Caves

I recently took a tour of the Longhorn Caverns in Texas. History echos down it's passageways. The sound of Indians making council for war, the frightened breathing of a captive waiting her fate. The labored entrance of her rescuers. Later, the sound of soldiers making gun powder in the civil war. Forbidden liquor during a dry era. The memories of these events echo down the cavern of this beautiful cave as tourists wander through it halls. A beautiful place to visit.

The prize!

Wrapped inside a plastic grocery sack was his prize. The small boy carefully placed it inside the chest of ice. His face, red with the heat of the sun, was glowing. He had done it. The next step in his plan was to prepare his treat for dinner. He searched for a clean knife. Finding none that could meet his standards and being told to wait he decided to show me what was in his sack. One very dead, somewhat bloody bullfrog. Anyone hungry?

Mistaken identity?

When I went to the bowling alley Sunday night I saw one of the guys talking on his cell phone behind the counter. I wanted to greet him without interrupting his conversation so as I walked by I knocked his baseball cap over his eyes. He glanced up at me with an odd look and then continued his conversation. I turned to greet another friend who was grinning from ear to ear and about to break out in serious laughter. He looked at me and said, "You know that isn't David right?" Sure enough David was also cracking a big smile. They had watched the whole scene with sheer delight. I have no idea what his twin brother thinks of me now...

Whispers...

The winds swept across the sands, for a moment it was as if she heard the muffled voices of soldiers. Did the angels carry the sound on the wings of the summer breeze? She listened closer. Silence once again filled the air.
...but Lord, keep them safe she whispered in prayer.

Initials...

My Bloginality is ENTP!!!

Well...

Well, I guess your here again. Reading what I write. Strange that you keep coming back. Thanks though. It does mean something to me. How much? Well, that depends on who you are really... something though, and that is the main thing.

Just some thoughts...

Something gleams down the road. A shining speck, a tiny bobble. It catches the eye, going out of the way to see what it is? It shines but is worth nothing. What is this? Leaving the path? Only for a moment, does the time lost matter? Did you pay attention to the way? Can you get back again? A rock, nothing more. Where are you though? Did you know that is the wrong path?


My heart cries. I have seen you skipping happily along the right way. I have seen the beauty of a life content in serving God and others. I have seen joy on your face. It is gone.

Did you see the ways of the world? Did they look bright and full of wonder? Do you see now that they are hard and full of ugliness?

What can I do? What can I say to bring you back to the path. I am calling. Can you hear my voice? Does it direct you. Run back. Do not follow the other path.

This is the way, walk ye in it. Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your strength and with all your might and love others also. Seek to please the Lord for in pleasing Him you will be truly content.

The path of this world is hard, it dulls the eyes and those who follow it lose sight of hope. Turn around hope is near do not run from truth embrace it.

Texas talk and theory: April 2006

Texas talk and theory: April 2006

Christians have been on my heart lately. It seems that godly examples of a Spirit filled life aren't as easy to find these days.

Let us say that there are two types of Christians.

The ones you meet who have no affect on your life
and then the ones you meet who draw your attention back to the Lord and make you thirst for a deeper relationship with him.

We all have our Sunday school answers of what makes a godly person but really...what is it that draws you to some Christians? (or that makes you hate them?) What do you see in the lives of the ones you really look up to and admire? Why are you drawn to them?

Far away

On a distant shore,in a land torn by war is a boy turned a man who has opened his eyes to a world of war. May his birthday in this faraway place bring a glimpse of care from friends everywhere.

Not a glimpse of your face just a wish and a prayer but I want you to know in our hearts we are there.

To my favorite soldier with Love, Sarah

Just some thoughts

Walk the line, follow the path, jump for there is no other way to get down. Keep on going, it matters not what others say. Where this path leads? I know not, but onward always I go. Pressing deeper inside this realm to thoughts unknown and worlds unseen. A dreamer. Thoughts, motives, ideas all caught up inside. A mind bursting at the seams. The outlet for all is art but for every picture of beauty there is a marred and crumpled image tossed away with no grace or thought of it's continued existance. What can be salvaged? What is undone and ruined. Why is beauty in the eye of the beholder only, what of the rest? Where are they? Have they closed their eyes to the picture or do they see with no recognition? Glazed with the curse of sleep or dimmed with a lack of zeal. Open your eyes, see and realize that a frame hinders the view. It covers part of the picture. Watch for through observation and time perhaps you will understand the point which the artist is trying to make clear.

TV?

Television? Not much of a TV watcher. I do like seeing home improvement shows, Trading spaces, While you were out, and other various decorating shows but watching tv is overrated and I don't spend much time doing it.

Movies I love:

I love movies like The Majestic, While You Were Sleeping, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Predjudice, First Knight and Return to Me.

What do I do?

Interests: Trucks, music, quiet walks with man's best friend, painting, days at the beach, camping, riding horses, good friends, sailing, watching sunsets, walking, hiking, waterfalls, art, photography, old houses, shopping, interior design, church projects, missions, travel, country music, rodeo, cowboys, keeping up with my friends projects, drag racing fan, teaching...the list could go on!

Who am I?

I'm a very thoughtful, reflective person. I can be the life of the party but I tend to hang back unless I see a reason to shine. I like taking in all the action without committing to it. I love a crowd but I am happiest hanging out with one or two close friends. I love being surrounded by beauty. I like to write. I love a sunny day at the park. The Lord is important to me. He has done a lot in my life and gets the credit for the good in my life!

Mr. Sibley

I found a very nice drawing website today. http:sibleyfineart.com. If you appreciate art or would like some good drawing tips I suggest you visit his site. One thing he said was this: "Never undervalue your work -what you charge indicates to others its worth to you." He is right. when I don't charge enough people tend to think that it must not be as good as they first thought. When I charge what it is worth they realize that it must be worth the price and are willing to pay for something that is worth having. Remind me of this when you see that my prices seem to be on the cheap side. ~Sarah

Shopping :(

I went shopping today. I explored one of the top outlet malls in this area. There were many stores to choose from but what did I find? ~Not a thing. They had plenty to sell but I am not buying what they are selling. It seems to dress in a fashionable way these days one must dress on the raunchy side. I looked at it all, tried on a few things and then it hit me. An overwhelming feeling of disgust at the things which are being sold in the name of fashion. When did it become fashionable to put yourself display like a piece of meat? I don't want to look like a hooker. I want to look like the beautiful feminine woman that God created me to be. I want to walk by as a breath of fresh air. Easy on the eyes but also on the soul.

Ok. I'm done.

I'm writing up a bid for a painting and trying to figure out income tax stuff. Also my church meets on Thursday night so I'll be headed to church later on this evening. I guess you could call this my "You can't procrastinate any longer day." I have a billion things which I have been putting off just because I have had a case of "If you don't think about it, it isn't real syndrome."

I also have a painting to work up...bah, I suppose I should paint it. It is a sample oil field for a painting in a museam and for some reason I can't get excited about it. Probably because I know if I don't do an awesome job on it I loose out on a $3,200 job. I get stressed sometimes over the small stuff. I have no reason at all to believe they won't like my paintings. No one has ever turned down a bid before
and yet I struggle. What an idiot. Anyway...that's me.

Sometimes when I walk through the park the sun shines down just right and I feel like heaven has called my name...
I see strange trees whose bark must be worse than the actual bite...
Trees like that make me wonder what sites are to be seen on the other side! My God made this day! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Keeping this handy!

http://autos.msn.com/as/minishow/default.aspx?s=geneva2006

Some of my basic beliefs outlined:

What does it mean to accept Christ as one’s personal savior?

Ÿ The Bible tells us that we have all sinned. No man can measure up to the standards of God’s holiness. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Our sin separates us from a loving God who wants us to live with Him in heaven when we die. In order to be rid of this sin someone who hadn’t sinned had to die to make the payment for our sin. We couldn’t earn our way to Heaven because we had already sinned, “But God Commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Ÿ A sinner is a person who has done something that will keep him from being in fellowship with God because God cannot look upon sin. Being a sinner also comes with a death penalty because the wages or payment that we owe for sin is death. Romans 6:23 “For the Wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” John 1:8-9 “If you say that you have no sin (have not sinned) you are deceived, If you will confess your sins he will forgive and cleanse you.”

Ÿ We cannot save ourselves but God loves us, and he gave us the gift of salvation through grace by sending His son Jesus to die for our sins. This grace keeps us from being separated from Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

Ÿ He sent Jesus his son to die in our place. The Bible says that if we believe that God’s Son Jesus died in our place and if we are willing to accept His gift of salvation, we will be saved (9) “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation ” Romans 10:9-10

Ÿ He gives us a way of escape from our sin. He says that we are to call on His name and be saved. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12

Ÿ He died to save everyone. That includes you! Jesus Christ is the advocate (intercessor, consoler, or comforter) for our sins, but not for ours only! He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world.1 John 2:1-2

Ÿ Call on His name today and be saved. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” John 10:13

A sinner is a person who has done something that will keep him from being in fellowship with God. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned. God loves us, and He gave us the gift of salvation through grace by sending His son Jesus to die for our sins. If we believe that God’s Son Jesus died in our place, and if we are willing to accept His gift of salvation, He gives us atonement for our sin. He says that we are to call on His name and be saved. He died to save everyone, that includes you! Call on His name today and be saved.

A Sample Prayer:

Dear Lord,
I come before you today realizing that sin separates me from you. I know that you cannot look at sin and that my sins will keep me from being with you in Heaven when I die. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus to die for my sins, and that He rose from the dead. Please take over my life. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse my life, I want you to become my Lord and Savior. Come into my life and save me.
I ask these things in the name of Jesus.
Amen


Eternal security

I believe that when a person becomes a Christian he is given eternal security. This security is received through salvation as a gift from God.
I am secure in my salvation for these reasons:

 I have heard His voice and know Him. He has given me the gift of eternal life.

John 10:27-30 “My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

 After hearing the Word of truth and trusting in the gospel of salvation, I believe I was sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Lord takes pleasure in giving us this gift.

Ephesians 1:7, 9, 10, 13
(7)“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;”
(9) Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.”
(10) “that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:”
(13) “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise.”

 My works will be judged, but I shall be saved.

1 Corinthians 3:15
“If any man’s works shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet as by fire.”

 Jesus blotted out the handwriting against me.

Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”

 God keeps his promises.

Hebrews 1:16-20
“(16) For men verily swear by the greater oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
(17) Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by oath:(18) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (19) Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entered into that within the veil;(20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

 Christ said it was finished when He died.

John 19:30b “He said it is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost”

 I have become a new creature in Christ.

2nd Corinthians 5:17-21 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself be Jesus Christ, and hath given us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

 I am persuaded that nothing can separate me from the love of God.

Romans 8:37-39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Relationships with unsaved individuals and organizations:

In my relationships with those that have not yet known the forgiving grace of my Lord, I strive to be a genuine example of love and hospitality. It is important to present a living example of what it means to be a Christian. For this reason, I try to limit my activities with people to things that I know are pleasing to the Lord. I believe that Christ loves the unsaved and that, as his representative, He is able to demonstrate that love through me.
Relationship is a broad word. I do not believe that a Christian should marry someone who isn’t saved or hold them as a close friend. In the case of unsaved children, a mentoring type relationship is acceptable in most cases. When speaking of adults, a casual, friendly relationship seems to be the surest way of pointing them to Christ. In extreme cases, a relationship may not be possible at all.
My relationship with organizations vary slightly. If an organization is not openly defiant to the Word of God and has an activity that does not conflict with Scriptural principles or my personal convictions and standards, then I am very likely to participate in some aspect of it.

View on Speaking in tongues:
I have never personally spoken in tongues. I believe that the Scripture teaches that the gift of tongues is a communication tool the Holy Spirit uses to make His message clear through a speaker to a crowd of mixed languages. It bothers me to see a service or prayer time disrupted with utterances of an undistinguishable nature as I believe that God is a God of order and not confusion.