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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Living With No Limbs
Indeed, as Australian Nick Vujicic says, “Everything is in God's control and is all part of God's plan for our lives." Amen, and I'll add this point also, "all things work together for GOOD, to them that love God and are called according to His purposes!" (Paraphrase Rom. 8:28)
Read this News Article and you will see God's amazing work in this young man's life! It is totally inspiring!
God is GOOD!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
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Conscience
There is a great significance of our conscience -- a conscience that echoes the voice of God. John Adam's describes in a beautiful word picture the special significance of our conscience, which is even more important than the applause of men.
"Upon the common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own approbation. But upon the stage of life, while conscience claps, let the world hiss! On the contrary if conscience disapproves, the loudest applauses of the world are of little value." -- John Adams, (David McCollough's book, page 38)
How true are Adam's great words. No matter if the world agrees with our life, it is our God-given conscience which has the greater valued opinion.
"There is nothing more valuable than a conscience that condemns us when we are wrong, and there is nothing sweeter than a conscience that is at rest once we've repented. God wants us to have free and responsive hearts, "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God." (John Piper, Conscience)
It is vital, as John Piper says, to not allow Satan to sear our conscience nor allow him to turn our conscience to a distored view of God.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer" (Ps. 19:14).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
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Family Portraits
Look at the new addition to the Smith family. I remember, as if it were yesterday, capturing wedding photos! What a delight to now see my cousin a proud father of a little boy.
My cousin and I were always the best of pals. We have a lot of fun memories together (i.e. riding go-carts, 4-wheelers, shooting BB guns, jumping on trampolines, and much more). What a delight to see him now married to his lovely sweetheart and enjoying the new responsibilities of fatherhood! I'm so proud of this family who is serving the Lord wholeheartedly!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
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Thinking.
Contemplating.
Musing.
Praying.
Seeking.
I've been been thinking about many things...
Thinking about God...Thinking how I can glorify Him today... thinking about life...thinking about death... thinking how I can help others understand God's love... thinking about pride vs. humility...thinking about God's name...thinking about the devastation of sin... thinking about my proneness to try to perform for my own righteousness... thinking about God's amazing grace... thinking about His love and mercy... thinking about truth vs. lies... thinking about glorifying Him... thinking how I can love Him today. I've been thinking about many things.
I've been reading an excellent book about knowing God. It's called, "Lord, I Want to Know You" by Kay Arthur.
The entire universe was created for God's glory. We are designed for His glory! As I've contemplated I've asked myself, "What does this really mean or entail?" Listen to what Ms.Arthur wrote:
According to Isaiah 43: Elohim, the One who made man (male and female, Gen. 1:27) in His image, created you for His glory.
One day I was studying what God's Word says about the husband-wife relationship. I decided that since "woman is the glory of man" (I Cor. 11:7), I should look up the meaning of the word glory. In the Hebrew language it means "to give the correct opinion or estimate of." I saw that as a woman I am to treat my husband in such a way as to give a correct opinion or estimate of him as a man.
Can you see how awesome it is to know that you have been created for God's glory? That you are to live in such a way as to give all creation a correct opinion or estimate of who God is? What does that mean to you, O child of God, who is called by His name? Think about it. How would you live if you were to live for His glory? (Kay Arthur, Lord, I Want to Know You, pg. 12)
How would I live today if I were to live for His glory? Let us think about it?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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Romanian Children's Institute
Truly it is more blessed to give than to receive. However, have you ever noticed that the person giving usually receives much more in return from those they're giving to? That describes the past two weekends perfectly for me.
It was such an honor and privilege to join a group of young people in Atlanta for the Children's Institute program. The skits, songs, lessons were tremendously fun! With camera in hand, I found it easy to capture the smiles of the Romanian children we were teaching. Miss Lois, Mrs. Ceausu, and I had the special privilege of caring for the 0-4 year-olds. Yes, things got wild at times. But, thanks to Mrs. Ceausu, we always had a solution for these moments. We would either jump like rabbits (to put their energy to good use), pull out the 12' colored parachute, eat a snack, or sing a new song. It was a little difficult to keep to the lesson plans for this age group. Nonetheless, the knowledge that as we cared for these little ones their parents were able to enjoy the teaching from the Basic Seminar. Not to mention, it was so much fun just holding the babies.
Along with helping with babies and younger children, I took pictures (as you can see below). I must add, our team was outstanding! It was stupendous to spend time with each of them! We also played a few competitive games of Ultimate Frisbee. Thanks to our California friends for your love and dedication to the Lord. We were blessed! (Yes, we're honored to be among the honorary DHP members!
)There is so much to say about the Children's Institute my two sisters, brother, and I were able to be involved in, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
"His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever" (Ps. 111:3).
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On another note, would you keep my family in your prayers? My Great-grandmother passed away on Tuesday. Four of us have traveled down here to San Antonio to attend the funeral. The service will be taking place tomorrow afternoon.
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photomania
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- Name: Darleen
- Member Since: 11/1/2005
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About Me
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I am a servant of Jesus Christ, and have committed my life totally to His service. I am considered a very outgoing person who tries to make people smile. I enjoy mission work, photography, sports, cattle, and music. I love making new friends and trying to encourage them in the Lord!
