Just a child...when did we decide that life was not good enough?

How can you say that a child is not a living being when it is in the womb?  Yes, it is darn small, but it is still a child, it still could grow up to be someone just like you.  They could be a world changer, an encourager, a life saver.  They could smile up at you when you are down.  They could tell you that they love you.  They could laugh and become the joy of your heart.  They could Live. Christ loves you as much as the child in your womb....

He is no Fool

       
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliott

 

            I find myself being "to busy" to do my devotions in the morning and I find that it is hard to read the Bible throughout the day if I don't do it in the morning.  I have to get it in in the morning or else...

           There is so much that keeps my eyes off the prize.  There is way to much out there that keeps us away from what God has done.  If only we could see through the clutter, then we would be able to escape to the foot of the cross.

          I am slowly but surely realizing this.  I have found that God demands so much more from us than our garbage and spare time.  He demands our hearts, our lives, and our souls.  Have you prayed?  Have you given to Him what belongs to Him?  Why are you holding back what will be nothing in the End?

         Just think about these things a bit.  It has really changed my heart.

Blessings,

~Rachel

If only we could see

                                                              Romans 8:18-30

Imagine what creation will be like when it is new.  Think, in Romans the Bible says that Nature is groaning with 'birth pains' and that it is being held back and that when the Son comes, it will burst forth into it's full glory.  Can you even conceive?  I cannot even imagine the beauty.  Think of the lovely spring now, what will it be like when He comes again?

Old Fashioned?...Maybe!

Think of all the things that have changed over the years.  The media, technology, styles, everything.  There is next to nothing that has not been touched by change.  Why is this?

We humans are always looking for a way to make things bigger, better, and more fit to our wants and desires.  We were created to search for a higher being (God), and instead of searching for spirituality and Christ, we are looking for love in all the wrong places.  People are striving after something that they cannot grasp, something that they can't easily find through all of the clutter.  The Internet, media, news, and social lives of people today are distracting them from the thing that means the most.

Stepping away from the "Old Ways" and the "Old Days", has really changed things.  I would say, for the worst.  I mean, it is nice having running water and lights, and the Internet for that matter.  But look what TV is doing.  Television today is not the black and white (mostly) decent movies. It does not reflect anything that is Godly.  It promotes sex, porn, and bad behavior.  Why?

We are sinful creatures.  We are drawn to this stuff as a natural sin-nature instinct.  But is is right?  NO!  It is by no means right!  It is something that we should resist.  I'm not saying you should throw your TV int he trash, I am saying that you need to guard what your eyes see and you need to 'vote' for what is right.

Clothing is another big issue.  In the 1800's or even the early 1900's, a person would be appalled to see what the average teen girl wears today.  I will say this: It is hard to find clothing now-a-days! But, that does not give us the excuse to wear things that would not honor God.

When we put on clothing that can cause men (and boys) to desire, we are at fault as much as they are.  I know that boys have a tendency to let their mind "Travel", but we are as responceble for that as they are.  If we were to put on clothing that was not so tight, bright, or eye catching, we would not be at fault for the thoughts that go through heir heads.  Let us stick up for our brothers in Christ and think before we don the mini skirt.

Many of you may take this the wrong way.  I may be sorry for anything harsh, I love you and care about you.  I don't want you being harmed, or the purity of another tainted because of something that was not thought out, or was not even though about. My favorite saying is, "Don't advertise what is not for sale."

I'm not saying you have to dress like a nun or something, just think about what the clothes you are about to put on will cause others to thing.  Will they honor God, your heart, others?

I know that this post jumped around a bit.  But my biggest concern is that you got my point.  If you have any questions, comments, or even complaints...let me hear what you have to say!

Beauty of God's Creation

Family Worship Time

          We have just started having a regular time of worship before bed at our house.  It has really been a blessing.  Even though I can't sing, I still enjoy praising God...you should try this :)

~Rosebud

Of Books and Films

         I love books, old dusty ones are my favorite! Well...I like movies too, just not as much as books.  What about you guys?  Books?  Movies?

          Anyways, to get to the point of what I am saying:  There are books and movies out there that are obscene, perverted and unacceptable.

          I know of (I have not read or watched them) some new movies and books that are way-out-of-this-world bad.  I know that some of you may have stepped into seeing or reading things that are of this nature.  I am not judging you by any means!  I am just putting out a warning.  When you buy that romance novel or go to watch that inappropriate movie with your friends, you are supporting it.  You are telling the producers and writers what they are making is alright and that it is in demand. 

Why are we doing this?

Think for yourself and reply if you will.

~Rachel

Contemplation

          Contemplate all the things that God has given you.  Look at  the trees and the grass beneath your feet.  What of your friends and family?  Do we forget all of these wonders that have been given us?  Contemplation.  It is a long word, yes? I like the very picture of it, the calm, the peace, every aspect of life can fall into it's depths.  What cannot be grasped by it but God himself?

Many Thoughts,

~Rachel

At The Break Of Dawn

Every morning I am up at 6 in order to do the chores whether I like it or not.  I have my good mornings...and with the good comes the bad.  But anyways, I am up early (not as early as some) out in the cooler (You see, it gets hot early.  Sometimes it doesn't cool off much overnight) air.  The hopeful breeze waking me further.  The sun normally rises about the time I step out the door.

Grumpy face or happy face, the sunshine loves on me every time I walk out to the barn.  God's grace is like the sun or the break of dawn, it shines on us no matter how we are, no matter what we are feeling.  The sun rises EVERY morning, bringing us new mercies.  New Mercies folks.  Isn't that swell?  Can't imagine if we had to wake up to the awful thought of yesterdays fights and squawks.  I mean, look at the way you have been forgiven!

Can you not be like the break of dawn as well?  Can you not give new mercies?  Can you not love like there was no tomorrow?  Let us be like the Son.  He shines on us, let us reflect that light.

Speaking Truth

Speaking truth can be hard, especially when it hurts.  Truth hurts.  It is painful sometimes to admit when we are wrong or when we know that truth has not been on our lips.  Truth can go a long way.  Never, I mean NEVER!  Underestimate the power of the "T" word.

Even if you speak truth (In a kind way, that would honor God) to someone and they don't receive it, it will have a lasting effect on them. 

There are those "Truths" that would be best left unsaid.  Truth is not to be used as a way of manipulation.  Example: "Well it's true!  And you know it!"

Has anyone done that before?  I am guilty :(

 Truth is the Word of God.  Truth is a promise kept.  Truth is pure love.

We must speak truth to those who have not heard it.

In Truth,

~Rachel

Down Days

Do you ever have those days where you feel like a horrible person and you just don't think you can do anything right?  You tell yourself that if someone says one more unkind thing you will brush it off and forget about it...and then it happens...and you blow up.  Ever had it happen?

I have those days, they are miserable ones at that.  But the glorious thing about it is that I know that I'm never going to change by my power (it would be a physical impossibility). I can turn to Christ and ask Him to help me carry my burdens, anger, and frustration.  He will never turn his back on you, even when you blow up.  It may make him sad, but He will never leave you.  Remember this in those days when you feel that nothing goes well.

Prayers,

~Rachel