Are you hot?

There are many ways to be hot. I live in south louisiana so can we say HOT? lol. And today it will be in the high 90's, and today I am having hot flashes. CAN WE SAY EXTREMELY HOT?

Sigh, I love where I live, don't get me wrong. The people are caring, well most of them, lol. The culture is one of family. I live far enough from New Orleans to not have to deal with the atmosphere there that I don't care for. All in all this is a great place to live. But today, with the temps in the 90's, heat indexes in the 100's and the hot flashes, well today, I would like to live on an iceberg some place lol. Anyone care to join me?

So of course since hot is so on my mind today, I decided to see what God has to say on hot.

Ps 6:1 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Here it talks about the Lord's displeasure and anger. There are many places where it mentions the Lord's hot anger.

Da 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Remember this story? The furnace was so hot that the men sent to toss them in burned, but they were kept safe by the Lord.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.


Are we on fire for God? Have we lost our heat? I pray we are on fire.

Ps 25

PS 25:1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths.
5 Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Thy tender mercies and Thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn Thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring Thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.


And all that I will add to this is AMEN!

When life gives you lemons....

A comment was made by mere on her blog about me making lemonade out of the lemons life has been throwing my way. Of course that got me thinking lol.

So here is my study on lemons.

There are many different things you can make with lemons other then lemonade. Personally I don't like lemonade lol and since I get lots of lemons I learned a lot of different ways to use them.

Lemon chicken
Lemon on fish
Lemon bars
Lemon ice box pie
Lemon meringue pie
Lemon cake

Well you get the idea lol.

So what does the word say about turning our lemons (trials or tribulations) into something else?

Deut 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Jn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Ro 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience

Something made from the lemon! Patience !!

Want something really great made from lemons? How about:

Rev 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Now you have to admit that the crown of life is worth a few lemons in our life!!!!

So next time life hands you lemons, make something great out of them with God's help!

link to update for Alexis

please follow the link to Letters from Enfield Land for updated pictures of Alexis. For newbies here Alexis is my 8 year old granddaughter who has bells palsey.

You GOTTA see those pictures. They had me bawling!!!

An award !!!

Wow I got this from flipflopmom and the babblings of mere! How blessed I am ladies. And how humbled.
FlipFLopMom said :

Cajun Quilter!!-- She rocks because she is definitely a solid friend.. and someone I can always bounce things off of.. and she is a true woman of God.. and I feel blessed to have her in my life!! She is a true mentor.. she is honest.. she will tell you things with GRACE and will always pray about what comes off her tongue first.. a quality I HIGHLY LACK!! she's my southern mama!!! *Ü*

Had to lol at the southern mama, and yes I am your southern mama.

Mere said:

Cajun Quilter- You simply AMAZE me with all the lemonade you are making with the lemons life throws you. Your steadfast love of the Lord even in the midst of trouble and heartache is AWESOME!!

Both of you had me in tears btw. And it has taken me a long time to respond cause I just am not sure I deserve this honor :-).

I am supposed to bestow this on 5 deserving people. Well some of you will have it more then once lol.

Ok here are the ones I am giving it to:

http://happywife84.blogspot.com/ Daphne's Diary

This lady shows more love and compassion in her little finger then most people have in their whole body. While struggling with many serious health issues this incredible woman still takes care of her husband, 2 sons, her mom and dad, and helps her brother and sister-in-law raise their 4 small grandsons. This lady's heart has amazed me for years and I just hope she realizes the crown she is preparing for when she arrives with Jesus.


http://justaflipflopmom.blogspot.com/
flipflopmom

I know I shouldn't do this to you, but you are one of my closest, dearest friends even though we have never met in person. You are amazing in the love you have for others, especially the children God has put in your path. You show much grace and wisdom in your dealing with them, and with your own children. I love how you enjoy taking care of your family and everyone else that God sends your way. You and I share a heart for the old ways of homemaking and that is awesome to me.



http://www.laurelwreathsreflections.com/
Laurel Wreaths Reflections

This lady always blesses and challenges me when I read her blog. She is awesome in her love for God. I love her humor and her serious side both. They are well balanced and a blessing to me each time I have a few minutes to spend there.

http://lettersfromenfieldland.blogspot.com/
Letters From Enfield Land

Well now for this one I am prejudiced lol. This is my oldest daughter's blog. And since she lives 900 miles away from me, I always check to see if there are new photos of her family. She is the mom of our granddaughter with Bells Palsey and I am just so blessed by the things the Lord has shown her through this journey. She went from being terrified at first (as all of us were) to growing strong through this journey. She is an encourager to her young daughter and to me as her mom. I love you sweetie. I miss her family.

http://kay-memyselfandi.blogspot.com/
A Glimpse of My World

And last but not least is my youngest daughter. I love seeing the pictures that she takes and what she does with them. She wants to be a photographer and considering she is using very inexpensive cameras she takes awesome pictures. I know that she can do anything she sets her mind to as she is a very determined lady. I am so glad she has come back to Louisiana. I missed her alot.

So there are my 5. I just wish my middle daughter would start a blog lol. Then I could do more of these lol. Our middle daughter is equally awesome. Even though she doesn't have a blog I will tell you about her. She is a strong lady even though she probably doesn't think so. She has overcome much in her life and is a remarkable young woman because of it. She is always there if I need her (as are the others) and while she has an "attitude" lol she is very loving. She uses the attitude to hide her compassionate heart from the world.


Please know that each and every one of you touch my life in one way or another and I thank God for you each day.

Can you gossip if no one is around?

1 Chr 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Mt 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Is it possible to gossip when you are alone? Can you gossip with God? It says in these and other verses that God knows our thoughts. So my question to you is this...
is it possible if you have gossipy (i know that isn't a word lol) thoughts about someone and don't voice them, are you gossiping with God? Do you think He likes when you do that?

Lord please guard my thoughts.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Putting God First

Back in biblical times the family consisted of all the relatives. They were bound together as one unit. They cared what happened to each other. They were close to each other. They helped each other. Were there disagreements? Of course. But they worked through them. What happened to that unity? I haven't spoken to my sister (by her choice) in over 10 years. It breaks my heart every time I think about it. But there is nothing I can do about it. I have to wait for God to work on her heart and open it up to me again. The split between us came after I gave her a word the Lord gave me to tell her. As much as it grieves me to have the separation from her, the separation I would have from God had I not obeyed would be worse. I know God has a plan, and He will bring reconciliation when HE is ready.

So what does this have to do with putting God first? Well God has called us to put Him before everything and everyone in our lives. But what comes after? By His decree we are to put others in a certain order.

1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

So what does it mean to us? Well first we should be seeking God first. Then our family should come next. First husband, then children, then extended family. Then and only then should we reach out to others. If we are not showing forth God to our family, immediate and extended, how can we show God to others? Has He called us to witness to others? Definitely. But don't you think when we stand before Him if we have pushed our family aside He won't hold us accountable? What does the world see when we have no time to minister to our own family and yet we try to tell them about God? Don't you think if they start reading the Word God has left us that they won't think we are hypocrites?

I pray He not find any of us to be hypocrites.

Who are you lifting up?

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me

When you talk about Jesus to someone, who do you lift up? Him or yourself? Is it me, me, me or Him, Him, Him?

What Held Jesus to the Cross?

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love.
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.
15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
15:12 This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus' self sacrificial love held Him to the cross.

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.

Our sins held Christ to the cross. That was the purpose of the cross.

Is 53:4 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquiteis: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.
53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken.
53:9 And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
53:11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.
53:12 Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong: because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

It is God's amazing grace that held Him there. It held Him there till He paid the price in full.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.

The new covenant started when He died.

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

So after all of that, here is my question for today. Does my life show how much I appreciate what Christ did for me on the cross? I pray it does.

My youngest daughter is coming home!!

I am so excited. My youngest daughter is coming home. I miss the two that are in other states. It is wonderful being able to go and meet my daughter that lives here for lunch often. Have them here for a meal, or go out to eat with them. I love having them close by, but then I miss the others. So when this daughter gets here tonight or early in the morning, I will just have one living out of state. Now if only they would decide to move here.

And the best thing? All but our oldest will be here for my birthday and our anniversary in a couple of weeks !!!

I am a happy happy camper. Thank you Jesus for bringing them home safely!

God Bless the USA

I should have put this in the post below but didn't think about it till after I posted it.

Freedom

Happy Fourth Of July!

First off I want to say to anyone in the military or a family/friend of anyone in the military, thank you and may God protect you and your family while you make this great sacrifice for our country.

Because this holiday is always associated with freedom, I woke with thoughts of our freedom that God provides.

Let's look at a few scriptures.

Jn 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou *, Ye shall be made free?
:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you *, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth * ever.
:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Did you notice that Jesus left no doubt in their minds how they could be made free? And He also left no doubt that they indeed were not free even though as Abraham's seed they thought they were? We as a nation are considered a "free" nation. But this clearly tells us that freedom is an individual thing when it comes to God. If we are in sin, we are a servant of sin according to Jesus' words above. And a servant is not free. Personally, I want to be a servant. Does that surprise or shock you? It shouldn't. I hope you want to be a servant also. I want to be a servant to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is where total freedom is. He says above you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. Christ is the truth. And just like it says, if the Son makes you free you are free indeed.

Ro 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Ah Lord, make me your servant for life.

Are your tools ready?

There are necessary tools for any job you have to do. As a homemaker we have a washer, dryer, crockpot, pots, mops, well you get the idea.

God has given us tools also to do our job as a believer.

Faith is one of those tools.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

The word of God is a tool He has given us.

Faith and the word go hand in hand.

Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Are you mixing the word of God with the faith He has given you?

God has equipped us to be able to do whatever He has called us to do. Feel unequipped for what you are doing? Is He still preparing you? Or is it possible that you are trying to do something under your own power instead of under His power? Is it something He has called you to do, or something you think is a good thing to do that maybe isn't His will for you right now? You know even good things that we do, sometimes are out of His will for us at that time. It doesn't necessarily mean it is a bad thing to do, just not what He has for us right then. He promises to prepare you to do what HE wants you to do, not necessarily what YOU want to do. Seek Him, ask if what you are struggling to do is His will for you . If it is, He will help you do it. If not, He will show you that too.

Other tools He has given us include, but not limited to are:

prayer
truth
righteousness
gospel of peace
faith
salvation
sword of spirit

Am I using the tools He has given me?

Are you?