Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Voyageurs
A new adventure is looming. At this point I have ventured farther into the wilderness than I have ever done before. In some ways if I went much farther north I would fall off of the map. I think of the early voyageurs that came through this wilderness with only their canoes and their wits. Then, they sought wealth and opportunity. Today this new voyageur casts off to make connection, community and commitment. My prayer is be genuine and honest, giving of myself as my master gave Himself. I look forward to the journey. May it be blessed and may I be a blessing.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
HMMMM!
Been kinda busy so there have no been much for posting as of late. BUT I have a few Ideas coming.
Blessings.
Ant
Blessings.
Ant
Monday, May 12, 2014
An Excellent Wife Who Can Find?
Proverbs 31:10-31 (ESV) 10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life……………………………………………….… 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
I post this the day after Mother's Day. Sharing with everyone the importance of Women and Motherhood.
Did you get your Mother’s day presents? I hope you did. Did you hear about the three sons that all got their elderly mother a present?
A Woman had three sons that we very competitive. They all left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said," I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you, both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000.00 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks: "Milton," she wrote the first son, "The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Marvin," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
"Dearest Melvin," she wrote to her third son, "You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. That chicken was delicious."
We believe that our Moms are Wonder Woman. Like she has super powers or something, and we want to do right by our mothers do we not? We want our mothers to be proud of us. And they deserve our attention because they are so precious, they are to be praised, but we know as well the most important thing that should be recognized and praised it that if they are a woman who fears God.
Women are Precious, Women should be praised, and Women should FEAR God!
I am sure that you have heard many, many sermons on Mothers and Mother’s Day. This is a special day and according to Hallmark, we are celebrating the 100th Mother’s Day. Their website went on to say……….
In the United States, Anna M. Jarvis, born in 1864 in Webster, Va., is credited as the force behind Mother’s Day. When Jarvis was 41 years old, her mother died. On the second anniversary of her mother’s death (the second Sunday in May 1908), Jarvis made public her plans to establish a day to honor mothers.
………… The observance became official in 1914 when Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation naming the second Sunday of May as a day for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” – Hallmark Website.
The irony is that when consumerism snuck into the holiday, Jarvis devoted the rest of her life to return it to a day of reverence.
The idea of celebrating mothers and motherhood is not limited to the last 100 years or the USA.
In much of the Arab world, Mother's Day is on March 21, which happens to loosely coincide with the start of spring. In Panama the day is celebrated on December 8, when the Catholic Church honors perhaps the most famous of mothers, the Virgin Mary. In Thailand mothers are honored on August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who has reigned since 1956 and is considered by many to be a mother to all Thais.
There also was a Great Britain's centuries-old Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday of the Christian period of Lent, began as a spring Sunday designated for people to visit their area's main cathedral, or mother church, rather than their local parish. Mothering Sunday church travel led to family reunions, which in turn led to Britain's version of Mother's Day. – Wikipedia
First two points of what God has commanded of men and children. That last point is that of what God requires of women.
Women Are Precious!
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
The fact that we celebrate, spend what we do, and make a big deal out of Mother’s Day certainly implies that our Mother’s and Women are precious. Do you agree? Mothers are precious to us, are they not? Why else are there all of the “Hi Mom!” Photo bombs on the morning television news shows all the time. Why else would Jesus remind the rich young ruler of the commandments……Luke 18:20 (ESV) 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”
Of course our mothers are important why else would entrust His earthly mother Mary to John…John 19:26-27 (ESV) 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Today’s familiar scripture from the Wisdom of Solomon share with us the importance of the role of a good woman and mother. All so often women look at these scriptures and are overwhelmed by the requirements.
· For instance…have any of you looked for wool or flax lately?
· Have you spun any wool or flax?
· Did you bring food from a far?
· Get up really early to get food on for the day?
· Have you bought a field lately? Why not?
· And the list goes on……
You know that you are to listen to you mother….after all she is a wealth of wisdom and master of multitasking.
I think the key here is that look how the Proverbs 31 woman puts the needs of other above herself, and yet she does not forget to look good for her husband. I do not think that is wisdom just for women but for all of us. Those whom are precious to God think about more about others than about themselves.
Women are precious and Women are to be praised…………
Women Are to Be Praised!
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Turn your attention now to verse 28 of Proverbs 31. Let see how the woman’s children AND husband feel about her. They actually get EXCITED. They RISE UP! They call her BLESSED! This is a great compliment. She is blessed, she is a blessing, and all praise is due to her. Wow! Listen to the compliment that her husband gives her. 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Men, when was the last time that you gave your wife that kind of compliment? Kids, when was the last time that you ROSE up and blessed your mother. You would not be here today if it were not for your mother. Mother’s are meant to be praised. After all look at the wisdom they have shared to get you to where you are….
Women are precious, they are to be praised and they are to make God their first and foremost priority.
Women Are to Have a Godly Priority!
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
I think that here the writer is saving the best for last. He gives us a wealth of characteristics and follows with this wisdom. Her faith and her works will speak for themselves. But of all the things it boils down to her faith. It matters most that she has a healthy fear of the Lord.
You see, she could be the prettiest, the best business person, the best crafts person, the best cook and housekeeper, but none of those things are important IF she does not have faith in God. The writer expresses adamantly 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
We have seen in the scriptures today that: Women are Precious, Women should be praised, and Women should FEAR God! Certainly the first two points of what God has commanded of men and children. That last point is that of what God requires of women.
Men, Children, what are you doing to celebrate you wife and mother? Women, where is your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? Have you given your life to Him? Have you put your complete trust in Him?
I post this the day after Mother's Day. Sharing with everyone the importance of Women and Motherhood.
Did you get your Mother’s day presents? I hope you did. Did you hear about the three sons that all got their elderly mother a present?
A Woman had three sons that we very competitive. They all left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said," I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you, both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000.00 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks: "Milton," she wrote the first son, "The house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Marvin," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
"Dearest Melvin," she wrote to her third son, "You were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. That chicken was delicious."
We believe that our Moms are Wonder Woman. Like she has super powers or something, and we want to do right by our mothers do we not? We want our mothers to be proud of us. And they deserve our attention because they are so precious, they are to be praised, but we know as well the most important thing that should be recognized and praised it that if they are a woman who fears God.
Women are Precious, Women should be praised, and Women should FEAR God!
I am sure that you have heard many, many sermons on Mothers and Mother’s Day. This is a special day and according to Hallmark, we are celebrating the 100th Mother’s Day. Their website went on to say……….
In the United States, Anna M. Jarvis, born in 1864 in Webster, Va., is credited as the force behind Mother’s Day. When Jarvis was 41 years old, her mother died. On the second anniversary of her mother’s death (the second Sunday in May 1908), Jarvis made public her plans to establish a day to honor mothers.
………… The observance became official in 1914 when Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation naming the second Sunday of May as a day for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” – Hallmark Website.
The irony is that when consumerism snuck into the holiday, Jarvis devoted the rest of her life to return it to a day of reverence.
The idea of celebrating mothers and motherhood is not limited to the last 100 years or the USA.
In much of the Arab world, Mother's Day is on March 21, which happens to loosely coincide with the start of spring. In Panama the day is celebrated on December 8, when the Catholic Church honors perhaps the most famous of mothers, the Virgin Mary. In Thailand mothers are honored on August 12, the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who has reigned since 1956 and is considered by many to be a mother to all Thais.
There also was a Great Britain's centuries-old Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday of the Christian period of Lent, began as a spring Sunday designated for people to visit their area's main cathedral, or mother church, rather than their local parish. Mothering Sunday church travel led to family reunions, which in turn led to Britain's version of Mother's Day. – Wikipedia
First two points of what God has commanded of men and children. That last point is that of what God requires of women.
Women Are Precious!
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
The fact that we celebrate, spend what we do, and make a big deal out of Mother’s Day certainly implies that our Mother’s and Women are precious. Do you agree? Mothers are precious to us, are they not? Why else are there all of the “Hi Mom!” Photo bombs on the morning television news shows all the time. Why else would Jesus remind the rich young ruler of the commandments……Luke 18:20 (ESV) 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”
Of course our mothers are important why else would entrust His earthly mother Mary to John…John 19:26-27 (ESV) 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Today’s familiar scripture from the Wisdom of Solomon share with us the importance of the role of a good woman and mother. All so often women look at these scriptures and are overwhelmed by the requirements.
· For instance…have any of you looked for wool or flax lately?
· Have you spun any wool or flax?
· Did you bring food from a far?
· Get up really early to get food on for the day?
· Have you bought a field lately? Why not?
· And the list goes on……
You know that you are to listen to you mother….after all she is a wealth of wisdom and master of multitasking.
I think the key here is that look how the Proverbs 31 woman puts the needs of other above herself, and yet she does not forget to look good for her husband. I do not think that is wisdom just for women but for all of us. Those whom are precious to God think about more about others than about themselves.
Women are precious and Women are to be praised…………
Women Are to Be Praised!
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Turn your attention now to verse 28 of Proverbs 31. Let see how the woman’s children AND husband feel about her. They actually get EXCITED. They RISE UP! They call her BLESSED! This is a great compliment. She is blessed, she is a blessing, and all praise is due to her. Wow! Listen to the compliment that her husband gives her. 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Men, when was the last time that you gave your wife that kind of compliment? Kids, when was the last time that you ROSE up and blessed your mother. You would not be here today if it were not for your mother. Mother’s are meant to be praised. After all look at the wisdom they have shared to get you to where you are….
Women are precious, they are to be praised and they are to make God their first and foremost priority.
Women Are to Have a Godly Priority!
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
I think that here the writer is saving the best for last. He gives us a wealth of characteristics and follows with this wisdom. Her faith and her works will speak for themselves. But of all the things it boils down to her faith. It matters most that she has a healthy fear of the Lord.
You see, she could be the prettiest, the best business person, the best crafts person, the best cook and housekeeper, but none of those things are important IF she does not have faith in God. The writer expresses adamantly 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
We have seen in the scriptures today that: Women are Precious, Women should be praised, and Women should FEAR God! Certainly the first two points of what God has commanded of men and children. That last point is that of what God requires of women.
Men, Children, what are you doing to celebrate you wife and mother? Women, where is your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? Have you given your life to Him? Have you put your complete trust in Him?
Friday, May 2, 2014
Sometimes it Rains
Sometimes
it rains. Sometimes it is so dry that our mouths are parched and dry. Even
though there may be water all around us, there may times of drought in our
hearts and our soul. It could be that you have felt like that a time or two. I
know that it happens to all of us. We may see the goodness of God in others
lives, but long for Him to speak a direct word to us.
Last
week I had the pleasure of attending a men’s conference with a few Christian
brothers. To be honest at first I was a bit apprehensive. After all, it was
going to take up my whole Saturday. Did I really want to give that up? But I
went anyway, probably because my friend asked me to go. I could not say no to
him. So on a Saturday, I gave up my opportunity to sleep in and went to the conference.
We
were there early at the church. Way too early! It was so early that the coffee
was not even made yet. However, one of the men that rode with us was going to
be a presenter in one of the sessions so it was good for him at least. I
continued in my apprehension, wanting to go hide in a corner. Little did I know
that God had brought me there for a specific reason, and soon I was to find out
why.
For the
last two months I have been in the place just like described in Psalm 63 where
my soul has been crying out in a dry and weary land where there is no water. That
however has been changed and the once parched heart has been renewed with fresh
living water. There has been no change in personal circumstance, just a lifting
of the drought. After a wonderful time and worship and a message we were asked
to gather and pray for our brothers. A dear man, who I had not known before,
lays hands on me, prays for me and my family’s situation, and finally let the
rain soak in.
We must
know that we have not been deserted, even if it feels as such. We must remember
the promises of God and know that God’s provision continues to provide in
desperation and in abundance. We can give thanks like the Psalmist did; “9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you
restored your inheritance as it languished; 10 your
flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the
needy. Psalm 68:9-10 (ESV)”
Praise God that sometimes it
rains.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Anticipating May Flowers
Out back, behind the house on what used to be my parents
property there was a special little spot. It was a small patch that I would venture
to at least once a week during the end of March and well into April. The reason
that I would go there was for one reason. That reason was to pick May flowers.
It was the only place on the property that I knew with certainty that they grew
year after year. The flowers were small with petal of purple and sometimes
white. They looked like a small violet only I have never found out exactly what
they were.
There
was always anticipation from the time the snow started to melt and the time
when the little flowers came into bloom. Because when they did bloom it was
sure that spring was upon us and that meant warmer weather. When I finally
found them I would gather up a small bouquet to bring in to my mother. She was
always glad to get them, so it felt good for me to share them with her.
Today
I am reminded as I look out my window of what it takes to have spring flowers.
The day is cold, wet and dark, unlike the warm sunny days that a wonderful
little flower needs to come forth from the earth. As well, I am reminded that
not long ago, there was snow on the ground with freezing temperatures. How
amazing it is that we need to go through winters to enjoy the little things
that come after.
As I
am currently between ministry assignments, it somewhat feels like a long “winter.”
I eagerly await for a glimpse of spring. I long to take my walk and see the May
flowers. For where there are the signs of spring, there is certainly more hope
to come. Maybe you have been there before as well. Even in the midst of your
circumstance, you are not alone and there is hope to come. In the greatest love
story ever, the writer of the Song of Solomon reminds us 11
for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time
of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Song
of Songs 2:11-12 (ESV)
Everything has its season, even in the darkness of winter and the rains of
spring we can know that there are bright and precious things to come.
God does not leave
us is the same season all the time. We can anticipate that God has a purpose
and a place for us. We may have to endure winter for a season, but God is still
with us. Jesus reminded his disciples, 27 Consider
the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke
12:27 (ESV) Let’s continue to anticipate the May flowers together and
know that God continues to help us through. If God takes care of the flowers of
the field, how much more He will take care of those who he calls His own.
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