I Am a "Kept" Woman

This is so true. I needed this. So I thought maybe someone else did too.

I Am a "Kept" Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, but God kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer, but the Lord kept me moving. (Gen. 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, but the Lord kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, but God has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Mat. 6:25-34)

When I thought I would fall, He kept me up. When I thought I was weak, He kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Mat. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be "kept."

What kind of leader are you?

I was going through some of the papers in my Bible the other night, (I seem to accumulate so many!) and I ran across some papers on leadership. I can't remember if this was a class our pastor did, or if it was something we did in our teacher's meetings. Anyway. It list five people's definition of a leader: Inspirations, Trusting, Motivators, Examples, Dedicated. As you know from my past blogs, I am a thinker. And while thinking on these things, I asked myself, "Do I inspire people? (I hope so!) Am I trustworthy? (I think so.) Am I trusting towards other people? (This one got me!) And so on... But then I read these next few statements. "Leadership is best defined as influence. Leadership is not position, rank or title. Leadership is influence of those around us." It goes on to say that sociologist tell us that even the most introverted person will influence, are you ready for this, ten thousand other people, in their lifetime!! Now I don't know how that makes you feel, but I feel like I could weep right now! Weep for the times that I may not have influenced someone in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. And weep for joy that I have still have more opportunities to do so. Because whether positive or negative, you have made an influence on someone's life! We never know who and how much we influence. I pray that everyone who reads this would reflect on this. I want to influence everyone I meet in a positive way. I want them to know that they have just been influenced by a Holy Ghost filled child of God!! I want to be inspiring, motivating, trustworthy and trusting (within reason). I want to live my life as an example, and be dedicated to the work of the kingdom!! The issue is not whether you will influence someone. The issue is what kind of an influence you will be?!

I leave you with a quote from J.R. Miller.

"There have been meetings of only a moment that left impressions for life. No one can understand that mysterious thing we call influence...yet every one of us continually exerts it, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, to hurt, to poison, or stain other lives."

Senior Version of "Jesus Loves Me"

I came across this version of "Jesus Loves Me", that I would like to share. I have heard many versus, but never these.





JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

The Process of Refining

My mom had sent this to me a while back, and I thought I would share it with you.

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

I'm Back

Well, I am finally back to the land of the living! Just barely. The flu bug finally got me. I tell you I don't wish that stuff on anybody! It really takes a toll on your body. But by the grace of God I survived!! And for those of you that have had it, you know I'm not joking about that. There are people that are literally dying from this stuff! My doctor said he has not seen anything like it. It's terrible.

So I know that a lot of you have been waiting to hear about my father-in-law. I do apologize for not posting sooner. And I want everyone of you that has prayed with us about this situation, to know how much I truly appreciate your prayers!! The word of God said the promise was to you, your children and to all that are afar off!! This is not just for our family but for yours too!! God is about to bring in family members that we never would have even dreamed about! Which brings me back to my father-in-law. This is a man who was certainly "afar off". If you would have told me a year ago that he would be asking my husband to lay hands on him and pray for him, I would have had trouble seeing that possibility. But today it is a reality! The last I told you, they were coming to church on Sunday night. Well what an awesome move of God we had! The man of God preached about a family revival!! And the name of his message was, "What's God's plan for your life?" Everything that was spoken, was exactly what they needed to hear! But they left without receiving the Holy Ghost. I have to admit, I was a little disheartened, but not discouraged. But he had a lot of questions, and said he wanted to understand more about our church! And he wants to keep doing the bible study! Then three days later, he calls and says he is going to end it all. He is tired of living and tired of the pain! It was quiet an ordeal. He was finally committed to a hospital. You can imagine the thoughts that was going through our minds!! But you know what? The devil is a liar!! We just held to the promise that God gave us!! He is in control. And he was released to come home last night! And guess what his first question was? "When are we going to do the bible study again?"!! Take that devil!! God's not done yet!
So I hope this encourages some of you that have been trying to win your lost family. Just know whenever the situation looks hopeless, that when God opens the door, no one or no thing can shut it!