Author Archives: Marie

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About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

Psalm 2

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It’s still snowing and blowing and cold…I truly love this weather.  I look out the windows in my home office and there’s a wonderland of white and it’s so beautiful.  God is painting new pictures every day around my country home and I am so thankful!  He’s reminding me that I have been washed whiter than snow.   My God shows me that He is with me all the time.  Amen and Amen!

Here’s another of my translations of the Psalms.  This one reminds me that even in the worst of political tension and wars God knows what is going on and He is in control.

Psalm 2

 

Worship the LORD!  Celebrate the LORD!  Honor the LORD!  Love the LORD!

Heavenly Father, in this scary and confusing world I know that I can take refuge in You.  I know that You are in control.  Heal our country and heal our land.  Let us know Your presence in these trying times.  Hear my prayer lifted in Jesus Precious Name.  Make it so!  

Psalm 1

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blizzard

It’s a blustery, cold, snowy day in Northwest Ohio.  We were under a blizzard warning last night and now we’re under a Level 2 Snow Emergency.  That means we are not to be out on the roads unless we have an emergency.  That’s perfectly OK with me.  I love the snow and the chance to stay in and read, write, and stitch on my counted cross stitch and crochet projects.

I haven’t posted for a bit because the accuser got into my mind after my last post.  I felt very strongly about God wanting me to write about modesty and never expected to loose more than 200 followers.  I have my positive mojo up and running again and have realized a basic truth – – This blog is not about how many followers but about following God’s ‘command’ to write about His Word and using it in everyday life.

I have been writing the Psalms in my own words to give as a special gift to a dear, dear lady.  So I hope you’ll sit back, grab a cuppa (whatever you like to drink) and just read on…

Psalm 1    Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of gossipers, but whose delight is in the Law of the LORD, and who thinks about it day and night.

TreesThat person is like a tree planted by fresh water.  It yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not dry up.  Whatever they do prospers.

Not so with mean and wicked people!  They are like dust that is blown away by the wind.  God won’t even bother to judge them because they won’t be able to stand among the righteous.  God watches every moment and movement of the righteous and allows the wicked to continue on their path of destruction.

Heavenly Father, let me walk with You, totally delighting in Your Word.  Help me take it to heart and use as I walk this earth.  Forgive me when I determine to do it my way.  Grant me Your peace and presence in everything I think, do, and say.  You are my God, my King, my Everything.  I lift this prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus.  Make it so!

More Modesty, Please!

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Why do people want to look, talk, and act like something they’re not?  I am very concerned about the immodesty of both men and women in our culture.  It concerns me that many find it necessary to look, say, and act in ways that conform to a societal bent toward lewdness.  1 Timothy 2:9-10 addresses appropriate appearance.  He is in no way saying don’t look your best.  He is saying look your best but put it to the test!  Hair style, jewelry, expensive clothes, and lack of modesty do not show ones devotion to God.  It definitely shows ones attachment to the world’s culture and disrespect for our Lord.   I have a dear friend, who even when she’s wearing jeans and a sweatshirt is just beautiful.  She is healthy, happy and reflects the absolute joy of being a believer.  My husband is a conservative dresser.  He often wears jeans and plaid shirts.  His confidence, assurance and acceptance of his place in God’s Kingdom are marks of his walk with our Lord.

fashion

I came across this delightful quote on Facebook and wanted to share it with you.

An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters: “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.” He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.” From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.

The Magi

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Have you ever thought about this?  The Magi did not know God yet they still followed the star.  Isn’t that an amazing thought?  God uses His creation in all kinds of ways to bring the lost sheep (those who don’t believe in Him or don’t know of Him) back into the fold.  His love is for everyone, not just those who already believe.

the-three-magi-160632_640

Let’s take a look at these Magi.  Western tradition teaches 3 Magi came to see Jesus.  There were probably more because the Magi were usually grouped in twelves.  The reason for just 3 seems to be the gifts they brought…gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  These gifts are significant because of what they represent.  Gold is often associated with holiness and kingship.  Frankincense is an aromatic resin used to make perfumes and incense and would have been used in Worship of the time, particularly during prayer.  It is a symbol of deity.  It characterized kingly virtue.  Myrrh is also an aromatic resin obtained from a thorn tree.  It was considered ‘liquid gold’ at the time of Christ and often was priced higher than the solid.  It was also used in Temple worship and for embalming. It traditionally represents death and suffering.  There is no symbolism that is actually stated in the Bible for these 3 gifts, but remember God uses His creation to teach us of Him.

There is tradition that the Magi represent different countries. The Encyclopedia Britannica (“Magi (biblical figures) – Encyclopedia Britannica”. Britannica.com. Retrieved 2013-07-04.) tells us that Melchoir was a Persian scholar, Caspar an Indian scholar, and Balthazar an Arabian scholar.   It’s interesting to look at the impact of these countries on the people of the Bible, and yes, even current events.  Persia is modern Iran.  Both the books of Esther and Daniel are set in this area.  Arabia in the Bible is modern Saudi Arabia.  When Moses led the Israelites from Egypt they wandered for 40 years in the desserts of Arabia.  India, as part of Biblical history, is directly mentioned in the Book of Esther.  There may be some relevance in the claim that Ham, the son of Noah may have settled in Cush which is part of India.  The Northeastern parts of India are so close to Afghanistan that familial relationships could easily have been formed.  Once again, God can and will use His creation to bring ALL of His people back.

No matter where the Magi were from, how many there were and what the gifts signified they were part of the early life of Jesus.  I do not believe they were present at the birth because there is no mention of them until they visited the home of Mary and Joseph and were instrumental in the family’s move to Egypt.  They were real people, with real lives, learning more about the real Creator of the Universe and His Son.

Know ye that the Lord, He is God.  It is He who made us, and not we ourselves,we are the sheep of His pasture.  Psalm 100:3

He wants a love relationship with every person in His creation!!!

Giving and Forgiving

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Jeff

 

The words you see above were written by a friend and pastor on his Twitter account today.  I found them so profound that with his permission I created the above.

Giving and forgiving is the real story of Christmas.  John 3:16-17, which is etched in the minds of the faithful says, “God so loved the world that He gave (giving) His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but would have everlasting life.  God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (forgiving).”

Have you given much thought to the Reason for the Season this year?  Do you know the One and Only Son of God?  Have you received His forgiveness once and for all?  Are you getting the point?  He loves you so much He gave His own for you.  This is personal to each person.  If you or I were the only person on this earth He would have done it all the same.  Not one of us is unforgivable.  Not one of us is unlovable.  He sent His Son for all of us.  If you haven’t surrendered your life to Him, do it now!  Call a friend or pastor and let them know you want to be totally His.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie