Thankful Thursday

Today I have much to be thankful for:

I am thankful that Larry did not hurt himself yesterday morning about 2 am, when he got up

to go to the bathroom and stumbled over a chair, in return he fell against a counter knocking everything over. The good part, I did not hear this.

I am thankful for our business, that provides our needs and most of our wants.

I am thankful for my children and granding children.

I am thankful for good health.

I am thankful for automobiles that carry me where I need to go. (can you imagine having to

use a horse and buggy).

I am thankful my mother is still alive (and this is my weekend to stay with her).

For more thankful Thursday's see Iras over at Grace Alone.

What are you thankful for?

June

Word Filled Wednesdat

THE DEBT OF LOVE

Romans 13:8-10

Dear Father,I owe love to my fellow man, as you have said.

What an endless debt!

How can I keep your command to love my neighbor as myself?

What would it be like to live in a world where such unselfishness prevailed?

Ah, it would be heaven on earth, therefore such behavior is a precondition of our heavenly inheritance.

But Lord, be gentle in your judgment toward me.

I fall so far short on this.

Love would absolutely do no wrong to one's neighbor- never taking anything that was his, or even wanting to.

So fill me with love, so that I may fulfill your law.

In the name of Jesus, help me, Lord.

Amen.

Is She Watching Over You?

Today is Tuesday Together (In The Word)

I could not get the meme to work must have been me!

If you love wisdom

And don't reject her.

She will watch over you.

Pro. 4:6

There are so many times when I do not know what to do

I am so glad, we have Jesus to watch over us

and give directions when we ask.

Act. 12 Herod causes trouble for the church. Peter is rescued from jail. Later Harod dies.

Act. 19 Paul travels to Ephesus. The sons of Sceva were trying to cast out devils. The devils turned on him

and beat him up. Paul causes a riot in Ephesus.

Act. 15 The church leaders meet at Jerusalem. After they agreed over the doctrines that were causing

conflicts, letters were sent to Gentiles who had faith in the Lord.

Psm. 21 Thanking the Lord for victory.

Psm. 22 Prophetic Psalm about Jesus crusification.

Act. 16 Timothy joins Paul and Silas on a missionary journey. While on this trip Paul has a vision of the

Micedonia asking him to come over and help us. Paul and Silas are put in jail.

Be faithful to your wife and what happens

when you get involved with an immoral woman.

Pro. 5

June

Is She Watching Over You?

At The Well -- Motherly

MOTHERLY LOVE:

A mothers maternal instincts and human compassion are known the world over.When Absalom leads a rebellion against David, one of his advisors said "go after and kill David right away". However, his other advisor, Hushai, warned Absalom " thou knowest thy father and him men, that they are mighty men, and they are chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field..." (2 Sam. 17:8). Hushai was trying to get him to picture the meanest and angriest thing he could think of, and a momma bear robbed of her cubs did the job quite well...it did so well, that Absalom followed his advice.

No hunter, in his right mind wants to get between a momma and her baby...

I learned this lesson myself at a very young age. We lived on a farm and had chickens that lived in our back yard.

When I was just a little girl, I got between a mother hen and her chicks, let me tell you this much, I didn't stay there for very long as she charged me with her wings all furled out.

This is just as true of human mothers....

- A mothers's love is universally well known.
- A mother's love is nurturing.
- A mother's love is resourceful.
- A mother's love is attentive.
- A mother's love is sacrificial.

NOT ALL MOTHERS ARE MOTHERLY.

Remember the Susan Smith story?
This is the mother who told police that a man approached her in order to take her car while her kids were in it. She got out and let that man take her car and her kids without a life & death fight. That story seemed odd
to me and Larry too. Her actions didn't seem to jive with how we expected a loving mother to act. Sure enough, we found out later the car wasn't stolen, but she had driven the car into that lake herself....

Discussion questions:
Are there areas of hardness and coldness in my life? What are the roots of these? Do I need to release someone who has hurt me in my past? Do I need to confess and release myself from the bondage of sinful patterns in my own life?

What are some ways that I can turn the conversation around when other women begin to gripe and complain about their children?

Name some creative ways we can create warm, more inviting environments for our children.

When I was maybe around 10-12 years old my father told me I was too big for him to hug.
This caused a coldness in me toward the behavior of parent and children. He use to tell me in
a very stern voice that the church we were going to was the only church and only those
who were members of this church were going to heaven. This caused me to have a hardness
in my attitude toward others of different belief.

The roots of this coldness and hardness was, I believed any thing my Father told and it might as
well have been written in the Bible.

I do not have a healthy relationship with my mother because of all the hurt and pain
that has happened between us.

I see things in my life that pattern my mother. As the saying goes I open
my mouth and my mother fall out.

When I am with other mothers and they begin to gripe and complain about their children,
I remind them that we have what we say and there could be family curses that need to be
broken. That we need to evaluate our life and see where this behavior is coming from.

My children are grown and have grown children so my answer may be quite different.
My son and I will go to gun shops and spend half a day looking at guns. We also go to
other stores and just look, most of the time we are in automotive, or hunting department.
He does however go with me to areas I like to shop in. He loves to go deer hunting. So one way
I share this with him is, we go walking in the woods and he shows me deer markings and of course
his pride in his hunting stand. We also target practice together.

As nice story about my grandson. When I would go to the country to visit with my children and
grandchildren. The oldest one (David) no matter where he was he would come running to the house
because he knew I would let him drive. When it was time for his driving test (for his license) he told his
parents he wanted Monoose to go with him. Monoose is the name my grandchildren gave me.
This made me feel very special.

Sheila loves flower and has a green thumb, I on the other hand can look at a flower and it will
die. Special times with her is looking at her flower garden. She blesses me with cuttings
that I try to grow. She gets great pleasure coming to my home and planting flowers. My home thanks
her and the environment of my home is cleaner. She is also the best interior decorators I have ever
seen. So we enjoy looking at things to make our homes prettier.

Brittany, I used to take her to the park and spend hours playing. She has turned out
do be quiet an athletic.

Landon, had a incurable disease and he would want me to spend time with him
studying and discussing this challenge.

Autumn, (the baby of the crew) liked to travel with me. Before she was 1 she went with us
to Cancun, Mexico, and again when she was 2. I had taught her to memorize Bible verses.
Traveling through the eyes of a child can bring things in prospective. Here we were in another country
where thay spoke a different language and we were staying at a large resort. When we turned
out the lights that first night. We heard Autumn say,"God has not given me the spirit of fear
but power and love and a sound mind. God is on my side".

David is in the Army waiting on orders to be shipped to Iraq. Landon is in the process of joining
the Army. Brittany is graduating this year and Autumn turns 15.

Each Monday we meet around THE WELL for lively chats, please join us at. www.titus2atthewell.com

Love is Everlasting

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This made me think of the mivie Sweet Home Alabama

Air Force Recuiter

The chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force decided that he would personally intervene in the recuiting crisis affecting all of our armed services. So, he directed that a nearby Air Force base be opended and that all eligible young men and women be invited. As he and his staff were standing near a brand-new F-15 Fighter, a pair of twin brothers who looked as if they had just stepped off a Marine Corps recuiting poster walked up to them.

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The chief of staff walked up to them, stuck out his hand, and introduced himself. He looked at the first young man and asked, "Son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?"

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The young man looked at him and said, "I'm a pilot!"
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The general got all excited, turned to his aid, and said, "Get him in today, all the paperwork done, everything, do it!" The aid hustled the young man off.
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The general looked at the second young man and asked, "What sills do you bring to the Air Force?"
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The young man said, "I chop wood!"
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"Young man, "huffed the general, "you are listening to me. We don't need wood choppers; this is the 21st century!"
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"Well, the youn man said, "you hired my brother!"
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"Of course we did, " said the general "He's a pilot!"
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The young man rolled his eyes and said, "But I have to chip it before he can pile it!"

Thankful Thursday -- Pray

In the name of Jesus, I thank You for calling me to be a fellow
workman -- a joint promoter and a laborer together -- with You. I commit to pray and not to give up.

Therefore, I am assured and know that (with God being a partner in my labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for my good, because I love God and am called according to (His) design and purpose.

There are times I do not know what I ought to pray for. I thank you I know You are interceding for us with groans that words cannot express. You search hearts and know the mind of the spirit.

I am thankful that I know Jesus is Lord over my spirit, my soul, and my body (Phil.2:9-11).

I am thankful that I know the Lord is my Shepherd. I do not want. My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory (Ps 23; 1 Peter 5:6-7).


I am thankful that I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart ( 1 Cor. 2:16).

I am thankful that I have lived long enough to see the Word of God fulfilled in my life and the life of many others that I have had the privilege of praying with.

I am thankful for my children who are following in my footsteps, standing on the word for their
children.

Come on over and visit with us at Grace Alone you will be blessed.

What are you thankful for?

Laws of the Light House

• Love God more than you fear hell.
• Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
• Make major decisions in a cementary.
• When on one is watching, live as if someone is.
• Succeed at home first.
• Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
• Pray twice as much as you fret.
• Listen twice as much as you speek.
• Only harbor a grudge when God does.
• Never outgrow your love for sunsets.
• Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
• 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
• God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
• When you can't trace God's hand, trust His heart.
• Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
• Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
• The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
• Never let the important be the victim of of the trival.
• Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:

Approach life like a voyager on a schooner.

Enjoy the view:

Explore the vessel.

Make friends with the captain.

Fish a little.

And then get off when you get home.

Sarah June

St. Valentines Day

SpiritualGraphics.com

May each of your days be filled with as

much love as today!

A Carrot, An Egg and a Cup of Coffee

A Carrot, An Egg and A Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee (we all fall into one of these categories)

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water.
Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
May we all be COFFEE

At the Well Topic.... Motives

Gathering at the well

_______________________________________________________________

This weeks Topic and Discussion Questions

are my motives pleasing to you, God?

What is the real underlying motive for all the good stuff that I do?

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Pr 16:2 Al the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weights the Motives.

Jas 2:4 have you not made distinctions amoung yourselves, and become judges with evil

Motives

Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong Motives, so that you may

spend it on your pleasures.

Motives pose at least a two fold dilemma :

1. The status of a good deed done for the wrong reason or an evil deed done with

good (or even without) intent.

2. The effect of a motive (good or bad) that never has opportunity to find fulfillment.

The fundamental issue prompting the dilemma is that there is not a one-to-one correspondence between a given action and the motive. The same action may be either cencured or defended depending upn one's motive. For example, a difference between first-and second-degree murder resides in whether or not the homicide was intentional: the former is punishable by death, while the latter allows for clemency.

The above principle is apparent when Jesus does not want his executors condemned because their motive are commensurated with the great crime they are committing: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34

In the same way, otherwise acceptaable deeds become less attractive, even repulsive, when base motives are behind them, giving to the poor, fasting are activities encouraged throughout the Bible, but Jesus underscores that God will not reward those who do them for selfish reasons (Matt 6:1-8) .

Jesus rebukes the disciples for jumping to inapprooprate conclusions about people and their deeds after observing only their actions (Matt 26:6-13).

After all, a little given sacrificially is more commendable than giving much where no sacrifice is involved (Mark 12:41-44.

Unlike humans, God sees both the actions and the intents of human beings, a fact that means God has a considerably different evaluation of our deeds, one that is based upon our motives: "God knows our hearts."

What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight."

Joseph told his brothers "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good in or to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20.

Jesus notes that it is the "PURE HEART" who will be rewarded, even as he equates anger with murder and lust with adultery.

______________________________________________________________

Now it is time for me to search my heart.

"Try me Lord and see if there is any wiched way in me.

The heart is wicked and who can know it.

God tries the heart.

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Heavenly Father, I thank you that you know my heart. You know my rising up

and my setting down. Every hair on my head is numbered. You numbered my

days before I was born. You choose the family you wanted me to be planted and

bloomed in. There is nothing hid from you. You know the intent of my heart.

and you test my works whither they are gold or hay and I will be rewarded by

you. Most of all I thank you for the finished work of Jesus. Amen

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Will the real groom please stand up

A bride-to-be called to make a change to her wedding
register. It is common, almost expected, that a bride will
change something on her registry at least one (dish
pattern, color of towels, etc.) The Customer Service
Representative told her that J.C. Penny would be happy to
make the change.

She asked if the bride wanted to change the dishes or the
linens. The bride said. "No, keep all that." She just wanted
to change the name of the groom.

For more Friday Funnies see Kim over at Homesteaders.

Thankful Thursday

This morning I was listening to a minsister teaching about the woman with the issue of blood.
Mat. 9: 20-21. He mentioned how the issue of blood dried up when she touched the hem of His
garmet. Then he said, "I pray that all of your troubles dry up." This jumped into my

spirit. I will be writing an article about this later.

My prayer for you is that all your problems will dry up and blow away.

I am thankful my mother is still with us.

I am thankful for my sisters, Patricia, Debra and Darlene.

I am thankful for Larry for the good life we share.

I am thankful for Mark (my son).

I am thankful for my nieces Susan, Amy and Andrea.

I pray that all of my families problems dry up and blow away.

I am thankful for church and the wonderful teaching each Sunday.

I am thankful for the study of Revelation we are having on Thursday night.

I am thankful for Metro for hosting this study.

I am thankful for the United States, where we have freedom of religion.

I am thankful our business.

I am thankful for daily devotions.

I am thankful for healthy meals.

I pray that all who reads, may your problems dry up and blow away!!!!

June Wren

Word Filled Wednesday

SpiritualGraphics.com

The Heart of Titus 2

In Bible times women gathered at the well for fellowship and small talk.

Today in the 21 century we still meet at the well

via the internet.

Please join us in our discussion.

Titus 2: 2-4

Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled;

sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience (of Christ).

Bid the older women similary to be reverent and devout in their deportment, as

becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderes or slaves to drink.

They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble.

So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober-minded--

temperate, disciplined --and to love their husbands and their children;

To be self-controlled, chase, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted),

adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the

word of God may not be exposed to reproach - blasphemed or discreadited.

Our text describes things which are proper for sound doctrine. A doctrine that is

spiriturally healthy, wholesome, and in this case, exhortation relating to godly conduct.

We will look at examples that inspire older men and older women to bear fruit.

The above scripture has played out over and over in my life. I am the oldest of four

daughters. I spent most of my elementary years in front of a blackboard teaching

the sister next to me in brith order. Our daddy required her to set and listen

while I was teaching. Thanks to me and daddy she has always hated school.

I was alway a studious type person, and the main book I studied was the BIBLE.

I would always teach my sisters to love their husbands and put them first above

their children. I would admonish them that their children would one day leave

home and if they had not kept their husbands first what would they have?

My sound teaching brought forth fruit and all my sisters have sound marriages.

I was not so fortunate. My marriage ended in divorce. I can however say that

my ex-husband and I are the best of friends. We have a business together.

We share life experiences and everyone thanks we are still married. The only

thing that we do not do together is go to church, we however do share the

Sunday message and compare notes. I can honestly say this was a divorce that

should never have happened. So my teaching has brought forth fruit in my life.

The one thing I still desire is to teach the Scriptures again in a group setting I am

somewhat doing that each monday THE WELL.

1. CONDUCT BECOMING TO YOUNG WOMEN

A. To love their husbands and children.....

1. To love thrie husbands (philandros), to love their children (philoteknos)

2. To have an affectionate love for both husband and children.

3. This should be natural, but sin can lead one to become unloving - Ro 1:31

4. Note that this is something the Older women can teach them - Ti 2:4

--Where such love is lacking in younger women, it can be relearned!

B. Discrete and chase.....

1. Discreet (sophron)

a. Also required of older men where it is translated as 'temperate'

b. Discreet, sober, temperate, of sound mind

c. Self-disciplined in one's freedom, self-restrained in all passions and desire

2, Chase (hagnon)

a. Pure from carnality, chase, modest

b. Pure in heart, and in life

c. In body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their

own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled

d. This conduct would be just as important for single women 1 Cor 7:34

---Young women, married or single, should be discreet and chase in their behavior

C. Homakers.....

1. Homakers (oikouros)

2. A keeper at home, one who looks after domestic affairs with prudence and care.

3. Attentive to their domestic concers, or to their duties in their families.

4. A viritous woman migh be engaged in economic affairs outside the home, but not

to the neglect of her family Pr 31: 10-31

Her duty is first to home and family, through may work outside the home id capable

(the rest we will cover at a later lesson) As a yound woman carries out her duties, she is to do so with goodness and kindness.

EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE YOUN WOMEN

Hannah........

Whose name means "gracious, merciful; that he gives". Her trials and prayers were rewarded by God giving her a son. She was willing and did decicate her son

to the Lord. She offered a prayer of thanksgiving, that is similar to the song of

Mary. She was later blessed with three sons, and two daughters.

Esther......

A beautiful orphan girl, raised by her cousin Mordecai. She became the wife of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. She risked her life to save the Jews from extinction.

Mary.........

The youn virgin who became the mother of our Lord. She came to understand who her son's true family was. She followed her son to His crucifixion. And later

gathered with Apostles in the upper room to be indued with Power from up high.

Pricilla........

The wife of Aquila, who joined her husband in teaching Apollos. She was a fellow worker with Paul, and risked her own life for the gospel. It was in her home that

a church met.

Some might think that Paul's words in our text are chauvinist and outdated,

and would prevent some from attaining their potential. Yet time and experience has shown it to be sound doctrine......doctrine that is spiritually healthy,

wholesome for young women.......and that which is most beneficial in developing truly healthy families.

The question is ar we today in the 21 century willing to heed such sound doctrine,

"That THE WORD OF GOD MAY NOT BE BLASPHEMED"

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Supper Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Comments
Myspace Comments - Upload Photos


Supper bowl Sunday has never been celebrated in our family. I do remember one Super Bowl, I was in Chicago, on business and staying with some friends.

Larry, with out telling me had called our freinds and asked them if I could come
up for a few days, to learn more about their business. I found out about it when
he had bought my tickets and told me I was going. I was livid. I love Chicago
and do not need an excuse to go. However I and my friend both felt like Larry
was very rude to make all the arrangements with out telling me. I was suppose
to fly home on Friday. With the aid of my girl friend we decided I would stay on
through the following Monday. Guess what the Sunday I was there just happened to be Supper Bowl Sunday. She had invited some of her neighbors
over and had prepared a delicious spread. That was my one and only time to
watch this game. I find no pleasure in watching men play for monday, and most
of them make much more than I. NOW IF IT WAS COLLEGE FOOTBALL that
is a different story for me.

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