Friday, December 31, 2010

New year is knocking on your door.

Happy New Year to all my friends! Taking a walk is a good way to say goodbye to this year, and to welcome the next one in. :) Here are some city pics. I try to notice all the nature as possible around my street. My dream of living in the country....:)


I love my little munchkin... isn't she adorable. Its new years eve, lets enjoy it.
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The tree is getting older.

With each new year we get older, smarter, wiser and understanding. Like a tree we change with each new season, beautiful and unique in each phase of life. The bark on a tree tells of its time, the weather it had to endure, and the pest or diseases it survived. Just like a tree we bear scars from different battles, struggles, pain we had to endure.
Psa 52:8
Mat 7:17
God likes to compare us to trees. He wants us to be trees that bear fruit. Not spruce trees, or pine trees. Those only bear needles. Sure they are pretty to look at, but to God- he prefers a fruit tree.

Mat 7:19

Mat 12:33

So that when we are really-really old, we wont look like this little tree. I hope each year we grow in beauty, in wisdom, and in love for our Lord and Savior.
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

Monday, December 13, 2010

When walking through the wilderness of life.



Psa 63:1
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psa 63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Psa 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psa 63:4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Psa 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, Psa 63:6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; Psa 63:7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. Psa 63:8

Sometimes our life is so hectic, so busy, so parched from all the many things we need to do and to accomplish. Sometimes we feel that we are walking in this wilderness of life, a season of drought, sometimes of sadness and despair. We seek God, we look around, wondering if God can hear us.

Oh, how often I lose sight of God, of his promises, his goodness and grace. How often I feel sad, lost and not really sure where I am going or what am I supposed to be doing. Who am I as a woman? A wife, a mother, a working employee, lost in the traffic of everyday noise. I love it when God points his light on me, and I can see myself in his goodness, his power, makes me fall to my knees in gratefulness, in remembrance of who I am and what I am supposed to be. I am so glad God keeps track of all the minor details, all the wasted hours and all the flutter of every breath.

If only I would seek His holy face everyday for guidance and wisdom, maybe then I wont be struggling so hard in this wilderness of life. I love the psalm above which portrays the way David was seeking God. Thinking about him, pondering about his truths, clinging to God, thirsting for Him.... if only I could be like that... possibly then I can sing with joy. 

Are you seeking God?... seek Him and He will be found by you.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Snow in the woods.

We took the girls up into the mountains, into the woods to see some snow. Down in the valley where we live, we hardly ever get snow.

 The first thing the oldest girls did, was making a snow angels.

The baby wasn't very trilled about snow, and wanted us to carry her all around. 

Monday, December 6, 2010

I have everything I need in Him.




I give thanks to my God always for you
because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge-- even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
 ~~~1 Cor 1:4-9

We have grace of God through Jesus.
We are enriched in every way in Jesus, in speech and in all knowlege.
We are not lacking in any spiritual gift in Jesus.
He will sustain us to the end.
God is faithful. He never changes. I am so glad.
A wonderful post I read at http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/12/why-you-really-are-going-to-get-through/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29

Rom 15:13
 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Winter.

What does winter mean to you? To me winter is the cold, the rain, the music, the lights, the singing, the gifts, going to church.....
Winter is wearing soft, warm socks. Looking for sheep skinned boots, snuggling under a blanket, watching the fire dance in the fireplace....
Winter is wishing for sun, wishing for warmth, wishing for snow, wishing for a lot, but getting less.
Winter is praying more, praying for peace, for light, for salvation, for redemption, for a gift that we receive...
Winter is ice on the road, getting a cold, and no school on winter break for my girl....
Winter is a season of sleep, of rest, of drinking more hot tea, its wearing more layers to keep the cold out and hugging your family closer...
I wish you a happy, warm winter!!! And maybe snow too. :)

Friday, November 26, 2010

The pursuit of God.


Thanksgiving has come and gone, with leftovers of turkey, mashed potatoes and appetizers stored in the fridge. The blessing of getting together with family and friends has turned out to be a great success, with much laughter, loud discussions, and children screams, as they run around, bellies full of turkey, chocolate and sweets. Everything turned out very nice, if you dont count the slightly burnt turkey, the spilled juice over the childrens table, or the garbage can overflowing with many plastic dishes, and leftovers spilling on the kitchen floor. (Not counting a 22 month old clinging to me, wanting to be held and carried as I carried dishes and hot tea to the table.)

Lately I have been wondering on how to serve God, how to seek Him in my everyday life. It seems like when I have to work, and do my daily duties, I seem to forget that God exists, I concentrate on my daily task at hand and forget that an amazing God is close by my side. I forget to seek Him in my every day life, and only when I am at church on my knees that I realize how the week has passed in so much confusion, so much bussiness and hardly any seeking after God at all. I feel drained and tired by the end of the week, I feel like I am missing God so badly, I havent experienced Him all week with the bussiness of everyday life. It makes me sad that the big portion of the week has passed by and it seems like it is all such a waste of time.

I have been reading this interesting book and wanted to share a little bit of it with you. Its called 'The pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer,' here is what I read this morning:

'We can meet this successfully only by the exercise of an aggressive faith. We must offer all our acts to God and believe that He accepts them. Then hold firmly to that position and keep insisting  that every act of every hour of the day and night be included in that transaction. Keep reminding God in our times of private prayer that we mean every act for His glory; then supplement those times by a thousand thought-prayers as we go about the job of living. Let us practice the fine art of making every work a priestly ministration. Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.'

That really openened my eyes to the amazing chance at living our everyday life for the glory of God, isnt it a wonderful opportunity to include Him and bring more praise to His holy name?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Lead me my strong husband.


Love this song. I always wanted to know why we crave a strong male leadership in our life. Why do we as little girls need our dad to be there for us, why do we look up for love, for understanding, and when we don't find it in our father, we seek for love elsewhere, sometimes in many boyfriends, sometimes with wrong crowds. We get in trouble, emotionally and physically. We are attracted to strong, masculine men, who are strong as a rock. Who will be there for us emotionally and physically. We need that in our life, like we need water. That's how I see God as well. Strong as a rock, capable to move mountains, loves me unconditionally, died for me, has redeemed me, rescued me, and in the end will carry me over the thresh hold of our heavenly kingdom.

When we get married we have such beautiful dreams, about loving each other and being such good wives to our husbands, how we would never let them down, how he would love us and wash dishes for us every night, and rub my feet every night, and bring me coffee to bed every morning.... well it sure is unrealistic sometimes. We get married and we wake up from the beautiful dream we were making for our self. Sometimes its a bit of a hard stop. Every marriage goes through tough times, its the learning to stick it out through all the hard stops, learning to love each other more strongly and learning to trust God to guide you both to the right destination. I hope you are in a good spot in your marriage, and I hope God is guiding you every step of the way in the season of life you are going through.

Sanctus Real - The Story Behind Lead Me


I love this song, and here is the real reason how the song was born. Beautiful.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Prayer.


Dear Father in heaven,
Forgive me my Lord, my many transgressions, my many sins, my many unpleasant words and thoughts.
Forgive me all the things I said I would not do but I did, and all the things I said I would do but did not.
I want to find you my Lord and Savior, I need to rest in You...
I am seeking your holy presence each moment of each day, in each face, in each flower, in the clouds that rush over the sky, in the wind that blows into my face.
I listen for you soft voice in every song, in a birds melody, in a thunderstorm... in a quiet- empty church.
My eyes are looking for you... Oh where are you my friend, the lover of my soul?
My soul is starving for you, my God.
Like a child lifting up his arms to his parent, I lift up my hands to you my Father.
I need you, oh how I need you.
Where are you my Lord and Savior?
My heart is achy without you, and no one can fill me up, nothing can give me happiness or pleasure, like I find in only your presence. You are my strength and my light, you lift me up, and guide my feet on rocky ground. I cry to You in my sorrow, my tears are all in your hands, you hear my chocked whisper... don't forsake me now.... for I need you so. The road is dark and lonely without you. You are my true love, my true friend, my true Redeemer.
And then I find you, oh I am blessed.... I am loved, I am saved, I am one with Him. He is in me, and I am in him. My soul has found the true joy, the true happiness, the light and love.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The one and only true love.

He is the knight in shining armor
He is the one and only, her true love
He is forever standing close beside her
The light, the way, the bridegroom from above.

She is abiding in eternal beauty
Her dress a soft, snow-white caress
She is the light in the surrounding darkness
The everlasting truth, the holy one
There are no blemishes, no patches
On her bridal gown of purity and faith
She is the one, the only bride of Jesus
The one who keeps herself away from sin.

This is the time for us to get together
This is the day for us to say “no” to sin
This is the chance for you to come to Jesus
This is the call, don’t let it go to waste.
He is the One and only who will listen
The only one who will truly understand
The only one who truly will forgive you
The one who will love you and carry you home to rest.

November blues...


My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.
Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted gray
Is silver now with clinging mist.
The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so truly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.
Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.
-ROBERT FROST

Monday, November 15, 2010

The season of bearing fruits.

I am seeking everywhere for the fruits of the Spirit. I seek inside me, I seek around me, I seek it in others, I seek for this is the season. As we planted the seeds in the spring time, we watered, we waited and in the fall we collected a beautiful harvest of beautiful firm fruits: apples, pears, plums, grapes.... Just like we collect the harvest in the fall season, that's how we can gather the harvest of our soul if we live in the spirit of God....our body is compared to a tree bearing fruit.

Col 1:10
Gal 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:25

I want my tree to bear fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.... that would be a truly rich harvest. God would be most pleased. Yes, I know that we are saved by grace, but being saved now, we should be like a good healthy tree that will bear lots of fruits. Lets look together now, into our heart, our soul and see what is growing on our lips- words of kindness and patience? What are we full off, gentleness and self control?  I am just hoping its nothing like the book of Galatians states in the below verses.

Gal 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Lets live not according to our sinful flesh, but lets live according to the Gods spirit. May God bless you as you walk in Him.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Sorry, but we dont eat pork.


I was raised in a family where my mother, my grandparents did not eat pork, due to belief that we should follow everything that God specified in the bible. Growing up I was not really sure what to believe, until I married and started to read the bible for myself. Having a strong wish in pleasing God, striving to be godly and holy in His eyes led me into an interesting bible journey.  I know that we don't get saved through works alone. Jesus has died on the cross for every sinner, He died for us instead and now in believing in Jesus, I am saved. But being saved from the sinful life, is not a sure way to a heavenly kingdom, we need to lead a godly, holy life, with our strong faith in Jesus.

1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.By his wounds you have been healed.


Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


Ok to eat pork from the bible point of view?

The above link is from a wonderful writer who explained in a much better way than me about what the law of God is all about. :)

I am reading this interesting book that I recommend for all to read. Finding rest in this hectic world. 
Its called Sabbath, restoring the sacred rhythm of rest by Wayne Muller.

"We equate choice with freedom, but they are not the same. If we exercise our choice to covet or to steal or to live without rest, we will soon feel trapped and unhappy. We equate choice with nourishment, but a dozen different soft drinks, potato chips, and candy bars provide no vitamin C, iron, protein, beta carotene-or any significant nutrition at all. Regardless of how many choices we pile one upon the other, it is still a big, fat, empty meal. Freedom of choice can be as painful as it is precious."
So lets try to read the bible in its amazing wisdom, pray for God to give you guidance in what you should follow and how He wants you to lead your life.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

From death to life!!



He knew his friend was ill, he knew that he was dying, and he loved him very much. He waited another two days, which was very hard, but he knew it was for the glory of God. Finally the time came for him to go to his friend, his disciples were worried, afraid that the Jews would stone him. But he wasn’t afraid, he explained to them that he walks in the light, for he is light.

Sometimes we as people don’t like the light, we would rather stay in the dark. We rather hide from the light, but then we stumble and fall. Then he said that his friend is asleep and that he was going to wake him. The disciples didn’t know that he was talking about death. We as people don’t like death. To us it’s a scary, sad experience. We don’t talk about death, try not to think about it, try to ignore it. Feel uncomfortable if someone is dying, don’t really know how to feel, or what to say. But to Jesus it is like sleeping, like a dream to be awakened from.

He went to a long journey and came to his friends house. Where the sisters were crying and sad. The oldest sister came to him and said that if only he was here earlier her brother would not have died. She knew that he was the son of God, and she knew that he performed miracles. Jesus told her that he was the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in him will never die. What power we have in Jesus, knowing that if we believe in him, and he lives in us, we have resurrection and the life in us. We will never die. We should not be afraid of death, Jesus has conquered death.

Then came her sister who started to cry, as she fell at his feet, “If only you were here, my brother would not have died,” and he wept for her, for the people, for you and me, when we are sad and crying.

He went to the tomb. There was a heavy rock before the cave. A heavy stone. Before we can see a miracle we need to remove the rock of sin, a rock of darkness, or a rock of doubt from the entrance. But the oldest sister had doubt, “Lord, its been four days…” to which Jesus replied, “Just believe, and you will see the glory of God.” Sometimes we need to believe too, and we will see the glory of God, his awesome power, his healing touch, his love and kindness. Just like Martha and Mary have experienced when their dead brother came out, and was alive again.
(John 11)

Fall is here finally...

The nights are turning colder, the days are shorter. The sun is not as hot anymore, the wind has more bite to it. Yep, the fall season is here alright. One early morning, I went on a ride, enjoying the beauty of the season, the fresh air, the quiet and the cold. Thinking my thoughts, rain drops hitting my face and camera.
 (the first two pictures I took the day before, while we had blue skies and sunshine)
 I was dealing with some seasonal blues myself. A bit sad, a bit unhappy with the summer ending, I loved the warm air, the flowers that were blooming in my yard, the homegrown tomatoes. But with the change of the season, it all had to stop. With the rain the flowers fell, the tomatoes started to mold and stopped producing, the sunshine turned to cold rain. They call it a seasonal depression. I call it unwilling to let go of summer.
 It rained during the night, and early into the morning. You can still see the drops on the leaves and wild berries. The beauty took my breath away. Woke me up.







By taking the beauty walk, or drive this morning, it opened my eyes to the lovely colors. The royal quietness of the season, that is preparing us for the colder months. As the trees change the green appearance to an orange, red or yellow dress, makes me change my attitude and be open to new possibilities. God has truly created a lovely season. A season of colorful leaves, thankfulness and learning to let go.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Cancer cure...


Here is a link I found in how to prevent cancer or help heal cancer if you or your loved ones has this disease.
cure fore cancer

Monday, October 11, 2010

Pumpkins and apples...

We took the girls to the pumpkin patch. They loved running from one pumpkin to another, while I enjoyed the clean fresh air, and the beautiful surroundings. The weather is still nice and warm, but it did get a little chilly when we were eating our sandwiches. We bought apple-berry pie, apple donuts, and apple fritters... oh they are so good. I think we will need to come back for more.
 My oldest wasn't sure which pumpkin she liked better, the green one, or the orange one. I thought the green one was kind of interesting looking...

 Beautiful orange pumpkin, a beautiful little girl, and beautiful sky...
 Picked some green apples...
 Here she goes through the orchard.
 The older girls rode on one of the ponies...
Over all it was a lovely fall day. Now I am praying for rain, I think its about time for that, all the grass is dried, and I am ready for fall like weather... How is the weather were you are?