What a Beautiful Daaay!

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Ps 118:24

WOW! Isn't this the truth!

HAPPY New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is some scripture that speak of "new", "first" and "beginning"

that we may apply to the coming new year. (KJV)

New:

(Ps 96:1) O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

(Lam 3:23-24) It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

(Eph 4:22-24) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(Rom 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

First:

(Matt 6:33)But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Matt 22:36-38) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment.

(Ephesians 6:2-3) Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

(1 Tim 1:16) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

(1 John 4:19) We love him, because he first loved us.

Beginning:

(Ps 111:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

(Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Now some things I did NEW in 2009:

~Learned how to make herbal tinctures!

~Made new friends after moving

(which moving isn't new)

~ Got Twitter..... yes, you read correctly....

Saw my sister without braces! She's fabtabulously shmabulously gorgeous!

*those to words are copy righted they are Alyssa-isms!*

(meaning you must PAY!)

Some firsts for me in 2009:

~I went to an IBLP conference which was awesome! :D

~I went on diet ACTUALLY followed it and lost weight! :o

~I went to Ohio for a week to visit a dear friend.

*Never been that far north!*

~I did my first two Senior shoots!

~I fasted for the first time this year!

~Made 74 cinnamon rolls in one day and

3 loaves that totally flopped!

~ Saw at least 10 bear

Went snow sledding like...REAL sledding!

Some Beginnings that started in 2009:

~ Possibly a photography business!

~ Healthier life style (diet)

~ Different out look on life

~ Studying Herbology

~ My passion to teach about God's Providential Hand in History and

in the lives of those around me

~ Missions

Now what have you done this year?

Things I like thinking about every Dec 31st is

What new things will happen? What things will I do for the first time?

What will begin this new year? What is this year the beginning of?

The New Year "Ta-Do" List for 2010

~Form an even closer walk with my loving Savior!

~Learn a new language.

~(the most common of all!) Get into better shape.

~Maybe do some traveling. Maybe China to visit sweet friends! :o

~IPS Photography course! BOO-YAH!

~Commit to at least 3 years of single service.

~Taste ALL flavors of Izzes!

Small as it is I will find more "ta-do" ;)

Happy New Year!

God Bless!!

This is my song for the coming new year!

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Something I thought I would share :) Happy New Year! :D

Special Note: The following article is updated and reviewed each year as the Lord teaches our family new and important principles for beginning a new year. I hope it will be an encouragement to you as it is to our own family. Dear Friends: Life moves fast. If we don’t take the time to chronicle the providences of God, we forget them. If we don’t take the time to say thank you to those who have invested in our lives, we actually cultivate a spirit of ingratitude in our own hearts. If we don’t stop and make sure that we have a spirit of forgiveness toward others, we grow bitter, we lose the capacity to move victoriously into the future, and our prayers are hindered. Here is a little practice that I was taught and would like to share with you. Each year, during the last week of December, I would encourage you to do the following things. I. Outline and Chronicle the Many Providences of God Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Hab. 33:2) First, using simple bullet points, outline the key events for every week of every month of the year. Take the time to do the research which will help jog your memory and allow you to make an accurate record. I find that reviewing bills, blogs, journals, newspaper headlines, letters, and even organizing my photographs chronologically are enormously helpful tools. Those individuals who were faithful to journal or keep a diary will have little problem reconstructing key events. Give yourself a good week to reconstruct your own outline of the year. Also, by making this a family project, you will not only build your list with greater speed and precision, but (in the hands of a loving patriarch) the very act of chronicling the providences of God in your life is a blessed tool for family discipleship. Every family will have a different set of priorities directing what they should record. In addition to recording the key events and providences of the year chronologically, I try to take the time with my family to record some of the following information on separate bullet lists: Where did I/we travel? What were the most important sermons I heard this year? What books/articles did I write? What significant household projects did we accomplish in 2009? What were the most important meetings of the year? What special friendships were made this year? Which children lost teeth, and how many? Who grew in physical stature, and how much did they grow? Who learned to read this year? What diet and physical exercise regimen did I maintain to honor “my temple”? What books did I read? Did we read as a family? Did my children read? What Scriptures did my family memorize? What loved ones died this year? What were the great personal/ministry/national tragedies and losses of the year? What were the great personal/ministry/national blessings of the year? What were my most significant failures/sins for the year 2009? What commitments have I made to overcome sin in 2010? What significant spiritual and practical victories did I experience? In what tangible ways did I communicate gratitude to those who have blessed me and invested in my life? What are the top ten themes of 2009 for my family? II. Say ‘Thank You’ to Those Who Have Invested in Your Life [I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. (Eph. 1:16) Whatever happened to the man who first opened to you the words of life from the Scripture? Where is the comrade, coach, or instructor who believed in you and helped you to accomplish a great goal? What about the Bible teacher whose careful handling of the Word opened up new vistas of understanding? Where is the friend who stood with you through thick and thin? Most importantly, what have you communicated to the mother who carried you in her womb, loved and nurtured you, or the father who labored to provide for and shepherd you? When was the last time you responded to their investment in your life with gratitude, blessings, and even money? Jesus reminds us of those ungrateful recipients of blessing who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude (Luke 17). Before the year ends, make a list of two types of people: The first list are the names of people whose life, ministry, or personal investment in you have deeply touched you and changed your life. (In my case, the list includes parents, pastors, and even some teachers from the early years of my Christian walk that I did not meet until much later in my life, but whose books and tapes were crucial to my personal discipleship as a young Christian.) The second list should include those people who played the most significant role in your life in 2009. Write a brief, meaningful letter to each of them. Be specific in your gratitude. Explain what they did for you and why it was important to you. Show them how they were God’s instrument of blessing in your own life. Pray over each letter, asking God to grant you rich insights on the character qualities of each individual and on the way those qualities changed your own life. Where appropriate, include a check or special token of appreciation that reflects your desire to show them, tangibly, that you recognize that you are in their debt. You cannot imagine the joy this will give to someone from your past who may think you have forgotten them. Give generously and without concern for getting a tax deduction. I strongly recommend sending money to your parents. Keep in mind that you will never be able to return their personal and financial investment in your life, except through your testimony of faithfulness, covenant keeping, and honor to the Lord. Also, your children need to know the people who have blessed their parents. They need to see that Mom and Dad are grateful and generous. Share your letters with them. In our household, we ask our children to write to some of the people who have blessed Mommy and Daddy, because our children are the indirect recipients of these blessings on their parents. This will take a day or two to complete. You may have twenty letters to write, but you will never regret saying “thank you.” One last thought: One reason why Christians are often limited in vision, energy, and blessings is that, contrary to the Lord’s command, we are ungrateful, unforgiving, and bitter. Far too many who profess the name of Christ spend more time obsessing on those who have wronged them than rejoicing in those who have blessed them. Letters and tangible expressions of gratitude are not only pleasing to Christ, but an antidote to heart-sickness. III. Forgive Those Who Have Wronged You Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21) In the course of a year, it is possible to build up many offenses and personal grievances at others. Left unaddressed, these grievances fester and grow. They turn the heart black and the body weak. They foster a spirit of vengeance and misguided self-righteousness. The short of it is this: Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. Bitterness curdles the mind and the spirit. Fresh starts and new years should begin with forgiveness for others. Having a genuine spirit of forgiveness towards those who have wronged us is a mark of biblical Christianity. It is an evidence that we have been redeemed, and that we are praying lawfully: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Successful Christians are men and women who are free from bitterness. They have learned the principle modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ who, while suffering death at the hands of people he had never wronged, was able to say “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24). I have a dear preacher friend with a sterling reputation who was once grievously slandered. When asked about the wicked actions of the slanderers, he replied something to this effect: Oh you don’t understand — I am far, far worse than my detractors realize. They may have gotten a lot of the specific facts wrong, but I am just thankful they don’t know how bad my heart truly is. God have mercy on me a sinner. This man had victory over bitterness. My father is another man who always appeared to have victory over bitterness. In fact, from my earliest days to the present, I have watched lesser men “twist the truths [he’s] spoken to make a trap for fools.” [i] Early in my life when I was still in government schools, I would listen to my own teachers criticize before my class the work my father was doing for the President to dismantle a government agency which was at war with the family. I read untruthful articles and saw derogatory comics on the pages of theWashington Post picturing him as a caveman for his “prehistoric” views. When my father was a leader in the Republican Party in Massachusetts, a gangster repeatedly threatened the life of his family. I remember being a boy and having my father shield me from homosexual picketers and protesters that would follow him and our family around at public locations. Most painful and difficult for many to forgive is betrayal and dishonor. But that is a mistake. Betrayal and dishonor probably exist in the lives of most men. And why should any Christian be denied in their lives what past generations of Christians — and our Lord and Savior Himself — patiently endured? To our shame, most of us have been on both sides of that coin. From a son’s perspective, however, it is highly instructive to watch a father act honorably in the midst of such conflict. It has been a great blessing in my own life to observe my father nobly respond even in the face of barbs from former allies and friends, once loved and nurtured by him. Eternally optimistic, Dad would always say: “Never be bitter. Life is too short. Thank God for your blessings. Press on!” Bitterness comes from being unwilling to forgive. Bitter people are small people. They are unsuccessful people. They are people who cannot move forward. They are people who believe that the personal wrongs against them are so great that they — the offended — are entitled to do to their offenders what they pray the Lord Jesus Christ will never do to them: refuse to forgive. Here is my recommendation: Think through every grief, minor and major, caused by others to you in the year 2009. Now add to the list any other personal offenses that continue to linger from past years. Write these down as bullets on a sheet of paper. The first thing you will likely realize is just how many offenses are polluting your thought life and, probably, your spirit. This is a sign of latent bitterness. Bitterness will kill you. It renders you completely ineffective. Now prayerfully walk through the list — bullet, by bullet. With each offense, remind yourself that the most despicable action taken against you by another utterly (and infinitely) pales in comparison to the least of your offenses against the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet He has forgiven you. Before 2010 begins, adopt a spirit of forgiveness towards your insensitive friends as well as your hateful enemies. Forgive your imperfect father for whatever it is you need to forgive him for (and pray to the Lord that your own children someday forgive you for your failures). Quit devoting untold precious hours to commiseration, mental replay of the wrongs done, and thoughts about just how badly you were wronged. Stop blaming everybody but you for your problems. Look to yourself. Once you start chronicling your own sinful attitudes and crimes against God and man, you simply won’t have time to worry about the wrongs done to you. You will stop being bitter, and you will start being thankful. Wipe the slate clean. “Press on.” Forgive. Conclusion As 2009 comes to a close, take time to remember and to say “thank you.” Take time to examine yourself for bitterness. Forgive others. Finally, as you love God with all your heart, soul and might, trust Him, too. Really trust him. Trust God with all your heart, your soul and might. You and I can not solve every problem. What we can do is be kind, forgiving, and patient before the Lord. We can not “fix” everything that is broken. Only God can do that. In His time and His way, the Lord can not only bring peace, but He can give you the very desires of your heart as you seek Him with integrity. He can redeem the years the locusts have eaten, and He delights in blessing his faithful children. “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). It is appropriate that we stop and thank God at the birth of a new year. Remember that God gave man the stars on Day Four in part so that he could order and structure his life based on a clock/calendar system of days, seasons, and years (Genesis 1). He tells us to “remember” acts and to “number” our days. In Scripture, the formal act of remembering providences of God in our life is linked to hope, honor, and generational success (e.g., Psalms 44, 78, etc.). By February 2010, the year 2009 will be a distant memory. Strike now while the iron is hot. The opportunity to remember and to say “thank you” may never come again. And can you afford even one more day in which your prayers are hindered — because you were refusing to forgive? Trust the Lord. He is in charge: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5). Persevero, Doug Phillips President, Vision Forum Ministries

It's that time of the year!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.

Family all around, food on the table, amazing smells drifting in from the kitchen, children watching the mothers and grandmothers cooking. Maybe a little football, the Macy's parade. Sharing stories with each other. In the word's of Eloise "I absolutely love the holidays!".

Although there is something that bothers me. We all remember the first thanksgiving story but do we really know what they went through before the famous feast? Being a passionate lover of history I can't help but remember their struggle and for who did they strive so hard to colonize? Us. The future generations! The ones who because of there struggles sit so freely and happily at our tables today. I will not talk about thanksgiving for we all know the story. Instead I will write about the importance of a generational vision and the importance of history and why we should know it well and teach it to our children!

I have been reading a book called

The Christian History of the American Revolution by Verna M. Hall.

Interestingly enough the catch phrase to this book is "Consider and Ponder".

While reading just in the introduction I came upon an article that inspired this post.

I want to share it with you.

The title is "America's Memorial to the Hand of God in Her History"

This explains perfectly the reason behind my passion.

It emphasizes on Joshua 4 comparing in this way:

" The quotation from Joshua 4 regarding the Children of Israel passing over the Jordan, is relevant to the Pilgrims passing over the wild north Atlantic in the winter. It would not, and could not have been done without God's direction and help."

Joshua 4:1-7

1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua,

2 "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man,

3 and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'"

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe.

5 And Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel,

6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?'

7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."

It then continues by quoting Matthew Henry who commented on this passage, in part,

"How much soever we have to do of business for ourselves, and our families, we must not neglect or omit what we have to do for the glory of God and the serving of his honour, for that is our best business. . . . God's works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, and means devised for the preserving of the memorial of them."

Which this hits my point perfectly and what I try to relay to all I hear say

"History it's all past stuff no one really cares about it... I don't!"

Oh how it breaks my heart to hear people speak such words!

We must stress the importance of history it just as vital as math in my book!

People have such a disrespect for it. People wonder why some children seem to think they have no purpose! Why politically we are making the same mistakes as nations before us! Because they have not been taught from whence God brought them! Following me here?

Are you seeing why history is so critical for us and the future generations??

As I was reading it continued on the subject.

"Each of our thirteen colonies has "stones" commemorative of the Hand of God in it's history. These wonderful works of God are worthy of treasuring, and God requires we take pains to do so, for we must never forget it was the Lord who directed all our country's events for His glory. Man is ever prone to forget God's works, and at this Bicentennial time, American Christians should remember "His works and wonders" in their behalf (Ps. 78:11) in the establishment of America. God would have us be able to explain to the rising generation the uniqueness of America and her form of civil government and not fail them when they ask "What do those stones mean to you?" As each generation of Americans arose after the establishment of our Constitution, it should be taught what the Lord had done in bringing this nation to being. But alas! we Christians failed to do so, especially after the founding fathers were gone from the scene. As a nation we became enamoured with the fruits of freedom, and like Israel of old, began to worship other gods, and benevolence, "and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel"

(Judges 2:10)

So this Thanksgiving remember our forefathers! Remember their sacrifice! Remember the pain, remember the men and women who gave up there lives and sacred honor. So that we may sit at our tables a free people, free to think and stand for what we believe in.

Free to worship the one true God. Let us not be like those in Judges 2:10!

Let us not forget to be truly thankful to God for His providential hand in our lives and country this holiday season! Not just for the things we posses now but what we had, things and people who indeed had something to do with us being here in this place in time! Honor our past and learn the lessons our

forefathers learned for us so that we would not fall!

Happy Thanksgiving!

And

God Bless America!

On a lighter note, here are some fun pictures I found!

It's Thanksgiving time! It's Turkey time! His name is Tom!

That's the word! Tom's a bird! ;)

I love this one! It's so much like a photo! Very personal ya know!

Like the guy at the bottom right corner staring like at a camera! :)

This is my personal favorite! :)

Wordle.net :D This Is Mine!

I saw this on Do the Write Thing so I thought I would give it a try.

Some pictures from around here.

The Fourth Command of Christ

Let Your Light Shine

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"

(Matthew 5:14-16 KJV)

Memorization and Meditation

John 8:12

Ephesians 5:8

Ephesians 2:10

Philippians 2:14-15

I Peter 2:12

Titus 3:8

Personal Application for Command 4

Our Light and Glory- Exodus 13:21; Isaiah 60:19

Light of the World- John 8:12; John 1:9

Examining My Heart

• What good works am I doing to show Christ's light?
• How have I displayed generosity?
• How have I shown others that I am grateful?
• Have I hindered my light by murmuring?
• Does my life contrast with those in the world?
• What darkness do I need to remove from my life?
• Have I forgiven offenders so that I am not in darkness?
• Do I spend time in God's presence so that I can reflect His glory?
• Does God get the glory for the good works I do?

Developing Character

Generosity vs. Stinginess

Generosity is demonstrating the nature of God by

wisely reinvesting the resources that He has entrusted to us.

O MY WORD!!! THIS IS GOING TO BE ME!!! Lord Help! xD

FINALLY! The Third Command of Christ!

Rejoice

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"

(Matthew 5:11-12 KJV)

Memorization and Meditation

1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 2

Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:4,6

Personal Application for Command 3

Praying the Names of God

Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord Your Banner

-Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 20:4

Jesus Christ Is Our Life

-John 14:6; John 10:10

Examining My Heart

• Do I see trials as God's means of bringing me to spiritual maturity?
• Have I found Scriptures to strengthen me in trials?
• How have I overcome reviling with good works?
• Have I thanked God for trials and persecution?
• Do I keep my eyes on eternity when trials come into my life?
• Am I willing to join in the sufferings of Christ?
• Have I identified benefits in the trials I am facing?
• What qualities are my trials building in me?

Developing Character

Joyfulness vs. Self-Pity

Joyfulness is the bright spirit and radiant countenance that come by being in full fellowship with the Lord.