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.

Fallen

falling-98712_640I fell..flat out…full body…talking to my friend as I walked across her yard…holding my glass of iced tea…didn’t see the landscape timber…caught my toe and down I went…

How did it happen?  I was headed toward the Holy Hug we share each time we see one another.  My mind was set on the accepting, loving, non-judgmental, person walking toward me.  I did not see the obstacle, it was just there.

Isn’t that so like the believer’s journey?  The pure joy of the welcoming, loving arms of our Savior are always waiting for us.  As we move toward Him we don’t see the obstacle and down we go.

There’s more to the story.  I did not have to try to get up on my own.  My sweet husband was there to help me.  Just like my Jesus…the rescuing hand is always there to pull me up and restore.

Oh, How He Loves You and Me!

Romans 323

 

Follow Me

fisherman

Peter was with Jesus from the beginning to the end…yes, we know that.  Did you know that his beginning started with “Follow Me” and ended with the same words?

When I was a child we often sang a delightful song with the words,”I Will Make You Fishers of Men”.   Even today, so many years past childhood, I can still sing the words and hear the melody in my mind.

Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing in the lake.  He said to them, “Follow Me and we’ll fish for people.”  And so they did.  Further on down the road he came upon James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were in the boat with their father.  Jesus said the same thing to them,  “Follow Me” and they did.  That little story, in my own words, is found in Matthew 4:18-22.

Let’s travel three years into the future.  The four have followed Jesus faithfully, fully immersed in His journey.  They have watched Him closely, learned from Him, shared His words with others, been at the Cross with Him and He is about to return to the Father.  In this scene we find them once again by the side of a lake.  Jesus has cooked them breakfast and when they done eating He says to Peter, “Do you love me?”  Peter answers, “You know I love You!”  This went on two more times, each time Peter answered positively and Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep (or lambs)”.  It was very important for Peter to understand what his future was to be about, but something even more important is said at the end of this conversation.  Jesus tells him what his death will be like and then He says, “Follow Me!”  (John 12:15-19)

Why did Jesus say these words again?  He knew Peter so well and knew that he needed reminded that it’s not about him, that to follow Him, Peter would have to take himself out of the picture.  It’s the same message for us.  We are are to follow Him and forget ourselves.  From the beginning to the end of our relationship with Him it has to be all about HIM.

Heavenly Father, teach us to make this life all about You.  Teach us to put others first.  Teach us to serve those around us.  Oh, LORD, teach us!

Our Father’s Way

I hope you’ll take the time to read this short and powerful post. These words should echo with us throughout our days. We really can’t control when someone wrongs us or when we know they are sinning against God’s Word. As Butch so clearly writes ‘ If we are to believe one scripture, we must believe them all. It is our Father’s way.’ Blessings to all my bloggy friends you are often in my prayers (even though I don’t know you personally).

Butch Dean's avatarWordsmith's Desk

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Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:19 NKJV

 ~~~

Vengeance is a strong word and it is a word that God does not want us to practice. There-in is the rub. Oh, how we want to get even or make things right in this life. It only seems fair and just to pay back a wrong to us. It’s only fair…It’s only fair…It’s only….

Time echoes with the plea of justice. We want justice. We want to pay back for the wrong done to us…to others. We want satisfaction for our situation.

 ~

Instead of God’s blessing, He tells us to leave it be. He will take care of it. He reminds us to love one another…to love our enemies…

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who…

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Book Review – Purposeful Design

 

Purposeful Design

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book for my review by Jay Schabacker through Bookcrash.  No other compensation was received.  If you click on the book it will take you to Amazon’s purchase page.  Once again, I receive no compensation for your decision to purchase.

This insightful look into the reasons for ordering creation would be useful for all ages.  The author, Jay Schabacker, has carefully researched many of the events during the first seven days to provide the reader with an accurate representation of what God did and why He did it.  Starting with a cute tickler about the Man in the Moon and moving through the Creation events he provides the reader with many stories within the Story.

Using the Word of the Creator God and scientific fact and theory the Creation comes to life on the pages of this book.  Facts, beautiful pictures, quotes, Bible verses, and flowing words fill this book with a solid basis for a Creative, Purposeful, Life-giving, beginning to Earth, the Solar System, and all of the Cosmos.

Through the eyes and words of this author each creative day had to preceed the next so the finished product, man, could move forward.  Sequentially using the movement of the planets, the  rain cycle, how the seasons are beneficial , tidal movement and timing, instincts of birds and fish, domesticating animals, and the uniqueness of each human, puts the story into perspective and makes for some very interesting reading.

I highly recommend this book!  Either for your coffee table (because it is beautifully made) or as a gift for any age,  you can’t go wrong.

Psalm 4

Psalm 4

I am so upset.  Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

When will people stop shaming You, deluding themselves and turning to gods of their own making.

God sets apart the faithful and hears when they pray.

Reverence God in your prayers.  In the silence search yourself for sin and repent.

Trust God!

Shine down on us Lord!  Prosper us!  Fill us with the joy of Your provision.

Now then, I can sleep safely knowing You alone are here!

Please note:  This is how God speaks to me through His Word.  It is not meant as another translation or transliteration.  It is simply what it is.   My fervent prayer is that you will take His Word, listen to the Spirit within, and use it as He intended…to guide your own life.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie