How can you post without sounding repetitive? I'm speechless. :/ For me an impossibility sometimes. I think of many things to write about that I actually think of while sleeping - don't laugh, that is when I'm not busy. At times my mind is so busy and doesn't make for a restful sleep, I don't like that - but I tuck ideas away to post on later dates; that should be written down as to not forget! So, I have a little blog book to jot thoughts and don't most of the time. Go figure and a hearty LOL!
Here are some pics just to let you know I'm still around. Taken yesterday morning - finally some reprieve to the heat we've had and unusual warm weather for this time of the year.
I heard that our mountain got over 18 inches of snow! Yippee!! It's definitely a good thing for us here in the desert. We've hardly had rain this year. Last night it got down to around 24 - the bad thing for cold is that people don't always care for their animals and sadly there are people out there to. I've been praying the Lord will keep all safe and warm.
With all the troubles in the world and in this United States, things can look hopeless. We look to much with our natural eyes. Our natural eyes can see the beauty around us as well as, things that are so horrible and hard for many of too even imagine. The reality - evil is at work in the world and is very evident. We forget and much by choice to believe that God is evident also - at work in this world; things seen by the natural eye and mostly things we don't. That's where faith comes in.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
We have been slowly programed over the years - being desensitize if you will - to be shocked maybe and if only for a short while then only to move on as this is the norm. Questioning, If God were real why would he allow such things to happen? I'm always surprised at the reactions of those who don't believe in God, how quick they are to blame Him for all the evil. I'm equally surprised at how most people who claim to be Christians believe. For they have this image of God, one they've created for themselves. And, by not knowing the true God that only comes with having a relationship with Him, choosing to make up one that suits them to justify their own actions. To the extreme - groups such as Westboro Baptist Church - to the lesser, those that might just like their ears tickled on Sundays and go on their marry ways.
Yes, Christmas time is here; a time when family and friends set aside to shower what they can afford / or not, in gifts. Not that giving gifts are wrong ~ Our old friend and pastor used to say he didn't care for this time of year in fact he didn't like it at all . . . the expectations put on people to only be unappreciated and let down! Forgetting that this time was set aside for a much different reason.
"For God so loved the world (all of us everywhere and everyone), that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whosoever (that's anyone) believes in Him (Jesus and the one who sent Him) should not perish (that's died spiritually) but have everlasting (eternal - forever) life." John 3:16
Prophesied of old (Isaiah 9 just read through all Isaiah :D) and born in a manger being rejected - having no place for Mary to give birth being born among animals. He is still being rejected today and why? Because of the real evil in this world and the deception that people choose to believe. You see God has given us free will; He is a gentleman. Just think - freedom of choice - we choose to believe in Him or not - everyone has free will.
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (Our choice) And this is judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
So, a couple things here. I used to wonder who "the wicked" as referred in the Bible are. Wicked, a word I don't know if I would have use though what is written and defines all; yes everyone. It's defining those who do bad or evil things as one would believe. Let's say this in a shortened version. Adam and Eve was created, fell into sin - world now leased by Satan - because of sin we live in a fallen world, and everyone born is born into sin having a sinful nature, so here we are. There is GOOD NEWS though! God still loves us and provided a way out. That's why Jesus came into this world - He's the out. Though it's still a choice. Simple - yes? Yet misunderstood for man tries to think and rationalize with his mind - you must come as a child. That is faith.
Remember Hebrew's 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. It's believing without seeing.
Anyway, I hadn't planned to share all of this. Due to recent events, you realize just how short life is. When bad things happen it usually gets one thinking my pray would be is that you take heart and not lose hope. Exercise your faith and just like free will God has given each one of us a measure of faith. The more it's used the more it grows. We can't always begin to understand everything, but exercising your faith grows more in a relationship with the Lord. You are precious to Him -
And, for a last word. While working on this (short post) I/we, were called away for a bit by our neighbor for help. Her mother hadn't been well for some time and sadly we had to say goodbye to a dear friend today and that was hard. Please say a pray for those she life behind. Life is short and adding to my prayer is that this Christmas season you take time to celebrate the reason for this season.
In Him,
Vicky
Here are some pics just to let you know I'm still around. Taken yesterday morning - finally some reprieve to the heat we've had and unusual warm weather for this time of the year.
 |
The mountain always looks so big - it is, this is the side shot. |
I heard that our mountain got over 18 inches of snow! Yippee!! It's definitely a good thing for us here in the desert. We've hardly had rain this year. Last night it got down to around 24 - the bad thing for cold is that people don't always care for their animals and sadly there are people out there to. I've been praying the Lord will keep all safe and warm.
On another note, ~
With all the troubles in the world and in this United States, things can look hopeless. We look to much with our natural eyes. Our natural eyes can see the beauty around us as well as, things that are so horrible and hard for many of too even imagine. The reality - evil is at work in the world and is very evident. We forget and much by choice to believe that God is evident also - at work in this world; things seen by the natural eye and mostly things we don't. That's where faith comes in.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
We have been slowly programed over the years - being desensitize if you will - to be shocked maybe and if only for a short while then only to move on as this is the norm. Questioning, If God were real why would he allow such things to happen? I'm always surprised at the reactions of those who don't believe in God, how quick they are to blame Him for all the evil. I'm equally surprised at how most people who claim to be Christians believe. For they have this image of God, one they've created for themselves. And, by not knowing the true God that only comes with having a relationship with Him, choosing to make up one that suits them to justify their own actions. To the extreme - groups such as Westboro Baptist Church - to the lesser, those that might just like their ears tickled on Sundays and go on their marry ways.
Yes, Christmas time is here; a time when family and friends set aside to shower what they can afford / or not, in gifts. Not that giving gifts are wrong ~ Our old friend and pastor used to say he didn't care for this time of year in fact he didn't like it at all . . . the expectations put on people to only be unappreciated and let down! Forgetting that this time was set aside for a much different reason.
"For God so loved the world (all of us everywhere and everyone), that He gave His only Son (Jesus), that whosoever (that's anyone) believes in Him (Jesus and the one who sent Him) should not perish (that's died spiritually) but have everlasting (eternal - forever) life." John 3:16
Prophesied of old (Isaiah 9 just read through all Isaiah :D) and born in a manger being rejected - having no place for Mary to give birth being born among animals. He is still being rejected today and why? Because of the real evil in this world and the deception that people choose to believe. You see God has given us free will; He is a gentleman. Just think - freedom of choice - we choose to believe in Him or not - everyone has free will.
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (Our choice) And this is judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
So, a couple things here. I used to wonder who "the wicked" as referred in the Bible are. Wicked, a word I don't know if I would have use though what is written and defines all; yes everyone. It's defining those who do bad or evil things as one would believe. Let's say this in a shortened version. Adam and Eve was created, fell into sin - world now leased by Satan - because of sin we live in a fallen world, and everyone born is born into sin having a sinful nature, so here we are. There is GOOD NEWS though! God still loves us and provided a way out. That's why Jesus came into this world - He's the out. Though it's still a choice. Simple - yes? Yet misunderstood for man tries to think and rationalize with his mind - you must come as a child. That is faith.
Remember Hebrew's 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen. It's believing without seeing.
Anyway, I hadn't planned to share all of this. Due to recent events, you realize just how short life is. When bad things happen it usually gets one thinking my pray would be is that you take heart and not lose hope. Exercise your faith and just like free will God has given each one of us a measure of faith. The more it's used the more it grows. We can't always begin to understand everything, but exercising your faith grows more in a relationship with the Lord. You are precious to Him -
And, for a last word. While working on this (short post) I/we, were called away for a bit by our neighbor for help. Her mother hadn't been well for some time and sadly we had to say goodbye to a dear friend today and that was hard. Please say a pray for those she life behind. Life is short and adding to my prayer is that this Christmas season you take time to celebrate the reason for this season.
In Him,
Vicky
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