As The New Year Approaches

Greeting to all of you in the name of Our Lord and Savior:

First of all allow us to apologize for not sending out a blog on last month, we were on the move, we pray that all of you had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

As this year ends and the New Year approaches, what changes will you make? Will you promise to seek Gods face more this year than last?  Will you continue to serve Him in spite of the consequences and trials that you face? Will you continue to walk by faith, and not by sight, for it is written; 2Co 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) The Bible also tells us that, Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Because we cannot see it beloved, for some of us it is hard to believe that we already have possession of it. We know that for some people, these last twelve months have been more challenging than the last twelve years. While some did not know if they would make it, others did not, and still others barely held on by a thread.  Regardless of the struggle you faced, you made it.  As you reflect back, take the time out of your busy schedules to thank God for all that He has done for you, your family and loved ones. 

As God allows each of us to enter into this New Year, make a discerned effort to change at least two things that you did last year.  Make two things in your life and the life of someone else better.  It may be as simple as greeting the Lord each day and asking Him to take complete control of your actions and attitude. Or it may be learning a new scripture that will uplift your spirit daily that you can  use to encourage someone else.  Perhaps, it might be as simple as thanking God for His provision whether it is what you expected or not.  Whatever it is, beloved, change for the good. We oftentimes expect God to be our problem solver, but forget to ask for His wisdom and help on a continuous basis.  How many of us before making a choice or a decision stop to ask God if that is His will for our lives?  We know for some of you it was not in your plan to loose anything during this last year, it was however, for your good and not a surprise to God for it is written: Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Nothing beloved surprises God, He knows all things and it may not look like it was for your good, but, His word does not lie.  It is our belief that God is using this time to bring us back into a closer relationship with Him.  In all of our busyness, we push Him to the back burner and leave Him there.  God is not a genie in the box that we can or should call on when  only when trouble comes.  He desires our time with Him daily and He will allow whatever He has to in an effort to bring His people closer to Him.  God loves us so much, that is why He gave His only son and allowed us the free will to choose Him. 

Gratefulness is a learned and each of us can use more of it.  As you leave the old behind, try harder than ever to focus on the new.  Remember the word of God that says; 2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It may not be easy, but we can start from where we are and make it better.  Hold on to this word and ponder it in your heart;  Deu 4:30  When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; Deu 4:31  (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.


Until Next Time, MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Holidays

Happy Holidays From All Of Us to All Of You,

The holidays are fast approaching and for some of us this is a very busy time of the year, but have you stopped long enough to think about those who will not share in the happiness of the season.  The world that we live in is so cold and thoughtless. There are so many persons who have lost jobs, homes, marriages and children and the pain is very real to each of them.  We that are Christian brothers and sisters need to take the time out of our busy schedules and pray for those who are suffering greatly because of loss this holiday season. Stop long enough to say a short prayer for someone.  Perhaps you can prepare a little extra meal for the person or persons that you know who could use the food.  Or maybe you can offer some other kind gesture just to show that you care.  Seek God's face and ask him how you can be of help during the holiday season and then get up and do something for somebody else.  May each of you be Blessed and you seat with family and friends around the holiday table knowing that you played a small part in somebody's else life.  Until next Time,

Mrs. A

What Is Marriage To You?

What does marriage mean to you.? Are you in it for the long haul, or are you just visiting until things get a little tough and you decide to pack up and leave.  Perhaps you are in a long term relationship and you feel that  marriage is not necessary. If you care about yourself and the person that you are with, then you should consider marriage for the long haul.  Life happens, however, we can make the best of it no matter what.  Commitment is something that some of us wish to avoid. It is better to commit to something good and make it work than not to commit to anyone or anything. Marriage is holy and should be entered into by two persons of the opposite sex.  Both parties should be willing to love unconditionally at all times.  It may not be easy, but it is attainable. Remember when you were pursuing one another?  You looked forward to that telephone call, or seeing each other and being in each others company. It may get a little hard sometimes however you have faced other hard things and you have made it through them, you can make it through your marriage as well.

Start from where you are, if you are struggling with a particular circumstance or situation talk about it.  Set a time aside when each of you can focus on what is being said.  Try to accomplish that when the children are in bed and you have some privacy. Be gentle and kind to each other. Consider if one or the other of you is tried or has had an exhausting day.  Set the atmosphere so that it is inviting and has a feeling of warmth.  Marriage is important, and it needs daily attending just like everything else in our lives that we want to survive.  Your relationship with Christ first must be established and then you will find it easier to keep your relationship with one another in a fresh mode.  Really take the time to sit down and think about what your marriage means to you, write out your thoughts and reread them. Then make a list on what you would like to do to change or enhance some areas. Talk about the list with your spouse, if you are in a relationship and not married, perhaps it is time to think about why you are not living godly lives. Is it fear, a trust issue, or a lack of wanting to make a commitment.  Share your opinions and views about this blog.  Let us know what you think.

What Does Love Look Like To You?

Have you ever stopped to think about how love looks to you? How would you describe true love? Is it an emotional feeling, or expression of gifts? Unfortunately for most people of this day and time, they fall in and out of love as easily and quickly as they shower or change clothes. What happened to the love that lasts through the trial and tribulations and circumstances of life. Who desires to be in it for the long haul or is that now a thing of the past? At the very sign of someone disagreeing with how you feel or think, do you immediately loose some of your love or respect for them? The Bible tells us that love suffers long, it is kind, patient, sees no wrong, quick to forgive, believes all things, hopes all things. (I did paraphrase) How does your relationship add up to those characteristics? When there is an on-going problem in your relationship are you willing to bend to accomplish a solution that will benefit you as well as your partner? If, you love the other person unconditionally then you will. However, unconditional love is a learned, it does not just happen.

You must desire to deny yourself, and your feelings to accomplish unconditional love. It may not be easy, but it is attainable. Sometimes, we need to just let love happen without trying to figure it out or adjust it to meet our needs at that time. Life can be easier when we learn how to love each other in spite of and regardless of. If you are in a marriage and it seems to be suffering because one or the other of you is not operating in love, may I suggest that you take the challenge and allow love to exhibit itself through you without you asking for anything in return. I wonder what would have happened if Jesus decided not to love each of us enough to die for us with an unconditional love. Start from where you are today and practice unconditional love to your partner. Give it an honest try for at least 21 days and see what the results will be. After all, you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.