Tough Love

   Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lacked," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Mark 10:21

What does money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they did use their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. What if Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money-whether it is your servant or your master. In addition, Jesus showed genuine love for this man, even though he knew that the man might not follow him. Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn't hedge around the truth. Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. If his love were superficial, he would give us only his approval; but because his love is complete, he gives us life-changing challenges. That is what God's love is all about.
God bless you,

J.H.

Don't Give Up

  Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.
II Chronicles 14:11

If you are facing battles you feel you cannot win, don't give up. In the face of vast hordes of enemy soldiers, Asa prayed for God's help, recognizing his powerlessness against such a mighty army. The secret of victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort, and then to trust God to save you. His power works best through those who recognize their own limitations. It is those who think they can do it all on their own who are in the greatest danger. You must first surrender in order to win the ultimate victory. Let go and let God.
God bless you,
J.H

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.