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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13
I thought I would share this, a friend e-mailed it to me this morning.

The following are some attributes of love and can act as a thermometer for us (based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8):
-Patient.
-Kind and thoughtful.
-Never jealous or envious.
-Never brags or acts proud and arrogant.
-Is not selfish or self-seeking.
-Does not take offense and is not easily provoked.
-Forgives and forgets quickly (does not take into account a wrong suffered).
-Is saddened and grieved by unrighteousness.
-Rejoices in righteousness, truth, and justice.
-Bears all things.
-Believes and hopes for the best in others; believes for good outcomes.
-Endures and never gives up.

As I am preparing for the Christmas Season, I am reminded, it is not only important to prepare with gifts, decorations and food, but to prepare my heart. While Jesus came as a babe in the manger as our Saviour, the Christmas Story does not end there, it continues through the Cross and Jesus' Resurrection. Christ came that we could have LIFE. Not just EXISTANCE.

Changes

Hello Everyone-I hope ya'll don't mind sharing with you some things that are happening...

With all of the changes that are happening for me and I know there are things changing for everyone, life feels a little stressful. As exciting as all of the changes are, the changes have been a bit over whelming emotionally. My list of changes that are currently happening could go on for half of a page, but I am not wanting the focus to be about me and what is happening in my life.

This morning, I woke up and came down a bit earlier than normal to spend some time alone with God. He is so faithful! He immediately reminded me of a book mark our Hands & Feet Team handed out a few months ago so I grabbed it and what an encouragement it was to me this morning! I thought I would share it with you as well...

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. (I always insert my name in the Scripture, to make it more personal...)

- God will reveal His will in His timing.
- The answers will not come until they are needed.
- In the process of change, things may look in disarray or even chaos for awhile until the Lord puts the pieces together to establish the new.- Change can be hard for all involved.
- New people and processes do not diminish the value of what has come before.
- Everything has its season.
- Above all, God is to be glorified.

Isn't it great that no matter what things are changing in our personal lives, GOD always remains the same? He is always there!

Dr Charles Stanley said the following in a devotional...
People sometimes say, "The only constant is change." Fortunately, this isn't true.

There's One who never changes. Jesus Christ always remains the same. What a comfort for believers! But, it's hard to find refuge in someone we don't know well. So let's explore the Lord's actions to learn more about His nature.

Jesus forgave others. He showed mercy, not judgment, to those who recognized their sin. For example, Jesus had compassion on the woman caught in adultery. He stopped her death penalty with a few wise words. Then, instead of pronouncing condemnation, He said her sins were forgiven.

Jesus comforted the hurting. He visited Mary and Martha, who were mourning the loss of their brother Lazarus.Jesus provided for needs. Mark chapter eight records Jesus spending three days healing all kinds of disabilities. Afterwards, He was concerned the large crowd hadn't eaten. He could have sent all 4,000 away to find their own food. But Jesus provided more than enough to satisfy their hunger.

Jesus interceded for His disciples as recorded in John chapter 17. Just before He was crucified, Jesus asked the Father to protect and sanctify His followers, including you and me.

Jesus strengthened believers and gave them power to do God's work. In Acts 1:8, the Lord sent His disciples out to share the gospel. He assured them, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."Jesus still forgives. He still comforts. He still provides He still intercedes. And, He still empowers. What a blessing that we can find refuge in our amazing Lord!
(End of quote from Dr. Charles Stanley)

Thank you for reading this, I know it was LONG. I hope it was an encouragement to you today as well! Have a great day!

Weight Loss Journey

Some of you may follow my main blog . On that I expressed I am trying to lose weight - these are some comments I made on there...

Now, for my weight loss... I have to say that is has been put on HOLD. I have not gained nor have lost, but have been struggling with having to "THINK" about planning my food. The LORD is giving our family MORE Character Building Opportunities, and it is taking my extra energy just focusing on HIM and getting through the days with a SMILE.

It would be easy for me to fall apart and fall into my old habits of forming bitterness and anger AND eating! But the LORD continually is reminding me that I am in a process of refinement. “The enemy (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Our family is coming against some great trials right now, I could choose to allow it to destroy us, make us grow further apart...but that would allow the enemy to win, right?

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

I KNOW as I said 2 days ago - Isaiah 43:2-3, WHEN (not if!) you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. WHEN you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel (Chris or put your name here), your Savior.

I praise GOD that as I walk through these valleys, HE is with me. HE gives me the strength each day and I seek wisdom each moment from Him. I pray that as you face various trials, you will feel His strength, comfort and peace as well.

Thank you for stopping by! Have a blessed day!
Chrissy D

Encouragement for Difficult times

Hello! I just returned home from my few days away and as wonderful as it was to be away, I was going through some emotional turmoil. Our family is really going through a VERY difficult season right now. Maybe once we are through this current Character Building Opportunity I can share MORE of a testimony with you, but right now keep us in your prayers.

I know many of you are going through difficult seasons as well, we are NOT exempt from difficult times!

God's Word says, in Isaiah 43:2-3,WHEN (not if!) you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.WHEN you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel (Chris or put your name here), your Savior.

You probably know this, but I added the emphasis.

CARD MINISTRY

I have had several people request information about our Church's Card Ministry so I thought I would share it with you...

This is what we do - we have a fairly large church and have a Care Ministry that over sees the different needs of our Grace Church family.

I have a FABULOUS TEAM of 20 volunteers that consist of Makers and Senders. All are volunteer and most use their own supplies. The makers, make the cards and fill our file cabinet at church. The senders will write notes of encouragement and send them out. Both the makers and the senders pray for over the cards as they make them or send them out.

As a team, we send out approximately 200 cards a month. I send out a weekly and monthly report.

The weekly report is more of immediate needs of our Grace Church family. On the weekly assignments, I include a short devotional and I include a brief summary of what the person is going through (death, illness, hospitalization, birth, etc.) and the person's name. Those who serve in the military are included on that list too.We have a church directory that has everyone's address and phone numbers. All information is kept confidential. Each card will include a Scripture and a note of encouragement based on their specific needs. We pray over the cards that we send out too.

Our monthly reports will have a devotional as well. This report will include staff encouragement, long term illnesses, people going through cancer treatments, Caregivers of special needs family members, people who have a chronic illnesses or who need more encouragement, Homebound,Bereavement - we send out cards when people first lose a loved one, then send "thinking of you" type cards at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, a year and Christmas.

Our team gathers a few times a year for different events. I will plan special projects for us to work on. Every year we make around 125 Thanksgiving cards. These cards go to anyone who works within the Care Ministry at our church. We also make around 125 Christmas cards for those who have lost loved ones over the year.

This year we made special Hospital Binders for our Hospital/ Homeboung Visitation Team. This is a binder filled with Scriptures - we decorated with stamps. We made 140 of these this year. I will make another one and share pictures of it for you to see.

That is not everything I do - most of it is the LORD working through me, stretching me, molding me and changing me. That is probably the hardest part! LOL

If you have any other questions, please let me know!

Psalm 73:26 (New King James Version) My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Our church's website is www.graceinracine.com . Our pastor has been doing a WONDERFUL series on MORE than CONQUERORS in the book of Joshua. All messages are on the website.

If you are going through a difficult time, I would encourage you to listen to them!

Have a nice weekend!
Chrissy D

HOPE

I am PRAISING GOD!!!! after writing that post about my sad week - I took that post and copied and pasted it and wrote an e-mail to my friends, personalizing it a bit. We had sent a few e-mails back and forth prior to that, talking about the situation, but in more of a informational form rather than resolving the issue.

Thursday evening, my friend's husband sent me an e-mail using 1 Corinthians 13, Love
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

With this e-mail of Scripture came on apology. I wasn't sure how to take it. But was Praising GOD because it was a beginning. Yesterday, my friend e-mailed me and wanted to get together to talk. So we got together in the afternoon and prayed together and she offered her apologies for her part and I offered my apologies for my part. We discussed what could be done in the future to resolve any conflicts that come up. Then we discussed our husband's getting together because they were good friends as well and they needed to talk about the situation too. Tonight, they will be coming over and the men (along with us) will talk and pray together as a group.

GOD is good and HE hears us when we cry out to HIM. I am confident this issue will be completely resolved and we will be closer than before.

Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And one last Scripture for you is

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Forgive me if that is not exact phrasing, that is coming from my memory. :)

Thank you for your prayers - Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction (I am not so good at this first part!) and faithful in my prayer.

Chrissy D

Difficult times in Friendships

The past few days, I have been going through a great sadness. Have you ever had something with a close friend that disappoints you or hurts you? This week, our closest friends have said some things to us that have really hurt our hearts. By our, I mean both my husband, my children and myself. While I have not spoken with my friends for a few days, we have spent a lot of time in prayer. I am sure they have too. Nothing brings you closer to GOD than a crises, right?

This morning the LORD laid it upon my heart a few Scriptures and I felt compelled to share it with you. I am confident many of you have gone through some sort of circumstance similar and wanted to encourage you to do what is right.

1 Peter 5:6-9 (New King James Version) 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

While I have not spoken on the phone with my friends the past several days, because I needed time to reflect on the situation and the hurtful words that have been said - I know the way things were said and the hurtful intent was not them, but the devil. Satan seeks to destroy the relationship, my faith in GOD and my testimony so GOD can not use me for HIS glory.

Yesterday, a good friend shared this Scripture with me as we prayed over the situation and I will make comments that pertain to my situation through out in RED.

As you read this Scripture, know that my heart hasn't been completely right either. I allowed myself to be decieved by Satan and hear only what I wanted to hear and understand.

Psalm 55 To the Chief Musician.
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked;
For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.
I do not believe my friends are the enemy - but I believe in this situation the devil is seeking to oppress my faith and my relationship with these people.
4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me.
6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Yesterday, I said to my children, I wish I could run away! I have spent the past 2 days in tears over this situation. And I am not one who easily cries. I like to be in control.
7 Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah
8 I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues,
For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around it on its walls;
Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
11 Destruction is in its midst;
Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.
13 But it was you, a man my equal,
My companion and my acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together,
And walked to the house of God in the throng.
I know our friends do not hate us. This has just been a tool of the devil to
destroy our relationship. I find it ironic though, that in the times of David,
Satan used a friend of David's to try to discourage him. He hasn't changed
his ways over how many centuries?
15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell,
For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.
I do not wish any ill will towards our friends. As I read that verse,
I am believing that the "them" in this verse are the devil and his angels.
16 As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
19 God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Selah
Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.
20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
He has broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart;
His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
I love the fact that whenever I call upon the LORD, He is there. I can fully rely on Him. I know when my friends and family call upon me, as hard as I try, I can never be there at all times. The Lord is good and full of mercy and He is always here for me!
23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
But I will trust in You. (end of Scripture)
In these Scriptures, forgive me if I have said this, but I want to reiterate
that the enemy is NOT my friends, but Satan and his angels.

As I go through today, I will forgive my friends. They have not apologized, but I know I do not need their apology to forgive them. I care about them deeply and want to fully glorify GOD in this situation. In order for my relationship to progress for GOD's glory, we need restoration. God does not want us to end our friendship. What good would that do for His kingdom and for His glory? I will not allow the enemy to destroy and devour my relationship nor the testimony nor my faith.
Psalm 86:5 (New King James Version), . 5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

If GOD can forgive me for all of the wrong doings I do - who am I to not forgive others who trespass against me?

Thank you for reading and praying. Be blessed and have good day.

I Lift My Eyes

My dear Sister-in-Law sent me a Fwd. Fwd. Fwd. e-mail and normally I do not read them - but today I did. The poem attached was "nice" but I really enjoyed the image. I do not know where it came from, but it meant a lot to me, so I thought I would share it with you today.

Our family is going through a very difficult time this fall. If you are a praying people, will you please be lifting us up to the LORD?A good friend of mine sent this Scripture to me this morning. I am meditating on this Scripture today. I have a habit of putting my name or the person's name in the place of "you or the place of a location.)

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

(Chris and her family and you and yours!)
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Thank you for praying! Have a blessed day!

The beginning - my first on line journaling

I do not do wll with actual journalling - but I am trying to improve on that. This blog is more for my personal use - but also to serve as a testimony of Christ's work within me.

Daniel 2:20-2, NKJV
20 Daniel answered and said: “ Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. 23 “ I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

As I read those words this morning, I sit back and praise God. The past several months, the Lord has been stretching our family. At the same time, I can feel His presence and strength and can look at the things that are happening with each day and moment and have complete peace – knowing He is there and controlling every thing.

Our Christmas season was filled with many truths being revealed to my husband and I. Many secrets and lies were told to us by someone we were close with over the past year and the hurt ran deep with in our hearts. I had peace through this storm because I just KNEW none of this was a surprise to God. Each day that past, more secrets and lies were revealed and while I was very hurt and wanted to crumble the Lord was with me, holding me up, whispering within my spirit that He knew all along. What amazes me to this day, is that God never allowed all of the secrets to be revealed at one time. Everything trickled out over a few weeks and months, I truly believe that was the God’s omniscience in knowing what I could handle emotionally. I could not have handled it all at once, due to my husbands recent traveling and being home alone with the four children.

I did have moments of panic or worry, but as a stretching process, I felt the Lord growing me through the trials. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Now I know the Lord will be working on forgiveness and restoration within my Spirit. For the past week, I have heard the whispers within my spirit to forgive as Christ forgives me. I have a tendency when deeply hurt to bring it up, which doesn’t help restore a relationship, nor does it help the other person feel forgiven. So God has been whispering to me to completely forgive as He forgives. There are always consequences for our sins, and for myself the pain of the past runs deep and while I think I have worked through many issues there are still scars that will remain there as a reminder of God’s work in my life.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. He is sovereign, omniscient and omnipresent and is with you today in every circumstance. I pray you will feel His peace and strength. Our God is an awesome God and He is in control of everything.

Because of Jesus’ Love,
Chris