Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!

I'm so excited that I found this video!  It's the first time I've ever heard this live version of "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" (words and music by Keith Green, performed by Keith Green).  Keith Green was my all-time favorite singer/musician.  I said "was" because he died in a plane crash in 1982 (he was only 28).  He was one of a kind who was totally sold out for Christ.  He lived what he wrote in this song and all his other songs.

"I'm in my 83rd year, but it doesn't necessarily mean I'm wiser or stronger.  It doesn't mean I've done more.  It's not the stretch of life that matters.  It's the depth of life.  It's not how long we live.  It's how we live.  Keith was a man who seemed to live on the edge of eternity.  And he was ready to step into it." Leonard Ravenhill spoke of Keith Green after his death (quote taken from "No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green" by Melody Green & David Hazard)


Oh Lord, You're beautiful. Your face is all I seek;
For when Your eyes are on this child, Your love abounds to me.

Oh Lord, my body's tired, but You keep reminding me
Of many holy tireless men who spilled their blood for Thee.

Chorus: I want to take Your Word and shine it all around,
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And if I'm doing well, help me to never make a sound,
Except to give all the glory to You.

Oh Lord, my faith is small, and I need a touch from You.
Your Book of books lies undisturbed, and the prayers from me..too few.

Oh Lord, please light the fire that once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love that's fueled with holy fear.

Oh Lord, You're beautiful. Your face is all I seek;

For when Your eyes are on this child, Your grace abounds to me.

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"When You said, "Seek My Face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."" Psalm 27:8
"Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord." Psalm 4:6
"Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love." Psalm 31:16
"For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face." Psalm 11:7
"You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey Your words.  I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." Psalm 119:57-58

Lord, please help me to live by Your Book and be a light that shines brightly for You.  To You alone be the glory!  Your grace and love abound to me.  Thank You, Lord!

Previous Songs:
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Thankful Thursday #7

 

This week...
1. I am thankful that the Lord has been working in me/my heart, enabling me to more readily extend His grace, mercy, and compassion (much needed especially when I start to get frustrated and don't know what to do) towards my challenging child who is gifted but possibly have Asperger's syndrome (from what we've researched).  I have been praying for more patience and for wisdom regarding how to understand, teach, train, encourage, and discipline him.  I would greatly appreciate your prayers for us.

2. I am thankful for words of encouragement, words of appreciation, and words of edification from my family, friends (including online friends), and anyone.  I truly appreciate all your kind, honest, and uplifting comments.  Thanks for taking the time to touch people's lives with your words.

3. I am thankful for a warm shelter, warm showers, warm blankets, and warm food.  These things remind me to pray for the homeless.  How hard and miserable it must be for them, especially when it's cold, windy, and wet out!  I encourage you all to support your local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and to have some food/water supplies and/or extra blankets, coats, socks, etc. available in your vehicles to give out to the homeless whom you may meet on the streets.

4. I am thankful that my children have embraced modesty since they were young.  Modesty is Biblical and beautiful. 

5. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me through winning blog giveaways.  This month, I have won a book, a DVD, and a $25 e-gift card to an online printing store.  Speaking of giveaways, I am hosting one at my HSB blog.  You have a chance to win a Yoplait Kids Prize Pack.  Two winners will be randomly drawn this Saturday.  There are only 6 entries so far; therefore, you have a great chance for winning :).  Hope you'll stop by and enter!

My Soul Pants for You

Nothing..no one can satisfy our soul except the Lord!  My husband and I love singing the song, "As the Deer" (words & music by Martin Nystrom) while he plays the piano.  "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.  You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee."  That's how I feel.  We are created to glorify and worship Him.  May we have an unceasing desire to know Him more, to love Him more, and to be filled with more of Him!

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:6
"By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me--a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8

Previous WFW:
- Without Excuse
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Magic Is Tragic

In our family, we use the word “illusion”, not "magic" when we talk about the tricks performed by illusionists. There’s another kind of magic that is dangerous, harmful, and tragic...the kind that God hates. It is witchcraft/sorcery.

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12a

“Do not practice divination or sorcery.” Leviticus 19:26b

“They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking Him to anger.” 2 Kings 17:17

“Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.” Ezekiel 13:20

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Revelation 22:14-15

This is not something to be taken lightly. The Lord hates it; we should also hate it and avoid it at all cost. Some Christians think it is not wrong to read books and/or watch movies that contain magic/witchcraft/sorcery. Some also think it is not wrong to celebrate Halloween (which tends to glorify death, fear, witches, ghosts, and spiritual darkness) and dress their kids up as witches or wizards.  They probably can come up with lots of reasons to justify why they disagree with me :).  Even if they assure me that those books, movies, or Halloween celebration do not affect or influence them/their kids negatively at all, I still would question whether they spent their time wisely and for God's glory.  Wouldn't they be better off to spend their time on better (edifying, inspirational, God-honoring) books, movies, and celebrations?  In my opinion, if the Lord is so strongly against magic arts/witchcraft/sorcery, why would we think we can play around with it? Why would we act like we know better than God? He loves us and wants to protect us from harm. You may think a little magic here and there is harmless, but anything that is against God is sin. Of course, satan wants us to think magic is harmless; he is a master of lies and deception. He likes to fill our minds and hearts with things that draw us away from God. You can read a great article regarding Halloween at http://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_outs/halloween .

In addition, I do not think Christian authors need to or should weave any magic/witchcraft/sorcery into their stories...even if they intend to use their stories to point people to God and the Gospel. God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and the Gospel is powerful and effective in itself. God does not need the help of magic (the thing He hates) to get people interested in Him. It is really an insult to God.

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

What the Lord Has Done in Me

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.
        What the Lord Has Done in Me by Hillsong

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5)  Whatever good you see in me is what the Lord has done in me.  It's not about me; it's all about Him.

Hosanna to the Lamb that was slain in our place and rose again!  "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"" (John 1:29)  "In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"" (Revelation 5:12)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)  Amen!  I am free and I can truly live because the Spirit of Christ lives in me.


Previous Songs:
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

First Blog Party Here

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Urailak (Thai name) Liljequist (Scandinavian name).  I am known in the blog world as "LivingforGod" and on Facebook as "Fruitbearer."  I am a Christ-follower, Bible-believer, daughter & servant of the King of kings, the helpmeet/blessed wife of my beloved Godly husband, blessed homeschool mom of three precious blessings, a sister in Christ, and friend to all.  I was born and grew up in Thailand. I first came to the U.S. in 1989 to study for my master's degree. In September of this year, I had my half and half day :).  After I graduated, I got married to the love of my life (we met in 1988) in 1991; we celebrated our 18th anniversary last month.  I desire to honor and glorify the Lord in everything I say and do, including blogging.  I hope that it is evident to all :).  Soli Deo Gloria!

I like the name of this party, "Harvest of Friends" :); last month, I posted about a different kind of harvest, Plentiful Harvest.  I am so glad that you decided to stop by and visit today.  Please take a look around and leave me a comment.  Below are my answers to some of the questions that Lynnette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground, the hostess of Harvest of Friends Blog Party, came up with for us to get to know one another better and other questions I got tagged on Facebook.


1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
    I usually don't eat while blogging; however, I occasionally have some chocolate :).
   
2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
     I wouldn't want to live without Christ.  But for "thing," it would be my Bible.

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?
    Farm near beach and mountains :).

4. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?
    I prefer staying at home with the fam.  If I socialize, my family is usually with me.

5. What's your all time favorite movie?
    I don't have an all time favorite movie.  I like Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel.

6. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?
    I don't wear make up.

7. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?
    Hidden talent?  It must still be hidden :).  I would like to learn how to swim and play guitar.

8. What first attracted you to your spouse?
     His great sense of humor and his passion for the Lord.

9. What is something you love to smell?
     Fresh air after the rain and fresh baked goods out of the oven.

10. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.
      My indecisiveness (I like to take a long time to think things over.) :)

11. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?
      Giving firstfruits to the Lord...supporting native missionaries through Gospel for Asia

12. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?
      A loud laugher.  My husband and kids often make me laugh.

13. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?
       Memorizing the Scriptures

14. Are you a big spender or frugal?
      Frugal...so that I can be a big giver :).

15. Would you want to be famous?
      Only if becoming famous would give me a platform and opportunity to share the Gospel widely and lead many to Christ....otherwise, no.

16. What is your occupation right now?
       Blessed wife and homeschool mom

17. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
       Probably Olympics sport events

18. What is your favorite drink?
      Thai iced tea when the weather is hot; hot cocoa when the weather is cold

19. Have you ever dyed your hair?
      No, I love my black hair.

20. What is your favorite food?
      Thai food/spicy food

21. What was your favorite toy as a child?
      Leaves and mud (I enjoyed playing pretend.)

22. What is your favorite season?
      I like all four seasons.

23. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Spicy hamburgers?
      I don't eat beef...so maybe spicy veggie burgers or spicy salmon burgers or spicy buffalo burgers...with cheese.

24. Favorite dog breed?
      Golden retriever and German shepherd

25. What is your favorite flower?
      Tulips

Thankful Thursday #6

 

This week...
1. I am thankful for God's protection over my brother.  Someone threw/dropped a brick onto his car while he was driving slowly through a residential area.  The brick caused the hood to flip up and crack the windshield.  My brother was shaken up but was not hurt. 

2. I am thankful for the warm fire (from our wood stove) that my husband makes in the evenings (when the weather is cold).  I find it very relaxing and cozy :).

3. I am thankful for our harvest from the garden this year: corn, green beans, zucchini, Hungarian peppers, Thai peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  We also get blackberries and pears on our property.

4. I am thankful for hymns and their writers.  I'm so glad that the hymn writers shared their God-given talents with us.  Their lyrics are mostly Biblically based, God-centered, meaningful, giving praise to God with utmost reverence and humble adoration.  Some of my favorite hymns are Be Thou My Vision, I Surrender All, Amazing Grace, Jesus Paid It All, I Need Thee Every Hour, To God Be the Glory, He Lives, and May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.

5. I am thankful for God's marvelous creation.  I love the outdoors and love taking pictures.  My Father's World is one of my blogs where I post the photos that I've taken of His beautiful creation.  "I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders." Psalm 9:1

Without Excuse

Through His creation, we witness His love, power, majesty, glory, wisdom, creativity, nature, beauty, and excellency.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:1-6) Psalm 19:4 is quoted in Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  But I ask: Did they not hear?  Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."" (Romans 10:17-18)

People are without excuse.  Creation points to the Creator.  The world is not only functional, but also beautiful.  The testimony of creation shouts out to the whole world loud and clear that God exists and that God's Word is true.  Sadly, some people continue to stubbornly cover their ears and their eyes.  I praise God, the Creator, for who He is and for what He does!  Let's take the time to ponder and worship our Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  May we never stop marveling at His wonders; may we never become numb or blind to His revelation of glory through His creation!

Previous WFW:
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

What a Silly, Goofy Cutie!

This photo of my youngest son makes me smile.  He huffed and he puffed to make his curly mustache extension stay extended :).  He had too much fun being silly.  I'm entering this in the Elefun & Friends Silly Kids Photo Contest at 5MinutesforMom.

Don't Waste Your Life

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:20-21)

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)

We have one life to live. How are you living your life?  You and I are not getting any younger.  Will you have any regrets on your death bed? When it's all been said and done, can we say that we did our best to live for God? "Have you ever seen the little plaque that reads, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last?" Well, that's not (all) what the poet wrote. The poet wrote this: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." Do you think all Christians die happy? Not on your life! Some of them die as miserable as sinners. Why? Because they've misused their time and wasted their lives. Many of you have laid dying on a hospital bed and prayed, "Lord, if You would only spare me, I'll do this, that, or the other." Well, have you done it?" (Leonard Ravenhill)

We need to ask ourselves: Are we wasting away our lives?  "God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display His supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.  The wasted life is the life without this passion.  God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives." (John Piper)  How do we use our time, talents, and treasures?  What is our passion in life?  Do we treasure Christ above all else?  "Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy." (John Piper)  If you have never read Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper yet, I highly recommend it.

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." (Isaiah 26:8)

Lord, I desire to live my life for You! I can never thank You enough for Your grace & mercy and Your love for me. I will always sing praises to You and You alone. I delight in You, in Your Word, in pleasing & honoring You, and in displaying Your majesty. My life is a gift from You and it's Yours; please use it for Your glory and according to Your will. May Your passion be my passion. By Your grace, my life shall not be wasted. In Jesus's name I pray.  Amen. 

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Note (as of Feb. 1, 2018): Today when I was searching on YouTube for the song, "When It's All Been Said and Done", I came across this video that used quotes and words (my prayer) from this blogpost. I was really surprised since the person who posted the video has never contacted me or asked for permission. I am okay with her using them as long as they're used for good. To God alone be all the glory!
 

I Surrender All

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

"I Surrender All" (written by Judson W. Van De Venter, music by Winfield S. Weeden) is one of my favorite hymns.  I surrender my life, my loved ones, my hopes & dreams, my time, talents, & treasures, my pain, my problems...my all to Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10: 38, 39

Higher than the highest heaven,

Deeper than the deepest sea;

Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;

Grant me now my supplication:

None of self and all of Thee!

                                                                                                             ~Theodore Monod

That's my desire and prayer, too!   None of self and all of Thee.


Previous Songs:
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Thankful Thursday #5

 

This week...
1. I am thankful that my sons have a thankful heart/attitude.  They appreciated the games, gifts, cards, cakes, ice cream, other treats, their relatives, family, and friends who came to their birthday party.  They remembered to thank everyone :).

2. I am thankful for my husband being the best dad/role model (besides Jesus) for our children.  He enjoys spending time (quality and quantity) with the kids.  The boys love playing sports with Dad and learning from Dad how to fix things, how to make fire, and other manly stuff; our daughter loves talking with Dad about God, the Bible, ministries, politics, world events, etc. and watching movies with Dad.

3. I am thankful for all the hugs and kisses from my husband and kids.  They are affectionate and I love that :).

4. I am thankful for our relatives and the relationship we have with them.  I'm glad that they always come to the kids' birthday parties and get along very well even though some of them were divorced and remarried.

5. I am thankful for all seasons. Each season displays God's wonders. If you would like to see the pictures I took around our property throughout four seasons, please click here.

Plentiful Harvest

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."" Matthew 9:35-38

Plentiful harvest...but few workers!  May we be filled with Christ's compassion and get to work!  Praying, sending, going...let's get involved in reaching the lost in any way we can.  Life is short.  Hell is real.  Many have not heard the Gospel.  What are we doing to make an eternal impact?
To find out more, please read my daughter's article, "Plentiful Harvest" at Growing In Grace (online) Magazine. 


Previous WFW:

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Brainwashed?

When I heard people accuse us Christians of being brainwashed, my first reaction was that we have been heartwashed, not brainwashed :). But then my next reaction was: maybe I want to be...maybe I am brainwashed because I want to have the mind of Christ! "The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile." Psalm 94:11 I don't want to think as the world thinks. I don't want to think as I (sinner living in the flesh) used to think. I am now a new creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 My old way of thinking and living has gone, being replaced with the new way of thinking and living according to God's standard.

I believe being heartwashed (repenting, asking Jesus to wash away all our sins, giving our heart to Him, being filled with His love and the Holy Spirit) is/should be followed by being brainwashed (having the mind and the attitudes of Christ, being filled with Philippians 4:8 kind of thoughts, knowing God as the Creator of the universe, meditating day and night on God's Word, choosing/protecting human life no matter how small or how old, putting others above ourselves, etc.) The ways of God are mostly opposite of the ways of this world. The world thinks:- earth came into existence out of the Big Bang, men evolved from apes, killing unborn babies is a matter of choice (exercising women's rights), looking out for ourselves is the wisest thing to do, a white lie is okay, sleeping around is acceptable, young people don't need to obey or listen to their parents because their peers' opinions are more important, the goal in life should be getting rich, successful, and/or famous, women can dress as seductively as they want because they own their body and nothing's wrong with enjoying their "power" over men (playing with their lust and their visual-sensitive mind), couples should get a divorce when they no longer love each other or they fall in love with someone else, or they discover that they are not compatible, etc. From now on, if I were to be accused of having been brainwashed, I would gladly take it as a compliment :)!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

P.S. "Brainwashing" can be a very bad thing. Here I'm talking about the kind that is washed by only God's Word and His Holy Spirit. Being brainwashed by man-made religions, cults, false teachings, or anything that goes against God's Word is detrimental. You need to be aware of that and be like the Bereans (comparing everything to the Scriptures) so that you may be able to detect any lies immediately and won't be brainwashed the wrong way.

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Mighty To Save

Today in the afternoon, we will have a party celebrating our sons' birthdays (Josiah turning 11 today and Isaiah turning 8 tomorrow). I asked them what song they would like me to put it on my blog for TSMSS. They picked "Mighty To Save."  They love this song; I do, too :)!

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given for men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.



"If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" ~M.E.Howard


Previous Songs:
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Best Brothers...Best Buddies

 

Tomorrow, my son, Josiah, will turn 11 and on Sunday, my youngest son, Isaiah, will turn 8.  The pictures above were taken in Oct., 2004.  Can you tell they were "King" Josiah and "Prophet" Isaiah? :)  I am so thankful that my boys are each other's best buddies.  They both can't wait to celebrate their birthday's party together tomorrow.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

P.S. I just spent hours making a Smilebox (slideshow) with my boys' pictures (72 total) but then the computer froze up on me and all that I did was gone.  I will try again when I get a chance :).

Previous Friday Photo Flashback:
- Harvest Festival
- I Love Mommy & Daddy
- Corn Roast Festival
- A Taste of Thailand
- I Could Never Promise You
- In Father's Hands
- Thai Version of Wipe Out
- My Graduation Day in Thailand

Thankful Thursday #4

 

This week...
1. I am thankful that the Lord has enabled us to homeschool our children.  This is our 11th year and we would not have wanted it any other way.  We love homeschooling with all its ups and downs :).

2. I am thankful that my two sons are each other's best buddies.  They share a bedroom, talk about everything, discuss books they read, play together everyday, etc.  They sometimes get rough with each other but their brotherly love is evident.

3. I am thankful for our home and its location.  We are blessed to be living in the country, on a hill with a panoramic view of God's beautiful creation (forests, hills, sky), in a very quiet & safe neighborhood.

4. I am thankful for our family's Bible study and prayer time in the evenings.  We enjoy discussing what we read and learn from God's Word.

5. I am thankful that my husband and my children play piano.  My husband is a gifted piano player and composer.  My 16 year old daughter has been giving her brothers piano lessons.  One of my favorite things to do is singing praise & worship songs or hymns to the Lord with my husband while he plays the piano.

Brotherly Love

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

"Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4

Remember...JOY is Jesus first, then Others, and then You.  We often mix up the order/sequence, don't we?

Previous WFW:

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Have We Committed a Crime?

"What is the greatest crime in the desert? Finding water and keeping silent." Eastern proverb

"Jesus answered her (the Samaritan woman), 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.'....Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" John 4:10, 13-14

We (Christians) have found the living water, but...have we been keeping silent? Have we committed the greatest crime in the spiritual desert?

      You Forgot My Soul

You lived next door to me for years
We shared our dreams, our joys, and tears.
A friend to me you were indeed...
A friend who helped me when in need.

My faith in you was strong and sure
We had such trust as should endure.
No spats between us ever rose;
Our friends were like...and so our foes.

What sadness then, my friend, to find
That after all you weren't so kind.
The day my life on earth did end
I found you weren't a faithful friend.

For all those years we spent on earth
You never talked of second birth.
You never spoke of my lost soul
And of the Messiah Who'd make me whole.

I plead today from Hell's cruel fire
And tell you now my last desire.
You cannot do a thing for me...
No words today my bonds will free.

But do not err, my friend, again;
Do all you can for souls of men.
Plead with them now quite earnestly,
Lest they be cast in Hell with me.

~Author Unknown

Are we truly loving our neighbors as ourselves? Are we doing all we can to reach the lost...to help quench their thirst by leading them to the Living Water...to show them that only Jesus offers lasting spiritual satisfaction?

"Save some, O Christian! By all means, save some. From yonder flames and outer darkness, and the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, seek to save some! Let this, as in the case of the apostles, be your great, ruling object in life, that by all means you might save some." Charles Spurgeon (Note from me: Only God can save! I think Mr. Spurgeon understood that and he just meant that Christians need to reach out to the lost in the hope that they might come to the Lord and be saved.)

There's a must-see video for every Christian produced by http://www.asialink.org.uk/ .  Please scroll up to the bottom of this page to watch the video. 

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.  Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Could I Be Called a Christian?

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


This is a serious song with a very important message.  Saying a "sinner's prayer" does not make us Christians; going to church (I don't even like using the word "church" for a building where believers gather because the Body of Christ is the Church) does not make us Christians.  We need to truly repent (turn away from a lifestyle of sins/worldliness 180 degrees with no turning back), be forever grateful for God's grace, believe and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, walk by faith and in the Spirit/in the Light, treasure Christ above all else, abide in Him and bear fruit, seek & do God's Will, obey His Word, strive for holiness & Christlikeness, make it our goal to please, honor, and glorify Him, die to self and live for Him.  "Claiming" alone doesn't count!  Do we love the Lord your God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength?  Do we love our neighbors/others as ourselves?

"If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." 1 John 1:6

"If anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness.  Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble." 1 John 2:9-10

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him...No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:6, 9-10

"Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." Romans 8:8-10

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

"We cannot choose whom we will love if we claim to be Christians." ~Anonymous

Previous Songs:
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus
- In Christ Alone
- Be Thou My Vision

Harvest Festival

Our family does not celebrate Halloween.  We usually focus on the Reformation Day and sometimes attend Harvest Festivals at some churches.  The pictures above were taken in 2005 at a church's harvest festival.  My boys dressed as Israelites (with sweatshirts inside because it was very cold :)).  My youngest son had a big gum grin while holding the "mouse pumpkin/ pumpkin mouse" he made.

Speaking of harvest, my 16 year old daughter who is a regular contributor at Growing In Grace Magazine, wrote an article titled, "Plentiful Harvest" for this month's issue.  She also includes a video she just made featuring one of our favorite Christian organizations.  Please let her know what you think.  Thanks!


Previous Friday Photo Flashback:
- I Love Mommy & Daddy
- Corn Roast Festival
- A Taste of Thailand
- I Could Never Promise You
- In Father's Hands
- Thai Version of Wipe Out
- My Graduation Day in Thailand

Thankful Thursday #3

 

This week...

1. I am thankful that my husband is diligent, hard-working, and handy.  He not only works hard outside the home (as a civil engineer), but also works hard at home (maintenance, caulking, painting, etc.) & around our property (taking care of the goats, the lawn, the fence, etc.).

2. I am thankful for my family's good health.  We rarely have to visit a doctor.

3. I am thankful for food...the variety of foods that we can eat.  The more I hear about other people's food allergies, the more I am thankful that our family members have not had severe food allergies yet.  I am allergic to hazelnuts and dairy products but that's no big deal :).  My husband is mildly allergic to eggs and dairy products.

4. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed our children with discernment.  They have shown us in words and actions Godly wisdom and discernment; they have stood firm in their faith and convictions.

5. I am thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who take the Great Commission seriously.  Our family has a passion especially for reaching the unreached with the Gospel.  Alyssa, our 16 year old daughter, just made a video featuring one of our favorite Christian organizations.  Please take a look below and see how you can help make an eternal impact.  She also wrote a relevant article, Plentiful Harvest, for Growing In Grace (online) Magazine this month.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"" Romans 10:14-15