There is truth

We live in a time when many false teachers want us to believe there is no absolute truth. You can believe anything you want and it doesn’t matter. But there is truth - there has to be truth. How can many conflicting beliefs be true? How can two opposite answers both be correct? Without truth there is no foundation. Without truth we are just wandering around in the dark. God gave us absolute truth in His word. Jesus taught us that He is the truth. He is the way. He said, “I am the way.” The one way to salvation, the one truth. People may not want to believe it. They rejected Him then and they reject Him now. But He is the only one who died for our sins. He is the only one to ever conquer death. He alone can give us eternal life. Consider Jesus. Look to Him. Ask Him to guide you.

 

Great church - check it out live on the web

I love Sundays. Because I love to go to Church and worship God. I love having a day when (for the most part) daily routines are put aside. I need Sunday. I need the teaching, the worship, the fellowship and the time to focus on God. We really like our church - Shadow Lake Community Church. You can watch it live on Sunday mornings on the web at http://shadowlakelive.com    The regular web site is http://shadowlakechurch.com.   We need each other. We need fellowship and worship. I am so thankful I have the freedom to do that.

 

God uses it all

When we stop to really look at our lives and all that has happened to us in terms of what God is doing in our lives today, it is amazing to see how He uses everything that has ever happened to us to work through us for His glory. It is like each experience, every stage of our lives is a thread and God takes all those threads to create a beautiful tapestry. Corrie Ten Boom used to say that we get confused because we see the underside which looks like a mess but when you turn it over! Wow! It all makes sense. Sometimes, I see a glimpse of how all those threads have been brought together in my life. God is amazing! He doesn’t waste anything but can use it all to work together for His glory.

 

Simplify and Focus

     The longer I live the more I think that we make things so much more complicated than they need to be. We have dozens of books on our shelves telling us how to live, how to improve our lives. We listen to so many speakers, watch videos, go to seminars, read magazines. We are overwhelmed by all the things we think we need to do to improve ourselves. I could drive myself crazy with all the “little” things in my life I should improve or change. But, Jesus said there is really only one thing that is needed (John 10:41-42) To know Him, to sit at His feet, to focus on Him. If we have that, He will take care of the rest. If we seek Him with our whole hearts, He will give us wisdom for all the other decisions. All I really need is Jesus. Simple. If I will focus on Him, everything else will become clear.

 

Awesome video - how God loves us!

Lifehouse

Jesus lifted up on American Idol!

I’ll admit it - I am an American Idol fan. I enjoy watching the progress of the singers (not the negative comments). Anyway, it was so cool on this week’s results show because first the Clark Brothers (see my Dec. 22nd entry - I love them) sang their version of “This Little Light of Mine.” And later Dolly Parton sang, “Jesus and Gravity”.  I wish more celebrities would be willing to give Him glory. How awesome that millions of people saw this and heard His name!

Great weekend - a gift from God!

God gave me a wonderful gift this weekend. He gave me the opportunity to go to the Women of Faithconference free! I hadn’t even planned to go at all. He even threw in a free lunch! It was such a wonderful blessing. I have been before 7 or 8 times over the past 13 years. These ladies are such a gift. But I also got to hear Max Lucado on Friday night. And the music! Sandi Patti and Nicole C. Mullen are fantastic. (look at the video below to hear her sing) But the greatest is being reminded of how much God loves me, of how His grace is infinite and covers all my life. How He wants His beauty to shine through me. Awesome!

Highlights: Sensing the peace and Spirit of God that comes when Max speaks; hearing Sandi Patti sing To God Be the Glory! Oh my!, Nicole Mullen’s concert, Nicole Johnson’s dramas, the messages of all the ladies - in fact - the whole weekend. Thank you Father for blessing me. Thank you for Your love.

Here are links if you want to know more:

http://www.womenoffaith.com/\

http://www.nicolecmullen.com/

http://www.maxlucado.com/

Nicole C. Mullen - Call on Jesus

Nicole C. Mullen - Call On Jesus - Video

We were blessed to hear this in person at Women of Faith! Awesome!

Why Do I Have to Struggle?

To Keep Us Humble  

We all have something we struggle with.

Something that seems to hold us back.

The thing we wish could be different

so that life would be just what we want it to be.

It might be physical limitations, mental strife,

personality weakness (as we perceive it), bad experiences,

a painful past or struggles in the present,

nevertheless, we wonder why we have this in our lives.

Why doesn’t God change it?

Why did He allow it?

Is it possible that each person

 has something in his or her lives

that helps keep them humble?

Is it possible that if we had all those difficulties taken away,

we would be insufferably proud?

Would we forget God

thinking we can manage life just fine without Him?

This thought has given me a new perspective

about my own battles.

I thank Him for anything that keeps me humble.

I praise Him for keeping me

from getting lost in arrogance and pride.

If I had everything, the way I want it,

if I could do and be all I dream of,

could my human pride handle it?

I think I would become obnoxious and unbearable.

My weaknesses keep me dependent on Him.

My failures keep me humble and on my knees.

I praise Him for the countless blessings He has poured on my life.

However, I also praise Him for the struggles, the weaknesses,

and the failures that keep me depending on Him.

I am nothing apart from Him.

Let there be less of me and more of Him every day.

Susan Aken

3-22-2008

Why Celebrate Easter?

The resurrection.

Rising from the dead.

 New life.

 Death conquered.

Grace revealed.

Satan defeated.

Eternity secured.

Faith validated.

Hope confirmed.

Jesus lives.

Easter celebrates.

All invited.

Accept life.

Susan Aken

 Easter 2008

Have a blessed Easter!