This time of year, I all most always write a post on Christmas. My family and I do not keep or celebrate Christmas so I love to share about that.
Over the years I have written many posts on Christmas, and they are here on my blog. So you can read them if you like.
This time I want to do something a little different and just share links to sites with information on Christmas, its origins and traditions. Very good info that we should all know.
Jim Staley with Truth or Tradition from Passion for Truth Ministries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeBzIoQVS0
Christmas -- Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
The true origin of Christmas -- The Real Truth
https://realtruth.org/articles/169-ttooc.html
You can find many more web-sites with information about Christmas on Goggle. Just put in origins of Christmas. But I will let you do that, this will be enough to get you started.
In Him,
Mae
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Our Rest Day
From time to time I love to post on here about our family's rest day. The day we use for rest and worship is a bit different I know from the day most people use. For that reason, it can come across as different or strange, but it is also very Biblical and very special, and that is why I like to talk about it so much. I should add that though it may be strange in our society, it is certainly not strange in the Bible.
Our rest day is on Saturday, the Seventh Day, which is called the Sabbath in the Bible. So I always just refer to Saturday as Sabbath. I know sometimes people are confused about what day I am talking about when I say Sabbath instead of Saturday, but I feel more comfortable using that word. It helps me keep the right perceptive of what the day really is.
So what makes the Sabbath day so special?
Well the first thing is that it's the day that God set aside for rest at the time of creation. In Genesis 2:1-3 we read, Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Wow, that is pretty awesome isn't?! He not only rested on that day from His work, but He also blessed and sanctified it. No other day do we see that He did that to.
Then later on He gave it as a commandment for His people in the book of Exodus chapter 20. Yes, it is one of the 10 commandments!
Exodus 20: 8-11. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Wow, now He hallowed the Sabbath day too! This day is getting even more special as we go along!! God knew we needed a rest day each week, and He set aside that one certain day, just for that purpose, just for us. Words can't describe how wonderful that makes me feel!
I know that it is often said that the Sabbath day was changed from the Seventh Day to first day of week ( Sunday ) in the New Testament by the disciples. But if you diligently search the New Testament on that, you will see that they did not change the day. There is much evidence that the 10 commandments still stand in the New Testament. For one, Jesus spoke on the commandments in the apostles, also the Sabbath is mentioned in Hebrews chapter 4: 1-11
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him,Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him,Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it*, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
And if one was to give it much thought I think it would be easy to see that the disciples or any of the future followers of Christ did not have any authority from God to change the one of God's 10 Commandments. Even Jesus was here on earth going only about His Fathers business, and not bringing any of His own agenda or teachings. Jesus did not have his own commandments or separate teachings from God, but only spoke what God the Father gave for Him to say, and He kept His Father's commandments while here on the earth.
God's followers did not change the rest day in the New Testament, but it was changed through the years alright. It is a good thing to check into our history and see just where and when Sunday came in to being as the rest day instead of the day God created and gave to us. At the end of this post I will share some links for you to check out.
I can't imagine how could we possible want to substitute another day for the day that God sanctified, hallowed, blessed, and set aside just for us! Now that is very special!
It is my desire that all of God's followers would experience the joy and privilege of resting and worshiping on the Seventh Day. And it is happening more and more these days. I am happy to say that keeping of the Sabbath is getting a lot more common now.
Praying that this post has been a blessing to you. If you would like to read the other posts of mine that I have written through the years on the Sabbath, please feel free to look them up here on my blog and read them. And don't forget to check out the following links too.
In Him, Mae
These first four links are about the documentary, The Way. We saw this for the first time this fall. It is very good!
http://teshuvaministries.net/the-way-a-documentary/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaRcosUxn0c
https://www.facebook.com/thewaydocumentary/
https://www.thewaydoc.com/the-way-documentary-trailer/
Jim Staley -- Sabbath debate with Chris Rosebrough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtzNcDU-h3M
Should Christians keep the Sabbath-- Jim Staley from Passion of Truth Ministries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YJuEMUlYFY
Sabbath Truth
http://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/how-the-sabbath-was-changed
I will leave you with a few additional verses.
Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy4:40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, forever.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!
Sunday, December 4, 2016
My Revised Psalms Book
I have good news! I have revised my Psalms book, Beautiful Psalms, and just today my son up-loaded it to Blurb, and then in a few days it will be available for sale on Amazon, as well as other places books are sold on-line. So that is exciting to me, and should be to you too!
When I first planned the Psalms book I felt it would be a really blessing to others, and would make a great gift for your self or that someone in your life who needs encouragement . But my first edition ended up with some mistakes, and photos that was not quite clear. So I have made the necessary corrections, added different pictures, and now feel satisfied that it truly will be something special. Of course with self publishing and doing all the editing on my own, you will have to bear with me if it still is not 100 percent perfect.
.
Here is the description on the back of the book.
An amazing collection of hand picked verses from the book of Psalms categorized into various topics, Beautiful Psalms, will be sure to inspire, uplift, and encourage you no matter what situation you are in, or what comes your way in life. Beautifully laid out and designed with great photography, as well as color coded sections, it contains topics such as God's Help, God's Mercy, God's Protection, and many more. Discover God's greatness and power, and feel the wondrous love, care, and compassion He has for you.
So in a few days you can browse Amazon.com for, Beautiful Psalms Revised Edition!
In Him, Mae
When I first planned the Psalms book I felt it would be a really blessing to others, and would make a great gift for your self or that someone in your life who needs encouragement . But my first edition ended up with some mistakes, and photos that was not quite clear. So I have made the necessary corrections, added different pictures, and now feel satisfied that it truly will be something special. Of course with self publishing and doing all the editing on my own, you will have to bear with me if it still is not 100 percent perfect.
.
Here is the description on the back of the book.
An amazing collection of hand picked verses from the book of Psalms categorized into various topics, Beautiful Psalms, will be sure to inspire, uplift, and encourage you no matter what situation you are in, or what comes your way in life. Beautifully laid out and designed with great photography, as well as color coded sections, it contains topics such as God's Help, God's Mercy, God's Protection, and many more. Discover God's greatness and power, and feel the wondrous love, care, and compassion He has for you.
So in a few days you can browse Amazon.com for, Beautiful Psalms Revised Edition!
In Him, Mae
Encouraging one another
On of my greatest passions is encouraging others in their walk with God. Whether its through my writings here on my blog, my web-site, my books, or in person, I want to encourage other moms in their walk with God as they raise and parent their children.
Raising a good Godly family in this world today is a tough job! We need all the encouragement we can get as moms. And we are instructed in His Word to encourage one another.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
We need to not only encourage one another spiritually though, but also in parenting, and in day to day issues that arise which we moms must face and deal with. And its a lot we deal with! I often feel like it would have been many times easier to have been a mother back in the days of Little House on the Prairie than it is today.
Sure we would not have all our modern conveniences that we have now, and our physical work would be harder as well as more hardships to contend with. But we wouldn't have issues to deal with like video games, T.V., movies, I-pods, internet, cell phones, and all the other must-have electronics, gadgets, and toys out there the kids these days have to have and almost all their friends have. Along with the immoral society in which we now live and are constantly bombarded with, and our struggle to keep their hearts and minds pure.
2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
2 Timothy 4: 2 NIV Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Also with these last days approaching, things will get worse yet, much worse in fact, for us believers and parents. We will be looked down up on, we will be targeted because we stand for the Word of God, and we will be persecuted for His name sake.
So we need to stand strong together as fellow believers and moms, and stand strong for each other. Stand up for what is right, for God's Word and Truth, stand up for families, and stand firmly against anything that is not wholesome and pure, and which goes against God. Hold your light high, and shine your light bright and bold for God that you may be a witness and encouragement to others.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Philippians 2: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Keep strong for God , do not be afraid to stand apart and stand out from the world as you parent your children for God! Make your standards and your rules in your home from the Word of God. You are God's chosen and special people, doing Bible things in Bible ways! You will be different form the world and will be hated by the world, but that is ok, your reward will be great in heaven! Even your own children will more and likely be upset at you from time to time for some of the choices and rules you make in your home, but as they come to love the Lord and desire to live for Him with all their hearts they will understand and be thankful for what you have done.
Keep doing that great and awesome job your doing!
In Him, Mae
P.S.There is nothing that means more to me than to know I have been a blessing and encouragement some how and some way to a fellow mom, even if it is in a small way. That is my passion! If you are reading this an have been encouraged or inspired, I would love to hear from you!
Raising a good Godly family in this world today is a tough job! We need all the encouragement we can get as moms. And we are instructed in His Word to encourage one another.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
We need to not only encourage one another spiritually though, but also in parenting, and in day to day issues that arise which we moms must face and deal with. And its a lot we deal with! I often feel like it would have been many times easier to have been a mother back in the days of Little House on the Prairie than it is today.
Sure we would not have all our modern conveniences that we have now, and our physical work would be harder as well as more hardships to contend with. But we wouldn't have issues to deal with like video games, T.V., movies, I-pods, internet, cell phones, and all the other must-have electronics, gadgets, and toys out there the kids these days have to have and almost all their friends have. Along with the immoral society in which we now live and are constantly bombarded with, and our struggle to keep their hearts and minds pure.
2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
2 Timothy 4: 2 NIV Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Also with these last days approaching, things will get worse yet, much worse in fact, for us believers and parents. We will be looked down up on, we will be targeted because we stand for the Word of God, and we will be persecuted for His name sake.
So we need to stand strong together as fellow believers and moms, and stand strong for each other. Stand up for what is right, for God's Word and Truth, stand up for families, and stand firmly against anything that is not wholesome and pure, and which goes against God. Hold your light high, and shine your light bright and bold for God that you may be a witness and encouragement to others.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Philippians 2: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Keep strong for God , do not be afraid to stand apart and stand out from the world as you parent your children for God! Make your standards and your rules in your home from the Word of God. You are God's chosen and special people, doing Bible things in Bible ways! You will be different form the world and will be hated by the world, but that is ok, your reward will be great in heaven! Even your own children will more and likely be upset at you from time to time for some of the choices and rules you make in your home, but as they come to love the Lord and desire to live for Him with all their hearts they will understand and be thankful for what you have done.
Keep doing that great and awesome job your doing!
In Him, Mae
P.S.There is nothing that means more to me than to know I have been a blessing and encouragement some how and some way to a fellow mom, even if it is in a small way. That is my passion! If you are reading this an have been encouraged or inspired, I would love to hear from you!
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Inspiring books
If you enjoy inspiring, and encouraging reading, here is some books for you!
The other two books on Joni Eareckson Tada I just recently read. Another amazing story! I had heard a lot about Joni over the years, and about her great ministry she has going for the disabled called Joni and Friends. Joni goes international speaking and helping people all over the world. I had heard some of her messages on the Christian Radio Station. But I had never heard her whole story, and about her diving accident at the age of 17 that caused her to be paralyzed. And how she came to see the plan God had in her life through this accident. Powerful book!! The book of Joni and Ken is an awesome love story how Joni and her husband Ken beat the odds through her paraplegia, years of chronic pain, and then finally cancer, and made it trough stronger in each other and in God!! They have been married over 30 years now. A powerful love story!!
You can find these book on amazon.com.
In Him, Mae
Update: I have just recently received and am now reading, Pearls of Great Price, a devotional book by Joni Eareckson Tada. Now that is great devotional!! Very deep and meaningful messages.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
~Rising Above The Flesh
We are all fleshly by nature, but if we have excepted Jesus into our heart and have committed our lives to God, then it is time we have thrown off the flesh and fleshly desires.
It is time to move beyond and rise above the flesh. Galatians 5:24-25 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections; and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.I believe it is something we have to deal with on a daily basis. It is not something that miraculously happens when we except Jesus in to our heart and lives, or something we do once and then we are good to go, but an on going thing we deal with and a chose we make and keep on making. And we must do this if we are truly living a life for Christ, other wise we are no different than the world.
Galatians 5:24-25 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections; and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 2:20 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.
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures* of sin for a season;
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Below are some things of God we should regularly proclaim and state in our lives which should make it easier for us to stay focused and on track.
~ I will hate evil. ( Psalm 97:10, Romans 12:9 )
~ I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. ( Psalms 101:3 )
~ I will hate the things God hates, and love the things He loves. ( Proverbs 6: 16-19 )
~ I will seek not my own, but those things of God. ( 1Corn. 13:5 , Colossians 3:1 )
~ I will love God's truth, and His righteousness. ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10, John 14:15, John 14: 23-24 )
~ I will honor and please God in all things, and all areas of my life. ( Proverbs 3:9, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 3:22 )
~ I will seek to know Him more, and to grow spiritually everyday. ( Psalm 119:2, Hebrews 11:6, Luke 12:31, Matthew 6:33 )
~ I will fear no evil. ( Psalm 23:4, Psalm 3: 23-25, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 46:1-3, Isaiah 41:10 )
~ I will not be anxious or worry about things. (Philippians 4:6)
~ I will seek those things which are above. ( Colossians 3:1-2, Matthew 6:33 )
~ I will think no evil. ( 1 Corn. 13:5, Philippians 4:8 )
~ I will only speak those things that are edifying and up-lifting to others. ( Ephesians 4 :26, 29, Proverbs 4: 24, Titus 3:2, Colossians 4:6 )
~ I will love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. ( Deut.6:5, Matthew 22: 37 )
~ I will die daily to the flesh. ( 1 Corinthians 15:31)
~ I will guard my heart.( Philippians 4:7-8, Proverbs 4:23)
~ I will only think good thoughts. ( Philippians 4:8 )
~ I will trust God at all times. ( Psalms 56:3-4, Psalms 56:11, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3: 24-25, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 20:6-8, Psalms 18:1, Psalms 112:7-8 )
We may be of this earth, but if are God's children then we need to and can by the power of God , rise above the flesh. We do have to work at it, but we can do it! Remember all things are possible with God!
Make a chose to live for Christ 100 percent, desiring to please Him in every thing and every area of your lives. Seek the Lord and His ways daily. Make commitments. Proclaim Him and His ways in your life. For it is no longer you that liveth, but He that lives in you! And greater is He is you that he that is in the world! ( 1 John 4:4 )
In Him,
Mae
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Encouragement on Writing
I would love to encourage others in writing. If you enjoy writing, or are at least feel a desire to write, and have things on your mind to share. I say do it! Whether is a writing on your blog or web-site , a book, or even just your thoughts on your computer's writing program for now till you get inspiration to do something else with it. Go for it!
You never know what plans God may have for you in your writing, and who is just waiting to be blessed by your thoughts, inspiration, your faith, and your life experiences.
I don't forget about those little messages and notes done either by cards ,letters, or e-mails that could make some one's day. Maybe give a hurting sole hope and encouragement, or that someone you have neglected to write in ages!
Thanks to this blog I have kept up for nearly 8 years now, I have been able to turn my blog posts into a book, with one more on the go! And I have written a book on the beautiful verses in Psalms. Now I am very happy to announce that I have just started working on my fiction book!! Which I am very excited about. I imagine this one will take me a good while though. But I will work on it every chance I get!!!
Sure you are probably a super busy mom like me, with several children and home-schooling to boot! But you still can write. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes a day to write. And you would be surprised how much you can accomplish in that short of time if you commit to that daily or even a few days a week. Just keep at it! Don't let that dream of yours go! And what ever you do don't wait till the house is all clean, and the kids are completely quite cause it will never happen!! Or not till they are grown and gown either!
If your writing is led by God, inspired God, for God, and honoring God, then don't worry it will be blessed by God! He will give you both the inspiration and time to write!! That has defiantly been true in case over the years.
Maybe your like me and always thought you had to be this professional author, and get this big book deal, or pay thousands to get a editor and publisher in order to write books. But then I found the wonderful thing called self publishing. And that has been an answer to prayer I tell you. So if that is holding you back, don't let it any longer!! There's many, many options out there for self publishing just waiting for someone like you who has a desire and passion to write. And if I can, you can too!!
So come on, what are you waiting for? Let's get writing! And inspire and encourage someone today!
In Him, Mae
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)