Well this was a great week when I learned how confused I was about Mary Magdalene. I thought she was the one who was being stoned when Jesus said whoever was without sin should cast the first stone. I don't know if it was because of some Christian movie I had seen or where the confusion came from. I did know some things. I knew she was devoted to Jesus and I had forgotten about the 7 demons. Can you imagine what it must have been like for her to have had 7 different demons in her. I can't even begin to imagine that. One demon would be awful let alone seven of them. What I also liked about her was she stayed steadfast in her faith and she continued to serve the Lord. She was there when he was crucified. She was with Jesus's mother at the crucifixion and with her when they went to the tomb as they followed Joseph there. She came back with His mother the next day when they went to prepare the body and found He was no longer there. She must have been a great comfort to His mother Mary because we see her with her during the most difficult times when she desperately needed someone to comfort her. So I also see Mary Magdalene as a very loyal, and compassionate friend to Mary the mother of Jesus. She was also the first missionary by sharing the good news about Jesus that He was ALIVE and was not believed by His disciples.
Truly she was a special person! I also thought it was important that when He called her by Name she immediately recognized Him. Many others didn't have her discernment.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The last two days here in Whitehouse, TX have been so blessed for me. Yesterday we finished our study on Anna. My husband was working and I decided to take the whole day and spend it with the Lord. So I went to my O. A. meeting, a twelve step program for compulsive eaters like myself. I was slated to lead the meeting and had decided if nobody showed up I would spend the time reading devotions that I would have shared in meeting and then spend the other half hour in prayer. So that's what I got to do. When I got home I spent the day studying my bible writing my first blog post and praying with God. The day was just full of really blessed time. I called my sister later and we shared scripture and talked about the Lord and how we each were doing. Then today I got to hear two great sermons. I heard one about Jesus and his mountain top experiences in the bible. I had never thought of Jesus having mountain top experiences but maybe he had them first and now we get to have our own mountain top experiences. Then the next sermon was on our spiritual gifts. Today is such a beautiful day again to be with the Lord. I feel so blessed. On our last post I said I had lost 56 lbs. but after my weigh in today I have now lost 60 lbs. Thank you Jesus for being the focus of my eating recovery. I know that through him I can do anything and without him I am nothing. Hope you have a blessed day today.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
More Like Anna
This is my first blog. I have been struggling with God over this blogging thing for several months. I am finally surrendering to God to do this. I am not normally a writer but know that through all things with Jesus anything and everything is possible even blogging.
The story of Anna inspired me so much because we knew her life had to be a struggle. She lost her husband after 7 years of marriage and never remarried. She lived her life totally sold out to God. She put all her focus on God instead of her own circumstances in life. I think that is what appealed to me most about her. I am sure she probably had very little to sustain herself with due t her husband's death.
My husband and I are going through some tough times and we are learning from them. We currently live in a very small house with just two rooms. We have no living room just a large bedroom with a large kitchen and a small bathroom. I forgot though we do have a long narrow room that is an open closet/laundry room and has space for storage. But this was all we could afford. I have learned to be content here. However, since we have been here for almost 2 months, the oven has gone out the window unit air conditioner has quit working. We are trying to live on my retirement from teaching which isn't much. My husband has repaired the stove with the part that our landlord paid for. However, when the only air conditioner broke down our landlord told us to start looking for another place to live. Wow! My husband and I have been looking for jobs. I put in applications to substitute teach all over the area. He is seeking a job in the ministry while preaching and leading bible study at a local nursing home. At age 55 he surrendered to the ministry. The work he is doing now is volunteer work and we really need an income. I have gone to training on one of the jobs in the area but was told I wouldn't be paid until Nov. 15th. since they hold out the first month's check. I'll be honest any one of these struggles would have sent me in a tailspin. But I realize that these are just temporary set backs and that God would provide for us. I also realize that Anna must have had an even worse struggle after her husband died. She probably had very little to live off of and had nobody to take care of her. But her focus stayed on God. She didn't waver, she didn't doubt. She persevered through life's struggled and kept God first in her life. I want to be like Anna in that way I want to keep my focus on God like she did. When I focus on God and what He wants me to do in my life then everything else just falls into place. I am also a compulsive overeater and God has helped me to release 56 lbs. in the last 7 months.
Lord thank you for the struggles in life because they make me appreciate you so much more. Help me to grow closer in my relationship with you even more. Help me to focus on the wonderful things you have done for me in my life. Thank you for saving me from my sin and giving me the grace you have given me when I falter. Thank you so much for the peace you have given me in the midst of the storms of life. Thank you for helping me not to give up or give in during the struggles. I know that You have big things for James and I to do in your kingdom. I feel it especially now. Please help us to overcome the trials that come our way. I know that the closer I get to you and the more that I do for you and your kingdom work that Satan will attack us all the more! Satan you might be big and strong, much bigger and stronger than me. But, My GOD is bigger and stronger than You and He will be called on any time I need His help!!! Thank You God for all that you are doing in my life. I love You so much and I need your help daily in fighting off the enemy.
The story of Anna inspired me so much because we knew her life had to be a struggle. She lost her husband after 7 years of marriage and never remarried. She lived her life totally sold out to God. She put all her focus on God instead of her own circumstances in life. I think that is what appealed to me most about her. I am sure she probably had very little to sustain herself with due t her husband's death.
My husband and I are going through some tough times and we are learning from them. We currently live in a very small house with just two rooms. We have no living room just a large bedroom with a large kitchen and a small bathroom. I forgot though we do have a long narrow room that is an open closet/laundry room and has space for storage. But this was all we could afford. I have learned to be content here. However, since we have been here for almost 2 months, the oven has gone out the window unit air conditioner has quit working. We are trying to live on my retirement from teaching which isn't much. My husband has repaired the stove with the part that our landlord paid for. However, when the only air conditioner broke down our landlord told us to start looking for another place to live. Wow! My husband and I have been looking for jobs. I put in applications to substitute teach all over the area. He is seeking a job in the ministry while preaching and leading bible study at a local nursing home. At age 55 he surrendered to the ministry. The work he is doing now is volunteer work and we really need an income. I have gone to training on one of the jobs in the area but was told I wouldn't be paid until Nov. 15th. since they hold out the first month's check. I'll be honest any one of these struggles would have sent me in a tailspin. But I realize that these are just temporary set backs and that God would provide for us. I also realize that Anna must have had an even worse struggle after her husband died. She probably had very little to live off of and had nobody to take care of her. But her focus stayed on God. She didn't waver, she didn't doubt. She persevered through life's struggled and kept God first in her life. I want to be like Anna in that way I want to keep my focus on God like she did. When I focus on God and what He wants me to do in my life then everything else just falls into place. I am also a compulsive overeater and God has helped me to release 56 lbs. in the last 7 months.
Lord thank you for the struggles in life because they make me appreciate you so much more. Help me to grow closer in my relationship with you even more. Help me to focus on the wonderful things you have done for me in my life. Thank you for saving me from my sin and giving me the grace you have given me when I falter. Thank you so much for the peace you have given me in the midst of the storms of life. Thank you for helping me not to give up or give in during the struggles. I know that You have big things for James and I to do in your kingdom. I feel it especially now. Please help us to overcome the trials that come our way. I know that the closer I get to you and the more that I do for you and your kingdom work that Satan will attack us all the more! Satan you might be big and strong, much bigger and stronger than me. But, My GOD is bigger and stronger than You and He will be called on any time I need His help!!! Thank You God for all that you are doing in my life. I love You so much and I need your help daily in fighting off the enemy.
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