Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Our Beautiful Daughter

Today seems to be the day of doubt and the feeling of defeat for so many and for different reasons. For our family it is financial crunch time as the hubby works for the RV Company, called Keystone, which is shut down for 2 weeks for the 4^th of July. For others it may be personal reasons I cannot share.

Praise Him Through Your Storm

Friday June 26, 2015 many were celebrating the fact that same sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states, however, for the Bible and Jesus believing Christians it is a huge set back for our nation.

It grieves me to think how many people think that being gay and or homosexual is quite normal, even people who claim to be a Christian or attend church. How does it make God our Father, the creator of the world and author of the Bible feel?

Many places in the Bible it is quite clear that living a homosexual life is a sin. It is not a bigger sin than any other sin, however, still a sin. How can Christians turn their eyes against God and his word? How can they say drinking and or drug use is wrong and a sin and yet agree to the homosexual lifestyle simply because they know the person. Yes love that person and it is the greatest commandment, however not the sin.

“Praise You in this Storm” by Casting Crowns came to my mind Friday morning and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” to my sister while she was at work.

Our family, a big family with 10 siblings, was raised going to church and believing in God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ the son. It has gotten us through many a hard time and I often wonder how others do it without a faith-based life.

Newsboys Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

Now, while the song she first remembered was the old hymn we once sang in church, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, the Newsboys a few years back, took that song and gave it an up beat and even a better song. Many will be familiar with the old hymn; however, in case you do not know the words, here are the lyrics to follow along with the You Tube video.

 

Our family has undergone test and trials, however, we know where to place our trust, turn our eyes and give praise, do you?

How to Dye Easter Eggs with Your Children or Grandchildren

Easter is a wonderful part of springtime. It is not just Easter eggs and Easter bunnies; it is when Jesus Christ rose from the grave for us. Why not take the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs and the story of Jesus’ death on the cross and living again and put them together. My grandson and I enjoyed our time and sharing. I will show you how to dye Easter eggs with your grandchildren.
John 20:1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

 Supplies needed to dye Easter eggs with your Grandchildren:

Food Color and Vinegar

• Eggs
• Food color/Egg dye
• Vinegar
• Newspaper
• Paper towels
• Vinyl gloves
• Spoon
• Containers
• Crayon
• Lots of Patience

 Instructions to dye Easter eggs with your grandchildren:

My grandson wrote on the eggs with the crayon

1)    First thing to do is to check to make sure you have everything you will need. You will need eggs, crayons, food color/egg dye, vinegar, spoons and something to guard your table from stains.

2)    Place the eggs in hot water and boil for approximately 5 minutes. Boiling to long will not hurt them any.

3)    Remove the eggs from the stove and pour off the hot water. Run cold water over them to cool off so you can handle them.

4)    It is now time for the vinegar and food color/egg dye. I used measuring cups, I used 1 cup of vinegar and just kept adding drops of food color until I got the color I wanted.

5)    It is VERY important when working with your grandchildren to protect the surface of the working station. Take newspaper and lay it down. Place the cups of Easter egg colors on the newspaper. Still even more protection may be desired, so lay down some paper towel for the Easter eggs to drain on.

6)    If you want to add words or design on your Easter Eggs get a crayon. Your grandchildren may not be a real artist, however, that is OK, it is to be a teaching tool while you are having fun; however, it will take some patience.

7)    Have your child/grandchild wear vinyl gloves to protect their hands. You do not want to have a rainbow colored child. Have them put the egg in the color of their choice.
Let the egg set in the food color for a minute or two to get the desired color. When it is time to come out have them take the spoon and guide the egg to the top of the cup and then they can take the egg off the spoon and put on the paper towel.

8)    Keep repeating step 6 until you have dyed all the Easter eggs.

For best success, explain to grandchild what you are doing before you start and prepare for a mess! Explain to your grandchild that Jesus Lives and that is what Easter is all about, dyeing Easter eggs is simply fun.

For Easter Basket Ideas: Cheap Homemade Easter Baskets: Recycle and Save

Merry Christmas

As I was growing up, everyone wished everyone Merry Christmas, now days it is rare to hear anyone wish you a Merry Christmas, unless it is someone you personally know.

While shopping in stores, even on Black Friday, you may be greeted with Happy Holiday. On television, you will hear about Holiday Trees and cards. These so-called trees are evergreen trees that are decorated with glass bulbs, lights, angels, card and tinsel.

Cards made for this very specific holiday aka Jesus’ Birthday or Christmas, is often referred to as a holiday card. Oh my goodness, if you are making, buying and sending a card on Christmas, what is wrong in calling it a Christmas card?

It is explained away as they do not want to offend non-Christians, however, how many Christians are being offended with a Happy Holiday or a Season’s Greeting? We are celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25^th, what are they celebrating?

Matthew 1:18-21 Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

19 Joseph, her fiancee, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly.

20 As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."


Read more on Bubblews:

It's About the Cross

Therefore, I am wishing you all an early Merry Christmas.

Well It is Good Friday

Well it is Good Friday, and for Jesus followers, that is a time for sad yet wonderful memories. Someone sinless took upon himself the sins of everyone else so that we may have eternal life. Wow, for God to send his one and only son, just for us is incredible.

John 3:16-17; KJV, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to the Ilumina Bible program,

THE MEANING OF MESSIAH:

“The title of Messiah came from the Hebrew, mashiach, and means "anointed one." Christos, or Christ, refers to an individual who is set apart to serve God.” It continues to say; “Messiah is a title for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In the Old Testament, God told how he would send the Messiah to rescue his people, to make everything right, and to destroy evil. The Jews looked forward to the arrival of this Jewish hero but rejected Jesus Christ because they expected someone different. Instead of a soldier, Jesus was a servant. Instead of being a mighty king, Jesus died on a cross. The Jews did not recognize God's plan for Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus still saved those who believed in him by his death on the cross. He came back from the dead and now rules in heaven above.”

Yes it is Friday, Good Friday, but hang on as Sunday is coming!

                                               

Light the Night a Halloween Party Alternative

October 31 is Halloween parties and trick or treating will be happening everywhere. Our church, New Song Community Church, is always looking for ways to be an outreach to the community.  Therefore, we host “Light the Night” a Halloween alternative party as we are proclaiming Jesus is the light in the world to off set the darkness that follows the Day of the Dead of Halloween.

Instructions for Light the Night a Halloween Party Alternative:

First step is to decide you want to make a difference in your community. John 8:12; NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Next step is to find a great location on the main street so children, parents and grandparents can easily find you.  We want to represent Jesus so no need to hide. Proclaim it loud and strong.

Decide what you want to do and say to your community. Make it inviting so even someone that would never step foot into a church will come see what makes you different. Have games with prizes, popcorn, hot dogs, hot chocolate and loads of candy.

Get the whole congregation involved. Some will want to work, while others will be more apt to donate the needed supplies. Send clipboards around a few weeks ahead of time during the Sunday morning service to round up volunteers to operate each station. You will need people to help set up, cook the hot dogs, assemble and hand out the hot dogs, game stations, candy stations, our the hot chocolate and clean up.

After you have collected bins of candy, you will need people to assemble the bags of goodies. Place a track in each bag telling them about Jesus, the name  of your church and how they can locate you.

Rent a big light to set up to represent the light of the world you are proclaiming.

Be prepared and over prepared, you will have more children and adults than you can possibly imagine. You do not want to turn anyone away empty handed, any extra supplies you may have can go back to the church for the youth or children’s ministries it won’t go to waste.

Have fun and where a smile, remember who you are proclaiming on Halloween, it is not the dead the world is celebrating, it is Jesus the light of the world. So go, light the night for your town.

Eat Healthy and Saving Money

Is your family like mine, you want to eat healthy and yet save money? With the announcement from ehow/demand studio eliminating part of my monthly income, the crunch in this family will be felt harder than ever.

 

Praise Jesus my mom always taught me how to do things the smart way. I hate paying full price and I buy in bulk when on sale. I also learned from mom how to do gardening and food preservation. With the garden season fast approaching my work has just begun, finding a home for my many how to articles, the every day needs in life, pulling weeds, canning, freezing or juicing the fruits and vegetables. But God is good and with him all things are possible.

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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linked to Friday Potluck

Good Friday and Easter

On Good Friday and Easter keep in mind that we serve a risen savior! Isn't that the best news you could ever hear? It is for me, without Jesus Christ the son of God there is no hope. So while some choose to hang colored eggs from the trees, that supposedly come from bunny's, keep in mind the empty cross and all that it represents. 

• Our sins
• Our pain
• Our shame

 Luke 24:36-44 (NIV)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. 

 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Linked to: Foodie Friday