Company

Hey,
Lynn and Nate are coming today! Nate is going to spend the day with Tiffani and the boys while Lynn and I wander around the mall and not chase an almost 3 year old :))).
Chuck came home last night for supper and slept, some. He left really early for his delivery about 2 hours east of here. But, he's home today!!
Chuck will take a week of vacation to help me this next week and Lynn told me today that she'll be here sometime Monday night so she can be here for Tuesday. Unfortunately Josh is stuck in Chicago with his job, but Chuck will keep him posted. Betty also said she'd be there with us too. Yeah!
It won't be long and Lynn and Nate will be here, so I'm not going to do a spiritual blog. Just wanted to touch base. Know please, that I'm praying for you all and am so grateful for your prayers for us.

Thanks,
Sandy

A Shot in the arm

Hey,
Yesterday I had to have blood drawn. Why is it that some people draw blood without much pain, then there are people that make you feel like a vampire is sucking the life from you?
My wellness doctor wanted a special blood test done before my surgery, then in 3 months the test again to see where the cancer is, if anywhere else. So, I went to have the blood drawn, then sent off to California.
The lady that drew the blood was really nice, but I think she stabbed too deep and hit muscle. I actually have a bruise from yesterday's poke. It burned too, which I've never had. I was beginning to think she's damaged my arm. Thankfully after about an hour the pain went away. I accidentally bumped the poke hole today and it hurt. Not sure I want to go back in 3 months!
Because I had to have the blood drawn I couldn't have my supplements for seven days and my body was screaming at me. Thankfully I'm back on my supplements and the new one for cancer. It's to support my immune system to fight the cancer.
In our Sunday school class we're studying the book of James. It talks about perseverance. I guess that I feel that's where I'm at in all of this.
Chapter 1: 2 tells us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. Why? Because (vs.3) you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
So the question I need to ask myself, do I have joy? As I think about this whole cancer situation, I realize that I do have joy. Not about cancer, but about the Lord holding me close, knowing what I'm going through and being with me through this trial. He has found me worthy of this trial.
I looked up perseverance in the dictionary and it says: the quality of being persistent; a continuing in a state of grace leading to a state of glory. Isn't that just the coolest thing? It's all positive stuff: quality, state of grace; leading to a state of glory. Sometimes it really pays to look up words to find out their definition :)))).
I then looked up persevere. It says: to try hard and continuously in spite of obstacles and difficulties. I know that I'm not the only person on the planet fighting obstacles and difficulties. Many people who are, are resting in the Lord's care and provision. But, what about those who aren't? Do they have peace and joy in the midst of the storm? Do you when troubles come your way?
So, how do we persevere and gain the glory? For me it's deciding that I will trust the Lord for what I'm going through. He's Sovereign and knows what's best for me. He promises to help us when we are obedient and surrendered and I'm trying really hard to be those things.
It's choosing to trust and believe that His will is perfect and good for me and for me to look for what I can learn from all of this. You do realize that sometimes the trials we go through are also for the people around us, don't you?
If you were to spend the day with me, but I couldn't see or hear you (a fly on the wall) you would hear me tell the Lord: I trust you Lord, even though I can't see, hear or at this time know what's going to happen. Work your divine will dear Father; Your will is perfect.
I'm not perfect in this trial, but I am trusting in my perfect Father, who is trust worthy.

Trusting in the trials,
Sandy

Eternal Fire

Good Morning,
How are you all? I would enjoy hearing from you. Sometimes I feel like my blog is very impersonal because it seems all one way.
I'm having a hard time coming up with something to blog, so I decided to just go to a book and find a verse to write about. I ended up in Jude. When I read some, I realized that it was talking about eternal fire and those who suffer there.
What brought me to my salvation was hearing the evangelist talk about hell and sharing many verses about it. Did you know that Jesus taught more about hell than heaven? Hearing that it was real and that it's a place of punishment decided for me that I didn't want to go there. I especially didn't want my children to go there.
So, that brings us to Jude verses 5-7. Please read it and come back..... What I want to focus on is verse 7b: "They serve as an example of those who suffer punishment of eternal fire." I want to dissect this verse.
Previously it's talking about the Israelites, angels, Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding towns. They(who did not surrender to the Lord) will suffer eternal fire. You do realize the fire that is eternal, doesn't go out. They will not perish, those condemned there, but will be tormented, for eternity. They will also be separated from God and their loved ones for eternity.
Does this information want to make you share more with your loved ones? Do you feel an urgency to share with people what their eternal life will be if they don't believe and trust what Christ did on the cross? Pray the Lord would give you opportunity and words, then go and share.

Saved by grace,
Sandy

Gorilla's Worship The Lord

Hi,
How has the Lord shown Himself to you today? He's met me through His Word and in prayer and worship.
Speaking of worship, I want to share a word picture that I heard the other day. Chuck and I were watching tv and this guy was sharing that he and a group of guys went at Christmas time to a zoo to sing.
He said there weren't many people there, but when they got to the gorilla enclosure, they sang "Silent Night" and the gorilla's came forward, folded their hands like they were praying and swayed to the music.
The guy said that they hadn't done that with the other songs (secular). That tells me that all creation recognizes their creator; why can't humans???? I just thought that was so cool that I had to share it.
Do you remember when the pharisees complained about the disciples loudly praising Him (Luke 19:39-40) Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Even stones are God's creation and they recognize Him.
How much more should we worship Him and celebrate Him in a joyful manner. If you're not comfortable celebrating Him, then animals and stones will take your place, because HE will be worshiped and celebrated.

Celebrating Jesus,
Sandy

Called on the Carpet

Hi,
Hope you all had a great weekend. We certainly did with our family here to celebrate the fourth together. Lynn, Ethan and Chuck went fishing. Josh had to work, but the rest of us just lazed around and enjoyed ourselves. Tiffani brought card making stuff and she taught me how to make a new card; she's so talented and thoughtful.
As you can see by the title I have a new subject today. Have you ever heard the phrase: called on the carpet? Basically it means to give an account and/or receive judgment for something you've done, or not done.
But, do you know where the phrase comes from? It comes from the racing world out of good old England. When someone needed to answer questions at an inquiry before the stewards, there was a piece of carpet that they had to stand on to give their testimony (i.e. called on the carpet).
Have you thought recently that some day we too will be "called on the carpet" before the Lord? Some day we'll have to give an account of our work for Him, or lack of work in some cases.
What will your life tell Him? Did you serve when He called? Did you help when you were needed? Or, did you tell Him you couldn't because you had too many things to do? Or, your commitment was to yourself instead of to Him?
So, work hard for Him while on earth so that when you're "called on the carpet" some day, you'll be able to hear Him say: well done, though good and faithful servant.

Waiting to hear,
Sandy

To Speak or Not to Speak

Hi,
I was talking with my brother today, giving him an update and I told him that I had friends visit yesterday and many have called and that I feel like I've used up my quota of words for a year! I usually don't talk to many people, except Chuck of course, so it's amazing to me to hear from everyone and I SOOOOOOO appreciate the calls. I've been catching up with people I haven't talked with for a very long time, also.
My brother told me today that my Dad's bone cancer is worse and that the doctor doesn't give him anything over a year. We were expecting it, but when it comes, it's still hard. He isn't in much pain yet, so that's a good thing. My mom is able to care for him.
I haven't told them about my cancer; I don't want to add to their burden. My brother agrees with me, but Chuck doesn't. But, after thinking about it, unless there's worse news, I'm not going to say anything to them. Right or wrong, that's my decision; subject to change according to circumstances or someone talks me into it.
Looking at 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is an interesting enlightenment. If you read the whole chapter, you'll see that just prior to these two verses it's talking about prophets speaking in an orderly way. Verse 33 tells us that God is a God of order, not chaos (disorder). Then Paul mentions women are to remain silent. Paul is talking about the major responsibility for doctrinal purity in the early church rested on the shoulders of the men, the elders in particular. Obviously some women were causing problems in the assembly by asking questions and perhaps even generating arguments; challenging the leadership of the men.
In Verse 34 the reference to the Law comes from Genesis 2: 18-24, 3:16 about the order of women where "head" order (God, man, woman) is concerned. Keep in mind also that the Law is a synonym for the Old Testament scriptures (first five books of the Bible).
At that time people were stating that they had the Holy Spirit so they didn't need Paul's help. Remember that the Lord chose Paul and anointed him, so those making these statements were actually opposing God (see verses 36-40).
Remember that in 1 Cor. 11:2-16 Paul allowed women to prophecy and pray under certain circumstances, so total silence in church isn't what he's saying here. Because this portion deals primarily with tongues and revelations, it implies that women were being carried away with speaking in tongues and disrupting the service. But, keep in mind that tongues is not the primary for us, but God's revelations, as Paul states in the remainder of the chapter.
To summarize this, women are not to challenge the leadership of the church in disrespectful ways. God's order is primary in the headship He established. So, Paul told the women to "knock it off" and ask their husbands, in the privacy of their homes, so that the husband and God were not dishonored in the assembly.
Hopefully this is clearer than mud :)).

Feeling much loved,
Sandy

I Corinthias 11:13-16

Hi,

Hope you are all well. As our summer has been fairly cool compared to the past, it's actually nice to have a warmer day today; feels more like summer. Do you realize that we're half way through our year? Where did June go? Why does life speed up as we age?
Today's blog is going to look again at hair covering. This is all clear as mud, so bear with me. If I understand the commentaries and the Bible, it seems that there's an underlying homosexual theme going on.
During that time in history, gay guys were wearing long hair and lesbians short hair. Paul was basically addressing this issue, possibly because of comments in the church or folks that were coming and not understanding the dividing line (line drawn in the sand) that God has.
Today, there are so many 'unisex' hair styles and it's fairly confusing if we allow it to be. I have short hair and like it that way. I've also worn my hair very long. But what I come back to in the Bible and through study is that what's in my heart is what's the most important.
I believe in Biblical headship: God, Chuck and me. I think the most important thing is that I have a submission of heart to the Lord and in public I manifest obedience; I'm not saying I can be disobedient other times. But, in public others see you and what you show them tells them the condition of your heart.
To summarize this portion we've been studying, it's that:
1. The role of women in ministry is proven through God's design (vs.3-6
2. The order of creation (vs. 7-9, 11-12)
3. Argument based upon angels (vs.10)
4. And lastly, the argument from nature (vs. 13-16)
Next time we get into 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and let the fireworks begin!

Living for Jesus,
Sandy