Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. A year that is filled with God's Grace. I came across the following today while doing some reading. I thought it might be a blessing to someone else.

“A Prayer for the New Year”January 5, 2003 (Col. 1:1-11) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4 KJV) There are some amazing prayers in the Bible. This is one of them. This was Paul’s prayer for the church at Colosse. This is my prayer for you in the New Year. May God grant us the request of our hearts as we delight ourselves in Him.Paul’s prayer for the church at Colosse was a prayer for:I. Perception – (1:9)For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9 KJV) Þ Paul prayed for the church that they would be able to understand or perceive the:A. Will of God – “that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will”How are you going to do God’s will if you don’t understand what it is that God would have you do? The phrase “filled with the knowledge” means to have full-knowledge. Paul did not want the church to guess at God’s will for their lives. Neither do I want you to guess at God’s will for you. You can know what God wants you to do. You do not have to meander through life hoping your life is counting for something. You can know it is. Ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will tonight. Tell Him that you are willing to go wherever He wants you to go this year. Surrender your time, talents and treasures to Him tonight. Don’t hold anything back this year. Your life belongs to God. Give it back and watch Him use you in His will.One thing is for certain. If you are going to do the will of God this year you’re going to have to know what it is. God will tell you if you want to do it.Þ Paul prayed for the church that they would be able to understand or perceive the will of God. Secondly, he prayed that they might be able to perceive the:B. Word of God – “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10 KJV) It’s impossible for me to fully explain how important the Bible is in your life. It doesn’t matter how old you are – the Bible is your all in all. Þ You may just be learning how to read. Read the Bible. It’s the instruction book for all of life. You’ll be a better student if you learn the principles found in the Bible and practice them throughout grade school. Þ You might be in your teen years when all of your friends have turned their backs on God and the church. They think the Bible is a book of fairy tales and matter that are unimportant. Read your Bible. It will get you through the years when you want to wonder away from God, home, the church, and everything that is decent and moral.Þ You might be in you twenties when the teen-age years have left you standing alone. It might not be popular among your friends to stand for God. Read your Bible. It will give you wisdom above your years and lead you into a life of significance.Þ You might be in your thirties or forties while raising children, teen-agers or young adults. You are going to need the encouragement and inspiration the Bible provides. Your children are still watching you. They may not come to you with their problems, but they are watching to see how you handle the pressures of life. Your Bible will help you be a wise testimony to them beyond their adolescent years.Þ You might be in your fifties and beyond. Read your Bible. All of the other generations need the guidance of godly Christian grandparents. Leave a legacy of godliness. Pass on your passion for the Bible.Þ Paul prayed for the church that they would be able to understand or perceive the will of God and the Word of God. Secondly, he prayed for:II. Prosperity – (1:10)That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10 KJV) Here again, Paul’s prayer for their prosperity was in two areas. First, he prayed that they might be prosperous (fruitful) in their:A. Walk – “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing”I spoke about this in the morning service. I’ll not spend a lot of time here. Let me just say that Paul prayed that the believers at Colosse would be prosperous in their walk with the Lord. My prayer for each of us this year is that we would be prosperous in our walk with Him. I’m not praying for you to make a million or to stockpile things that will rust and decay. I’m praying for you to prosper in your spiritual life. I’m praying that you will be the best example of what a believer in Christ should be. If we will do that, we will be prosperous.Þ Paul prayed that they might be prosperous in their walk. Secondly, he prayed that they might be prosperous in their:B. Work – “being fruitful in every good work”That’s a good prayer, isn’t it? As we serve God this year, I pray that the work we do for Jesus Christ will produce more fruit than it ever has. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV) Þ Paul prayed that the church would be able to perceive the will of God and the Word of God. He prayed that they would be prosperous in their walk and work. Lastly, he prayed for God’s:III. Power – (1:11)Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:11 KJV) The Colossians needed the power of God in and on their lives and ministry. So do we. We have done without it too long, and we have not done without it very well. Like the Colossians, we need God’s power to:A. Endure – “unto all patience and longsuffering”B. Enjoy – “with joyfulness”What a prayer! “Lord, help the Colossians to understand Your will and Your Word. Help them to prosper in their walk and work. And give them Your power to endure the difficulties and still enjoy the journey.”

WOOO HOOOO

Just got a call and my ring is sized and ready!!

Monday

We have a bit of illness in our home. Christian has been dealing with a bad sinus problem, but seems to be a bit better today. Isaiah is running a high fever (103 this morning) but has no other symptoms. He went in this morning for a check and everything appeared to be tip top. If he is still running a high temp tomorrow they are going to run some blood work. We are alternating every three hours with Motrin and Tylenol. Our annual 'Chili' Watch Night Service is Wednesday, so pray that everyone will be healthy and fever free so that I will be able to attend. I am looking forward to going (a little;).

It is hard to believe another year has come and gone. 2009 looks to be a year a firsts (at least toward the beginning) Our oldest child will be graduating in April. (He will technically be finished before then) So we are already in the planning stages for that. Our first home school graduate!! WOW!!! We have picked out his class ring and invitations as well as decorations. The food has pretty much been decided upon as well. The building is chosen and the guest list is almost final. He has chosen to have everything VERY casual. He doesn't want it to be 'stuffy'. There is a nice park at the building and when you rent the building you get the park. Soo...all the kids will be happy about that. Now... I just have to convince the mothers to let the kids play and be loud:)

My husband and I have been 'together' for twenty years in January. (26th)

He will turn 40 in January. (23rd)

Our Spiritual birthday (12) is also in January. (28th)

Nicholas turns 16 this year and Chriatian will be 13......that puts three teenagers under the same roof!!!...???

Our family got a Wii for Christmas. It has been a lot of fun. We are looking forward to having company over so that we can play together. It is an active game which is very funny to watch.

It is cold out today which basically renders me useless sooo.....until next time.

Merry Christmas

I could not afford to pay postage for the thousands of cards on my list;) I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas. I pray that the burdens and struggles of 2008 will be lighter and that 2009 will be filled with the blessing of God's abounding grace. From our family to each of yours we love you and wish you the best.

For all my McEntire friends

After a brief investigation, this tag was recently discovered on the bottom of our kitchen chairs.
Don't ask me why we would be looking under the chairs because I do not know. But, I am glad the discovery was made as it brought a smile to my heart.

Christmas weather

I just got word that Christmas day will be absolutely freezing with never before recorded low temperatures as well as a great nor eastern snow storm!!!!!!!! .....................................................

Somewhere!!!!!!!

But not here :(

Little People

I love Little People.
I love to see little kids playing with little people, it makes me happy!
Isaiah has LOTS and LOTS of Little People and he too loves them.
This is his own set up. The bird is driving the tractor (which he also loves) and the girl is in the tree.
Funny how little ones think. I guess he sees his sister in the tree all the time and assumes that all girls belong in tress:)

Surprises

This is what I woke up to this morning!
It is called a Journey Ring.
The diamonds start small and gradually get bigger
as to symbolize how our love has grown through our journey together.

December 18, 1992

16 years ago:
God joined a young man and a young woman together as one.
They had no idea what lay ahead for their life together.
They could never have imagined the trials, heartaches and tears that were to come.
At the same time they did not know about all the blessings, happiness and mercy that God had planned for them and their family. God has brought this couple through some unimaginable fires. Together they have stuck it out and come through. 16 years ago Mr. Jesus Jaime Sanchez and Ms. Amy Lee Peters became
Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Jaime Sanchez!

Snowball fight

We had a little snowball fight in the parking lot after church.
Here are a few of the guilty parties. It was FUN!!
Add that to the unforgettable memories.
Remember the time we had a snaowball fight in the church parking lot?
Where was that? Freeport, Texas. Excuse me, did you say Texas?
Yep, I said Texas!

Surprise Surpise Surpise

Yesterday it was hot and muggy. Just about 24 hours later we had this!!!

These are a few of the cars in the church parking lot after services tonight.

Fun

Isn't this a fun idea? It is candy arranged like you would flowers. Taped to the back of the candy bars and crackers are florals stems. The smaller candies are in the bottom. This was given to us by one of our neighbors.

Talents

God gives talents to everyone as He sees fit. He decides who gets what and how much they get.Now, how these talents are given may not seem fair to those of us who feel less gifted in some respects or completely forgotten in others. But this distribution of talents, whatever the measure, is in exact accordance with God's eternal plan for each of us. We must take care in how we esteem each other's talents, and be mindful to not elevate one gift over the other. I've often looked at people and coveted their talents. Or I've coveted the ease with which the seem to acquire and wield them. How God uses their talents-and blesses them- oftentimes far exceeds what He's done in my own life. And I have struggled with jealousy, and I've wondered why them , and not me? At those times I try and remember that I have not walked that person's road. It may be well that I haven't endure what they have had to, and perhaps that's the reason they shine with such strength. They have been through the fire, so to speak, where I have gone untouched by the flame. Something else to remember is that I am not competing with that person. God has simply gifted us for different purposes. While I may desire another person's giftedness, I do not desire the shaping they have undergone from the Potter's hand. And I hardly envy the countless hours spent upon the Potter's wheel which is what may very well be what allows them to possess such giftedness in the first place. When we endure hardship and pain and life doesn't turn out like we thought it should, what do we do? Do we blame God? Think Him cruel and unfair? Let us not fall into this trap put before us by the wicked one himself but, let us always look to God for His direction.

Give Aways

I came across two neato give aways today. Take a minute to stop by and make new friends.

1. My very dear friend, Mrs. Mobunny at http://www.rabbittrails59.blogspot.com/

2. A new aquaintance over at http://sodbusters.wordpress.com/

Christmas Meme

I have NEVER done one of these but Kim seemed desperate:)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial? I am fake all the way

3. When do you put up your tree? Well, this year we put it up on October 17th!

4. Do you like eggnog? NASTY

5. Favorite gift received as a child? Not many childhood memories but my dad always gave me a Tootsie Roll bank filled with little Tootsie Rolls

6. Hardest person to buy for? My oldest son, Jaime.

7. Easiest person to buy for? My youngest son, Isaiah (two year olds don't have much and are not picky)

8. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

9. Worst Christmas ever received? I don't think there is such a thing considering all we have

10. Favorite Christmas movie? "Polar Express"

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When the money's there

12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes and I don't mind receiving recycled gifts either

13. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge


14. Lights on the tree? A Christmas tree without lights is just an Evergreen!

15. Favorite Christmas song? Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Winter Wonderland

16. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Either Or

17. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? Dancer, Dasher, Vixon, Donner, Cupid, Blitzen, Rudolph, Comet

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The amount of money people spend and the general marketing of it all

20. Favorite ornament, themes, or color? I LOVE snowmen

21. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Country Ham

22. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love nothing more than to see my mother accept Christ.

Bitterness

After having dealt with the issue of bitterness in my own heart, I have decided to share some things with you in hopes that you may be saved some the heartache that I endured.

In order to remove bitterness and Sow Seeds of Reconciliation one must:

Repent Act 8:22
Forgive Matthew 6:14
Swallow your pride Proverbs 8:13
Humble yourself James 4:6
Shut your mouth Isaiah 53:7
Speak soft words Proverbs 15:1
Submit-for your own blessing James 4:7


Our Pastor touched on the subject a bit this past Sunday. A comment that he made was: bitterness remembers details!

A good way to test whether or not you are bitter is to ask yourself, Am I remembering all the petty details? Bitterness will make you a miserable person, it will affect your spouse, children , co-workers, friends, neighbors, your church and your overall state of mind. It will end up affecting your health as well.

The American Dictionary Of The English Language Noah Webster 1828 defines bitterness as:

BIT'TERNESS, n. [from bitter.] A bitter taste; or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue.
1. In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger. Eph.4.
2. Sharpness; severity of temper.
3. Keenness of reproach; piquancy; biting sarcasm.
4. Keen sorrow; painful affliction; vexation; deep distress of mind.
Hannah was in bitterness of soul. 1 Sam.1. Job.7.
In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. Acts.8.
Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Heb.12.


If you are harboring bitterness IT MUST BE ROOTED OUT! The rooting process will be hard but it is necessary in order to continue.