*Twas the month before Christmas*

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me..*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,not Happy Holiday !
*Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you
meet during the holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.
For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him -- for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him FOR ALWAYS.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

spoken from my heart...

I wanted to write from my heart this time instead of writing up a post that sounds like I am so spiritual and makes me look smart. (If either of those are even attainable... ;) I want to seriously thank all of you out there that have made a difference in my walk with God. Some of you may not even realize the example you have set for me and others. But, let me say I have never been more thankful for such Godly friends! I don't how I would ever be able to continue continuing on without you. Standing up for what you believe alone isn't easy, so thank God I don't have to! And, the more time I have to ground myself in the Bible and set my standards now, the easier it will be to keep those when I am out on my own. But, even though I am extremely grateful for you all, I also want to encourage you to not give up. We need to continue to support each other! Don't lose sight of what's important!!! Christ is all that matters, and we must never forget that! You cannot love both God and the World. So many times I feel myself standing in the "middle", but we all know that there is no "middle" We are either serving God or man. Satan is sooo real and he is soooo ready to strike and he uses those times to get us where we are weak... don't give him the time or place to do that! We are to resist the Devil, and so many times we let him have places in our hearts. Even if we are saved by Christ's Blood, Satan still wants to ruin The Christian name. He wants our reputation to be nothing but dust! Don't let those "little" things slip!!!! In God's sight nothing is "little!" Think about how many times we disappoint God! Think for a minute about someone you know whose heart is broken by the way Satan has gotten ahold of their loved one. And then think about God. He is the one we are directly disobeying!! And God loves us more than is humanly possible. When we give the Devil the slightest part of our heart we must grieve the heart of God so badly! So, stay on your knees, because I hardly think Satan will try to attack you when you are in the presence of God! Stay in His word, because the Word is our Weapon!

Love you all so much!
Rachel

Ethan's first Birthday!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Praying... and the necessity of it PART 2

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:23-24)

This is my part two of Praying and the Necessity of it. This works through chapter 3 ( there are twelve in the book, so you will probably see more parts before its all said and done ;)
The book was saying that many men and woman of this day and age obtain their “good report” because of their money giving, or their “great” talents, but there are so few who obtain a “good report” because of their great faith in God or because of the wonderful things that are happening because of their great praying. Today, more than ever, we need men of great faith and people who are great in prayer. Faith and Prayer are the two main virtues that make men great in the eyes of God, and are also the two things that create real spiritual success in the life and work of the Church. It is our responsibility to see that we maintain a faith of such quality and texture, so it counts before God! (Which is more important, being great in the worlds view or God’s?)

It would do us good, if we stopped, and looked at our own lives and ask ourselves the question: “Have I faith in God? Have I real faith,—faith which keeps me in perfect peace, about the things of earth and the things of heaven?” This is the most important question a man can ask and expect to be answered. And there is another question, “Do I really pray to God so that He hears me and answers my prayers? And do I truly pray unto God so that I get direct from God the things I ask of Him?”
Do we believe, without a doubt that when we pray, not that we will receive the things we ask on a future day, but that we receive them, then and there? We need to pray, “Lord, increase our faith,” until doubt be gone, and simple trust claims the promised blessings, as its very own.
But that kind of faith is only reached after many failures, after much praying, after many waitings, and after many trials of faith. Our faith must increase until we realize and receive all the fullness there is in that Name which guarantees to do so much.

Before prayer ever starts toward God; before its requests are made known—faith must have gone on ahead; must have believed in the existence of God; must have given its assent to the gracious truth that “God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek His face.” This is the primary step in praying. In this regard, while faith does not bring the blessing, yet it puts prayer in a position to ask for it, and leads to another step toward realization, by aiding the petitioner to believe that God is able and willing to bless.

Faith is not an aimless act of the soul, but a looking to God and a resting upon His promises. Just as love and hope have always an objective so, also, has faith. Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word.

I gathered a couple quotes about prayer that I thought fit. Take some time to really think about what they are saying!
"You may as soon find a living man that does not breath, as a living Christian that does not pray." Matthew Henry

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. John Bunyan

"Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying. Paul E. Billheimer

Think about that last one carefully. You just read a post on prayer, and now it’s time to really pray! Give Satan something to pout about!

Striving for excellence,
Rachel D

Praying... and the necessity of it...

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Lately I have been reading a book called “Necessity of Prayer” it’s been really good so far! Obviously it’s about prayer and the necessity of it ;) but, it has so many provoking thoughts!

To start with I will give one of their illustrations.
“The guests at a certain hotel were being rendered uncomfortable by repeated strumming on a piano, done by a little girl who possessed no knowledge of music. They complained to the proprietor with a view to having the annoyance stopped. ‘I am sorry you are annoyed,’ he said. ‘But the girl is the child of one of my very best guests. I can scarcely ask her not to touch the piano. But her father, who is away for a day or so, will return tomorrow. You can then approach him, and have the matter set right.’ When the father returned, he found his daughter in the reception-room and, as usual, thumping on the piano. He walked up behind the child and, putting his arms over her shoulders, took her hands in his, and produced some most beautiful music. Thus it may be with us, and thus it will be, some coming day. Just now, we can produce little but clamor and disharmony; but, one day, the Lord Jesus will take hold of our hands of faith and prayer, and use them to bring forth the music of the skies.” It’s so neat to think that God takes us under His wings and makes us something that we are not worthy of being because he loves us so much!!!


One of the things the book said that caught my attention was that the faith which creates powerful praying is the faith which centers itself on a powerful Person. That statement is so cool! I want to have a powerful prayer life, but I have to realize that it’s not about how I pray, but about the powerful God I serve!

Also, we know that sometimes God does not answer our prayers right away. And that seems so hard, but that is when faith is called upon. We must wait in patience before God, and be prepared for God’s seeming delays in answering prayer. Faith does not grow disheartened because prayer is not immediately honored; it takes God at His Word, and lets Him take what time He chooses in fulfilling His purposes, and in carrying on His will. There is bound to be delay and long days of waiting for true faith, but faith accepts the conditions—knows there will be delays in answering prayer, and regards such delays as times of testing, in the which, it is privileged to show the stern stuff of which it is made.

For Example: The case of Lazarus was an instance of where there was delay, where the faith of two good women was sorely tried: Lazarus was critically ill, and his sisters sent for Jesus. But, without any known reason, the Lord delayed His going to the relief of His sick friend. The plea was urgent and touching—“Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick,”—but the Master is not moved by it, and the women’s earnest request seemed to fall on deaf ears. What a trial to faith! Also: our Lord’s tardiness appeared to bring about hopeless disaster. While Jesus tarried, Lazarus died.
But the delay of Jesus was exercised in the interests of a greater good. Finally, He makes His way to the home in Bethany! (And you know the rest of the story!)

(This is an excerpt from the book) Fear not, O tempted and tried believer, Jesus will come, if patience be exercised, and faith hold fast. His delay will serve to make His coming the more richly blessed. Pray on. Wait on. Thou canst not fail. If Christ delays, wait for Him. In His own good time, He will come, and will not tarry. Delay is often the test and the strength of faith. How much patience is required when these times of testing come! Yet faith gathers strength by waiting and praying. Patience has its perfect work in the school of delay. In some instances, delay is of the very essence of the prayer. God has to do many things, antecedent to giving the final answer—things which are essential to the lasting good of him who is requesting favor at His hands.

So, now we know why God sometimes delays, but then it goes into why we should pray. (And this part is really good!)
As every day demands its bread, so every day demands its prayer. No amount of praying, done today, will suffice for tomorrow’s praying. On the other hand, no praying for tomorrow is of any great value to us today. To-day’s manna is what we need; tomorrow God will see that our needs are supplied. This is the faith which God seeks to inspire. So leave tomorrow, with its cares, its needs, its troubles, in God’s hands. There is no storing tomorrow’s grace or tomorrow’s praying; neither is there any laying-up of today’s grace, to meet tomorrow’s necessities. We cannot have tomorrow’s grace, we cannot eat tomorrow’s bread, we cannot do tomorrow’s praying. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof;” and, most assuredly, if we possess faith, sufficient also, will be the good.


“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.” (Isa 26:3)
Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word.

Faith gives birth to prayer, and grows stronger, strikes deeper, rises higher, in the struggles and wrestlings of mighty petitioning. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the assurance and realization of the inheritance of the saints. Faith, too, is humble and persevering. It can wait and pray; it can stay on its knees, or lie in the dust. It is the one great condition of prayer; the lack of it lies at the root of all poor praying, feeble praying, little praying, unanswered praying.
Genuine, authentic faith must be definite and free of doubt. Not simply general in character; not a mere belief in the being, goodness, and power of God, but a faith which believes that the things which “he saith, shall come to pass.” As the faith is specific, so the answer likewise will be definite: “He shall have whatsoever he saith.” Faith and prayer select the things, and God commits Himself to do the very things which faith and persevering prayer nominate, and petition Him to accomplish.

So, like I said there is a lot packed into this book because this was only SHORT summery of the first chapter and a 1/2! So, guys…. We really, really, really need to be praying for each other! Prayer is so important and necessary! And we overlook it so many times! Please do not stop praying!
Striving for Excellence!!
Rachel Dierking

Oh, the Bitter Pain and Sorrow....

Oh, The Bitter Pain And Sorrow
Verse 1
Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow that a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus, all of self and none of Thee;
All of self and none of Thee, all of self and none of Thee,
When I proudly said to Jesus, all of self and none of Thee.
Verse 2
Yet He found me I beheld Him bleeding on the accursed tree,
And my selfish heart said faintly some of self and some of Thee;
Some of self and some of Thee, some of self and some of Thee,
And my selfish heart said faintly some of self and some of Thee
Verse 3
Day by day His tender mercies healing helping full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered less of self and more of Thee;
Less of self and more of Thee, less of self and more of Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered less of self and more of Thee
Verse 4
Higher than the highest heavens, deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord thy love at last had conquered none of self and all of Thee;
None of self and all of Thee, none of self and all of Thee,
Lord thy love at last had conquered none of self and all of Thee.

Spiritually confused?!?!?!

Ok, so I actually have two things I want to post..... and I didn't want to wait and forget so.... this is  gonna be one LONG post ( but, that's ok for ME... because it's not my usual habit.. ;) They are both from the book "MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST" ( my favorite book as you all should know by now )  The first part is about spiritual confusion.... GOING THROUGH SPIRITUAL CONFUSION

"Ye know not what ye ask." Matthew 20:22 There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong, but a question of God taking you by a way which in the meantime you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that you will get at what God wants. The Shrouding of His Friendship. Luke 11:5-8. Jesus gave the illustration of the man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He said that that is how the Heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think He is an unkind friend, but remember He is not; the time will come when everything will be explained. There is a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. When God looks completely shrouded, will you hang on in confidence in Him? The Shadow on His Fatherhood. Luke 11:11-13. Jesus says there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father, as if He were callous and indifferent, but remember He is not; I have told you - "Everyone that asketh receiveth." If there is a shadow on the face of the Father just now, hang onto it that He will ultimately give His clear revealing and justify Himself in all that He permitted. The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. Luke 18:1-8. "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Will He find the faith which banks on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand off in faith believing that what Jesus said is true, though in the meantime you do not under stand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you ask. So, even when it appears that God does not really care for you, hang onto the fact that he is never-changing and soon God will bring out the real reason He seemed so far away. Remember He sees the big picture - you do not! This second part is about the step that comes after surrender.... AFTER SURRENDER - WHAT? "I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do." John 17:4 Surrender is not the surrender of the external life, but of the will; when that is done, all is done. There are very few crises in life; the great crisis is the surrender of the will. God never crushes a man's will into surrender, He never beseeches him, He waits until the man yields up his will to Him. That battle never needs to be re-fought. Surrender for Deliverance. "Come unto Me and I will give you rest." It is after we have begun to experience what salvation means that we surrender our wills to Jesus for rest. Whatever is perplexing heart or mind is a call to the will - "Come unto Me." It is a voluntary coming. Surrender for Devotion. "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself." The surrender here is of my self to Jesus, my self with His rest at the heart of it. "If you would be My disciple, give up your right to yourself to Me." Then the remainder of the life is nothing but the manifestation of this surrender. When once the surrender has taken place we never need "suppose" anything. We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient. Surrender for Death. John 21:18-19. ". . . another shall gird thee." Have you learned what it means to be bound for death? Beware of a surrender which you make to God in an ecstasy; you are apt to take it back again. It is a question of being united with Jesus in His death until nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him. After surrender - what? The whole of the life after surrender is an aspiration for unbroken communion with God. One of the main things I got from this was that surrender is not just on the exterior. So many times I " surrender something, but in my heart I know that I am not really willing to give it up. Or I get one thing right, and then I kinda just expect that things will be "ok" again. But, am I truly searching where I need to change? And am I really giving things over to God so that he can use me?  Or am I doing it because I know it's best for me? ( cooperative rebel ) Our goal with surrender is to have an unbroken relationship with him!!!! Praying for you always! Rachel ~The Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible!

Psalm 40

1. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

These are the verses I read in sunday school this morning... I think they are really good verses so i wanted to put them up here so you all could look at them more closely, and I think I forgot to say what reference it was. But, just in case you you were wondering... here you go!

Rachel

REMEMBER!

When we think that we are being hit from every side with temptations, and we just want to give up because it's to hard... remember that Jesus was tempted too, but NEVER sinned!! Also remember that, " There hath no temptation taken you but such as is COMMON to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 cor. 10:13) Other people are struggling too... and there is a reason for it, so " stick up you chin" and keep going for Christ!
Keep praying for each other!
Rachel

God gives Strength!

I found these really cool verses the other day, and I thought I'd share them real quickly...

Isaiah 40:28-31

28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I love how it says that God never grows weary... even the "strong" young men grow weary sometimes, but not God! And He also is a God of vast understanding... The "smartest" people in the world cannot match his knowledge!It's amazing to think that this same God will give us strength to endure whatever it is that He has called us to do - if we wait upon the Lord!

Rachel

Just think, you're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you
and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else--you are one of a
kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be
here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.
- Roy Lessin

something i made for my nephew ;)

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

This is a true story of something that happened just a few years ago at USC.

There was a professor of philosophy there who was a deeply committed atheist.

His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester to prove that God couldn't exist.

His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic.

Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever really gone against him because of his reputation.

At the end of every semester on the last day, he would say to his class of 300 students, 'If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!'

In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what he was going to do next. He would say, 'Because anyone who believes in God is a fool'.

If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the ground and breaking Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it.'

And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and it would shatter into a hundred pieces.

All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare.

Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist. Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but For 20 years, they had been too afraid to stand up.

Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll.

He was a Christian, and had he ard the stories about his professor.

He was required to take the class for his major, and he was afraid. But for three months that semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the courage to stand up no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought.

Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped.

Finally, the day came. The professor said, 'If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up! The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the classroom.

The professor shouted, 'You FOOL!!!

If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hit the ground!

He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg, and off his shoe. As it hit the ground, it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk. He looked up at the young man, and then ran out of the lecture hall.

The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of the room and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour. 300 students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them and of His power through Jesus.

“Yes—But …!”

“Lord, I will follow You, but …” (Luke 9:61).

Isn't that how we are a lot? I mean, we are "willing" to follow Christ, but as long as it's not hard to do, and as long as it goes along with our plans. sometimes God will tell you to do something that is totally against your common sense. what would you do? would you hold back? It's kind of like when you have a habit... if you get into the habit of doing something physically, you will do it every time you are tested until you break the habit through sheer determination. And its the same spiritually. Again and again we will come right up to what Jesus wants, but every time we will turn back at the true point of testing... until you are determined to abandon yourself to God in total surrender.
sometimes Christ does ask us to take a step in the dark. Are we willing to take that step and follow Him?
To our common sense, what Christ asks us to do may seem mad, but trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, take it!!

Living Simply—Yet Focused

I was reading from Matthew 6 this morning and The end of chapter is talking about taking no thought of your raiment, your food, etc. Because God, who cares about even the little things, would He not care for us? If we will place all of our trust in Him and simply Him, He will supply our needs, and His glory will shine through us.
For Christ to shine through us, we must look to Him, and without even realizing it, He will shine through us, without any conscious "help" from us.
There is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God.
John 7:38 -Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water”
We will not find the source of this light through common sense or reasoning, but through focusing directly on the light itself. - Christ! This is how we will grow.

If you want to be of use to God, you have to maintain the proper relationship with Him by staying focused on Him, and He will make use of you every min. of your life—yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used of Him.
Praying that Christ will be evident through all of our lives!
Rachel

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home..

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart'
With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Marine
and died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

~They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

the many faces of quizzing...

And just so you all know... i have to give the credit for all of these pics to mrs. hefflefinger.... ( i didnt take them ...lol )

quizzing 2008

Amazing verses!!!!

Ok, so I did just post yesterday… but… I read that part yesterday morning, and then yesterday afternoon I had some free time, and I just opened my bible to psalms 78…. I was reading through it and thinking “these are some good verses..” then I got down to verses 31-39.. and went wow! I have got to share this with someone! So, here I am again… =]

Psalms 78:31-39
31The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.
35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

Isn’t that amazing?!?!?! We go back and forth with God... one min. we are seeking His will, and the next we are off doing our own thing. God has the perfect right to turn his back on us and say what many of us christians say... "fine I tried to help you, but you would not listen... you're on your own" .... Yet, God in His love, turns away from His anger and forgives us, because He remembers that we are flesh! It’s the perfect picture of God’s Amazing Grace!

in Christ,
Rachel

violin 6 yo mozart with piano

gosh these kids are amazing! =]

Take the Initiative

“… add to your faith virtue …” (2 Peter 1:5).

Add means that we have to do something. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves—God does that. But God will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must “work out” our “own salvation” which God has worked in us (Philippians 2:12). Add means that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning—to instruct yourself in the way you must go.

Beware of the tendency to ask the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative—stop hesitating—take the first step. Be determined to act immediately in faith on what God says to you when He speaks, and never reconsider or change your initial decisions. If you hesitate when God tells you to do something, you are being careless, spurning the grace in which you stand. Take the initiative yourself, make a decision of your will right now, and make it impossible to go back.

We have to get into the habit of carefully listening to God about everything, forming the habit of finding out what He says and heeding it. If, when a crisis comes, we instinctively turn to God, we will know that the habit has been formed in us. We have to take the initiative where we are, not where we have not yet been.

(exerpt from My utmost for His Highest" ~ Oswald Chambers )

Keep Growing!
Rachel

Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs) - Valerie (9) and Dominique (11)

This is amazing! i feal the sudden urge to go practice my music... lol

Aimi Kobayashi ~ four years old!

Amazing!!!!! unbelievable... shes better than me and shes four! lol

The touch of the Master's hand

Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his whileTo waste much time on the old violin,But he held it up with a smile."What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,"Who'll start bidding for me?A dollar, a dollar - now who"ll make it two _Two dollars, and who"ll make it three?
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,Going for three". . . but no!From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow;Then wiping the dust from the old violin,And tightening up the strings,He played a melody,pure and sweet,As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low,Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"And he held it up with the bow;"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?Two thousand - and who'll make it three?Three thousand once, three thousand twiceAnd going - and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,"We do not quite understand -What changed its worth?" The man replied: "The touch of the masters hand." And many a man with life out of tune,And battered and torn with sin,Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine, A game and he travels on, He's going once, and going twice -He's going - and almost gone! But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,Never can quite understand, The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.
~Myra B. Welch

Can You Come Down From the Mountain?

“While you have the light, believe in the light …” (John 12:36).
We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.
Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately—do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”—just do it! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.
Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once—go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.

Joel 2:21

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things

My Nephew... Cutest little boy in the whole WORLD!!!!!!!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

good stuff =]

ok, so i haven't exactly been on a mountaintop lately, but God has been showing me some important lessons. When he seems far away, He may be testing to see how your faith will hold out. but, don't ever stop!

something good i read last night -


“Did not our heart burn within us …?” (Luke 24:32).

We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, fires are set ablaze, and we are given wonderful visions; but then we must learn to maintain the secret of the burning heart—a heart that can go through anything. It is the simple, dreary day, with its commonplace duties and people, that smothers the burning heart—unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus.

This is so true! So often I get these visions of how i can serve Christ, and I have that burning desire to do his will, but when I get back to everyday life i forget, and ignore those things. We must learn to abide in Jesus at all times! That will take quite a bit of work, i pray we don't ever lose that desire!

another thing i read =] -

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

When you begin to see that person in the middle of a difficult and painful struggle, don’t try to prevent it, but pray that his difficulty will grow even ten times stronger, until no power on earth or in hell could hold him away from Jesus Christ. Over and over again, we try to be amateur Providences in someone’s life. We are indeed amateurs, coming in and actually preventing God’s will and saying, “This person should not have to experience this difficulty.” Instead of being friends of the Bridegroom, our sympathy gets in the way. One day that person will say to us, “You are a thief; you stole my desire to follow Jesus, and because of you I lost sight of Him.”

So often I look at somebody who is struggling and say "why would God allow that?" and we pray that he will take the pain away, but we must realize that God knows what is happening, and he not only knows what is happening, but what WILL happen in the future, he has it all under control. God uses tough situations so that people can do nothing but run to him!

Anyways, i just thought I'd share what i had been learning, I hope that was helpful to you as well!
praying for you!
Rachel

Blessings of Spring......

Lovely flowers show us God’s faithfulness...

If God cares so wonderfully for flowers...
won't He more surely care for you?

Matthew 6:30 TLB


Singing birds tell us of His tender care...


Look at the birds...
Your heavenly Father feeds them.
And you are far more valuable
to Him than they are.

Matthew 6:26 TLB


Soft rains remind us of His refreshing grace...


I will send down showers in season;

there will be showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 34:26 NIV


Sunny days reflect the light He brings...

I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will... have the light of life.

John 8:12 NIV


All of spring proclaims the hope God gives our hearts!


See! The winter is past; the rains are
over and gone. Flowers appear on the
earth; the season of singing has come.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12 NIV

Thank you Lord!

Lord,
Thank You for the gift of HOPE
You gave us on Easter morning.
Because of You we know
that no problem is too difficult
and even death does not have
power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY
You gave us when You were resurrected.
Because of You we know
that no matter how challenging life may be,
in the end we will rejoice again.

Thank You for the gift of LOVE
You gave us when You laid down Your life.
Because of You we know
that there is no sin too great to separate us
and we are incredibly valuable to you.

Thank You for the gift of LIFE
You gave us when you left the tomb.
Because of Easter we know
this world is just the beginning
and we will spend forever in heaven with You.

We celebrate You, JESUS,
with hearts full of praise and gratitude
for who You are and all You've done for us!

Amen.

~~~Holley Gerth

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Pics from my grandpa's funeral....

IT IS STRANGE ISN'T IT...

Isn't it strange
how a dollar bill seems like such a large amount
when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange
how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and so short when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but.. you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last
minute?

Isn't it strange
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others; but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but...we question the words in the Bible?

Isn't it strange
how everyone wants a place in heaven but... they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

My Grandpa...

I haven't written on here in a while, but I have been extremely busy. My Grandpa went home to be with the Lord last Thursday. It was really unexpected, but we are all happy that he now gets to spend an eternity in heaven with the Lord, and all of his generation of family members. One of my fondest memories is when just two days before he died, he was playing a game of tag with us kids! He was literally running around the house! But his heart just gave up two days later. My Grandpa was a quiet person, but he was so wise! when he said something we all wanted to listen because we knew something good was coming! Another reason why I am so happy for him is because he now can again worship the Lord! He had al-timers, so he no longer could remember much of anything. So, now he is free to again be in fellowship with his Lord! So, this is not a time of greiving, but a time of true happiness! But, the funeral is this Sat. so if you all could remember us in your prayers as we have much to do. Also, for all those who will be traveling here. Thanks for all your prayers!
Rachel

What I've been Learning Lately...

I know this is going to be a long post, so prepare yourselves right now! ;) I have been learning a lot in both the 1 Peter book, and 1 Samuel. I'll share first what I've learned in the peter book...

I loved when it said that if you are a suffering Christian remember "God the Father has chosen you, God the Spirit has set you apart from a God-hating world to Himself, and God the Son has paid the price of your redemption." God will give you peace through tough times! It doesn't matter if your friends accept you, God does, and that’s all that matters!
I also thought it was interesting when he was saying your salvation is the absalute only thing you cannot lose! everything else will fall away, but your salvation is the only thing that really belongs to you, you can lose everything you own, but your salvation will never leave you!
Also, it said that, it doesn't matter if you understand everything the Lord says, but grasp the truth as your own and embrace it. You don't always have to know every reason why you do what you do, just believe that God has it this way for a reason.
Then, on one of the days he gave a verse from Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. in otherwords, every one seeks to follow their god and to have a realtionship with their god. But, we know the real God so should we not be seeking his face, when we know we hold the truth?

"The Word reveals God's mind so we should learn it, God's heart so we should love it, and God's will so we should live it." ~Warren Wiersbe

Ok, now for 1 Samuel :)
I stopped last time when the people chose Saul as king. when he first became king it says the Lord was with him, but when David comes on the scene it says the Lord departed from him, and he was filled with an evil spirit.

Saul was told that the kingdom would no longer be his when he disobeyed God by keeping the spoils that God told him to utterly distroy. David is then annointed to be the next king.
David fights Goliath, which of course took some major courage! But, he trusted God to give Goliath to him. This is when Saul starts to hate david and decides he wants David dead. Another reason that Saul hated David was because in Chapter 16 it says quite a few times that Saul saw that David behaved himself wisely and that the Lord was with Him. I was thinking, can others see that in me? is my life showing that the Lord is with me? And do I behave myself wisely so that others see something different?
Anyways, there is a lot more I could say, but I don't want you to fall asleep, so I will stop there! ( You can always ask me what else I'm learning later;)
I'll be praying for you all!
Rachel

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

What a great comeback!

First Quiz practice!!

God's Love

Love was in God's eyes
when He looked upon you;

Love was in His voice
when He called you;

Love was in His hands
when He drew you;

Love was in His plans
when He led you;

Love was in His heart
when He made you His own.

-Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder


-------------------
For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only begotten Son
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish but have
everlasting life.

John 3:16
-------------------

Object Lesson....

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture. Sally's friend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such! force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words.... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

Where we all struggle...

I was reading from My utmost from His Highest. Today's was so good! I knew it applied to me, and I know many have said they struggle with concentrating on God. So I'm going to paste some of it in here!

The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessings that make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God; His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere. The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is, in effect - Narrow all your interests until the attitude of mind and heart and body is concentration on Jesus Christ. "Look unto Me."Many of us have a mental conception of what a Christian should be, and the lives of the saints become a hindrance to our concentration on God. The very thing we look for, we shall find if we will concentrate on Him. We get preoccupied and sulky with God, while all the time He is saying - "Look up and be saved." The difficulties and trials - the casting about in our minds as to what we shall do this summer, or to-morrow, all vanish when we look to God.Rouse yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter if there are a hundred and one things that press, resolutely exclude them all and look to Him. "Look unto Me," and salvation is, the moment you look.

Isn't that awsome? That was really what I needed when I read it! I tell you this book hits every nail! I love it! ( although I am excited about the 1 Peter book! ) Pray for me as often as you can!
Rachel

A Few Prayer requests...

I give you permission to pray for me =). Actually I need you to pray for my attitude. It hasn't been the greatest latelly, and I know that there is absalutly no excuse, but my cold hasn't been helping the fact, and my leg problem isn't either. Just pray that I will start feeling better, and that I would be able to rest in God. If i'm resting in God my attitude will be right. So, keep me in your prayers... I would greatly appriciate it!

The Necessity of Prayer...

I have been doing a lot of studying on prayer lately. Prayer is so important! Even just the act of prayer shows faith, in that you are talking to someone you cannot see. I love the verse “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24) I have an awesome bible program on my computer which has a bunch of different Devotionals, Commentaries, dictionaries, bibles, bible studies... etc. It has a ton of books on the program. So I was reading from it the book " Necessity of Prayer" Its really good. The first chapter is all about how prayer and faith go hand in hand! Anyways, I love my new program. =)
Rachel

Struggles, struggles...

I was thinking lately how really it can be a good sign if you are struggling... it shows that you are wanting to grow closer to God. If you seem like you are coasting along than something is wrong. The more light you let out of a lantern the more dirt you see on the glass. So the closer you get to God, you see more and more things that you need to change. But, that is the only way to grow in your relationship with Him. So, if you are tired of struggling remember that it is the only way to get where you want to go.Praying that God will give you grace as you continue to struggle to become more like Him.
Rachel

Happy sweet 16 Anna!!!

Love you so much!! We are growing old =) lol... but it has been fun. I'm glad to have you as a friend.

Welcome 2008!!

Security from Yesterday. "God requires that which is past." At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise from remembering the yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present.

Security for To-morrow. "For the Lord will go before you." This is a gracious revelation, that God will garrison where we have failed to. He will watch lest things trip us up again into like failure, as they assuredly would do if He were not our reward. God's hand reaches back to the past and makes a clearing-house for conscience.

Security for To-day. "For ye shall not go out with haste." As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, unremembering delight, nor with the flight of impulsive thoughtlessness, but with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ.

Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him.

The simpleton and the fool....

Sunday night Renee and Jon's pastor was talking about the simpleton and the fool and the difference between the two. he was saying that a simpleton is a person who is very naive and someone who goes through life just kinda following the crowd not having any concept of the bad choices they are making. A fool is someone who chooses to turn their back on God and Make those bad choices. They know what they are doing, and they will argue to no end that they are not wrong. And he was saying that The simpletons can be reached and should be reached. But with a fool it is pointless to try to talk with them. you will be literally wasting your time. Their are many simpletons out there and it is our job to reach them. And then he was saying look at your own self. so you have the characteristics of a simpleton or a fool? I can't really remember all the verses and stuff he used but most were from proverbs and psalms... anyways, I thought the message was really good.