Giving our lives to the Lord 100 percent

Here is something that has been on my mind lately.
    When we choose to serve the Lord and ask him in to our hearts, do we give him our lives 100 percent to use as He so chooses, or do we give just a part of our selves as we  choose.

   Do we say,  yes, I give my heart to the Lord and want to serve Him, but yet holding back a part of us?  Do we still want to do our own thing, and make our own decision based on what we feel is right? Do we want God's blessings in our lives, yet want to partake in the things of the world as well? That ought not to be, but I think can easily happen if one is not totally committed to God the whole way.

  I believe when we truly 100 percent give our hearts to the Lord, and truly choose to serve Him no-turning-back; then we are giving far more than our hearts.
  When we make this decision we are giving Him everything. Nothing belongs to us anymore.

 Our hearts, our minds, our souls, our bodies, they are all His.
 Our time, our money, everything!
 And when all those things belong to Him then He is the one in charge of making the decision on how we are to use these things.
  So then we must consider how does He want us to use our minds, our bodies, our time, our money, etc...etc.....

  What kind of things does He want us to fill our minds with?
What kind of things would He want us to do or not do?
What kind of places would He want or not want us to go?
How would He want us to use our time?
How does He want us to take care of our bodies?
What kind of things would He want us to watch or not watch?

    His Word ( the Bible ) gives us the answers for  all theses things if we truly seek for His way,
And when we pray for His Will in our lives.
   Every decision we make should be based on what God's will is for our lives.
Every thing we do, places we go, and movies or T.V we watch  should all be pleasing to Him.

 If we call our selves God's children then every part of our being should be used for His glory only, and our  lives should completely be in tune with Him and His Will. (Of course unfortunately we are not perfect and will be making mistakes way more often than we care for, so we have to be continually dieing to self, and continue to learn and grow in Him.)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave 
  himself for me.  Galatians 2:201

     If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  
        Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  
                For ye are dead , and your life is hid with Christ in God.   Colossians 3:1-3       

 We also need to keep in mind that there is no middle ground. If our actions do not please or glorify  God, then we are pleasing and glorifying Satan instead. We certainly don't want that!
   And we can not serve both God and mammon.
 

     No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.          
  Matthew 6:24

       May we commit our lives 100 percent to God, give Him our all, and seek only His will for our lives! May every part of our being be glorifying to Him.

 In Him
Mae
  As always I love to hear from you! Tell me how you like this post, and share your thoughts on this subject.

One finger for the Lord

Here is a very beautiful story from the book Tramp For the Lord by Corrie Ten Boon.


On one of Corrie's trip to Russia she visited this  wonderful elderly lady who was badly crippled by multiple sclerosis. She was bed bound, and disfigured from this disease. Her  fingers were  gnarled. She had control of only her right hand, and had use of just the index finger on that hand.

  But with just that one finger she did something very great!  She would lay there in bed propped up by pillows, her head at an odd angle, and type way on an old typewriter with that one finger! Diligently all day long until late at night each day she would do this!

  She was translating portions of the Bible and Christian books into the Russian language, Latvian, and the language of her own people.  Only using that one finger --- peck.... peck... peck... peck--- she typed out the pages. She painstakingly copied books of Billy Graham, Watchman Nee, and corrie Ten Boon.
  And while she slowly typed away the keys, she spent time praying for the people of who's books she was translating.

Of course upon seeing this dear old lady in such a sad condition form this crippling disease, Corrie very much longed for her healing. But the lady's husband let her in on something.

  He told Corrie that every other Christian in the city was being watched by the secret police. But because she had been sick for so long, no one ever looks in on her. He said they are left alone, and so therefore she is the only one in all the city who can type quietly, undetected by the police.  So God had a very great purpose for her in her sickness.

  Now isn't that so beautiful!  This crippled lady with only one good finger is using it so fully for the Lord!!  She puts so many of us to shame! So much for our good health and good whole fingers. They are useless to us if we do not honor the Lord with them.

 May we use all that we the have for the glory of the Lord!  May this dear old lady inspire us all!

In Him,
Mae

spread the Word!

To travel through the desert with

others, to suffer thirst,

to find a spring,

to drink of it,

and not tell the others that

they may be spared

is exactly the same as enjoying Christ

and not telling others about

HIM.

 

~ Corrie Ten Boon   ( from Tramp For The Lord )

 

I found the above in the book Tramp For The Lord. 

  When I read it I thought,"That is exactly the way we should feel".  We should be so filled with joy and love of Lord that we can not possible keep it to our selves. We should be like, "Hey, I got this awesome truth, and am filled with such lovely peace and joy that I just got to share it with someone." "It is not fair for me to keep this wonderful stuff  to my self."

   But sadly do we honestly do that?

Are we sharing God's wording with others at every opportunity possible?

 

May we all be more like Corrie Ten Boon and share  Christ freely with others!

 

In Him,

Mae



inspiration from Corrie Ten Boon

Lately I have been reading some of Corrie Ten Boon's books.
  And what inspiration I have received from her wonderful books!

Here is the books of hers I just read.

In My Father's House

Tramp For The Lord

The Hiding Place  ( this one I have read several years ago, but just now skimmed over it again )

And now I am waiting for my mom to finish the book Prison Letters.  So I can read that one too!

In the book , In My Father's House, I enjoyed reading of how her growing up years really helped prepare her for what lie ahead in life.  And how her and her family opened their doors to so many people to help them in time of need. Her Dad would always read the Bible to the family sitting around their kitchen table, and he would do so no matter who all was present with them. What an example and witness they were to so many people that way.  Also Corrie had a ministry for girls and young ladies for many years.  So very wonderful!!

  I loved reading of Corrie's  years of traveling around the world and witnessing to thousands of people in the book, Tramp For The Lord.  She spent at least 20 years in constant travel, ( which she started right after her release from the German concentration camps ) and depended on God to lead her where she was to go and witness. And she also depended completely on Him for all her traveling expenses. What faith she had! And what great work she accomplished for the Lord!

In the book, The Hiding Place, we read of her time in the prison run by cruel guards. But even there, in that dark and heartless place, God's light was shining! Corrie and her sister Betsie witnessed to many, many ladies!  They even sang songs of worship and praise  while in great misery. And what an example and blessing that must of been for the other ladies!
   And Corrie and Betsie thanked the Lord in all situations, even for the lice that infested one place! It was because of the lice that the guards would keep their distance from that camp, and they then were able to read their Bible and sing and witness to fellow prisoners! Other wise they would not have been allowed too!  Now how awesome is that!!!
 
 These books are so worth the read for sure!

So read a book by Corrie Ten Boon today, and be inspired!!

 To be more like her I so long to be!

In Him,
Mae

This momma is not ignoring evil!!

We just received the swimming pool in the mail today that we had ordered.
 And  adorning the front and back of the box is a big picture displaying the swimming pool. And  it showed people in the pool to show the size and all. And of course it had women in the picture wearing bikinis.

  Not surprising to me though, because I have seen that many time on sale papers advertising swimming pools, and I have seen it before on other pool boxes we have had.
 But this time I did not just ignore it. There was my kids all excited about the new pool, and hovering over the box checking it all out. And there was the women in their bikini tops staring them in the face.
 And i didn't like it! Not one bit!

  So i got me a black marker and went to color in the ladies' tops. But my marker was nearly out of ink, so I came up with a better idea, duct tape!! ( yep, that wonderful duct tape)  I riped off  pieces of duct tape and stuck them on the tops or each of the ladies.
 The kids of course seen me, and asked what I was doing. "Oh, just giving the ladies some more clothing", I replied.  When I was done, the ladies looked a whole lot better. And the kids agreed with me too.
 Now they can enjoy looking at our new pool in the box, and not have to see something offensive while doing it. And I feel better! Much better!!  :)

   Also just recently the Wal-mart advertisement came out in the mail. In it was a big summer section. And of course there was several pictures of women scantly clad showing off the swim wear. I am not sure if I spotted it before my boys or not, but when I did spot it, I quickly took the whole section and crumpled it up and threw it away!  There is no way I wanted my boys to fill their eyes on that kind of trash!
   Why in the world should I, as a God fearing Mom, allow that kind of stuff in my home and around my precious family.  Their hearts,  souls, and minds are far to valuable for that.
    I guess that stuff is considered normal, and we are suppose to turn a blind eye to it I guess.
 But not me!
 To me it is ungodly and evil. ( I believe everything that is not a part of God's purpose and plan, is evil)   And I am instructed by the Word of God to hate all evil, and to protect my children's heart and minds.
 
   The world wants us to immune our selves to that kind of stuff. The world wants to think that it is normal and right. The world wants us to be comfortable and ok with it. The world wants us to think immodesty and indecency is beautiful and attractive. ( in my eyes it so very completely ugly and disgusting)

   I have not found any where in my Bible that says we are to over look and ignore evil, or to harden or immune ourselves to evil, or to think it is normal or ok.



  If you have enjoyed this post please take a few moments to leave me a comment and let me know. Or if you would like to add to what I have said here or share Bible verses on this, I would love that too!!

May we all stand for what is right and pleasing to our Lord, and to put evil in it's place.
 In Him,
Mae

hello spring, goodbye winter ( a poem )

   Here is a fun poem I recently composed in tribute to the arrival of spring!! Right now it is really sunny and warm out; an absolutely beautiful spring day! Gotta' love it!

  Hello Spring, Goodbye Winter!

Winter is going away for another year,
And spring is rushing in to take it's place.

Out with the cold winds and the snow,
In with pleasant breezes and spring showers!

Goodbye snow boots and big winter coats,
Hello to rubber boots and light spring jackets.

Away with the ice and snow,
Here comes the water puddles and mud!

No more snowy boots making water messes,
It's now mud being carried in that covers my floor.

No more skiing and sledding,
snowmen or snow ball fights,
Now it's bike riding and long walks,
mud pies and pretty sights.

It's goodbye to waking up in the dark,
and eating supper by artificial light.
Hello to sun shining in my bedroom window way to early in the morn.,
and going to bed well before darkness settles in around us.

Take off the plastic that covers the windows,
No need to keep everything closed up and sealed tight,
time to let in the fresh air, the warmth and sun,
and the pleasant sounds of  chirping birds.

We are oh so happy that spring is finally,
though we'll certainly miss all the fun of winter.
But we know that this far North summers are short and sweet,
and winter will come again soon enough.




Yes, goodbye winter, I am more than ready for spring and summer!

Hope you enjoyed my silly poem of spring. Though most of the things I wrote about are already gone for the year, like mud-puddels made from melting snow, and mud from rubber boots being tracked in the house. That part of spring is already gone and done. Of course unless we get alot of rain.

 Our 125 little chicks are here and doing very well. The children love helping to feed and care for them.
  We have been planting already, at least the early things ( the vegetables that won't be harmed by frost ).
Still waiting on our strawberry plants to arrive though.
  Hoping your spring and everything that goes with it is going well for you.

 Until next time,
In Him,
Mae

I think spring is here-- finally!

We are finally having a nice and sunny warm spring day here.  The temp. this afternoon is the highest it has been yet at  61F (16C ).
 Winter had been really hanging in there. We even recently had more snow falls, though barely a tiny bit each time.  But now today I think winter is truly gone for this year.
  Snow still clings in areas in our yard and garden, and out in the surrounding fields as well. But everyday the snow is getting a little lower, and less of it.  Each day makes a huge difference that way, and especially with temp.s like this today.
  
The children now have an area to play out on our yard. They are shedding big coats, snow boots, and mittens for jackets, clogs, and rubber boots.  What fun they have been having. Riding bikes and playing in water puddles!

   Our order of 125 little chicks will come in with in a week or two now, and my little girls are so excited. Often Sarah is asking me, "Is this the day we get the chicks?"

   My strawberry plants  arrive later in May. What fun the kids will have helping to set them out in the ground, knowing what they will get to enjoy later on in the summer.
  And the saskatoon seedlings I have coming. I am eager to get those started, though it will be a year or two before we get to enjoy their fruit.
   I am excited to see how the raspberry plants do this summer that I transplanted from my mom and dad's place last year. We should be reaping from those this summer already.
  And then there is the rhubarb plants as well. I am very anxious to see how they do. Seems rhubarb doesn't to well just anywhere. My dad and mom have had poor luck with them at their place.
    
  School is still going strong here, though our two older boys are done with some of their subjects. So that makes each day easier.  We have probably another good month or more to go though. Will be glad when they are all done for this year. With the nice weather we want to be able focus on out door things more.
    We have been going for walks now in the evenings after supper ( the kids ride thier bikes ). That is very nice.  I love the longer day light hours that make evenings outings like that possible. In the winter, by supper time it is already dark!

 Yep, spring is here and we are happy for it. So very thankful to the Lord for our great first winter here. But celebrating that it is now over!! :)
   Hoping you all are having a wonderful spring too!!
  In Him,
Mae