Just Popping In

Hi all! I know it has been forever since I have popped my head into the bloggy world, written a post, or visited my dear bloggy friends. You are all still very dear to me and I miss you and blogging so much!

Many of you know that I have been working my outside job by day and my graphics by night and God has blessed me with much work (and very patient clients) lately so that doesn't leave much room for much else. *sigh* I am so thankful for the way God provides and works in our circumstances!

I wanted to let you all know that Sherry at Lamp Unto My Feet is beginning a "Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas" series complete with guest writers and giveaways. If you haven't met Sherry you should. She is a wonderful lady!

And while you're over there, pick up her Celebrate Christ button for the occasion.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

I've Been Adopted

Look what (who) adopted me over the weekend. She showed up on Saturday morning as I was getting setup for a garage sale with my friend Angela and she did not want to leave my side. The man across the street said he had been feeding her for a couple of days.

I took her to the vet on Monday to scan her for a chip and she had one and she did so I contacted the owner. She lives down the street from me. She came to pick up this puppy and in the course of our conversation she gave her to me.

I named the puppy Sheena. She is a smooth collie and may have some shepherd in her. She sure acts like a herding dog. Sadly she isn't house broken even though she is 5 months old. *sigh* But we are making some progress. She is a very sweet dog. Tobi doesn't much think so but she hasn't even tried to eat her yet and that's a very good sign. LOL.

This is just one of the many reasons I'm not around much these days. I miss you all!



"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Do You Want to Pay for Mosques Worldwide?

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO STOP THIS SPENDING OF TAXPAYER MONEY FOR SUPPORT OF ISLAMIC RELIGION.

CHRISTIANS ARISE...






"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

A Giveaway Announcement

My friend Sherry at Lamp Unto My Feet is celebrating her 2 year Blogoversary and hosting some great giveaways to celebrate!

Today she is offering as a giveaway a custom Blog Logo Button designed by me, Rich Gifts Graphics and Blog Design! If the winner already has a blog button I will be glad to create another kind of button or sidebar graphic, or you can gift-away your win.

Best wishes to you!



"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Impeach Judge Vaughn Walker

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmond Burke

The People of California VOTED in favor of Proposition 8 that clarifies that marriage is between one man and one woman. ONE man, Judge Vaughn Walker, overturned the PEOPLE's VOTE and made marriage between homosexuals legal.

His decision to even hear this case and to overturn the people's vote is pure dictatorship and unconstitutional. In addition, the subject matter is MORALLY WRONG. That alone should make Christians want to do something.

"...and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:27 NIV

The New American Standard Bible translation reads:

^"...and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:27 NASB

The American Family Association has an action alert asking the PEOPLE to take steps to impeach Judge Vaughn Walker. It begins by urging your State Representative to Impeach this judge.

After you click on the link, all you have to do is enter your zip code. The AFA website has made it as fast and easy as it could possibly be. Please take action. Please send this to everyone you know.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

CHRISTmas in July

I ran across this video on You Tube and thought this might be a good time to participate in the CHRISTmas in July thing that is so popular these days. Only with an adjustment to the focus.

This is being sung by a 14 year old girl, Nichole Johnson. She has an incredible voice!




Sorry I'm not around much these days my friends. I love and miss you and will pop in now and again but God has redirected me for the time being. I am still working my graphics business if you need anything.



"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Call To Commit To Prayer For Our Nation with Charles Stanley

Dr Charles Stanley with InTouch Ministries is asking God's People to commit to 140 days of prayer for our Nation and the direction we are headed. Please join me in this and sign up on his website and please help spread the word.

http://intouch.org/resources/140-days-of-prayer




"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

God's Plans, Not Mine

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What do your prayers sound like? So often mine tend to focus on what I want. Even when I ask God what He wants, I hardly neglect to let Him know what I want. Now there's nothing wrong with asking God for what we want or what we think we need but are we truly willing to accept what He wants for us?

Many times I have prayed for or about something and God has answered exceedingly abundantly beyond what I had ever hoped for. The last two vehicles I have purchased happened that way. In both cases I had been praying because I needed another vehicle and I asked for something specific in His time. In both cases God went ahead of me and chose vehicles that were what I asked for and so much more.

There have also been those times when it seemed like God overlooked a few details. I have recently asked for prayer for myself as I looked for a job. I want to thank you all for praying and for those that encouraged me and some who even helped me through a few meltdowns. God provides for His children but it doesn't always look like we think it should.

As I applied for jobs, I prayed specifically that God would block all offers except for the job He wanted me to accept. I also asked if there could be at least one deeply rooted Christian where He chose for me to work, and that be someone I could become good friends with. I asked for prayer in my Sunday school class one day and the lady I asked told me there might be a position available soon in her department at work and asked me to email her my resume. Within a week she called me and offered me a job. The offer sounded more like a sales pitch as she was very anxious for me to accept.

So prayers answered, a job that was offered to me by someone I was already developing a friendship with who was a deeply rooted Christian. But it "seemed" that God had overlooked a few details. This was a part time position and paid very little. Not sufficient income to pay my bills but I was sure this was God's choice so I accepted the job. At the start of my 2nd week the position became full time and my supervisor is telling me that she wants to train me for advancement. The pay is still not sufficient to pay my bills but I know that this is the job that God chose for me. If things had gone according to my plans, I would have gone into a full time position that offered better pay but I am learning to accept God's plans and not mine.

    "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Throughout my life God has shown me that He is always faithful. He has never left me stranded and has always provided for my needs, sometimes in miraculous ways. He can be trusted even when there is more month at the end of my income. These days it seems that we don't leave any room for dependence on God. We want our safety nets all in place before we take any steps forward. We won't take a job unless it offers high pay, health insurance, and a retirement plan. These aren't bad things but it seems that we, like the world, have come to rely more on these safety nets than we do on God. The world has to depend on these things because they don't have God, but God wants His People to depend on Him. We are called to live a life set apart so that the world can see our God and so that He will be glorified. I am so thankful for all that God has provided for me and that He has cut away the safety net.

Please join me at Titus 2 in action today...









"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Volunteer Opportunities

This is my grandaughter Word Girl. In this picture she is pouring drinks, not for herself, but for those that we came to serve. Word Girl has expressed an interest in wanting to help others in need since she was very small. I could see that this was something that God had put on her heart so I began to pray for an opportunity.

...To find out how God answered please join me at Titus 2 in Action today.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

K Graduate

The stage pictures are not very good quality but the little one in the pics is.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Pre K Graduate

Somehow the settings on my camera got switched to low quality so these are not as good as I would have liked for them to be. Even still, she's still CUTE!

Singing "This Little Light of Mine", and at a public school.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Where Would I Go?

Did you ever want to run away from home when you were a child? Maybe even as an adult. I think most of us can remember at least one time in our life when we wanted to. When I was about eight years old I had gotten in trouble for something, I don't remember what, but I do remember that it made me angry enough to decide I was going to run away. I packed up as much of my belongings as I could and then I realized that I had no place to go so I unpacked everything and put it all away.

I lived with my grandma and she was the one who took care of me. She was the one who gave me a place to live, food when I was hungry, clothes, a warm bed, and lots of other extras out of love. When she wasn't treating me nice enough by my standards, I didn't trust her love for me and wanted to leave.

Life can be pretty disappointing sometimes and downright devastating at other times. When trials come we find ourselves grappling with our faith. No matter how deeply rooted in Christ we are, we all experience trials that stretch our faith so thin that we wonder if it will hold. These are the times when we face what we say we believe about God and His love for us, and have to come to terms with whether or not we really do believe.

When God allows a tragedy to happen to your child, the loss of your job, homelessness, a shattered dream, these are the times we question His love, His care, His provision. It's easy to say we trust God when things are going pretty well, but when trials come, that trust is put to the test. It is during the trials that we not only seek God for what He can do for us, but we strive to know and understand Him because of who He is. These are the times we are faced with the question Jesus asked His diciples in John 6:67-68.

Then Jesus said..., “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. John 6:67-68

Questioning God isn't a sin when we take our questions to Him, it is a stretching of faith. God doesn't frown on us when we bring our doubts about His character and His purposes to Him. He knows that we will have doubts, and He allows us to experience trials so that we will question Him. Then He shows us His love at a greater level, teaches us deeper truths about Himself, and strengthens our faith in Him. We may not understand, but we can choose to trust God and keep walking with Him.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct[a] your paths. proverbs 3:5-6

 join me at Titus 2 in Action today.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Part The Waters LORD

"LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless ... Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you..." 2 Chronicles 14:11


I Need Thee Every Hour - Selah

Greatest Hymns CD

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Applying Understanding

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. - Matthew 5:44

This was one of my granddaughters' memory verses. As we were practicing it one morning, I realized from the look on Miss Personality's face, that she didn't know what an enemy was so I asked her and she said "no". I explained that an enemy was someone who was mean to you. Then I told her that God wants us to love and be nice to people even when they are mean to us and He wants us to pray for them.

She looked a bit surprised and said "Why!?". I explained that when we are nice to people who are being mean, it helps to change them so that they will be nicer. I said that sometimes it takes a little time, but if we keep being nice it will help that person to change.

Computer Girl was behind us listening to the conversation and suddenly said "Like the Beast!" They had watched Beauty and the Beast just before this conversation and she made the connection.

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6

A few weeks later when I went to pick up Computer Girl from her Sunday School class, the teacher asked me who "so and so" was. I don't remember the name she used so I'll call her Addie. She explained that the kids made cards that day that they were to give to someone they knew and that Computer Girl said it was for someone named Addie. I figured it was one of her friends. On the way home from church I asked Computer Girl who Addie was and she told me it was a girl who was mean to her. She said that she wanted to give her a card to help her learn to be nice. *Big Smile*

Her action makes me stop and think about my own response to those people who have crossed my path and have not been very nice to me. Do I lash out at them? Do I hold a grudge? Do I seek revenge? Or do I apply scripture to the situation? Praying for, and doing acts of kindness to those who have hurt us is difficult, but it keeps our own hearts pliable for the Lord to shape into His likeness.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child  will lead them. Isaiah 11:6

Join me at Titus 2 in Action today...

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Searching For A Job

Need one real soon.
Would appreciate your prayers.
Thank you!



"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

I Will Lift My Eyes

Praying this day, the National Day of Prayer, to the LORD of Hosts for...
our nation...
the end of abortion...
godly leaders throughout this nation...

that His People would...
humble ourselves...
pray...
seek His Face...
turn from our wicked ways...
healing in our land...





I Will Lift My Eyes, Accompaniment CD




"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

If You Want Me To

"...We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chronicles 20:12

This scripture has been on my heart for a little while now. It is sometimes all I know to say and I know several others who are leaning on this one too.

The other day as I was making lunch for the girls, I had the cheese out and was slicing it and noticed that Tobi was laying down near the doorway to the kitchen. I could see her in my peripheral vision. She lay there looking perfectly relaxed but I noticed that her eyes were on me the whole time. Watching my every move wide-eyed and with great anticipation.

She could be relaxed because every time I get the cheese out I give her some. Because she knows that, she was able to sit close and wait patiently, but her eyes, and stretching of her neck said she was wondering if this time would be different. Would I forget her this time? Would I ignore her this time? Do I still love her? Will I provide as I have in the past or just walk away this time?

That cheese was not a need for Tobi, but I planned all along to give her some just because I love her. It was as though God was showing me how I look from His perspective at times.

What would Tobi have done if I had not given her any? She would have stayed loyal to me anyway.

If You Want Me To - Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reasons why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to


No I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to

Cause when I cross over Jordan
Gonna sing, gonna shout,
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk though the valley
If You want me to

Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to

If You Want Me To: The Best of Ginny Owens, Compact Disc [CD]

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Facebook, RFID Chips, National Database

I don't know why this guy laughs all the way through this but it is very thought provoking. It isn't over when it first appears to be. Listen to what Obama says at the end.






"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Accepting Disappointment

Disappointment is a hard thing for me to accept. I tend to like getting what I want. But the hard truth is that I don't always get what I want. As a matter of fact, I often don't get what I want. It's part of life. From the time we're born until our last days we will meet with disappointment. Have you ever noticed how some people seem to be able to accept disappointment and keep moving forward better than others? They have probably had a lot of practice and good guidance.

We can help our children and grandchildren to better accept disappointment while they are young by allowing them to experience it. I think this can be especially hard for us grandparents.  Allowing children to experience disappointment doesn't mean we cause it and I'm not referring to devastation here either. Allowing children to experience small disappointments and teaching them how to accept those little disappointments, trains them to better deal with the bigger disappointments they will experience later in life. So often we want to shield children from disappointment so we try to prevent it or make them forget it by giving them something much bigger and better. Often when there is more than one child we try to make everything "fair" by making it equal, but equal isn't necessarily fair or what is best.

Dealing with disappointment is generally a matter of redirecting our focus in some way. At the center of disappointment is usually "self" so a part of overcoming disappointment is redirecting our focus from "self" to "other". When my three little granddaughters come over they often want to play Webkinz. Since they all want to be first we have a rotation setup so that each time they come over someone else is first. They spend a few minutes talking about who was first last time and working out what the new line-up is every time. As they do this, they are working through the disappointment and learning to accept it as well as learning to place a little more focus on the others.

Disappointment generally involves a loss so offsetting that with some sort of gain or joy can help to train children to look for something positive in the midst of disappointment. In the above example, the one who is last gets a little more time on Webkinz than the other two. This provides a little disappointment and a little joy to both the first and last position as well as making things a little unequal for all of them. I have noticed that the one who is last will sometimes remind herself that she gets a little more time instead of dwelling on not being first.

Life isn't fair and it isn't equal. We all face disappointments but we can learn to view life and disappointment from God's perspective and teach our children to do the same.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross... Hebrews 12:2

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3

Join me at Titus 2 in Action today...

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Yahweh-Tsidqenu, The LORD Our Righteousness

Joining Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning in a study of the Names of God from Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want To Know You. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler and sharing what I learn from both studies. I am still a week behind. I hope to get caught up this week but we shall see. :)

“ Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,  “ That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NKJV)

The Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu is first used in Jeremiah 23:6. On our own we are not capable of being right with God. This is the verse where God reveals that He will be our Righteousness. Being born into sin, man is not able to live in complete obedience to God's law. We are slaves of sin, our hearts are evil, focused only on getting and doing things our own way.

“ The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

If we are to be right with God, we need a new heart.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)

Jesus is the Branch of Righteousness referred to in Jeremiah 23:5. Jesus is Jehovah-Tsidkenu. He died to take the punishment for our sins but that is not where it ended. The forgiveness of sin was accomplished with every animal sacrifice prescribed by the law. It was not the Perfect sacrifice because it only accomplished forgiveness until the next sin was committed and then another sacrifice was necessary. What that sacrifice did not accomplish was to make us righteous. It did not change the heart.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

On our own we cannot become righteous. That could only be accomplished at the Cross for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ (Jehovah-Tsidkenu) and His power to save. When we place our faith in Christ, we are exchanging our bondage of slavery to sin for a willing slavery of obedience to Christ. This willing exchange is a result of the new heart we are given to be obedient to the Holy Spirit that now lives inside of us.

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 (NIV)

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Raah, Yahweh-Roi, The LORD My Shepherd

I'm a full week behind in posting my study of the Names of God. When my back went out on me I was down for about 3 weeks and I have been working hard to catch up on my Blog Design work. I have a very hard time switching back and forth between writing mode and designing mode as the two are a completly different mindset, so even though I am doing the study,  posting has been pushed aside just a bit. Thank you for your patience.

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is facilitating a study of the Names of God from Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want To Know You. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler and sharing what I learn from both studies.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Even non-believers recognize these words from Psalm 23:1. In this study we looked at Jehovah-Raah, The LORD My Shepherd. Throughout the bible God (Jesus) is referred to as a Shepherd, and His people are referred to as sheep. We're going to take a closer look at sheep too.

Kay referred to Phillip Keller's book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. This is a book I have wanted to read for some time but have yet to do so. Psalm 23:2 begins "He makes me to lie down in green pastures." According to Kay, Keller says that it is impossible for sheep to lay down unless four things are in place.

1. They are free from hunger.
2. They are free from fear.
3. They are free from friction or tension.
4. They are free from pests.

Sheep are easily aggravated and tormented by flies, parasites and other pests. This makes me think of the spiritual battle that we are in, and how we Christians often believe the lies of the enemy that lead us into paths of death. The enemy is a continuous irritant to us trying to discourage us, tempting us to do what is harmful, and attacking us in an attempt to overpower us.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Sheep:

• Not very smart.
• Timid
• Helpless
• Easily frightened.
• Defenseless
• Good at getting lost.
• Easy prey.
• Know and trust their shepherd.
• Recognize their shepherd's voice.
• When their wool is thick they can fall over and not be able to get up. (They need help.)
• When their wool gets wet it can get so heavy that it can pull them down under the water and drown them. (Heavy burdens)
• Good at getting into trouble.
• Stubborn
• Sheep will follow other sheep into danger or death (even knowingly) without thinking about how their actions will affect them. Ask a sheep "if your friend jumps off a cliff would you do it too?" The answer is "Yes!"

Shepherd:

• Cares for his sheep.
• Watches over his sheep day and night.
• Feeds his sheep.
• Leads his sheep.
• Protects his sheep from danger, and predators.
• A shepherd will sleep laying across the gate's entryway so that anyone wanting to enter the pasture where his sheep are,  will have to go through him first.
• Accounts for every sheep in his care.
• Picks them up when they fall down.
• Is gentle.
• Loves his sheep.
• Searches for his wandering sheep and brings them back.
• Talks to his sheep.
• Provides for his sheep.
• Lays down his life for his sheep.

Jesus, The Good Shepherd, became one of the flock, the sacrificial Lamb of God, in order to save us from our sins and lead us in paths of righteousness.

One thing that is amazing to me is that God entrusted the spreading of the Gospel throughout the whole world to mere sheep (us), and even the most powerful predator (Satan) of these not so bright, defenseless, fearful, stubborn sheep is unable to prevent it, and is unable to snatch even one of these sheep out of the Hand of the Good Shepherd.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:14

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:15-16

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

I so recommend both of these books if you plan to do this study.










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Encourage Children to Share Jesus

As parents we often don't really want others teaching our children about their religion. We think they don't have the right to impose their beliefs on our kids. We don't want anyone leading our kids astray. The same is true of non-believers. They don't want us Christians filling their kids minds with thoughts of Jesus. The fact is, we are in a spiritual battle all the time. You are one side or the other, there is no in-between.

We can and should keep our children out of situations where they will be wrongly influenced when that is possible, but we should also equip them to handle those situation when they are in them. We should teach our children how to discern right from wrong, how to make good decisions, and how to share Jesus with their friends.

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15

I remember when I was in elementary school my best friend Deana was Jewish. To me this girl was "set apart". I was fascinated by her different lifestyle and the different holidays her family celebrated, and the way they celebrated. As a result I asked a lot of questions. Our kids go to school with kids who have many different beliefs and many different Gods. Our culture is blending many beliefs (including Christian beliefs) into a universal religion that is all inclusive and looks the same no matter what. Do our kids appear "set apart" as Deana did to me? Is there a difference in their lifestyle, activities, and celebrations or does it look just like everyone else?

I remember one day Word Girl was telling me that satan was Jesus' brother. Where did she get that inaccurate bit of information? From a friend at school. Children aren't afraid to talk to each other about their beliefs. They are going to influence each other, and I think sometimes we forget that God can use our children just as effectively (if not more so) to plant seeds, as He can use us adults.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." Jeremiah 1:5

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

...Join me at Titus 2 in Action today.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Sabaoth, Yahweh-Tsebaoth, The LORD of Hosts

Joining Yolanda again at Joy Comes in the Morning in our study of the Names of God from Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want To Know You. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

The Name Jehovah-Sabaoth is used more than 240 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and is frequently used in many of the books of the prophets, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. It is used 52 times in the 14 chapters of the book of Zechariah alone. It is a Name of Great Power. The NIV translates this Name as LORD Almighty, but I have to say that after studying this I find that to be a weak substitute Name for the LORD of Hosts.

Jehovah-Sabaoth is the Ruler over every other power in the physical and spiritual realm. When we run to Jehovah-Sabaoth we run to the One who calls on all of creation, physical, celestial, and angelic, to serve His purposes as in 2 Kings when Elisha asked the LORD to open the eyes of his servant.

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

Kay describes Jehovah-Sabaoth as the Name for man's extremity. I love that! I love this Name and what I have learned about God through this Name! Jehovah-Sabaoth is who we run to when we find ourselves utterly powerless and without any place to turn for help. He is the One who delivers and who judges His People. He does not wink at our sins, He judges and corrects us, but He doesn't walk away from us, He delivers us. Kay says this is the God who meets failure and offers deliverance. Jehovah-Sabaoth is our strong tower.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

This is the Name Hannah prayed to in 1 Samuel 1:6-11. This is the first time this Name appears in the Bible.

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle[a] of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:9-11

This is the Name under which David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:42-47

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ..... Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:45, 47

And what a perfect time to study this Name because this is the Power that defeated death and gave us Life.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Now look at the often quoted Psalm 46:10 and we see that it is surrounded by Jehovah-Sabaoth, our stonghold.

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD,  Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:7-11 (emphasis mine)

One more Scripture that I have to share here. This is what we do here in the blogosphere. We who fear the LORD speak to each other of Him and He is listening.

    Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
      And the LORD listened and heard them;
      So a book of remembrance was written before Him
      For those who fear the LORD
      And who meditate on His name.
      “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
      “ On the day that I make them My jewels. (Literally special treasure)
      And I will spare them
      As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Malachi 3:16-17

I know this was long but I hope it speaks to your heart as much as it speaks to mine. This is one of the best studies I have done. If you are interested in studying the Names of God you can click on the links below to order either of these books.










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Word Girl's Baptism

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou