Creation has a Purpose

Everything God created has a purpose. The trees and plants can create fruits we eat, turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, provide shelter from the cold rain and the hot sun. We all have our purposes. Even you and me.

I have been reading in Genesis a lot recently. Anyone who has seen my Bible know I write a lot in it. And Genesis, well it is hard to actually figure out where one note begins and the other ends right now. It just means I'll start a new book to study. Eventually, it means I have to go buy another Bible.

When I study a specific book, I do some googling of different stories and see what comes up. When I googled Eve, I got a lot of arguing from people over who was at fault for the first sin. I think when your mind goes there after reading the story of Eve, you have lost point of what God intended to bring about.

First, Genesis 1 shows that it took both Adam, the man, and Eve, the woman to reflect the image of God. Adam and Eve are so alike to be perfect compainions but yet so different as well. The nature of the woman and man both are needed for us to reflect God.

Second, Eve's story reflects our human nature of falling into sin, and the process of picking up the pieces afterwards through our faith in Him. By looking at the story of both Adam & Eve together, we can see an example of how we can still follow God after we fail. God forgives us and picks us back up even through the consequences of our sin.

How Long, O Lord

"How Long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! 'Violence!' I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery." - Habakkuk 1: 2-4

First, this is my favorite book of the Old Testament. Each time I read it, something new jumps out at me. These specific verses lay out my feelings right now. I've become so closed minded lately from praying about certain things so much I just don't see what is going on around me.

Violence! It is all around us. Turn on CNN if you doubt me. And not just physical violence in our War on Terrorism. The White House is in a political war. As Christians, we have given up our country to the hands of the wicked and spiritually lost. Those making big decisions now rely on bribes and what is good for them rather than praying and seeking God's guidance like our forefathers did.

I've been a little too concentrated on praying for some personal things that I have not even begun to pray for the state of our country and the leaders we, the people, have put in charge. And yes, even if we voted for someone else we did allow them to take charge of our country. And we allowed them to dictate when and where we can pray aloud. Not in a school or any other government owned property and now its even come down to restaurants in certain liberal states and cities (I need not name them) are asking people not to pray allowed for fear of "offending" someone. Personally, I think Christians should stand up and show them they are offending someone.... US!

A Jealous God

“I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:5

What are you trying to prove? Whose attention do you want to get? If it’s anybody’s but God’s, then look out. He’s a jealous God. Yes, jealous. That means you belong to Him, and it makes Him jealous when you act like you belong to someone else. You try so hard to impress people and worry about how you will be accepted. And God is jealous. “If only you spent that much time trying to impress Me,” he whispers. You’re too busy trying to impress someone else. Be it that you are trying to learn the right moves, have the right brand and style of clothing, etc. What can you do to impress God? What can you do to keep Him from getting jealous? Do you go places without Him? Use His name in vain? Forget you belong to Him? Don’t make God jealous.

My God has been a jealous God. Ever since my husband and I felt the call to Barnwell, SC I have been searching for that job replacement for the job that I had quit for the move. God provided for EVERY need we had in the move. I am a true believer that "where God guides, He provides".

First, God closed every door we tried to open to buy a house in Greenville and put down roots. He was not only telling us He had somewhere else He wanted us to do His will, He also was saving us the trouble of selling a house in this terrible seller's market.

Second, Ryan was a part-time minister and had a second secular job. He was layed off from that job and could only find a job at WalMart that would let him continue his ministerial duties on Sundays, summers, etc.

Third, God started making it clear that He was working on something BIG in our lives. Many ways, but mainly in our daily devotions, prayer, etc.

Next, in meeting with the students at DNow weekend and meeting with the search committee we felt a strong pull. We left the DNOW weekend reluctantly. We wanted to move right then!

God provided in even more ways as well. We were released from the contract with our gym because there's not one within 30 miles from the new residence. The church provided a place to live (we didn't have to house shop or find an apartment). The church helped with moving expenses, providing people the day we moved in to help move us in! We were welcomed with open arms (our first night in the parsonage the young married couples sunday school class went to see Fireproof! We had a blast!) Also the church had a pantry pounding! God has truly blessed us by providing for every need.

But the job never came. And as the months went by I started completely focusing on FINDING the job rather than thanking God for all He had provided. Now, trust me God is a jealous God! It wasn't until recently that I started really focusing on how God had blessed me that I received two job interviews. For the same job. In the same day!

Now, I'm not sure yet how those job interviews turned out, but I have no doubt in my mind that the reason I was not getting interviews was because God wanted me to get my focus right.

Sometimes God holds back on things that are really good for us because we aren't ready for them yet. Spiritually, emotionally, or physically. I know I wasn't ready spirityally for a job. Not working I had plenty of time I had no excuse for a misguided focus. With a job, there was no way I would have gotten my focus right. I had to do it BEFORE the blessings came my way.

Set Me Free

This morning was amazing. God has really opened my eyes through the whole moving process. But that wasn't the amazing part of this morning. The lady who has been sitting in front of us at church accepted Christ today as her Savior! Then seeing this video tonight really made it all seem to fit together. What shackles Christ has set us free from.

Meet Me In The Stairwell

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'




You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.


During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are
doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the
following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power
in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the
instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be
ashamed of you before My Father'

If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only
if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my
fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and
night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do
everything. Christ is my strength.'

Triumph Through Tragedy

Nick Romano
Sept 7, 1984 - August 25, 2008

Right after I found out about Nick's wreck, a song came to my attention and it reminded me of the story behind the song. The song is the hymn "It is Well With My Soul". It has helped me find some peace in it all. He was a dear friend. Unfortunately, I watched some old video footage of the duet we did together and then our band competitions from 7th grade. So many memories caused tears to flood back in.

The verses were penned by Horatio Spafford after several traumatic events in his life. In 1871 his only son died, shortly followed by his financial ruin through the Great Chicago Fire. In 1873 he had planned to travel with his family to Europe, but was delayed on business. He sent his family on ahead. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship collided with another ship and sank, killing all four of the Spafford girls in the process. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

If such tragedy can bring about the words below, may God use Nick to touch many lives and bring peace such as this.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.



- Words by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873
- Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1876

A song for the brokenhearted

"Cry Out to Jesus" by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
long before it was their time.
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
keepin' you back from your life.
You believe that there's nothing
and there is no one who can make it right.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love.
and they've done all they can to make it right again
still it's not enough.

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
you try to give up but you come back again.
Just remember that you're not alone
in your shame and your suffering.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus.

When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
you just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus.

To the widow who suffers from being alone,
wipin' the tears from her eyes.
For the children around the world without a home,
say a prayer tonight.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.