Last Friday was my husband's and my 21st anniversary. We dated each other for two years before we got married. That means we've spent 23 long years getting to know each other. After that length of time you can get to the point where you can usually predict how a situation will affect your partner. You become sensitive to the things that upset your partner, as well. You pretty much know what to expect from them on a daily basis. You know their likes and their dislikes. You probably would be able to cause them to laugh and smile with pleasure or make them defensive and angry in less than a minute because you probably know what buttons to push. In that length of time you probably know more about your partner than any other person (except for your partner, of course).

God knows each of us intimately. He knows exactly what makes us happy, what makes us sad, and what makes us angry. He knows our thoughts as well as our desires. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves. The most marvelous thing of all is that He loves us in spite of it all!

You can get to know God, too. He wants you to know the things that make Him happy, what makes Him sad, and what makes Him angry. He wants you to know His thoughts and desires. He loves you more than your partner loves you. He loves you more than you love yourself. Spend the rest of your life getting to know Him. It will be worth the effort. Relationships take work. You can choose to have a good relationship with someone and you can choose to have a bad relationship with someone.

Strengthen your relationship with the Lord first and foremost. He will help you with your other relationships. We all need help with our relationships with people. People always have a tendency to disappoint us or to upset us at some point. God will help us with the forgiveness and love that is necessary to maintain a good relationship.

It might be my imagination, but the weather seems to be getting more radical as the years go by. A week ago we were having snow at very low elevations. Then this weekend the temperature got up to 90 degrees! We actually had to leave our doors open at night to cool down the house! Should I break out my summer clothes??

My youngest son went to Phoenix Thursday through Sunday as the band was participating in the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championships. The band came in third in the field show competition and the drum line took first. My son is in the drum line. Then, in the parade competition, they won sweepstakes! I'm so happy for them! They work so hard. I was disappointed because I didn't get to go. I usually help.

How was your yesterday? Smooth? No problems? If you didn't encounter one little difficulty then you had a rare day! Don't we all usually have some kind of annoying problem crop up? Sometimes we can't find something that we need. Other times we get something in the mail that is a problem. Perhaps we got overcharged for something, or we get a jury duty notice, or we get a bill that comes at a time when we are short on money.

There are days when I get a paper cut, stub my toe, or my cat hooks my finger with his claw while we are playing. Other days I feel tired or my allergies are acting up. Sometimes my computer keeps freezing up. There are any number of things that can go wrong on any given day.

When I encounter a problem I have a choice of how to handle it. I can use profanity because I am angry. I can struggle to find a solution to the problem. I can go beat my dog because I can't do anything about my problem. The choice is mine how I am going to handle my problems.

The very best thing I could do is give the problem to God and ask Him to solve it. He knows where that thing is that I am tearing the house apart to find. He can show me where it is.

He can take care of any problematic mail I get. If He wants me to get out of jury duty then He can find a way. If He wants me to serve jury duty then He will go there with me. He can take me directly to the person that can correct my bill. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:10). It is a simple matter for Him to help me with my finances.

God created man out of the dust of the earth. Is it any big deal for Him to heal a tiny cut or bruise or to heal a broken arm?

God is capable of making my computer work properly. God is a God of miracles. He can cause my car to make it to the next gas station when I have no more gas in my tank!

What we need to practice doing is practice experiencing the presence of God. He is with you all the time. If you learn how to focus on His presence then the first thing you will do when you have a problem is ask Him for His help. He loves you and He wants to help!

If you were here last week did you try the experiment? As you were reading your Bible did you think about the things you read? As you thought about the things you were reading did you keep these thoughts in your mind: God created the universe with just His Words and you were reading God's Words, the Words you were reading contained power and strength, the Words you were reading took life as they entered your heart and mind, and the Words you were reading were as real as anything you could taste, feel, touch, or hear? Did you let the Words gain substance and become real inside of you? Did you allow them to be alive and to work within you?

If you haven't tried it, now would be a good time to try.

I did a Bible study and I just didn't feel that the Spirit was in it. I was trying to get this up on Monday, but just didn't feel like I had the right Bible study. I found the right one as I was reading my Bible this morning.

Link to the 2/6/01 Bible study.

I've been wrestling with myself lately. There are some things in my life that are hindering what God wants to do in me. James 5:16 tells us, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." So, I am confessing to you today.

I have been taking offense at things my family does. I am the only woman in the house and it seems the work and burdens fall on my shoulders when my sons and husband don't do their portion. I am feeling sorry for myself. I grumble and grouse. I think bad thoughts about them.

Should they have picked up after themselves? Yes. Should they have been diligent in doing the few chores that they have? Yes. Should my husband take more interest in what is happening around the house? Yes. I could go on and on. They are causing unnecessary burdens for me and it isn't fair. Do I have a right to be upset? Yes!

As a child of God, a Christian, a member of the Body of Christ do I have a right to be upset? No, I'm afraid not. I have to keep my mind focused on the Lord. He wants me to forgive the same way He forgives me when I mess up. He wants me to look at them through eyes of love and understanding.

You see, it isn't important enough for me to be mad at my family over inconveniences they cause me. If I am showing resentment and anger then I am not allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through me. My own family doesn't see God in me and in my life. How can I get them to be interested in developing a closer relationship with the Lord if they see that it doesn't make you a nicer or happier person?

I have to dump the "woe is me" attitude. I have to quit expressing displeasure over things that will not change. The reality of it is that if my family was walking closely with the Lord then they will automatically do the things that they should do. They will have a different heart and attitude about things. The Holy Spirit will speak to them about doing the right thing and they will probably do as the Spirit leads.

The Lord has been convicting me of this for a long time and I have been struggling with it. Now I am confessing it to you. I must must must change my behavior!

I think I will allow myself the indulgence of praying that the Lord hurry the process. ;-)

Last week I was wearing shorts. This week it is back to cold weather. It's raining outside. It is snowing at fairly low elevations in the mountains. Like I said, the weather seems to be getting more and more crazy. I guess it is probably due to what humans have done to the planet!

I've been reading some books lately about the lives of some Godly people. Through them I am learning more about having more faith, improving my prayer life, and much more. When I have a bit more time I am going to put together a recommended reading list. I've found that I can move ahead in larger leaps and bounds in my spiritual life when I can see examples from others' spiritual walks. Stay tuned!

As Christians, we need to always be alert to the things that satan uses to break up families, ruin our ministries, and just generally cause havoc. Satanwas involved in the formation of the new football league, the XFL. When people watch TV they are not focusing on family relationships. They are not developing their relationship with the Lord (some Christian TV being the exception). Men (and some women) that are hooked on sports now have more reasons to watch TV.

Anything that takes our focus off the Lord and off our families is a tool of satan. That's the bottom line. God wants us to have a close relationship with Him. That is first and foremost. Secondly, He wants us to take care of our family relationships. There are quite a few things that draw us away from those things. Be aware!

Link to the 2/12/01 Bible study.

Happy President's Day! Isn't it sad how things are turned and twisted to become more convenient? I'm thinking of the President's Day holiday. It used to be that February 12th was Lincoln's birthday and February 22nd was Washington's birthday. There was no "President's Day."

Originally somebody in the "national holidays" department of the government chose to celebrate the birthdays of those two presidents on their birthdays. They deemed the deeds of those presidents to be worthy of the honor bestowed in the form of birthday recognition.

Later on someone else in the "national holidays" department of the government decided that it sure would be nice to have a couple of three day weekends in February. The dates were changed. The whole reason behind those designated holidays was changed to become self-gratifying weekend holidays.

Mankind has a bad habit of changing everything to fit into their self-gratification closet. "What's in it for me?" is the cry heard 'round the world. The really sad thing is that is the same cry you hear in most churches today!

I see some examples in the Bible of what people did when they got together as a church.

1. "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:42-47

2. "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands." Acts 12:5-7

3. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." Acts 13:1-2

As you can see, they weren't busy trying to entertain each other. They weren't designing programs around getting more people there. They were fasting, praying for the Body, and praising God. Notice in example #1 THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY. It didn't say the people were busy trying to provide things that would increase the size of the congregation. God took care of that part. Also, notice in example #3 they MINISTERED TO THE LORD. How many churches today minister to God? I'd say the great majority are wanting God to minister to them!

People have a really bad habit of deciding for themselves what is best for themselves and for others. Church leaders are in the position of being able to bring people closer to the Lord. How many church leaders are working hard at satisfying their congregations? How many church leaders are making decisions on what is best for their congregation based on what they have learned from other churches and leaders? The number is probably quite huge.

How many church leaders are asking God what is best for their congregations? How many church leaders are allowing God to make all the decisions? The number is, I'm sure, very very small!

What is your attitude when you go to church? What question are you asking yourself? Is it, "What's in it for me?" or is it, "Where can I be used?"

I have to spend some time today inventorying the football booster club stuff. Wednesday night is the meeting that will test the resolve of the parents that committed themselves to helping the booster club to continue. This meeting will be where the remaining two working members (I am one of the two) will resign their positions and hand the whole thing over to parents who are willing to carry the burdens.

I figured they, and future booster club members, would appreciate knowing what types of things are in the storage shed. Also, the boxes are filling up with dirt, so I will be putting everything in plastic containers. I sure hope those parents will follow through on their commitment! If they don't there is no booster club!

I've been allowing people to punch holes in my cup of joy. My relationship with the Lord has been affected by my attitudes. When I am upset with someone I have a tendency to not think about the Lord. After all, how can I stay focused on the Lord and stay mad at the same time? Ain't gonna happen. So, I have a choice. I can stay mad and pull back from the Lord, or I can reach out to the Lord and ask Him to help me.

Yesterday my family's indifference to certain responsibilities got me all riled up. I was going through a roller coaster of emotions. I went from anger, dipped into despair, and ended up in sorrow. It got too overwhelming and I knew that I didn't have the answers. I went into my closet (no, not my prayer closet... my clothes closet) and lifted up my hands with tears streaming down my face and cried out, "I need your help, Lord! Please help me!"

Well, as He is faithful and loves me He blessed me in a big way at church. I almost didn't go to church because I was so upset. He is capable of touching my family in the right places where I am not. He knows our struggles. He sees us wrestling with things that we can not possibly defeat on our own. He sees us searching for answers in our minds when we have no hope of finding answers on our own. He's watching and waiting for our cry, "I need your help, Lord! Please help me!" He's waiting for us to allow Him to step in and help. Silly us!

OK, that's all. I better get the Bible study done. It seems that lately I've been doing more Bible study in the intro than I do in the Bible study section!

Link to the 2/19/01 Bible study.

Rain, rain, and more rain! We are getting too much rain here in Southern California!

Rain is meant to nourish the earth. It fills underground springs and waters plants. In the colder areas it turns to snow, which then melts into water which nourishes the earth. Without water every living thing on earth would die.

OK, now we have established that rain is needful. Now, let's address another issue. Let's read what God intended in Genesis 1:26-28:

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

We were told by God to subdue the earth. This establishes something important. It is God's will that we have charge over the things of the earth. So, if we put it in other words, we are responsible for the things that happen here that most people attribute to "mother nature" or "fate" or whatever they decide to call it. Hmmm....

If it is God's will that we take charge over the rain, and we pray that the rain stop until the ground is no longer saturated, can He make it stop? Will He make it stop?

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Can Jesus lie? Can God lie? If God wants a mountain moved and you know He wants that mountain moved and pray that it move, will it move? If we remind God that too much rain is not good for the earth and we want only what is good for the earth and we pray that the rain stop, will it stop?

Yes. It will stop. Don't dismiss this. This is an issue you need to take up with God. He didn't put us here on earth to eat, drink, and sleep. There are many more things we are supposed to be doing!

The Bible is full of information about things we are supposed to be doing, but most of those things are dismissed. We read about moving a mountain and might dismiss it in our mind thinking, "Nobody has that much faith," or "That isn't really true. It is just a wild example of what a lot of faith can do." There are examples of things that really happened and they are dismissed in our minds as, "God doesn't do that stuff any more."

Ah, church, open your spiritual eyes and your spiritual ears! Read your Bible and believe EVERYTHING you read. It is not just a nice storybook. It is not "if only" or "wouldn't that be nice." It is about God and about us. It is about why He created us. It is about what responsibilities He has given us.

Let God out of that box of understanding that you've built! Peek inside the box! That's not God you've got wrapped up in there, it's you!

Gosh, I'm going to have to go back through all my welcome messages and my Bible studies and hook them together. I'm finding that the Lord is giving me Bible studies in the welcome messages as well as in the Bible study portion! OK, in my free time. (Free time??? What's that?????) I guess I can start with now and then go back and do all the previous 150+ weeks worth some other time. Yow! I've been doing this Bible study page a long time! Time flies when you don't look!

No, we didn't get enough parents of football players at the booster club meeting to elect a new board and to set this year's activities in motion. Most of the people that pledged their help didn't show up.

It's probably my fault. I slacked off in my prayer once I saw the good response we got at the awards assembly. I had been reminding God that He wanted me to withdraw my time and efforts from that booster club and that He would have to bring people that would take over. After all, He knows it is my desire to have the booster club continue on. He especially knows how much it would hurt me and my son if there was no booster club my son's senior year. My son would not be able to partake of the benefits that he has seen the team have for the past 15 years. (My husband is one of the coaches and my son has been around this program since he was one year old.)

OK, I renew my prayers for this booster club. Next month's meeting will result in marvelous results!

I've got piles of things waiting for me. I've had a cold the past three days and the maid seems to have forgotten how to do anything. Oh, that's right! I don't have a maid! I better get busy!

See you next week?

Link to the 2/26/01 Bible study.