father.  Why?  My conclusion, believing He was totally man, was so that He would not kill someone, say something that He shouldn't, go where He should not go and-or just suggest that God wipe the slate clean and start all  over.  

Living on earth is tough, even for the Savior!  With this realization I am glad He is the one interceding on my behalf day in and day out.

During the holiday season emotions can run unusually high.  Nerves are nearer to the surface as we gather with people that we don't see too often.  The stress of adding "gifts and gatherings" to our already stretched schedules and budgets can often make us tired and irritable. Not to mention the realization of broken relationships and dysfunction that stare us ever in the face.

Friend, Lover of God, please discipline yourselves to "pull yourself away".  Don't let slew foot  steal from you anymore.   Put your armor on and if you find yourself in an uncomfortable place, excuse yourself to a quiet corner and call out for more of God's grace.

He says it is sufficient  (2 Cor 12:9) and that He will show His strength in our weakness.   So prepare yourself today and everyday.  Don't be caught off guard.  Get all the rest you can and stay focused.  He will carry you thru whatever comes your way as HE IS ALWAYS PRESENT AND FAITHFUL!

Remember you are loved and carried.  Take advantage of these promises.

Merry Christmas!



.

A Good Conclusion

I received a Christmas Letter the other day and there was a paragraph that I think bears repeating.  It goes:


"As for me, I am coming to the age, when I deeply realize that some things are not going to change.  And if they are, I am not going to be the reason or facilitator of that change, no matter how good I think that change may be......I do not have to fight to change it anymore..  This knowledge has brought a peace that has begun to rest in my heart and is beginning to seep into my outer life.......
What has begun to happen is that I am beginning to look up from these circumstances and find an abundance of other things to be thankful for and a great big God to be thankful to!..............I have begun to experience JOY!
...........when I look up I no longer drown in the circumstances of living in this sinful, dangerous, uncertain world.  My wondrous discovery this year is that I can be joyful...at least most of the time..........It is so delightfully unexpected."


I am so thankful that my friend has come to see this TRUTH!  She has been leaning into the Lord and not to her own understanding and the Lord has been faithful to allow this truth go deeper and deeper.


Friend accept this gift from the Father.  Take HIS peace.   You will not change things but HE can!  Rest in His ability and His timing.  Lean beloved lean!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0zz6msgnPY&feature=related

3 Wise Men

ONLY THREE???!!


Where are all the Wise Men?


Who were these men and what made them wise?   What was so compelling in their "studies" that they were willing to travel far and wide in hopes to witness something?

http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/content/what-were-names-three-wise-men

Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or 

situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in

 keeping with this understanding. It often requires

 control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that universal principles,

 reason and knowledge

 prevail to determine one's actions. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is 

true or right coupled 

with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, 

or insight.

Well the Scripture says that the "fear of God is the beginning of 

wisdom". (Psalm 111:10)  So is there no "real" wisdom outside of God?  

Interesting thoughts.  

It is a wise person who listens, studies, prays and realizes that 

there is Someone BIGGER than them.  

Someone Who is in control.   

Be wise this Christmas

as the saying goes:  

Wise Men Still Seek HIM"

Blessings!

A Hug; Just Cause

My mom was sharing with me today that there is a "worship singer" where she attends  church, that when done singing, comes to mom's row and gives her a big hug on the way to her seat.  
Just cause. 
This is a special thing.  My mom, almost 95 in another month, feels so special and loved from this simple act.  What a precious thing.  My dad would say "Don't cost no more"  an old saying from the country that says simply, "why not"..


Today ask the Lord what you might do "just cause"  Some little thing that does not cost you anything but would make a big and lasting impact.  I know that you will be given something.


A friend posted this on face book today.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc8ZbVcdHpg&sns=fb
It's as simple as this.
We can change the world one act of kindness at a time.
Blessings friend!

Musing

Often in the course of a day of conversation a word or phrase sticks out to me.  Today, riding with a friend, she said that she had complimented someone on her singing voice and asked if the woman had taken lessons.  The woman simply said,  "No, I just sing along with the radio."


You know you do not need to get a diploma, take religious education or listen to sermons day in and day out to know how to live the Christian life.   You simply need to  "sing with the radio" or in this case "walk with the Savior"   You need to practice what the Word says.  You need to walk it out.


I have quoted this Scripture before and here I go again, : 


 "Study the Bible continuously, meditate on it day and night so that you  will obey every thing written in it, only then will you  prosper and succeed in all that you do. 
This is my commandment, Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be discouraged for I AM with you wherever you go"  Joshua 1:8+9


Blessings as you walk!

Fussing

Have you ever just found yourself fussing?  You are at the end of your rope, things are looking dark and impossible and you fuss.


Why do we so easily forget our Savior?  How can we overlook the one who created it ALL and holds it all together?


Today, friend,  remember and ask Him to enter in to your problem.  He WILL give grace, divine wisdom and creative thinking.  I have been known to tape 2 fingers together, set my phone alarm for every 15 mins, mark on my hand, etc. in order to be reminded thruout the day that HE IS HERE AND ABLE!


Join Him today
Praising Him
Blessings!

How Great Thou Art!

Sung by a one man barbershop quartet~

This is incredible! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=dxCRIF0m79w&feature=related   

Sent to me by my brother Pete

The Workout Machine and the Scripture

*When they are USED they bring results.
*When they just take up space they are no better than a hat rack


*We spend our money on them
*We research different versions to do different things and hit different targets
*We compare ours with others


I have known people who know the Scripture for memory but it has made no difference in their life
I also know people who can tell you everything you would want to know about the "diet world" who are grossly overweight.


How sad.    The fact is that we can totally fool ourselves into thinking that we are ok, and just like the pounds that  attach to us one at a time when we stop exercising so also we see the  little sins and  compromises that begin to appear in a life that does not practice the Scripture.


Find the Book.  Dust it off.  Open it up.  Underline the Promises and begin to APPLY them.  Life and circumstances  will change.  
It may not hurt to dust off the treadmill as well!!


New Living Translation (©2007)
"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."  1Timothy 4:8

The "Clothes of the Calling"

Have you ever heard the Lord calling you?


You hear but know that there is NO WAY that you can do what HE is asking......


What good company you keep!
Like Noah, David, Daniel, Joseph, Joshua, Moses, Abraham, Deborah, Esther, Mary  etc etc etc, you stammer and stutter that you are not cut out for the "Call", there has been a terrible mistake and you suggest that HE move on....to the next person on HIS list.


That's what the Lord plans.  
He is determined to get the Glory .  
He knows what we are made of.   
I heard a pastor this week say that after he heard the "Lord's Call" he began to pray that the Lord would put the "clothes of the calling" on him.  
I like that.  
I have been there more than once and I have seen HIM  fulfill HIS calling in and thru me in ways that I would have one day thought impossible.  I am continually astounded by HIM!


Let Him clothe you today.

Any Old Bush Will Do

I heard a quote on radio this morning.  It was, "Any old bush will do"
Like Moses, if we came across a burning bush that was not being consumed, we would stand amazed.  How is this possible? 


But as the quote this morning said,  "any old bush will do" 
God is looking for vessels HE can use.  He will use whatever HE can get HIS hands on.  He is looking for broken, submitted, humble  servants to pour Himself thru.     
He is constantly calling, searching, looking for people who will give up their rights to follow HIM.  Then HE moves in, takes over and brings glory to HIS Name. 


Will you be a bush for God...an inanimate object, that outside of the Lord, has no real worth and is easily overlooked.  

BUT GOD

Oh yes  ~ BUT GOD ~ HE makes all the difference.  Will you surrender in making HIM Lord of your life?  
Burn Baby Burn!


Blessings!

Planted in God’s House

Here is a word for you from the Word Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar ofLebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” NIV      There are some beautiful pictures of what the life of a truly righteous man is like. He is compared to two trees; a palm tree first of all. The essence of a palm tree is that it grows very straight, very upright and the fruit is found in the topmost part of the tree. In other words, the higher we grow the more the fruit. The cedar is the king of all trees, the most lovely, the most magnificent, and that’s also a picture of a righteous man.  Then it speaks of being planted in the house of the Lord. That word planted is important. It speaks of commitment. Some Christians are never willing to be planted anywhere. They want to flit from place to place. They never put down roots and they never bring forth fruit. Somebody said, as a prayer, “Lord, help me to bloom where I’m planted.” And bear in mind that if you’re not planted, you will bloom nowhere.  And as a result of being planted they still bring forth fruit in old age and their lives become a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Their very lives cry out, “The LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” If you want to see the nature of the Lord, look at the life of the truly righteous man and you will see the Lord’s faithfulness mirrored in that man’s life. - Derek Prince     ps   Sometimes God even TRANSPLANTS us!

I Am Overwhelmed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18p8OyYgUhU&feature=related


I am overwhelmed at the LOVE of our Savior!   My knee is much better, please continue to pray.  I opened a Christmas Card today and it was from Jesus!  He had sent me some money!  He signed it "I own a cattle on a thousand hills!"  
What a precious Savior, a good Friend, a faithful Husband.  
I am a "kept woman" 
I am never out of HIS sight.  
HE SEES ME!  




Jesus You're more than a friend
more than my heart could ever express
Your love and Your grace never fail me
Your merciful touch always heals me


YOU BRING JOY TO MY SOUL!


Friend~  He wants to be all that and more to you today!
Let Him!
Claim His promises over your life and watch how HE fulfills every single one


Joyful Joyful Lord we adore Thee!


Blessings

Choral Practice Lessons; Part 2

"A dissonance that resolves on the next page"


As our instructor assured us that what may have sounded "off" to our ears on the page we were singing would certainly blend in and "make music" on the next, I immediately thought, "How much like life".


I'm sure many of you will agree that there are many moments in our life's music that things seem way out of tune.  Discord and flat we wonder how we got here.  


BUT WAIT!

All of a sudden, the page turns and we meet someone, our provision comes, the dilemma works out, we are healed, the sun breaks thru the clouds.


Dearest Friends,  Don't give up!  It may not sound or look pleasant today but with just a turn of the page, your life may hit a new note, and things will all come together.


Blessings!
"Do not be afraid or discouraged for I am with you wherever you go"  Joshua 1:9

Two Thoughts from Choral Practice

First Thought:


Yesterday at my Christmas choral  practice  a phrase jumped out at me and I jotted it down in the margin of my music.


"If you're comfortable then probably you are singing the wrong part"


This reminded me that the God we serve is not into making sure that we are comfortable.  He stretches us as He molds us and makes us into His likeness and image.    Now I do not want you to confuse the fact that HE is a God that comforts...HE ABSOLUTELY IS.   Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us to be our Comforter,  but here we are not talking about being comforted  but rather being comfortable!


Too often our flesh justifies that we deserve a comfortable life.  "I've worked all my life for this time of retirement. I've had "my day",    Been there ~ done that.   So what are we saying?  We have arrived?  We no longer have to work?  Be used?  Have a mission?


Until the day that the Lord calls us home, we have a purpose.  There is a call on our life as a child of God.  SO if you are comfortable where you are perhaps you are "singing" the wrong part.  Ask the Lord today if you are where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do.  He has a place and task for you and wants you to realize that you NEED Him to be able to accomplish the task at hand.


So friend, put fear aside and dare come before the Lord for His orders for the day.  You surely don't want to miss a thing!


Blessings!


Part 2 tomorrow.




Please come and join us in an afternoon of celebrating HIS birth at this free concert. 

The Music Of Christmas

Sunday, December 18^th at 4:00pm

New England Bible Church

60 Chandler Road, Andover, Massachusetts

Mary Did You Know?

Don't you just love this song?


The fact is Mary probably did not know too much about her future.  She was asked to obey and she did.  She did do a lot of pondering and I don't recall seeing anything on face book. She just walked it out believing.


We don't know, BUT God does!  We can trust HIM.  HE will guide us, guard us, provide for us, calm us, keep us, heal us, give us wisdom, strength and GRACE.  


Is the suspense just killing you?  Are you so busy worrying, planning  and thinking about tomorrow that you are not enjoying the day?  The scripture tells us to leave tomorrow alone Matt 6:34.  We are to preface all our plans with the "Lord willing" James 4:13-15   


As the Lord told my friend...."You know its really simple to serve Me"    TRUST.  The same God that created it ALL and holds it ALL  does not find you too big to handle.  


So dear frazzled friend......BREATH.  LAUGH...... TRUST...... PRAISE.  


Its ALL GOOD.  (even if its not)


Blessings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY4_wIJUCMU&feature=related