Who is king over your domain?

This is my fat cat Gizmo. He truly believes he is the king of his domain. He jumped 5 feet and pushed over my flowers to rule. This work was really unnecessary, for you see he can lay anywhere, and rarely be disturbed. So what all the work then?
This so reminds me of our sin nature. The payment was made, all we need to do is trust in Jesus. The problem is, we want to do it ourself, find our own way . Rule our own domain. We forget about how we screwed things up yo begin with. We trusted in our way, not His. See we are given a freewill, God isn't going yo force us yo lie quietly on the sofa. We can choose to jump the great gulf for a better view, of course at the risk of not making it. Just because we succeed it the crossing, doesn't promise we will be happy. After all we have to return sooner or later. The jump back isn't the easiest. There are often bumps, bruises, and broken bones along the way.
So the question remains, "who will be king of your domain".

Thankfulness

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Thanksgiving is this week. There re so many wants and needs in this world. But wants and needs are often really not contentment. We get contentment from God, not from goods. Some of us think we need a brand new construction home, what we should be content with is basic shelter. Food is great, but it doesn't have to be a medium rare prime rib, with baked potato, salad, and steamed vegetables. Truly, a PB&J sandwich is suffice. The one thing we all need is Christ. Many will not take Him. Instead they will cleave to Buddha, Mohammad, and even worse Self. The later three may seem beneficial, but it is only the first that will give contentment. For you see, it is nothing we or mortal man and idols can do, the can offer true thankfulness. It is Christ alone and His glory He shed for us. The reason we celebrate thanksgiving isn't to gorge ourselves in Turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, apple pie, and pecan pie. the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving is to feast in the prosperity of how God supplied our predecessor's needs. It started off at Plymouth, but it is still celebrated today. Oh we may not have to bare a harsh winter ahead or grueling harvest. we don't worry too much about sickness, or never seeing or hearing from family again. We have the best amenities heat, bountiful refrigerator, antibiotics and skype. We don't NEED God...... or do we? God, my Heavenly Father gives us air to breathe. He gives us the health to work. The coal to heat us, the trees to shelter us. You see He even gave His Son to save us. John 3:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. I am most thankful for my Salvation this holiday season. For without God, my Father, and His love for me, I couldn't be content with just mere food or raiment, shelter and health.

The problem with forums, blogs and even facebook

Preacher taught tonight on "How to win a soul to Christ." It was a good review. It is a review that would be slammed in mainstream Christianity and even gasp, cough, smirking argued by IFB on the usually IFB, FFF type forums. Definitely scoffed at by the good old tulip crowd, which makes me mad, because I love Tulips, they are my favorite flower, just as mad as the Homosexuals using the rainbow as their symbol.

The same crowd the condemns Biblical soulwinning, and I am not talking about the easy believism 123 your saved agenda, but true Biblical soulwinning, and discipleship, also condemns Christmas and even Halloween. But they are willing to defend drinking, rock music, immodesty, touching and kissing before marriage and well pretty much anything that feeds the flesh.

A good christian can go and seek a forum to find godly fellowship in and leave, confused because of twists that are made from the Bible. I admit it is happen to me. That is why my visit to certain forums and even blogs are so infrequent. I know what they will spill and I know how they will ridicule. I know how hard it is not doubt God and His Word and everything you ever been taught, what you have seen with your own eyes.

True friends are not found in blogs, forums and facebook. True friends are found in God's house. I have been at my church for over 7 years, and tonight I think I have finally realized that. In that past 10 years. I  have sought out friendships online. Yes there are some sweet acquaintances I have made. But they never helped me grow. It is my friends at church, that have truly encouraged me. Mrs. Voegtlin and swimming, Mrs. Labate, Mrs. Hughes. The old ladies in my prayer group (I call them the old ladies, many are 20 years my senior or close to it) I so love them. It is my bestest friend Mrs. Hammond that has taught me so much. These are just a few, their are many, many more. I attend such a large church it is so hard to name all.

I listened to so many people on forums it took the joy of actually living out. We didn't do Santa, that was really okay since Sami freaked out by him. Halloween for a few years was out, I love seeing the girls dress up and decorating for the fall.

Soulwinning, I felt guilty by it, then embarrssed, then shame. Wow what blessing I missed from introducing someone to Christ. There are so many things I missed out on because of internet "Christian" forums.
I say this because it is a burden I have felt for a while.
God Bless all

Old Fashion Fun

40th annivesary pictures

Nothing like celebrating with friends

Or eatting cake

Sometimes it is just the excitement of the crowd

Waiting to see a big hug

Thank you Preacher and Mrs. Voegtlin for all the long years of sacrifice. Thank You God, our heavenly Father for not giving up on this church. The members and the community. 

20 more years

Last week my church celebrated 40 victorious years. I was there for the 20th anniversary. I remember going to an amusement park after church, Enchanted Forest. I worked on a route then, South Haven, I work on a route now Hobart. I recently read a blog saying it was wrong to offer gimmicks to get people to church to hear the Gospel. Luke 14:23

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled.

I know I am just a female, a simpleton. Hey even my testimony was questioned. When I suggested that the Lord did just that when he healed the blind, made the lame to walk, raised the dead. 

Maybe I am simpleton. The way I see it God didn't make me Greek, or even Hebrew. He made me an American and I am just one of the few that actually speak English. The word compel–verb (used with object)

1.

to force or drive, esp. to a course of action: His disregard ofthe rules compels us to dismiss him.

2.

to secure or bring about by force.

3.

to force to submit; subdue.

4.

to overpower.

5.

Archaic . to drive together; unite by force; herd.

–verb (used without object)

6.

to use force.

7.

to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.

So either God's Word is God's Word in the KJV, as translated by Holy profound inspiration of God, or it is just worthless bunch of words.

Nevertheless, 20 more years. That is what I can't wait to see. I don't care if by then we are gimmicking a ride to the moon. As long long as souls are saved and lives changed. That is what I can't wait to see.

1986

Twenty-four years ago this week God changed my life. I don't forget the day. I can't because well the change was dramatic. It was a pivotal point in my life. I am not going to go through all the gory details. Yes, they are gory. I can say I am so thankful for all He has done.

Being a Christian isn't always easy, we have many factors that influence our life. Men will hurt us. pastors will fall. Preacher makes this quote often "God doesn't promise us an easy life if we follow Him, He does promise us a victorious Christian life if we do" Men may hurt us, people disappoint us. But trusting in Him will never.

This year my church will celebrate it's 40 anniversary. I have invited my infusion nurse Manny out and his family. I also invited a couple I met a few weeks back. Rachel has invited 5 ladies from her cake decorating class, they said they would come. Sami her neighbor friend, who can't come but wants too. Why would we invite so many out? To change lives. Salvation doesn't just save you, it changes you. Just like it did me.

I celebrate my anniversary because i want to remember what the Lord did for me, how it changed me. I am not sure if others do. I am not sure if it is right, I don't want to brag. But I am so thankful.

How can a perfect Holy God love a dirty rotten 14 year old sinner like me? How could He change my life so completely by His sacrifice. Why would he want to die for me? I am worthless and useless, now somewhat disabled. I found out today, my position at work has been filled. I am not too heartbroken as I am sad. As far as I know I am still on Short term disability, not sure how long that will last. Not sure what I will do when it runs outs. Due to the pain and swelling in my hands, not sure what I can do? This isn't a woe is me, it is a fact that I am perfectly useless, to Saviour, Who gave His life for me.

The church I attended 24 years ago no longer exists. It fell under the vise of a wicked man. He could ruin a church, but not the people. Many are still serving Christ. One is a Pastor in Utah, another a Missionary to Australia, One that is a pastor's wife, a few that are assistant pastor's wives. Many that are bus workers, Sunday School teachers. Mothers, fathers raising their children for the Lord.

I am so proud of Freedom Baptist church, because although Satan tried to destroy it, He did the building. He didn't the church, the people, the Christians. Oh we left with scars, some were wounded, some died, but the wounded grew stronger. The battle was fought, but not won by him.

I love my church now. I love hearing about it's history. I love hearing how Satan arose and fought, but failed. I love knowing and seeing that bad doesn't always win. the Good can conquer and thrive. It gives me hope.

This is a bunch of rambling, I know, thanks to the Tylenol with Codeine.

I just want to post my gratitude.