In Christ alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.


Tim and Dolores are on a mission to Mexico. Marianna is touring with the high school choir.Barbara and I are just here, just fine!

Sorry...I hijacked this picture ;) but it is way cuter than any I have of Barbara and I!

Eggs for dessert!

We used to have these more often for dessert when the kids where younger because they are so simple for the kids to make, they are fun, and they are good! This morning Barbara made me eggs for breakfast!
It is simply a small spongecake, covered in dessert whip and topped with a peach half! Yummy!!

Here is a diaper cake we made. As the name would suggest this cake looks better than it tastes!

Today I Smiled!

Today I smiled, and all at once

Things didn't look so bad.

Today I shared with someone else,
A little bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song,
And felt my heart grow light.

I walked a happy little mile,
With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had,
And longed for nothing more,

And what had seemed like only weeds,
Were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more,
And complained a little less.

And in the giving of myself,
I forgot my weariness.

~ Author Unknown

He Will Work It Out

Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen Romans 11:33-36

This doxology is a prayer of praise to God for the wisdom of His plan. Although God's methods and means are beyond our comprehension, God himself is not arbitrary. He governs the universe and our lives in perfect wisdom, justice, and love. The implication of these questions is that no one has fully understood the mind of the Lord. No one has been His counselor. And God owes nothing to anyone of us. Isaiah and Jeremiah asked similar questions to show that we are unable to give advice to God or criticize His ways. God alone is a possessor of absolute power and absolute wisdom. In the final analysis, all of us are absolutely dependent on God. He is the source of all things, including ourselves. He is the power that sustains and rules the world that we live in. And God works out all things to bring glory to Himself. The all-powerful God of the universe deserves our praise and adoration. Praise Him today for what He has done and what He is doing and what He will do. He will work it out. God Bless you, J.H

Grieving the Holy Spirit

  Do not let any of unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with the all forms of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgive you.
Ephesians 4:29-32

We can grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, brawling, slander, and bad attitudes toward others. Instead of acting that way, we should be forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his son to die for your sins. God does not forgive us because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy. As we come to understand his mercy, however, we will want to be more like Him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive even those who crucified Him.

God Bless you,
J.H.

Born of the Spirit

  In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
John 3:3,5

What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world, not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus would not be a part of it unless he was personally born-again. This was a revolutionary concept: the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers. It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever. It is impossible for man to have a new life without a new birth. Being a Christian is a great deal more than joining a church and making resolutions. It is experiencing a regeneration through a crucified Redeemer.
God Bless you,
JH

Love in Action

  Elijah was a man, just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for 3 1/2 years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.   James 5:17-20

The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence and result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly and truthfully, live in obedience to God's Word, and love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other. If we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. Believe, faith, and trust must have hands and feet - ours! The only way a difference will be made here on earth in our decrepit society is by becoming one body through Christ, which is the church. The church needs to come together as never before in order to do God's will. Don't you think that it is long enough we have sat on the sidelines in the name of political correctness? We are so careful not to offend anyone, or to push our religion onto another. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me." He didn't say, "Don't offend anyone. Be nice. Be careful of other people's feelings. Show tolerance." Indeed, "They will hate you because of Me." It seems to me that we are playing by the world's rules. Let's see what God will do once we begin playing by His.
Share you faith today like you mean it,
God Bless you,

J.H