God-devotion makes a country strong; God- avoidance leaves people weak.

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.”

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

“Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.”

Ronald Reagan

If ever a Godly man was chosen to lead our great country, it was the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan. I long for the days the Reagan Administration was in office. It frightens me of what is to come of America and those living in her now. However, centuries before Reagan, another man, King Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs, that we MUST stand UNITED and recommit ourselves to being a GOD-DEVOTED NATION in order to remain strong! Perhaps, history is repeating itself. One thing I’m certain of, is that America and her leaders need the prayers of the American people NOW more then ever! Please commit to praying DAILY for our leaders. I urge you to pray that the upright in heart will be established in positions of leadership in this land and the unrepentant wicked will be rooted out of it!

(Proverbs 2:21-22) (I Timothy 2:1-4)

“Man is never so tall as when he kneels before God – never so great as when he humbles himself before God. And the man who kneels to God can stand up to anything.”

***Mr. Sam Clausen, is credited for taking the picture of the Eagle in my WFW for today. This a young man with a God-given talent for seeing and depicting God’s creation in a way many of us only dream of! Please visit his Photography facebook page and commend him on his work.

The home of WFW is at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods

Join our WFW host today:

with Susan @ Forever His

For more of my Word-Filled Wednesday previous posts take a gander here!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Word-Filled Wednesday!

We finished up our Wal-Mart trip, let’s just say.. “sometime later” and headed back to the big city of “O” town where we live. It’s about a 40-45 minute drive. So of course, there was more talking, radio blaring, and singing on the way home. Stuff you don’t normally catch a couple of ladies our age doing, at least not with anyone else in the car. So, moving right along. Being the country girls we are, I turned off the highway about 20 minutes away from home and we began “boonie cruising!” Some people call it “country cruisin” others call it “gravel travel.”

What is it “they” say? (and don’t ask me who “they” are, cause I don’t have the foggiest!) Most accidents happen closest to home. Well, “they” made a believer out of me! We weren’t but 3-4 miles from my house when a HUGE deer darted across the road right in front of the vehicle. Before I knew it, I reacted, swerved and ended up in the ditch. Now, mind you, this wasn’t just “any ole ditch” No, no, no. This was a ditch FULL of water. Next thing I know.. my friend is loudly and urgently telling me to get out of the car. The only thing I remember thinking was, “I have this under control. We’re both alright. What is HER problem?” It wasn’t until I glanced over at her crouched down in the seat of the passenger’s chair that I saw the water rising up INSIDE my car!  By this time, it was in the car at least a foot and quickly rising. I STILL did not move. My friend ended up pushing me out my door as we fell in waist deep water and clambered up the ditch to dry ground.

All at once, it hit… we WEREN’T okay. I flipped out, screaming and yelling and if you know me, I just don’t do that. I’ve been through quite a lot in my life and I can honestly say, nothing has affected me like this did. My friend couldn’t get me to calm down long enough to even call for help. In fact, she had to walk away from me so she could hear on the phone. That didn’t help, as I bellowed even louder at the thought of her leaving me there all alone.  When I realized what I’d done, I begin mumbling over and over, “He’s gonna be so mad! He’s always told me not to swerve! Sniff .. sniff.. he’s gonna hate me! sob.. sob.. ” I was speaking of my husband, who has always preached, NEVER to swerve for a deer or ANY other animal. Yet tonight, I swerved.
We ended up finding help and my car was eventually pulled out. That wasn’t until however, the water had risen almost to the top of the door panel. The sight of it tore at my inner most being. I’m not so sure my life didn’t flash before my eyes as it was being pulled from the muddy, stump infested, ditch full of water. You see, there are three things I thank God for daily; 1. My washer/dryer. I could NOT survive without them! 2. My dishwasher, which was actually not working at this time. and 3. My CAR!! It was THE one dependable material item I owned!

Time passed and it was 6 a.m. the following morning before my head hit the pillow.

TO BE CONTINUED……………

(A day late a dollar short.)

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday on Thursday!

1 LORD + 1 FAITH = 1 BAPTISM

This is my youngest son.

A heartfelt joy, witnessing one you’ve been blessed with, come to know and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior!

Find my collection of WFW here!

For more WFW please join CRITTY JOY, our host this week!

or

The 160 Acre Woods

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.

God’s law is reasonable NOT demanding. It is not beyond understanding and easy to obtain. (v.11)

It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask,

“Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”

The law is NOT hard to understand or hidden in the recesses of heaven. God’s law is simple! (v. 12)

Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask,

“Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”

The law is NOT hidden behind a barrier, so it is impossible to gain knowledge of and obey it (v. 13)

No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

God’s law is NOT a secret! It is imminent. We don’t have to go “here” or “there” in search of God’s righteousness. It is here with us now in Christ (Romans 10:6-8)

Deuteronomy 30:11-14

So what is the “law?” The law is given to us for our good. It is meant to be pleasurable and something of enjoyment, rather then to please God. It’s simply a manual for life. Life’s operational “how-to” book. The law gives us something to “aim” at, rather than be tied down to. The law was designed to expose sin, not subject us to slavery! The law was intended to lead us to Christ and living “Christ-like.”

Embrace the simplicity of God’s law. Obedience and blessing is right there, calling to us. It isn’t difficult. It isn’t far off. It is yours for the taking! Ready… Aim…

I’m participating in Monday Manna, hosted by Joanne at An Open Book.

Please stop by and pay her and the others a visit.

Innocent child and snow-white flower!
Well are ye paired in your opening hour.
Thus should the pure and the lovely meet,
Stainless with stainless, and sweet with sweet.

White as those leaves, just blown apart,
Are the folds of thy own young heart;
Guilty passion and cankering care
Never have left their traces there.

Artless one! though thou gazest now
O’er the white blossom with earnest brow,
Soon will it tire thy childish eye;
Fair as it is, thou wilt throw it by.

Throw it aside in thy weary hour,
Throw to the ground the fair white flower;
Yet, as thy tender years depart,
Keep that white and innocent heart.

William Cullen Bryant

For more WFW please visit our host for today, Lori @ All You Have To Give

or The 160 Acre Woods

~ Denver Moore
“Same Kind of Different As Me”
(Co-written with Ron Hall, with Lynn Vincent)

I read once that God wants us to want him. He yearns to be our friend and to be needed by us. Our Savior says that what he would really likes, is to have us recognize his voice, open the door and invite him to come in — sit down, relax, and enjoy a meal — indeed, a feast together — with him. (Revelation 3:20)

Are you kidding? What’s so special about the likes of me? God wants to be MY friend? My BFF?

Being a best friend would of course, consist of keeping in close touch; forgiving one other; and always being there for each other. That sounds like a BIG commitment!

What kind of friend are you? How often do you stay in touch with God (prayer)? How many times do you point the finger to the skies above when your prayers aren’t answered just how you asked? How many times have you let God down? I definitely do NOT qualify to be God’s BFF!! Yet, God still aches to be mine.

It’s time we realize, we have a friend whose love is the definition of unconditional! He fills to the full each and every qualification and aspect of a true best friend. In time of need, He is always, always, always there — close at hand, not far away. He senses when things are wrong. He knows when trouble is near. He’s patiently waiting until we realize, we can’t do it without Him and we call upon His name.

Dear Heavenly Father, I give up!  I’ve tried it MY way and look at the mess I’m in! I need you Lord. Please take control of my life and guide the way. Help me to be less controlling, and more trusting in your everlasting and unconditional love. I want to be the kind of friend you’ve always been to me. Help me set my pride aside and lean on you for anything and everything.

Please visit Miriam Pauline’s Monologue for more “In Other Words!”

Thank you for joining me today!

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Welcome to Monday Manna!

(I am a week late in posting this)

I’m participating in Monday Manna, hosted by Joanne at An Open Book.

Please stop by and pay her a visit.

This Monday’s verse is:

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,”Hosanna!” “

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

(Mark 11:9 NIV)

When I read this verse, the first thing that jumped out at me, was the two groups of people around Jesus. “Those who went AHEAD and those who FOLLOWED….” Many of those who were following Jesus had just witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead.

“HOSANNA!” Indeed!

Those who were ahead, had already heard the news of Lazarus’ rising. (Who said good news doesn’t travel fast?) Picture the welcoming Jesus received as you read, in the book of Mark, of his grand entrance into Jerusalem. Cries of “Hosanna!” The exclamation of praise; the act of calling out, “O Lord, save us, we pray!” rung true through out Jerusalem that day. Jesus was outwardly being proclaimed the Messianic King while his enemies stood close at hand with a watchful eye. However, Jesus showed NO FEAR towards his enemies’ power. This encouraged his disciples which were full of fear!

What a lesson for us today. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” God is always with us, watching over us, taking care of us. Even though standing up for what we believe is not always easy, we are never alone. I believe we are to face our fears as Jesus did on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. HOSANNA! I praise you!

]]> http://onwardho.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/monday-manna/feed/ 0 Philippians 3:12-14 mondaymanna no-fear-eye-750074 http://onwardho.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/to-do-list/ http://onwardho.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/to-do-list/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:53:15 +0000 Philippians 3:12-14 http://onwardho.wordpress.com/?p=111 ]]>

I’m a maker of lists. I start one list, then another, then another, only because I can’t remember what I did with the first one! In Philippians 3, Paul outlines a specific “To-Do List” for us to follow.

Get Ready… Get Set…

1. GO FOR IT! We’re in the biggest race of our lives! Make a choice and press on!

In the words of Rocky Balboa to Clubber Lang, “GO FOR IT!”

“…I press on to preserve that perfection for which Christ Jesus first intended for me!”

(Philippians 3:12)

2. FORGET IT!

“…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!”

(Philippians 3:13)

Forgetting is described as; no longer influenced or affected by.

There’s a story about a man who was slowly losing his memory. After an examination, the doctor said that an operation on his brain might reverse his condition and restore his memory. However, the surgery would be so delicate that a nerve might be severed, causing total blindness. “What would you rather have,” asked the surgeon, “your sight or your memory?” The man pondered the question for a few moments and then replied, “My sight, because I would rather see where I am going than remember where I have been.” (Dennis J. De Haan)

How many of you have made a similar choice in your lives? In Philippians 3, Paul makes a spiritual choice. His past, with its success and its shame, he chose to forget. What mattered to him most was keeping his eyes on the goal of gaining Christ’s approval. What do you choose? To see or to remember?

Two perfect examples of this very thing can be found in history.  When Cortez landed at Vera Cruz in 1519 to begin his conquest of Mexico with a small force of 700 men, he purposely set fire to his fleet of 11 ships. His men on the shore watched their only means of retreat sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. With no means of retreat, there was only one direction to move, forward into the Mexican interior to meet whatever might come their way.

Likewise, Julius Caesar landed on the shores of Britain with his Roman legions, he took a bold and decisive step to ensure the success of his military venture. Ordering his men to halt on the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, he commanded them to look down at the water below. To their amazement, they saw every ship in which they had crossed the channel engulfed in flames. Caesar had deliberately cut off any possibility of retreat! Now that his soldiers were unable to return to the continent, there was nothing left for them to do but to advance and conquer!

When looking back, you never get anywhere. You become stagnant; existing in a changeless situation. No progress is made. Is there something in YOUR life you need to forget or put behind you? Maybe TODAY is the day!

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

(Psalms 37:5)

Come back later this week for #3 and #4 on Paul’s To-Do List!

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²⁴ There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:
²⁵ Ants—they aren’t strong,
but they store up food all summer.

Proverbs 30:24-25 (NLT)

If I asked you to paint a picture of how an ant spends its day, what would we see? Is it sleeping? Perhaps, taking it easy and relaxing on a blade of grass? Maybe the tiny little creature is even kicked back with an Ice Tea in one leg and the daily newspaper in the other.

Whoooaa! That’s not the picture I see. Ants ALWAYS seem to be busy. They always seem to be working. And even though they are tiny, they accomplish much! Though a small, weak, feeble creature, ants will travel over rocks and stones, climb trees, enter into towers, barns, cellars, places high and low, in search of food; never slowing down. And if that isn’t enough, the ant not only helps itself, but helps others. No one ant carries it burdens alone!

Did you know?

1. Some worker ants are given the job of taking the rubbish from the nest and putting it outside in a special rubbish dump?  They are a neat and tidy insect.

2. Ants can lift 20x their own body weight!

3. Ants are known to be the smartest species of insects with about 250,000 brain cells!

4. Ants are fast runners! If a human had the legs equal to those of an ant, we would be able to run as fast as a racehorse!

5. When a worker ant finds a source of food, it leaves a trail of scent to attract other ants in the colony to it.

WOW! No wonder the Bible instructs us to learn from these little guys!

God’s message in Proverbs 6:6 is directed at just the opposite type, SLUGGARDS! A sluggard is a lazy person, who wants to do anything BUT work! The sluggard is described in Proverbs 12:27:  ‘A lazy life is an empty life, but “early to rise” gets the job done!’ What’s the old saying? “Early to bed, early to rise, will make a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” (Benjamin Franklin)

Yet, have you ever needed to get something done, but just didn’t want to? Are you one of those people who thinks, “Aw, there’s always tomorrow.” PROCRASTINATION? Think, “Nike”… God doesn’t want us to just talk about it, but DO IT!

JUST DO IT!

Lazy people START things, but they don’t follow through and FINISH what they start. How many projects and activities do you start and not finish? Often we get enough energy to start something but we do not FOLLOW THROUGH and FINISH. (I must admit, I’m bad about this.) Does God FOLLOW THROUGH and FINISH what He starts?

⁶ ‘And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.’ Philippians 1:6

Thank you Jesus!!! Thank you for not tossing me to the side, only to forget about me. Thank you for staying WITH me through ALL things and helping me carry my burdens! Thank you for NEVER giving up on me! Please help me to work hard and to accomplish much for your glory and for the good of others.

Take note: Desires are fine, but we need to put some muscle and sweat and toil and effort into living to make those desires come true! Diligence and hard work are virtues and pleasing to God. God wants us to be “ant-like” as He works in the heart of the believer .

¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.’

Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

What are some ways YOU can be more diligent?

More “ANT-LIKE?”

Check out pennyraine.com the hostess of today’s WFW for more inspiring verses/pictures!

P.S.

Philip Yancey–What’s So Amazing About Grace?

GRACE; a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior. (i.e. It was by God’s grace……)

FAVOR; to prefer; treat with partiality. (i.e. The father favored his younger son.)

GRACE, simply put, teaches us that no matter “how deep we have sunk in sin, no matter how far one drifts from God, no matter how dark the night, God’s grace can reach all men. Grace does not respond on the basis of age, wealth, race, gender, political preference, or social standing. Grace is God’s loving response to our greatest need.”

GRACE is God’s gift to you and me, free and unmerited. It is something that can’t be earned! . Grace is one of the most amazing gifts that God shares with us. His willingness to give His best for the world’s worst should motivate us to reach out to “all men” not with pity but with the precious life-changing grace of the Lord Jesus.

“Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:24

It is by GRACE that God forgives us and then GRACE teaches us to change our ways and teaches us how to live.

“God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.” Titus 2:11-14

GRACE is an ongoing learning experience. It teaches and instructs us that GOD is in control!

^“So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!” Romans 6:1

GRACE has nothing to do with US and EVERYTHING to do with GOD!

Grace Like Rain

Please click the link above to hear about God’s wonderful GRACE!

Because Of Him,

Penny

For more information on “In Other Words” please visit Loni at  Writing Canvas