2015 Goal

A few weeks ago at Church, the Pastor asked us what our gift to God would be in 2015. As I thoughtful and prayerful considered what I would give God this year... all I could think about was what I was studying "permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God" (Acts 9:31). 

My goal in 2015,

is to permeate myself with a deep sense of reverence for God

and that will (should) have impact in my life

and the lives of those around me. 

The only way for me to develop and be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God is to study His Word and learn more about Him and then allow those truths to change my heart and attitude, and then impact my actions. 

"Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully." Acts 9:31 (MSG)

I'm looking forward to growing in my faith and see all that God has to teach me throughout 2015.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please take a moment to read this post about "Giving Thanks" by Pastor Nate Osborne, Faith Baptist Church, Winter Haven, FL. 

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/2014/11/27/three-thanksgiving-thoughts-from-pastor-osborne/

Blessings Celebration Day 2014!

There are some days that we never forget. One of those days for me is Oct 25, 2000. That was the day I injured my back. At the time, little did I know all that God had planned as He started me on a new journey. It is now Oct 25, 2014...12 back surgeries and too many to count procedures and treatments later. 

Chronic pain demands attention. By that I mean it makes you change the way you live. Because pain demands attention, I knew that I would have to work hard to keep my focus on the positive. Thus, my philosophy, "Create a Positive Day!".

Each year on the anniversary of my injury, I take time to CELEBRATE the blessings God has given me over the past year. Each year, I am amazed and overwhelmed by God kindness and the creative ways He takes care of me. I highly recommend having a Blessings Celebration! 

Please join me today in thanking God for all the blessings.

It's Blessings Celebration Day!

Forgiveness

cont..."a deep sense of reverence for God" (Act 9:31). 

"But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped." Psalm 130:4 (AMP)

I don't fully grasp the concept that Holy, God Almighty offers forgiveness... but I'm VERY thankful that He does. And because God Almighty does forgive, that should instill in me a deep sense of reverence for God. For the consequence of not being forgiven of my sin is eternal hell and separation from God. 

How does one say "thank you" to a Holy God for His gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ? The "thank you" starts with developing a deep sense of reverence for God! And as that deep sense of reverence is developed..... my life will be impacted by the realization that God Almighty loves me and has forgiven me.... WOW, if that doesn't make your day..... not sure what will. 

Thank you, Heavenly Father for your forgiveness!

14 Years!

One week until my "Blessings Celebrate Day!" 

Can't believe that this year marks 14 years since I injured my back. Each year on/near the anniversary of Oct 25th, I celebrate the blessings God has given me over the past year. And each year, I continue to be amazed at His generosity, HIs kindness, and His creativity in giving me blessings. 

This year, I'd like to know what, if anything, you've learned because of my journey of chronic pain. I know that I have learned so much. But I'd like to know if you too have learned anything as you've followed me, prayed for me, or have gotten to know me over the past 14 years. 

If you have learned anything as you've read my blog, or followed my journey, please comment. 

Thank you. Looking forward to hearing what my friends are learning because of my journey.

Friends

continued.... "deep sense of reverence for God" (Acts 9:31). 

"I am a companion of all those who fear, revere, and worship You, and of those who observe and give heed to Your precepts." Psalm 119:63 (AMP)

The people who are my companions, friends, say something about me. Biblically friends have a responsibility to each other.... "In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend." Proverbs 27:17. 

I'm thankful for the friends God has put in my life. They have helped me grow in so many ways. Having friends who have a deep sense of reverence for God are vital to developing my own sense of reverence for God. 

Friends, companions. That word companion means "knit together". I'm not a knitter, but from what I understand if use different types of yarns in the same project, your finished project won't hold up to use and washing. For example, some yarns have "memory" and hold their shape better than others. And some shrink when washed. So if part of your project is made with yarn that shrinks and another part with yarn that holds it shape, your project will be ruined as the shapes and yarns change over time. 

This is true with friendships. Those close friends should be ones that encourage and help you in developing a closer relationship with God. 

If your friends are not living a godly life, then they will tend to give you wrong advice and discourage you from making godly choices. 

I don't think this means isolate ourselves from unbelievers, rather just make sure that your companions, those that you are closely knit together with, have a deep sense of reverence for God. 

Now.... what type of friend am I? I personally need to develop that deep sense of reverence for God so that I can be the friend God wants me to be.

Attitude and Outlook

Continued... "permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God" (Act 9:31). 

Psalm 118 describes the attitude and outlook of one who truly has a deep sense of reverence for God. 

"Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever." Ps 118:4

So often when we are in tough situations or bad things happen, we blame God. It's all His fault for allowing hurt and pain. However, if we have a true reverence for God, we know that God owes us nothing, and His plan is far greater than we'll ever know. 

Consider Job. He was an honest of upright man who worshiped God.. and God brought Job to the attention of Satan. Why? Because God knew that God is worthy of praise, honor, reverence based on WHO HE IS... not on what He does or allows. God is God and circumstances and situations do not change that fact. Job fully understood that... because Job had a deep sense of reverence for God. 

"You are my God, and I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You; You are my God, I will extol You. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever." Ps 118:28, 29.

A deep sense of reverence for God will not only impact my actions, but my attitude and outlook.

Click this to read Psalm 118

List of Actions and Attitudes

As I continue my study on "permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31)", I read Psalm 112 this morning. As read it, I realized that Psalm 112 is a list of actions and attitudes that should be a result of fearing the Lord and delighting in His commandments.

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God is not just fearing God or being in awe of Him. Rather a true deep sense of reverence for God will impact my actions and attitudes.

The doing, actions, don't come first. Rather developing a sense of reverence of God is first and foremost. Because of that reverence for God Almighty—I act. Being in the presence of God Almighty, learning who He is, and learning about Him...... that creates a reverence. And because I am learning who God is..... I act in accordance with that knowledge... or rather I should be acting in accordance with that knowledge.  

Being permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God will have an impact...... or it should have an impact in my life and then be evident to those around me.

Psalm 112 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.2 His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.3 Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God].5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice.6 He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance.7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.8 His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid while he waits to see his desire established upon his adversaries.9 He has distributed freely [he has given to the poor and needy]; his righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) endures forever; his horn shall be exalted in honor.10 The wicked man will see it and be grieved and angered, he will gnash his teeth and disappear [in despair]; the desire of the wicked shall perish and come to nothing.Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Vote for TJ Bell

I had the privilege to meet TJ Bell, NASCAR Camping World Truck Driver for the #50 MAKE Motorsport Team.

He does a lot on/off the track to support and honor our Heroes in Uniform (First Responders and Military). This year, TJ and the #50 Team are also supporting and honoring The Fallen Linemen Foundation. 

Take a moment and vote for TJ Bell for Most Popular Driver of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. You can vote one (1) time each day. 

Share this with your friends too! The more votes, the greater the possibility that TJ will win! 

Here's the link to vote: 

http://www.nascar.com/mostpopulardriver?wid=720947a0c042c4

TJ and me at Chicagoland Speedway 2012. 

Looking for Wisdom?

"They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God." Acts 9:31 (MSG)

He has redeemed His people, guaranteeing His covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring. Reverence for the Eternal is the first step toward wisdom. All those who worship Him have a good understanding. His praise will echo through eternity! Ps 111:9, 10 (VOICE)

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear. The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever. Ps 111:9, 10 (AMP)

Looking for wisdom? It all begins with a deep sense of reverence for God! For as a deep sense of reverence for God is developed, the focus is on God and then God can reveal His will and plan for your life.

Awesome and Reverence Inspiring

In my Bible study, I’m studying Colossians, but went off on a rabbit trail. Colossians 1:1 talks about Paul being on special assignment from God (an apostle). I then went back to when Paul began his special assignment—Acts 9. This verse stood out to me: "They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God." Acts 9:31 (MSG) 

So onto another rabbit trail. What does it mean to have a “deep sense of reverence for God” and how does a person become “Permeated”. So I went back to the Psalms because many of the Psalms talk about reverence and fear of God.

Today, I read Psalm 99. These verses stood out: 

The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble [with reverential fear]! He sits [enthroned] above the cherubim, let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them confess and praise Your great name, awesome and reverence inspiring! It is holy,and holy is He! Psalm 99: 1-3 (AMP). 

And

You answered them, OLord our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy. Psalm 99:8, 9 (NKJV)

Praise the God-Who-Forgives, praise His awesome and reverence inspiring Name…. yes, that should create a deep sense of reverence for God Almighty!

Reverence

They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. Acts 9:31 (MSG)

When the ·holy ones [ council of holy ones] meet, it is God they fear. He is more ·frightening [awesome] than all who surround him.  Psalm 89:7 (EXB)

A God greatly feared and revered in the council of the holy (angelic) ones, and to be feared and worshipfully revered above all those who are round about Him?  Psalm 89:7 (AMP)

In the council of holy ones, God is lifted high and feared; His presence overwhelms all who are near Him. Psalm 89:7 (VOICE)

I'm studying Colossians, but went off on a "rabbit trail"... and then that led to another trail.... It started with "Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God’s master plan." Col 1:1 (MSG). 

I wanted to study more about when God's special assignment began for Paul, so went back to Acts 9. 

Acts 9:31 stopped me.... as I read "they were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God". 

What does it mean to have a sense of reverence for God? So, I went back to the Psalms to read about reverence for Almighty God. 

Today, I read Psalm 89. I like how Ps 89:7 reads in the Message, "His presence overwhelms all who are near Him". 

First off, am I near God? Is my heart pliable in God's hands? Am I listening to Him? And if I'm near to God, am I overwhelmed by the presence of God? 

God is to be greatly feared... He is more frightening (awesome) than any other. Do I revere God? He is God Almighty. He is a Holy God. Revering God......how is it impacting my life? 

I'm also humbly grateful that I can come boldly before the Throne of Grace to talk with my Heavenly Father. 

Permeated with deep sense of reverence for God........ my prayer is that this truth would be true of me... and that I'd live it each day. 

Max loves snow cones!

When Max hears the Snow cone machine he starts saying, "happy" over and over. As you can see from the pictures below, Max loves his snow cones! 

Note: This was made with organic grape juice, so it's safe for him to enjoy. 

Sunset Sept 11.2014: Prayer Prompters

An amazing sky. Starting with pink clouds out back, then followed by a bright and beautiful sunset out front. Love seeing God paint the skies in so many colors and shapes. Amazing.

I have "prayer prompters" for different people. They are "alerts" from God to stop and pray for someone. One of my friends likes pink, so when I see pink, it's a reminder to stop and pray for her. 

Last night, as I was closing the blinds, I noticed a sky FULL of pink clouds. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures, then I "followed" the pink clouds out front, and saw a beautiful sunset. 

As I was taking pictures, I was thanking God for his beauty in creating the evening sky. I then came inside and talked with our Heavenly Father about my friend. 

I'd recommend creating "prayer prompters" for your friends. It can be a color, a type of car, an object around the home, or even a particular restaurant, or logo. Anything that reminds you of a particular person. Something that they enjoy or like. A few of the prayer prompts I have include: colors, my popcorn bowl, blue hangers, a Jeep, McDonalds, and types of dogs. 

Here are some pictures from last night's sunset.

SPECTACULAR SUNRISE! 9.8.14

Wow! God created a spectacular sunrise this morning!

Beautiful.