He "Watches" over YOU!!!

Just having some fun here.  Posted a lot of things on ebay last night and started thinking this morning what to post as I haven't posted in awhile.  Watches....beautiful things aren't they?  Can be used to do all sorts of wonderful projects.  Sharing these pictures with you, I just wanted to remind you from Psalms 121:3, "He will not let you stumble; the one who WATCHES over you will not slumber."  Remember that!!!  He is always there!  He sees everything.  He knows your struggles and your pain, rejoices with you and cries with you.  He loves you so much, He sent His Son for YOU!!!  So, hold on today!!!!  

~deb

The Truth about Truth...

The Truth about the Truth...

If we're brutally honest, we'd have to admit that sometimes the truth seems inadequate to do what we need done.  We want our bosses to like us, so we flatter.  We want our friends to admire us, so we exaggerate.  We want people to respect us, so we live in houses we can't afford and charge bills we can't pay.  Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and gave a portion of the money to the church.  But they lied, claiming the land sold for the amount of money they gave (Ac. 5).  Their sin was not in holding back some money for themselves; it was in misrepresenting the truth.  And their deceit resulted in their deaths.  You say, "I'm glad God doesn't strike people dead today for lying."  Don't be so sure.  Lying results in the death of (1).  A marriage.  Falsehoods are termites in the trunk of the family tree.  (2).  A conscience.  The tragedy of the second lie is that it's always easier to tell than the first.  (3).  A career.  Just ask the employee who got fired for embezzlement.  (4).  Faith.  Think:  How can God use us if we won't tell the truth?  Every football team has a player assigned to carry the play from the coach to the huddle.  But what if the player doesn't tell the truth?  What if the coach calls for a pass but the player says the coach calls for a run?  The coach won't call on him very long.  God says if you are honest in small things He will trust you with greater things (Mt. 25:21).  So, can God trust you?

This devotion really spoke to me today.  I was dumbfounded recently to watch a show called, Pretty Little Liars on Family TV!  The shock of seeing two teenage girls start making out with each other was surprising enough and then to see that the premise of the show is just as the title, get what you want from lying.  This is being promoted so blatantly now and no one seems to raise a brow to what the long-term message is...I find this very scary.  Daily, I have to stay in check with the Truth.  We have to be on guard as Christians because the devil, the master deceiver certainly doesn't want us to live lives of integrity....be on guard and be genuine in
Christ.

Reeds and Wicks, the broken and burnt out...

Reeds. Few things are more fragile than a bruised reed. In Christ's day, children playing beside the river made music pipes out of them. They were hallowed out and holes bored in them. But afterwards they were bruised and discarded. Perhaps you once stood tall and strong, nourished and rooted in the riverbed. But now you are hidden in the rushes, bruised by hurtful words, a mate's betrayal, your own failure, or harsh religion. Wicks. Nothing is closer to extinction than a smoldering wick. When the oil in primitive lamps was gone and the wick burned low, it was extinguished, thrown away as worthless and replaced. Did you once burn with faith, lighting the path for others until the icy winds of criticism, unforgiveness and judgmentalism left you in the darkness? What do all these people have in common: A woman trembling before an angry mob threatening to stone her? A house surrounded by people and a paralyzed man on a stretcher begging his friends not to give up until they get him to Christ? A blind man crying out for his sight and disciplies telling him to be quiet? They are all bruised reeds and smoldering wicks that Jesus refused to give up on. The world thinks it knows what to do with you--break you off and snuff you out! But not Jesus: "He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope" (TLB). No matter how far gone you may feel today, you're not beyond the reach of God's grace. Come, He will treat you gently. He will make you whole again.*

*this is taken from a devotional sharing from Matthew 12:20

Resurrection Sunday is everyday!!!

Living forever means living out the thought of eternity that God has placed in our hearts; meeting again one's believing loved ones lost through separating death; living in a world without sorrow; seeing our Lord who loves us and gave everything to unite us to Him forever.

****

But I see another meaning. Since we have this life and the next, we don't have to "have it all" now. We can live in broken and ruined bodies for a time; we can endure poverty and hardship for a while; we can face loneliness, heartache, and pain for a season. Why? There is a second birth--life in heaven forever.

~David Roper

Prayer of Relinquishment....from Guidepost

This is an article about prayer from Guidepost. It is a lot to take in. I, myself am going to print it out so I can read it over and over. Here is the site to find it. I know that as I try to embrace it, to grasp it, I will be blessed and I pray that you will, too.....debbie

http://www.ourprayer.org/prayer-of-relinquishment

Always beautiful to God as He looks at the heart....

God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7 MSG

It is so easy to believe that God is silent on the subject of beauty. Maybe it is because the church is silent, or maybe it’s because we have to be so still to hear what God is saying. Either way, so many women simply think God is not saying anything about how they feel about themselves. Here is the simple truth: God loves you passionately and intensely, and that love has nothing to do with the way you look. It isn’t affected one ounce by the size of your blue jeans or the way your nose slopes up or how much dental work you’ve had done. It isn’t lessened by wearing the wrong dress to a party or having no skill in applying makeup or by hating exercise. God simply loves you as you are.

But before we just gloss over that and go right on to the next thing, let me ask a hard question. Have you let that truth into your soul? I mean, really let it in? God is the one who has never criticized you or belittled you or made fun of your appearance in any way. He is the one who formed you, and said afterward, “This is good.”
— Nicole Johnson
Excerpted from A Grand New Day © 2008 by Thomas Nelson. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The story behind "The Dash"

...resonating in the back of my mind were the words from a letter which had been previously routed around the office. It had been written by the wife of an employee who was aware that she was dying. I was so moved by that letter that I saved a copy of it and continue to live by her words:

Regrets? I have a few. Too much worrying. I worried about finding the right husband and having children, being on time, being late and so on. It didn't matter. It all works out and it would have worked out without the worries and the tears.

If I would have only known then what I know now. But, I did and so do you. We're all going to die. Stop worrying and start loving and living.

Her words stuck with me. Her letter made me stop and think. This is it. This is all we get.

~linda ellis

***********

In Christ, we know there is more to come....far better than anything we have experienced on earth and can even IMAGINE....

and so....

NEWS!!! I was able to attend a Women of Faith in Omaha....the theme this year was "IMAGINE". I take extensive notes wherever I go if I am listening to a sermon or anything that I know will enrich me for the better. I compiled the notes into a document....it took me over 9 hours to put it all together. If anyone wants a copy sent to them, please e-mail me at: debbie_demmers@hotmail.com.

Blessings this day.....debbie

JOY....just a reminder for us all....

Most people mistakenly believe that joy comes from fulfilling their every desire. But in reality, joy is a byproduct of obedience. God meets His people when they are obedient to Him, and His very presence fills them with His joy.

~Patty David

Zig Ziglar and his heart....

What I love about Zig Ziglar is his heart. His ability to help people realize their potential is unsurpassed, and his belief that,

"You can have everything you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want,"

has been the foundation of all he's accomplished.

**********

Zig Ziglar has been around a long time. I was introduced to him, I believe in Bible College as required reading, in the early '80's. Yes, a long time ago. Oh, if we could all live like what he says above.....to live a life helping others achieve or get what they want and in return receive so many blessings. For the second year, our church gives a one hundred dollar bill to anyone in the congregation that is willing to find a use for it to bless others. The church only asks that it be someone in the community and to be willing to share about it as a testimony at some point. I have been trying to connect with the Activities Director at one of our nursing homes....I figure that she would know of a way to bless residents at the nursing home, especially those that do not get any visitors. Last year, I gave the money to our local Crisis Center and it was used to purchase food for a family with small children. Some people in the congregation pledged to do something with their own money. It is all about helping people and sharing the love of Christ. A great way to start the day, I'd say!

Be Blessed, debbie

We are all different....

Yes, we are all different, but together, we can make something beautiful! My friend, Wanda put this in her case at the antique store. Some call this "steampunk" jewelry....and yet, it is just a great example of what I just said. And in Christ, our differences in backgrounds, experiences, etc. can bring us together and develop into a more enriching fellowship. View the linked chain as Christ and He brings it all together for us and He can carry it all. It may be a corny word picture, but I do great when it comes to visuals!!! Have a blessed day!!! debbie

"In the weighing of things, Christ brings the balance"!

The other day at work, a lady that I am helping sell some things on ebay for, came in and presented me with a couple of flats of stuff! I love stuff, sifting through stuff, finding treasures and being amazed! To know me, is to know that I am easily amazed, easily entertained....can be a really cheap date, according to my husband! Walking can be a date, don't you know!!! Anyway, I was going through the items, untangling jewelry and found a delicate Black Hills Gold bracelet and a necklace with her name on it and little momentos. Well, my heart beat a little faster as I am always looking at how I can turn things over and sell in the store....I had a moment of "she wouldn't know, she gave it all to me, I can do with it what I want" and then, the scale of right and wrong popped into my mind. It didn't take long (thank goodness) for me to put those items aside to give back to her and I did just that earlier today and she was so appreciative of this. I feel good and it was the right thing to do. That scale can get pretty heavy when we are leaning more the wrong way and I've got so much on my mind anyway, I do not need the "heaviness" of guilt! So, try and keep your scale weighted light! In Christ, debbie

"Will You Remember?" Do you know where your paradise is?

I don't know if you will be able to read the stamp if you click on this picture to enlarge it. It says, "our paradise" on it. As I was getting on the computer, a top story was the shooting that took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My three oldest happen to be in Albuquerque right now. My daughter is visiting and will be returning on Wednesday. My two sons are living there, one attending university, the other working. The shooting is another domestic violence situation and very sad. It is news like this that once again reminds me that I need to "remember" where my paradise is. It isn't here....for me or for any of you. This isn't our home and was never meant to be. This is just an intro into something far far better....beyond imagining. Oh, we get a glimpse in different passages throughout the Bible and then quite a description in the book of Revelations. A much better place to look forward to, by far. So, remember where your paradise lies and do not store up earthly treasures here, but heavenly ones!!!

Love in Christ, always.....debbie

Jesus' words......

Jesus' words....are great "food for thought" and you don't have to worry one bit about the calories and they have everlasting value!!!!

Blessings this day....

debbie

The best 4-letter word!!!

"Prayer" and Learning to ride a bicycle!

I have been doing some reading on "PRAYER" as of late....had a copy of Pray magazine....anyone receive this? I must have picked this up on the free table at the library and am thinking about subscribing as I get a lot out of reading about prayer. Would like to share with you part of an article that I believe may bless you as much as it has blessed me and something that I will hold on to in my life.....

"I tell a story about trying to teach my son how to ride a bicycle. I ran along the sidewalk holding him and shouting encouragement as he rode. But I noticed that he wouldn't really try to balance as long as he could feel my hands on his back or see me by his side. He would just lean into me and ride up and down the street at a 45-degree angle.

I gradually realized that he never would learn to ride a bike unless I withdrew. I had to put my hand on the back of his seat. I had to be quiet so he couldn't hear me. And I had to drop back so he couldn't see me. He got angry with me. He didn't like what I was doing. He felt that I was exposing him to unfair risks. He actually did fall off his bike and hurt himself a couple of times. But that's how he eventually learned to ride, and now he loves cycling.

God spoke to me through that. He said, 'Sometimes there are things I want to teach you that I want to be sure that you learn. But in order to do that, I actually have to withdraw so you can't see Me and feel Me the way you once did. But trust Me, I'm still there. In My silence, I'm not absent.' Jesus Himself promised never to leave or forsake us (Mt. 28:20), so even though He may feel absent, He is as close as ever."
~Pete Greig (God on Mute)

I so appreciated this reminder and word picture....I do well with a good word picture. So remember, even if you can't feel Him or see Him, God always has your back seat!!!! Love you in Christ.....debbie

Can go to their website.... www.navpress.com/pray/

"God Provides".....in His time...in His way...through us.

My God Shall Provide by Os Hillman, Friday, June 25, 2010

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

Have you ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for your material needs? Perhaps you lost a job and could not generate income on your own. Perhaps you got sick and could not work. There are circumstances in our lives that can put us in this place.

When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desolate desert, they had no ability to provide for themselves. God met their needs supernaturally each day by providing manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day's portion of what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When they did, God's "supernatural provision" was no longer required. "The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan" (Josh. 5:12). In both cases God was the provider of the need.

For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Sometimes it appears it is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He requires our involvement in either case.

"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today" (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful provider.

Help me to do this, Lord...on You I depend and to You I am thankful for my abilities.....

~debbie

"What" IS important.....reminding myself....

This is a reminder for me....if it is a good reminder for you, too....well, then this is a good thing!!!! Have a good week starting today!!! It is a decision....I am having to work hard at reminding myself about this very thing. Sure appreciate you all lifting me up in your prayers....debbie

"Blue Eggs and a gentle reminder..."

I know this is an old Easter postcard.....but it is the blue in the eggs that brings me to share this with you. I have been finding little birds eggs on my walks. One day, there was an egg like these with such a warm peaceful blue.... I was so excited that I walked over to the antique store to show my manager. She is an artist and does appreciate color. For me, I am reminded how God looks after the "least" of even these, the details in life, the little things....knowing there are no "coincidences". I call them "God moments." Some call them "divine appointments". There was a time that I bought into the coincidences idea....I don't know when and where it came from, the idea that God may be too busy and a lot of things that happen are just coincidences. Time went on and at some point, it dawned on me that I was forgetting how personal God desired to be in my life and in those lives around me. The hardest time I have with this is when I go to a big city and see soooo many people and wonder how God can be personal in each life. Oh, to try and wrap my head around that! But it isn't for me to try and understand it, but only to accept His Truth. And so, the blue egg, "He indeed cares for the least of these" and He will be there for me and He will be there for you in all that you are going through and I hope that gives you a warm and peaceful feeling....

Thank you, Father......deb

...and, everyday, I want to be thankful that "He is Risen!"

Philippians 4:8-9

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned...put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Always learning.....deb

It's All in the Perspective....and it's NEVER TOO LATE!

It's all in the perspective:

Dad's journal.....

"Wasted the whole day fishing with my son.....didn't catch a thing.

Son's journal.....

"Spent the day fishing with my dad. It was the best day of my life!"

Remember:

To the world, you may be one person....yet, to one person, you may be the world!

"Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

Parents have an incredible privilege and responsibility to be the first, and perhaps the strongest, image of God in their children's minds and hearts. If you are a parent, take a moment today to thank God for the blessing of raising children. If parenting failures and shortcomings overwhelm you, cast them at the feet of your Heavenly Father. Ask Him to help you build strong roads of communication with your children, no matter their age.

It's never too late.......Thank you, Lord......deb