There is No Place Like Home (America)
Dorothy on the movie. The Wizard of Oz clicked her ruby shoes together and said, “There is no place like home” in order to return to home (wake up from her dream). I have found that home in life is where I’m comfortable. It can be in another country such as New Zealand and Australia at a couple's home. It is where I have felt welcomed/had favor. People have extended the right hand of fellowship when it’s at church or at a Bible study. So although I miss my husband and other relatives, home is in my heart since Jesus lives there. Home can be at my church or visiting other Christians at their house when there is that welcome. I’ve posted the lyrics to Home by Katherine McPhee at the bottom of this blog.
James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,and they to the Jews. Galatians 2:9
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21
Today, my pastor had us sing patriot songs in church, and pledge the allegiance to the flag. The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, My Country Tis of Thee (America), Yankee Doodle and this Land is Your Land are some of the songs I think of as patriotic songs. Our founding fathers and others fought for self-governance. They wanted to make our home land a place where we could have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We live in America the land of the beautiful. Beautiful sunsets, flowers, plants, various beautiful trees, animals, streams, lakes, oceans, beaches, mountains, the Grand Canyon, golden grain fields, corn, land of plenty, land of opportunity, amusement parks, entertainment, but some people are not enjoying the land.
Some of us can be like weary soldiers in life and we are not enjoying our freedom and happiness. In Christ we have been made free spiritually. In America we are free with physical liberties.
And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2
Bondage in our lives can be negativity of others, ourselves, or hurt by others from our past. Widows have said to me that they believe physical pain is easier than emotional pain. I had my heart trampled on by others in relationships both male and female. If you don’t believe there are violent, abusive Jezebel or Ahab controlling/overly submissive spirits turn on an episode of the police show COPS and watch women beating on men and men beating on women. I had a cat that was abused by other cats because she was too submissive. Human behavior reminds me of that cat where other female cats would attack her. It can be a spirit of jealously.
I worked in a hospital where a woman was stalked and left shot dead by her husband and lived and then I have heard of cases where a woman was killed by her husband in front of the children. Jezebel was an evil queen who wanted to kill the prophet Elijah after he killed false prophets of Baal who led the children of Israel to worship idols. Ahab was her husband who was an evil king. They were quite a pair. Jezebel is referred to as a controlling person and Ahab as an overly submissive person. Either is not good in a person's life.
And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:2
Bondage in our lives can be negativity of others, ourselves, or hurt by others from our past. Widows have said to me that they believe physical pain is easier than emotional pain. I had my heart trampled on by others in relationships both male and female. If you don’t believe there are violent, abusive Jezebel or Ahab controlling/overly submissive spirits turn on an episode of the police show COPS and watch women beating on men and men beating on women. I had a cat that was abused by other cats because she was too submissive. Human behavior reminds me of that cat where other female cats would attack her. It can be a spirit of jealously.
I worked in a hospital where a woman was stalked and left shot dead by her husband and lived and then I have heard of cases where a woman was killed by her husband in front of the children. Jezebel was an evil queen who wanted to kill the prophet Elijah after he killed false prophets of Baal who led the children of Israel to worship idols. Ahab was her husband who was an evil king. They were quite a pair. Jezebel is referred to as a controlling person and Ahab as an overly submissive person. Either is not good in a person's life.
I don't like bitter sarcasm from others and my friends have said the same thing. Jesus warned about controlling/domineering attitudes and we are to be servants. I know at times we all irritate a person with our actions and it’s how we treat each other when our irritation buttons are pushed:
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant. Matthew 20:24-27
I prefer single men/women Bible studies lead by men mainly because I find that some women abuse their authority over men in a group. I've found the same thing in a work place where some women managers (not all) can be too domineering. I don't see a problem with women over women groups, but noticed it more in single men/women groups.
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12
God Made Us Beautiful Like America
God Made Us Beautiful Like America
I attended a funeral last week for my former pastor and he said that he appreciated those who have gone through loss now that he lost his father to prostate cancer. This was his first loss. Later, I went out for coffee with a friend and stayed out with him until around 1:00 a.m. My husband and I were friends at church with him and his ex-wife. He just went through a divorce after a 23-year marriage. My husband and I loved this couple and always enjoyed talking to both of them.
I appreciated how he knew my husband loved me, and he said how much my husband loved me. I thought about how that was when I was 40 lbs. heavier. My husband got past the physical and loved my heart. My husband made me feel beautiful. I believe feeling beautiful is looking past the physical body at a person's spirit as beautiful. Seeking to give favor to another person and honoring them. As we give favor to others (sow favor) we will reap what we sow and receive favor. It's putting on my heavenly Father's eyes. At the funeral, my former pastor talked about how his dad always honored and respected his mother for 54 years of their marriage. I know my dad treated my mother that way even as an unbeliever. My guess is the reason that many Christians don't show respect and honor is because their parents did not respect each other, and/or they were with a spouse who did not respect them.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17
It was hard to say goodbye to my friend. I enjoyed his fellowship so much since it had been awhile that I last spoke to him. I remember that is how it was with my husband, I did not want to let him go in the evenings, and finally we got married. We enjoyed being in each other's company so much. It's hard to let my husband go now. Over fifteen years of good memories. God was bringing me back over to balance in reminding me of His goodness in my life. I've been around some younger single Christian men, where I get the impression it is all focused on the physical body of a woman.
I had a girlfriend where I enjoyed talking with her about the Lord and hanging out with her. I spent the night over her house, because I did not want to go home. Home was there with my friend because I enjoyed her fellowship. I have some friends that are like that where I just love to hang out with them. I’ve got some friends out of state that I wish I could hang out with who I reunited with at a missionary reunion in Wisconsin last September. I enjoyed fellowshipping with my friend Carsten during the Alive 2011 music festival. I know he wanted me to stay another night and see the music group Tobey Mac with him.
When I lived in Florida for seven years, many times I attended all night praise and worship services and stayed up late nights with friends at Bible studies sharing God's word and fellowshipping at couple's homes. I've not found that type of fellowship since I moved to Indiana. Christians are too busy. They are like busy bees. When I have a single's party if people want to stay until after midnight or 3:00 a.m., if they are having fun, I won't tell them to go home. I see many people stay up until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. at bars having fun.
Some Christians seem happy with just a 2-3 song service and 20 minute sermons on Sunday, but I'll take as much of God as my flesh can handle without going on to the next life. I like that passage where Enoch walked with God and was not because God took him. This is my goal in life:
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took himaway. Genesis 5:24
Sometimes I've attended as many as four Bible studies in a week and then several church services and other times I'll stay home on weekend to spend time in God's word. I spent 3/4 of my time with my husband in life and now that he is gone, I found the various ways to use my time wisely is seeking God alone at times, ministry to others or going to Bible studies. It was the same way when I was a young Christian as far as trying to get as much God as I could in my life and for several years I was like that. I felt that way about my husband that sometimes it seemed I just could not get enough of him, and I was wanting to have some alone time to go on a cruise with him before he passed away. We had spent the last two years of our lives going on vacation with family and relatives. It's like "Don't squeeze the Charmin." You can't get enough of that softness from the toilet paper. Sometimes you want to squeeze a baby they are so cute when you cuddle them, your man, and sometimes I want to squeeze God. I think if I told my husband I was too tired and too busy with my life to squeeze him at night or if I can only love on him once a week, I don't believe it would have gone over very well, and yet that is how our relationship and fellowship is sometimes with God. We put off our lover (God).
I appreciated how he knew my husband loved me, and he said how much my husband loved me. I thought about how that was when I was 40 lbs. heavier. My husband got past the physical and loved my heart. My husband made me feel beautiful. I believe feeling beautiful is looking past the physical body at a person's spirit as beautiful. Seeking to give favor to another person and honoring them. As we give favor to others (sow favor) we will reap what we sow and receive favor. It's putting on my heavenly Father's eyes. At the funeral, my former pastor talked about how his dad always honored and respected his mother for 54 years of their marriage. I know my dad treated my mother that way even as an unbeliever. My guess is the reason that many Christians don't show respect and honor is because their parents did not respect each other, and/or they were with a spouse who did not respect them.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17
It was hard to say goodbye to my friend. I enjoyed his fellowship so much since it had been awhile that I last spoke to him. I remember that is how it was with my husband, I did not want to let him go in the evenings, and finally we got married. We enjoyed being in each other's company so much. It's hard to let my husband go now. Over fifteen years of good memories. God was bringing me back over to balance in reminding me of His goodness in my life. I've been around some younger single Christian men, where I get the impression it is all focused on the physical body of a woman.
I had a girlfriend where I enjoyed talking with her about the Lord and hanging out with her. I spent the night over her house, because I did not want to go home. Home was there with my friend because I enjoyed her fellowship. I have some friends that are like that where I just love to hang out with them. I’ve got some friends out of state that I wish I could hang out with who I reunited with at a missionary reunion in Wisconsin last September. I enjoyed fellowshipping with my friend Carsten during the Alive 2011 music festival. I know he wanted me to stay another night and see the music group Tobey Mac with him.
When I lived in Florida for seven years, many times I attended all night praise and worship services and stayed up late nights with friends at Bible studies sharing God's word and fellowshipping at couple's homes. I've not found that type of fellowship since I moved to Indiana. Christians are too busy. They are like busy bees. When I have a single's party if people want to stay until after midnight or 3:00 a.m., if they are having fun, I won't tell them to go home. I see many people stay up until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. at bars having fun.
Some Christians seem happy with just a 2-3 song service and 20 minute sermons on Sunday, but I'll take as much of God as my flesh can handle without going on to the next life. I like that passage where Enoch walked with God and was not because God took him. This is my goal in life:
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. Hebrews 11:5
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took himaway. Genesis 5:24
Sometimes I've attended as many as four Bible studies in a week and then several church services and other times I'll stay home on weekend to spend time in God's word. I spent 3/4 of my time with my husband in life and now that he is gone, I found the various ways to use my time wisely is seeking God alone at times, ministry to others or going to Bible studies. It was the same way when I was a young Christian as far as trying to get as much God as I could in my life and for several years I was like that. I felt that way about my husband that sometimes it seemed I just could not get enough of him, and I was wanting to have some alone time to go on a cruise with him before he passed away. We had spent the last two years of our lives going on vacation with family and relatives. It's like "Don't squeeze the Charmin." You can't get enough of that softness from the toilet paper. Sometimes you want to squeeze a baby they are so cute when you cuddle them, your man, and sometimes I want to squeeze God. I think if I told my husband I was too tired and too busy with my life to squeeze him at night or if I can only love on him once a week, I don't believe it would have gone over very well, and yet that is how our relationship and fellowship is sometimes with God. We put off our lover (God).
Unbelievers put off God thinking that one day in the future (maybe on their death bed) they will give God some time in their life, but right now there are more fun things in life than communion and talking to the creator of the universe. I got to the place early in life where I burnt out on those things I considered fun very fast.
Even as a Christian my life became lop-sided with busyness in raising six children at home with their sports and school activities, my college projects, and being a housewife and working full-time. I went through a period of burn-out about a year before my husband passed away. I was just coming back to my first love for Jesus and working on rekindling my love for Jesus and working on rekindling my love relationship with my husband. Through death, I lost the love relationship with my husband as far as the physical, but did not lose the love for my husband in my heart. It's very similar to my love relationship with Jesus. I no longer do actions to show my husband that I love him, because he is not here in the flesh anymore, whereas with Jesus, I love him in my heart, but I also do physical actions that show I love Jesus. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than fishing to feed his sheep and feed his lambs.
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6
Whenever I attend a seminar in hearing God’s word all weekend my flesh gets very weary so I have to mix it up with praise. God told Moses that he could only show Him his backside or he would die when Moses wanted to see God. After seeing God, Moses face shined. Its says that “no flesh” will glory in God’s presence and we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Cor. 1:29
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
I want to put my fleshly/carnal man down like David said that when evildoers come or Satan to “eat up my flesh” they will stumble and fall, because the greater one lives inside of me.
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Psalm 27:2
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8
God loved Jacob, but he hated Esau. Why did God hate Esau? Because Esau chose fleshly blessings over spiritual blessings.
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Romans 9:13
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Hebrews 12:16
We adorn our self with the jewels of God’s word and praise and we become God's beautiful Bride. God wants us free from sorrow, complaining and negativity. I find there are various ways I put off my sackcloth in life and one has been through praise and worshipping the Lord.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelations 21:21
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Home – Katherine McPhee
You are the world within the world that I exist
You are the touch that just won't fade
You are the end and beginning of each and every day
You are the reason I stay sane
It's hard to see beautiful
Oh, it's hard to see beautiful
In your own eyes
But you make me beautiful
For the very first time
Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home
And when the strings inside me
Unravel to the ground
You are the hand that gathers me up
And when I'm laughing so hard
That I can hardly breathe
How do you know just when enough's enough
Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful
Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful in your own skin
But you make me
You make me beautiful
Over and over again
Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home
Don't let me down
'Cause I've waited all my life
To find, yeah
Even as a Christian my life became lop-sided with busyness in raising six children at home with their sports and school activities, my college projects, and being a housewife and working full-time. I went through a period of burn-out about a year before my husband passed away. I was just coming back to my first love for Jesus and working on rekindling my love for Jesus and working on rekindling my love relationship with my husband. Through death, I lost the love relationship with my husband as far as the physical, but did not lose the love for my husband in my heart. It's very similar to my love relationship with Jesus. I no longer do actions to show my husband that I love him, because he is not here in the flesh anymore, whereas with Jesus, I love him in my heart, but I also do physical actions that show I love Jesus. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than fishing to feed his sheep and feed his lambs.
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6
Whenever I attend a seminar in hearing God’s word all weekend my flesh gets very weary so I have to mix it up with praise. God told Moses that he could only show Him his backside or he would die when Moses wanted to see God. After seeing God, Moses face shined. Its says that “no flesh” will glory in God’s presence and we are to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Cor. 1:29
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
I want to put my fleshly/carnal man down like David said that when evildoers come or Satan to “eat up my flesh” they will stumble and fall, because the greater one lives inside of me.
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Psalm 27:2
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8
God loved Jacob, but he hated Esau. Why did God hate Esau? Because Esau chose fleshly blessings over spiritual blessings.
Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Romans 9:13
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Hebrews 12:16
We adorn our self with the jewels of God’s word and praise and we become God's beautiful Bride. God wants us free from sorrow, complaining and negativity. I find there are various ways I put off my sackcloth in life and one has been through praise and worshipping the Lord.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelations 21:21
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Home – Katherine McPhee
You are the world within the world that I exist
You are the touch that just won't fade
You are the end and beginning of each and every day
You are the reason I stay sane
It's hard to see beautiful
Oh, it's hard to see beautiful
In your own eyes
But you make me beautiful
For the very first time
Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home
And when the strings inside me
Unravel to the ground
You are the hand that gathers me up
And when I'm laughing so hard
That I can hardly breathe
How do you know just when enough's enough
Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful
Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful in your own skin
But you make me
You make me beautiful
Over and over again
Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home
Don't let me down
'Cause I've waited all my life
To find, yeah
Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
That's when you know that you found home
Home You found home
Home
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
That's when you know that you found home
Home You found home
Home
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