"Jesus!"

This is a song by new artist Robert Pierre. He is only 17 years old, but what a talent! I think he's really going to go far. The words of this song are so true. When we have nothing else to pray, we can just call "Jesus" and He hears.

Busy?

"B.U.S.Y -- Being Under Satan's Yoke." That is the acronym that was posted on a church's sign board. In this time of multi-tasking that we live in, is it really a sin to be busy? Let's read some Bible verses and see what we can dig up.

Meet me over at Titus 2 in Action to read more.

W.W.K.D. - Part 2

Yesterday I posted about how a friend wonders "What would Kelly Do?" when making decisions because she doesn't know what Jesus would do. While I found that immensely flattering, the thing is what Kelly does do is often sinful. I can be selfish, willful, prideful, judgmental and a slue of other ugly things. I try to do what's right, but let's just say the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I, too, have been praying for a mentor person in my life for a long time. Years long. But I came to realize something recently. God doesn't want me to have a mentor. He wants to be my mentor.

When I was a young woman, my friend Sonya came along side me and taught me so much about God and being a Christian. As a matter of fact, I held Sonya high on a pedestal and my mantra was "I want to be like Sonya!" I was blessed to have someone else in my life who told me in no uncertain terms what I should want is to be like Jesus, not Sonya. Because bless Sonya's heart, she too is a sinner. We all are. We need to cast our eyes on Jesus.

In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites beg for human king to lead them. This wasn't God's will, He was leading them, He was their King. But they wouldn't back down, so He gave them a king, which costs them their freedom, their goods, their children, and they eventually cried out for relief from that king they so desperately wanted.

Who are you looking at in your life as your mentor, king, or person you esteem wondering what "they" would do when making your decisions? I urge you to thank them, but to look to Jesus, not them, for your answers. Jesus often quoted scripture and used it to resist the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. That is what Jesus did do, and what you should do too.

Isaiah 45:5,6 -- I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Acts 4:12 -- Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

W.W.K.D?

What would be the worst insult you could receive inadvertently, that is without the person intending to insult you? Well, "When are you due?" if you're not pregnant is certainly in the top 10 of this category. However, for me if an acquaintance or friend said to me "Oh, I didn't know you were a Christian." I hope that I am living my life so that people cannot help but see Jesus.

Likewise, what is the best compliment you could receive? "Are you losing weight?" is a good one, true. But for someone to say they see Jesus in you, I can think of no greater gift.

I am close with someone who believes in God, but (without putting words in her mouth), I think she would say she doesn't have a personal relationship with him. She is learning. She says that at times when presented with a situation and she doesn't know what to do, she remembers the arm bands that came out a while ago that say "W.W.J.D. -- What would Jesus do?"

The problem is, she says sometimes she doesn't know what Jesus would do. She can't call up scripture to help her in a situation. So, she told me, she thinks "What would Kelly do?" Because she knows me well, she knows what I would do. She knows I would be trying to do what Jesus would.

Obviously reading the Bible is best. But it's said that 1 person may read the Bible, while 99 read the Christian. Try to live your life today so they know what Jesus would do because of you.

Matthew 5:16 -- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 7: 16-18, 20 -- By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.... Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Today we talked about how nice it is to "Be Jesus" for someone.

Tomorrow, we'll cover why it's not always a good thing to "Be Jesus" for someone.

Saturday Funny

Having been under the weather recently, this just hit home with me! Hope you think it's funny too. Have a great weekend!

For Better or For Worse, by Lynn Johnston, 11/14/09

The Apple of His Eye

It’s apple-picking season. Fall is a great time to grab a Seattle’s Best Coffee and head out to the orchards to pick some apples. While picking apples, I picked up some analogies about my relationship with God.

When I come home with a big bag of apples my family has picked, undoubtedly there are some that don’t look so great. (When you have a four-year-old helper, you never know what might end up in your bag!)

This time we had some funny shaped apples that I would have never picked. However when I cut them down the middle, they look just as nice on the inside as many of the others, and taste just as fresh and crunchy too.

Meanwhile, some of those “pretty” apples that I picked weren’t so great. Once I cut them open a couple of them had a rotten core. One even had a worm inside! How did that happen? It looked so nice on the outside. Sometimes it’s hard to judge a bad apple from a good one.

Isn’t that the way it is with people sometimes? So much of life we base on the outward appearances. But the bible says: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

Sometimes the apple isn’t bad. It just has a little bruising. We all bear the “bruises” from the knocks of life. Just as an apple may have a bruise from rough handling, many of us are bruised by life. But that doesn’t make us bad apples! Bruised apples make the best applesauce. Bruised lives can make the best lessons, especially when your willing to share how God worked in your life in spite of the bruises.

How abut that ugly browning? Apples often turn brown after slicing. Soaking sliced apples in orange juice prevents them from browning. When I soak up the God’s word with daily devotion readings, it keeps me from turning ugly too. Daily time spent in God’s word keeps my attitude in check and reminds me of scriptures I can use through out the day.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Staying in the word every day, keeps you spiritual healthy!

Apple picking is a great way to enjoy a fall day. Whether you’re making apple cider, applesauce or apple butter, it all starts with apple picking which may seem like work to some. Just as regular bible reading may seem like work when you start, you will soon reap the sweet rewards of a relationship with God…sweeter than apple pie!

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2 (NIV)

This is a reprint of my article which appears this month in the Inspirational Stories section at ithirstnw. My daughter is now 5.

Veteran's Day

Ugg boots - $140.00



Riding Boots - $754.00

Designer Boots - $1,332.00

Combat Boots - Priceless

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS!!!

**Idea from Cathy Comic Strip**