Sweet Sixteen....

I can't believe it! Today I'm forty years old. (For those who think there's a psychological reason I wrote forty and not 40.... really. ha ha)
I don't feel any older, actually I feel really young. Maybe it's because I exercise regularly, I'm not sure but I feel younger than I've felt... ever I think. hee hee hee hee Strange.
For those of you who have not turned 40 yet, here is my insight on it. For a woman, turning 40 is almost an accomplishment. Being 40 is like the sweet 16 all over again. It's a new beginning with taking care of yourself, your philosophy about life and your approach to it. You don't seem to want to "sweat the small" stuff anymore. Maybe it's that we've been ironing out the wrinkles of life and now they are almost invisible. (If we would use starch right from the beginning, we would have the wrinkles out a long time ago!) So much is coming my way in life that I'm really excited to see what's in store for the first year of this new chapter in my life.
(psst! You know you're getting "old" when you write an homage to yourself on your birthday....LOL)
This morning, I woke up to a sign my eldest son made for me it said, "Happy 40th!". I then got ready for my day and my children had made me breakfast, it was on the table with a note saying, "From Samuel, Dominique, Jacob and Marielle Happy Birthday!" In front of my plate was nice bouquet of flowers (fake from the bouquet I had at the front door hee hee hee) and with Sunny Delight "orange" juice. What a blessing! I decided that we might take the whole day off from school, make it a family holiday. ha ha ha.
The past few years have been hard ones for me but I'm Sweet sixteen again and excited about what's waiting for me.

Perhaps a False Expectation

I was reading in Luke 2 this morning, and the thing that struck me was that Mary and Joseph, although they had been visited by the angel Gabriel, had seen the miraculous, immaculate birth of Jesus, still found themselves surprise and confused by comments of Jesus' future.
Ex: 8 days after Jesus' birth, as was the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph went to have Jesus circumcised. Simeon, a just and devout man, waited for the Messiah to come one day and when he saw Jesus coming in the arms of His parents, he spoke of Jesus' purpose on earth. The bible says that Mary and Joseph marvelled at the things that Simeon said. Later on in this chapter, Jesus is left behind in Jerusalem by accident. His parents thought He was with other members of the family but once they returned to Jerusalem and found Him teaching elders about the bible, they were puzzled and asked Jesus why He did this to them. He asked them why were they looking for Him? Didn't they know He had to be doing His Father's business? Again, they were struck with confusion.
I can't help but wonder if they misunderstood God's message to them that came from Gabriel.
During this time, there were no Jewish king as there had been many years ago, (Old Testament) and they were oppressed by the Roman King. Life for the Jewish people was lived in fear and oppression. They hoped for a Jewish king to rule them and some misunderstood Jesus to be that future earthly king. I wonder if His mom and "step" dad thought that too, so when they heard He would be the Saviour of the world, and doing "His" Father's business, which Joseph was a carpenter, not a priest or scribe, this would confuse them.
How does this apply to us, to me? I think the main reason we get disappointed with life, is because we have a false expectation of God's purpose for our life. We would like to see things in a different way, for life to treat us in a different way and have more of what we want. Sometimes, we see that we are living the way we should but life seems purposeless. Sometimes, although we are saved and doing the best we can, we're still unhappy. A false expectation...
I know that God has a plan for each individual person on this earth. First, is that all shall come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) second, that we should take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23) and that we should tell others about Salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ (Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:27 etc). Those three things give us freedom, peace, hope, joy, purpose and direction in life; what else would a person want? If we are unhappy, I believe it's because we have a false expectation of our life here on earth. Just like Mary and Joseph had a false expectation of Jesus' future.

This Day...

The shepherds are in the field watching their flock of sheep. How boring this must be. Shepherds were usually a young boy of a family having sheep. These sheep needed to wander so this occupation of being a shepherd was a lonely one and usually they were the member of the family which did not inherit land hence having this "job" enabled them to have an income but the opportunity to have a family was very slim. All they did was live in the wilderness, in the rocky areas and tend to their sheep's needs and brought them to market for milking and for shearing. One night, as they individually, in their own spots, stood watch over their sheep, the sky lit up. Picture it, put yourself in their situation. Imagine, you're at work, at school or driving your car. All of a sudden, the sky lights up and you hear an audible voice. You'd be "freaking out"!!! You hear this "voice" say, "Don't be afraid, I'm bringing you good news". PHHHHHEWWWWWW!!! You'd probably say. (Hopefully, by this time, you've pulled over if your driving.) What this good news is, is that "a baby is born"! "Now wait a minute....!" you're thinking to yourself. "So what a baby is born, unless it's mine, who cares!? This is MY "good news"?" The voice continues and says, "...unto you is born this day... a Saviour." You think to everything that's going on in the world:

• The price of gas is so high
• Just the essential food is becoming harder to buy
• Cancer is wide spread and killing our families
• the uproar in the middle East and Egypt
• Schools conditions and making children sick
• Spouses cheating and families destroyed
• Your loneliness in all this chaos

You think, "A Saviour?" Just like the shepherds had become immune to the thought of a child being born, we have become immune to the knowledge of their being a Saviour. The shepherds saw their sheep give birth many times, they would even assist and take care of both the mother and lamb. As we have seen the wooden crosses on the many churches and heard the name of Jesus and His story over and over but we've become separated, bored, immune and unable to be affected or changed by the "Saviour". Things happen in our life and although it might not be the sky lit up and an audible voice that speaks to us. It might be our family member who's dying of cancer or watching the desperate plea of the people in Egypt or maybe it's your heat that longs to belong to someone and desires to share your life with someone, THAT calls your attention and wants to tell you that a long time ago, a baby was born, a Saviour. He grew up, lived, just so that one day, He could be betrayed, tortured, beaten and literally hung with nails on a wooden cross to die. The only reason this all happen was so that He could save you. Save you from the pain of this world, save you from the yearning for peace and purpose... to save you from eternity in hell.

"... unto YOU is born... a Saviour"

• A- Accept you are a sinner and God is God.
• B-Believe He died on the cross to forgive you and save you.
• C-Confess you are a sinner and your sins
• D-Desire Him to be your Saviour and ask Him to come into your heart and save you.

I can only imagine what it must of been like, but I can live it today; He's my Saviour.

MY JESUS I LOVE THEE with Lyrics

Attitude determines altitude.

(A message from Bro. Trieber, the preacher at North Valley Baptist Church)

Dear Friends,

In Proverbs 23:7, we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” Thoughts that should engage the mind of a Christian—thoughts that will eventually manifest themselves into behavior and speech, failure or success—are delineated in Philippians 4:8: “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

However, it seems as if we live in a day when waves of negativity surge from all points of life, effecting tsunamis of pessimism and hopelessness. News reports and discussions about the state of the economy, subprime loans, unemployment—all are negative. Almost daily, someone we know is diagnosed with cancer or another grave illness; and our hearts grow heavy with their suffering.

Subsequently, all of these sorrows and hardships consume our thoughts until we fail to remember that “there is a God in heaven.” (Daniel 2:28) May I remind God’s people that the Bible is replete with times when the power and faithfulness of the Lord prevailed when all else might have appeared impossible? Recall Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea, Gideon and his diminutive army of three hundred, David and the giant Goliath, Elijah’s contest of power and faith on Mount Carmel, the feeding of thousands with five loaves and two fishes, the healing of “those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others,” (Matthew 15:31) and hundreds of other illustrations and miracles in the Old as well as New Testament. Remember the times in your life and the personal testimonies of others when the Lord intervened and “wrought a great victory.”

Rather than succumb to negativity, I encourage each of you to perceive every obstacle as well as opportunity with the eyes of faith and trust. God’s people can be optimistic about whatever the outcome may be, for the Lord “… is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) I am also reminded of Psalm 78:19 which says, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” Our answer is a resounding: “God can!” Many years ago, I was given a small placard which now sits on my desk; it reads: “It can be done!” I believe that this country and the New Testament local church are poised for some of the greatest moments in history. Throughout Scripture, we see instances when God blesses a remnant; and “even so then at this present time also there is a remnant.” I challenge all preachers to mount their pulpits this Sunday not with the spirit of hopelessness and despair but with faith and confidence that God is able. I urge all homes (father and mother, child and teenager, husband and wife, single adult, senior saint, etc.) to believe that God is able. Our Lord wants to show Himself powerful in these days—days that might appear to be uncertain; His eyes “run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” (II Chronicles 16:9)

These may be dark times; but we must not give up, give over, or give in; rather, let us look up and believe that our Lord can and will meet every need. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

Please remember today that God can. Thank you for being my friends and for being an encouragement to me. God bless you.

Your friend,
Bro. Trieber

Watch the Lamb

How Can It Be?

Notes taken from my bible reading in Mark 15. Strange how desperately people would prefer to have a killer on the loose than have Jesus in their life. (vs. 7 & 8) Seems extreme but people are the same today, preferring their indulgence in sin instead of having Jesus in their life. Really good people make this choice too. They don't even have a reason...(vs. 14)REALLY!?(like my friend Izzy would say lol) Pilate asked "Why do you want me to crucify Him?" but they answered nothing just yelled out louder. For what reason? They will see God do miracles in people's life, change people and provide in many ways, yet they would prefer to live in fear and miserably than have Jesus in their life. Why is that? Like Pilate, I'm baffled by that. It doesn't make sens. I wonder if Cyrenian, the man who helped carry Jesus' cross, was one of those who insisted Jesus be crucified. You know, he was there with his 2 sons, Alexander and Rufus (poor kid) (vs. 21) Let's say he wasn't since it says, "who passed by, coming out of the country" (vs.21) People from everywhere knew "about" Jesus, maybe even his sons. As the soldiers "compelled" him to carry the cross, imagine what went through those boys' and father's mind. Maybe things like:

• "WHAT?! It can't be!"
• "How could anyone want THIS man to be killed?"
• "I heard the religious people were angry with Him but to kill Him? Maybe they'll kill me next."

The questions they must of had but, then to watch Jesus hanging on that cross... *sigh*

"How can it be?"

How can it be that:

• I should gain by His sufferance and death?
• people can reject Him who has done so much?
• that people blame Him for the hurt people do to others?
• I don't serve Him?
• I don't prefer Him to the pleasures of this world?

How can it be?

To see the video, click on left margin under "February", "Watch the Lamb" which is my favorite video ever. It's a perspective into Cyrenian's experience.

Food for Thought Monday

Both "Wisdom" and the "Harlot" are in the streets seeking the simple, the main differences are:

The Harlot (Proverbs 7:12)

1. loud
2. stubborn
3. deceitful
4. etc.

Wisdom (Proverbs 2:20)

1. giving
2. loving
3. protective
4. etc.

Learn to recognize them that you may make the right decisions and not be trapped.

Proverbs 19:20 "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."

The altar

Last night, since bible study was cancelled, the children and I watched North Valley Baptist Church's online archived preaching. One of my favorite preachers is Mike Johnson and he preached on September 13, 2010.
We watched and laughed but most of all, God spoke to my heart.
It's really worth watching. Just go to www.nvbc.org , then click on the archived video which is beside the photograph of the church's pastor, Bro. Trieber. Click on the link, scroll down until you see Mike Johnson or the date of Sept. 13, 2010. You can watch the whole thing but since it is the pastor and workers conference, there are many announcements and awards so we just skipped that after a while. I put the sliding cursor that shows the time in play, to the middle and the preaching started soon after.
The one major thing that spoke to me was the altar. The altar is a place of:

• Yieldedness
• Supplication
• Separation

I need to "rebuild" my altar so it will be a place of these three purposes. During my prayer time, while at my altar (obviously figuratively), my heart needs to be surrendered, humbled.
His message, was and is, just what I needed to hear; doing all the "right" things; what I'm "supposed" to do, but yet the fire of God is missing.
I'm "just" a stay at home mom and sometimes I get caught up in the routine of things and feel like I'm doing nothing for God. I forget to look at the big picture, "see the need" and go to my altar to ask God, after I've done all I need and supposed to do, and ask Him to send the fire.
Yesterday, I was torn if I should go to church or not because of the weather. I said to God, "Lord, I'm throwing out the fleece. If it is your will for me to stay home, have pastor cancel church." and he did. When church is cancelled, we always watch "church" online with Bro. Trieber, so we are not forsaking the assembling of the church and I always get blessed and taught something that is lacking in my life.
The other thing the Lord spoke to me about is that I need to start blogging again. He's the one who had me start but He never said to stop. I can't imagine what I can put on it that would make a big difference but He obviously thinks there is so... keep me accountable as I try to make sure that I blog at least 3 times a week, the things God is showing me and teaching me.