How is your Heart?

I Choose The Narrow Gate

Two Gates.....Two Ways

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Read | Matthew 7:13-14

Have you ever been accused of being a narrow-minded Christian? Those who level such accusations against us certainly mean it as an insult. According to Jesus, however, that’s the only way to walk if we want to experience abundant life now and eternal life with Him in heaven. But it will require a deliberate choice on our part, because no one automatically drifts onto this pathway.

The broad way is easy to find. In fact, unless you make a conscious choice to avoid it, you’ll find yourself on it. Most people like this wide path because it encompasses all philosophies and belief systems. Everything is acceptable, and everyone’s “truth” is valid. It even seems like the loving path because no one is left out. There are no restrictions, and freedom is unlimited. Or is it?

What those who travel this road fail to realize is that it’s a downward descent into destruction. All the promises it gives of satisfaction and fulfillment end in disappointment because it’s a path without God. But those who enter by the narrow gate of faith in Christ find the peace and joy of a relationship with Him that satisfies the heart. The gate is small because truth guards the entrance. The way is narrow because the Lord protects us with wise boundaries.

Which path are you traveling? You can’t have one foot on each, because they’re going in opposite directions. When you tolerate everything, you’re headed for destruction. But when you choose the narrow way, your life truly begins. You’ll walk with Christ day by day until He walks you home to heaven.

The Best Description of "The Narrow Gate" that I have studied so far.....Rosiewildwoman

The 10 commandments of health

you do not have to be a rocket scientist to realize this is good advice for everyone.....

Eat Wisely
Drink Plentifully (of water)
Eliminate thoroughly
Bathe cleanly
Exercise rationally
Accept inevitables (don't worry)
Play enthusiastically
Relax completely
Sleep sufficiently
Check up occasionally

p.s. give 5% of your time to keeping well.
you won't have to give 100% getting
over being sick...

by George W. Calver   U.S. Congress' first appointed
doctor.

Praying that 2012 holds all of this for YOU!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Nothing compares to what will come.....

Cleaning...dust everywhere....settling on the glass....it finally gets to me and I clean.....cleaning the dust off cleans me.....I touch each creation I have created.....I enjoy them....I feel happy about them....I marvel I can create them....coming so far from so far away.....I know...my father...God....is looking at me....and marveling at how far I have come.....how much dust I have swept away....how far I have come....how ready and willing I am to go further and further into a deeper and deeper relationship with him.  I heard the call.....many years ago....I turned away....because I thought I was it.....The call kept coming.....and then one day....I listened....it's all about having ears to hear and eyes to see.....and choosing to use them.....It is a choice each of us make.....yea or nay .......I can not persuade you to choose Jesus.....I accept you for what you choose....but I do not accept what you choose....Powerful.....cleansing....life-loving....life-giving....eternal bliss....joy...happiness....love...peace...  I have dusted off this world and it feels so good!!!!

"Doing Good"

Beauty....beauty....beauty....everywhere I look and if it is not beauty....it is not of God......Easy to discern what is from whom.......

I really have to wonder why people do not see the beauty in the instructions in the bible.  The bible gives absolute directions on how to navigate the land mines on this earth....Every instruction in the bible, is given in love.. I am so happy to finally have realized what and who makes this life complete....Jesus.....oh,my dear friends, you can live without Jesus but until you live with Jesus you will never know what you have been missing....Every tear that flows from me (and there are many) is for those who do not know yet.....just like I did not know....and oh...oh...oh....I am so thankful I know now.....

Doing Good

ACTS 10:38 NKJ
38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

In this summary of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, the first
thing mentioned is that He "went about doing good."

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of "doing good?"

Doing good must involve some type of giving: either of time or
resources. How else can anyone do good?

Look at some of the verses that instruct us to "do good."

MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you and persecute you,

LUKE 6:27,33,35 NKJ
27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you,
33 "And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit
is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for
nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and
evil.

GALATIANS 6:10 NKJ
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith.

HEBREWS 13:16 NKJ
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.

2011 OUR Christmas Wish for all OUR Friends, Family and Enemies

Christmas 2011

Tom and I would like say Hello to you all and share some Christmas Gift Suggestion:

To your enemy, forgiveness. 

To an opponent, tolerance. 

To a friend, your heart. 

To a customer, service. 

To all, charity. 

To every child, a good example. 

To yourself, respect.  ~Oren Arnold


You are never too young or too old to give and receive these gifts. But wait…… there’s more..   We would like to share God’s Gift with you, the Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22 

Love…Joy…Peace..Patience..

Goodness…Kindness…

Faithfulness…Gentleness and

Self-control

May you receive them all!!

Tom & Steph

The ARt of doing business.....or something like that!

                     
I'm 63....I've earned a living by working since I was 16.  I have always loved what I have done, some jobs more than others.  Nothing can compare to my "job" now....Never have I felt more like I now have something to share, not just my art but the creator who gives me breath to do it and to share it and to share his word and his grace and his comfort and his joy along with it!!!!! Rosiewildwoman Art to Wear....

Below is a devotional I get each day from http://www.adevotion.org.....Every day it is good and relevant, today more than most.....

Do Business For God

LUKE 19:13,15 ESV
13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and
said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.'
15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered
these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to
him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

Your working life is supposed to be for more than just meeting
your needs. Your work is an avenue God can use to bless people
in many ways. You should use all that you have been given: your
influence, your contacts, your profits, to bless people and
turn them toward God.

Many people won't listen to a pastor or TV preacher, but they
will listen to someone they know and contact in daily life.

You don't have to be a pastor or a priest to walk with God and
be used by Him. Think of Abraham, David, Moses, and Daniel. Not
one of them was a preacher or a priest. Instead, they were all
involved in agriculture or government, what we consider as
secular jobs. Yet they are among the most famous and revered of
Bible characters.

Also we should keep in mind that Jesus of Nazareth spent most
of His years on earth as a carpenter -- a businessman -- not a
preacher.

COLOSSIANS 3:23 NLT
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people.

You can see God move just as much in the work place as at a
church meeting. God is interested in blessing people right
where they are.

Where you work and spend your time is your "world." God does
not expect or ask most people to win some other country for
Him. God expects you to be a witness right where you are. Be a
witness of God's blessing and goodness and love. You don't have
to force your beliefs on people, but let your associates and
customers and suppliers and co-workers see God's blessing in
your life, and as you have opportunity let them know it is
because of God's grace and goodness -- which is also available
for them.

SAY THIS: I will bloom where I am planted and faithfully use
what God has given me for His glory and the growth of His
kingdom.