tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012270776363287842024-03-13T14:52:24.564-04:00I talk...God listensBeth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comBlogger1336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-914959503582994792015-01-07T05:59:00.001-05:002015-01-07T05:59:24.395-05:00~ "Good works..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)</b><br />
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All that we do that is good glorifies God. Being a Christian, doing what we are commanded, makes us an example of Christ's love on earth. When we offer a hand to a neighbor because they need it, when we donate our used clothing to a shelter, when we donate that $1 at the check out, we are performing good works that are visible by others. No, it's not bragging or boasting - it's simply letting others see the Lord working through us.<br />
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Paying it forward is also a good work. Have you ever received a "gift" from a friend when you were struggling financially? If you have, pay it forward when you are financially sound again. My grandfather kept a $20 bill in his shirt pocket (back in the early 60's, that was a lot of money). There was one man at work who would come to him at the end of the week and ask to borrow it. He would then pay it back on payday. He did this for years. He continued to "lend" this man money until he realized that if the man didn't need to pay him back, he wouldn't need to borrow it every week. He made a contribution to this man's life that I'm sure he has never forgotten.<br />
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Good works isn't always about money. It's a ride to work when your car is down. It's helping the senior citizen bring in her groceries. It's shoveling the snow from the walkway of the young man with a broken arm. It's bringing soup to someone who is sick. It's anything that helps someone else. It resonates in heaven like a song. It glorifies God!<br />
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Take the opportunity to do something for others - don't do it because you have to do it, do it because it pleases God!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-33474263845784103312015-01-06T06:14:00.004-05:002015-01-06T06:21:06.067-05:00~ "When friends must leave you..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matt 28:6)</b><br />
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When I was 15, my friend's mother committed suicide. When I was 16, one of my friends was killed in a car accident. When I was 17, one of my friends died from spinal meningitis. When I was 18, another friend was killed in a car accident. When I was 19, one of my friend's died from cancer, one committed suicide. Six friends in 5 years - I wasn't even 20 years old and had been to more funerals than some people attend in a lifetime, and the numbers didn't stop there. <br />
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Some people have asked me how long it took me to get over these deaths. Well, to answer that honestly would be to say that I haven't. For the most part, four of them aren't thought of as often. They were friends, but not close friends. The other two - not a day goes by that I don't think of Colleen or Donna. I don't sob like I did back in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Yes, some 30 years! There has always been a picture on the wall or on an end table for me to glance at. I spent many days just sitting at their graves talking to them as the tears rolled down my face. <br />
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So what changed? This verse! The reality was that I was here and they were gone. I could have spent another 30 years sobbing, but I did not. The power of God is an unbelievable power. He can heal your heart and will heal your heart when it's time. Life goes on. We make new friends and build new memories. At 16 and 17, I felt like I'd never be able to make new friends...I did. I thought I'd never be able to tuck their memories away and pull them out every once in a while. I didn't think I'd ever stop crying. <br />
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God reminded me that they are safe, with him. <br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">For many years, I had spent the anniversary of their death wiping tears, remembering moments and imagining what life would have been like had God's plan not taken such sweet, caring souls from this world when He did. Their laughter lives on in each of their friends and our hearts long to hear one more word or have one last glance. They in the greatest place imaginable, in the presences of our mighty King. They took nothing with them, yet they have more than they will ever need. Like those of us still left here, they battled the enemy and fought the demons and were triumphantly received into a place of honor and glory for all eternity! They have received their inheritance and patiently wait for us to receive ours. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">God's plan for us may just be to walk with Him each day until the time comes for us to receive our inheritance. We may never be the great orator, the popular celebrity, or the rich philanthropist we might like to believe we could be. We may never own more than the clothes on our back, we may never be the one who gets "all the breaks", and we may never be anything more than a footnote in someone's family history - but we are destined for greatness, in a quiet and subtle way - we are destined for heaven - there is no greater inheritance than that!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It's okay to cry when your heart is broken. Nothing anyone will say can make it better. Only in God's time will you be able to remember your friend with love and laughter. There is no time limit on grief...it ends when it ends!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Today is the 13th anniversary of my brother-in-law's remains being unearthed at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. There are no tears, only joy that he was able to be laid to rest in someplace other than the dust of the Trade Center. He, too, is with Jesus, waiting on his family to join him there. I look forward to that!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Allow Jesus to enter your heart and heal it. I won't be today and it probably won't be tomorrow, but the healing will come...in HIS time! </span><br />
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<br />Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-29901657786298630042015-01-05T05:49:00.001-05:002015-01-05T05:50:49.203-05:00~ "Comforting words..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Are God's consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? (Job 15:11)</b><br />
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When we are hurting, sometimes the "comforting words of others" can be more of a hinderance than a help. People often do not understand the situation, or they believe that "you shouldn't be that upset over it". Not everyone reacts to the same situation in the same way. Our reactions are as individual as we are. And is there nothing more devastating than hearing the words "is that all" with regard to our plight???<br />
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We all have the "know-it-all" friend who has all the answers. I have several. I learned a long time ago that if I don't involved them in my problem, they have no input. I also have a few friends that never judge or ridicule me because of what I see as "traumatic". They offer support and remind me that there just may be a divine reason for the place I'm in. Sometimes all we want to hear from someone is "I understand", and sometimes we don't want to hear anything at all - we just need to share it.<br />
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God has a reason for the path we are on. He adjusts our journey with every step we take. We ask "why me". It's okay to do so ~ even Jesus asked "why". Maybe God has no desire to teach "them" anything. Maybe they wouldn't listen if he did. If we are still and listen, we WILL hear his comforting words, we WILL feel his arms as they wrap around us. Remember, we are his! Our souls are comforted by his promise to us, but sometimes our human "dust infused" minds can only grasp the realm of the earthly distractions that torment us. It doesn't mean we've been forgotten or left behind - it's just all part of being human!<br />
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Even though we are not worthy of the gifts we receive, we are continually blessed and cared for. Our lives may not be the "shining examples" we would like them to be, but we are, none the less, redeemed!!!<br />
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Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-11554132886376465352015-01-04T05:45:00.000-05:002015-01-04T05:45:31.108-05:00~ "Love perfected..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:5)</b></span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Some days are easier than others - it's a "given". We take into each new day the experiences and lessons learned from the day before. We grow a little more each time we fall and summon the courage to stand again. God's love for us is our foundation.</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There are many days throughout the year that hold significance to us individually and as families. Some of those days hold painful memories, yet in those painful sighs, we can still see the hand of God and the gift of love he offers us. A disobedient lifestyle offers no respect for our Creator, who IS worthy of our obedience. "Those who walk in hatred and enmity to believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and where we are going." (Matthew Henry)</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Why would you willingly and knowingly walk away from the grace of God? The temptations of the enemy, the "carrot" he dangles in front of us, is sometimes so enticing that we must immediately hit our knees and ask God to intercede! The power he yields in our defense and on our behalf cannot be measured in any terms (human or inhuman). The decisions we make may take us out of the will of God, but they cannot take us out of the reach of God. Like the concept of "infinity", so great is God's love! </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Be true to the Word of God! Keep his commandments. Walk in the light he gives you! Know that wherever it is you are walking, it is never completely dark and you are never alone! He is the light that guides us and he never leaves our side! Allow him to use the experiences of yesterday to lead you today! Fall into his waiting arms!</span>Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-46515215023141765332015-01-03T05:51:00.003-05:002015-01-03T05:51:38.521-05:00~ "Only Jesus saves..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matt 7:12)</b></span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There is no question as to who holds our salvation ~ it is Jesus! It is accomplished through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. Acceptance causes an awakening within you that cannot be denied! There are no questions - there is a definite knowledge. As I've said before, if you are questioning whether or not you are saved, chances are you are not.</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Jesus tells us to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. What does this mean? It's a command to live (to the best of our ability) the life that he lived without wanting accolades for doing it. Doing something because it is the right thing to do, not because of the rewards it will bring to us, is what a Christian life is all about. It's not how much money you dump into the collection plate, it's not what you give to charity, it's about doing it because Jesus did it.</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">How many times do you fail to take the opportunity to show Christ's love here? Do you avoid reaching out your hand to someone because deep inside you really don't want to hear their story? We are called to love one another - to "do unto others". We are to be the hands and feet of our Lord even though we are imperfect ~ we are to love because he loved and just like he loved (unconditionally). We are to give because he gave, just like he gave (everything). We are to reach our hand out to the lost because in reality it is his hand and only his hand can save! Do it because Jesus did it, because it is what he wants from you! Thank him for the opportunity to show another his love! Remove the facade and become a true follower of Jesus Christ! If you can't feed his sheep, then at least find them and point them in the right direction. Continue to be all that he calls you to be and do it willingly and with a smile on your face. God has plans for them as well...</span>Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-60995128082913529972015-01-02T05:55:00.001-05:002015-01-02T05:55:24.655-05:00~ "Why can't every day be Christmas???"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity. I am nothing." (1 Cor 13:2)</b><br />
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Thoughts roll around in my head as I'm reading this verse and then even more so when I've finished. We've just come through the "giving" season once again and some of us are disappointed, feel unloved or even unfinished. Maybe we didn't give as much as we wanted to, maybe we didn't receive as much as we felt we deserved and maybe some of us are still waiting for that "delivered by 12/24" gift to arrive. We've maxed out our credit cards for "one more gift" and tremble with fear as we look at the balance. We open our bank statements and shudder. Where did all our money go? What were we thinking?<br />
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Charity does not mean money. Charity and love are interchangeable words. Both are the translation for "agape". It's a state of mind; a mentality of kindness and benevolence. Without charity, without love, we are nothing. We don't do to be recognized for what we've done. We do for others because it is the right thing to do. Being charitable is how we show love for others. Giving because it needs to be given. Doing because it needs to be done. <br />
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Charity does begin at home...at home in your heart, not your wallet. It is not limited to those who have done good things for you, it encompasses those who have not. It's a reflection of God's love. It is the change made by living for Christ! It is a blessing that is paid forward by being compassionate and understanding. Sometimes charity is money, but most often it is caring for others, praying for others and helping those less fortunate than you. It's taking a meal to the widow on your block. It's helping that stranger struggling with her 2 small children and groceries. It's helping to make someone's struggle a little less overwhelming. And yes, sometimes it's a bouquet of flowers or helping to pay a bill. <br />
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Take this opportunity to show a little charity. Do a little something for someone you know who could use it. Do something for someone you don't know. That Christmas feeling of giving will remain in your heart and you will keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your life each and every day!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-82566177111761934722015-01-01T08:13:00.001-05:002015-01-01T08:13:29.460-05:00~ "Remind me who I am..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. (Gen 8:13)</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Well...talk about starting off the new year right! God kept his promise to Noah. He spared him and his family. He brought them through the storm and gave them continued hope that in following his law, he would protect and bless them. I'm sure that the time spent on the ark was challenging, to say the least. </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">So, here we are, at the beginning of another year. We've talked about resolutions and what changes we can make in our lives that will reflect praise and glory to God. If we look back on all the hard times we encountered over the past year, we may become disappointed and sad! They may have been difficult, they may have challenged our faith, they may have been physically demanding, they may have included loss or fear and they may have included the closing of doors ~ but we did not face them alone! We never face anything alone!</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">In each of our "sufferings", we've received a blessing. Sometimes they aren't as obvious as we'd like them to be, but they are there, just the same. There are so many analogies with regard to transformations that take place to make something beautiful that I can't even pick one. The beauty that lies deep within us comes from a place of glory! It's not something that can be stolen from us. Our gifts from God may be "often imitated, but never duplicated". We have been chosen to do whatever it is we do for him. We are original! Our uniqueness in the way that God sees us sets us apart from all others! Being a Christian is not something you can fake your way through. You either are or you are not! He always lets you know where you stand with him - there are never any doubts! </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">God will continue to guide you through this new year. There will be storms to bring you closer to him, there will be blessings to praise him for. Your attitude towards them is what will make the difference. Make it an attitude of prayer no matter what! Always try to see the silver lining in the storm clouds, look for the flower blooming just beneath the snow and open your heart and soul to the goodness that is God! Make a conscious effort to feel the loving arms of Jesus wrapped around you and listen for the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he guide you. Make this year a year of praise for all things, not just the ones that bring you joy. Look for that rainbow which reminds you of his promise. Spend time in prayer and spend time in the Word! Just as he kept his promise to Noah, God will surely keep his promise to you!</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Happy New Year!</span>Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-38161303677863099462014-12-31T05:35:00.001-05:002014-12-31T05:35:27.484-05:00~ "We'll take a cup of kindness..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyXo-UTNPXM/VKPRVS7dc7I/AAAAAAAAI9U/O2FsWzgpPGA/s1600/512521917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyXo-UTNPXM/VKPRVS7dc7I/AAAAAAAAI9U/O2FsWzgpPGA/s1600/512521917.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: #741b47;">And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed to the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. (Ex 12:41-42)</span></b><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Although the last day of this particular year most likely occurred in April, the children of Israel, none the less, set out without delay. It was some 430 years after God's promise to Abraham. "God's promises are not performed quickly, they will be, in their season. This is that night of the Lord, that remarkable night, to be celebrated in all generations. The great things God does for his people, are to be not only a few days' wonder, but to be remembered throughout all ages; especially the work of our redemption by Christ (Matthew Henry)".</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">God's promises to us are often long in coming...but they do come! One of the most wonderful things about our heavenly father is that each day is a new opportunity to walk with him! The frustration we feel at times, the overwhelming anxiety that comes to us through the world, can all be laid aside in an instant. Our failures can be turned into successes if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. Each day can be the beginning of a new year without the disappointment that comes from not keeping our resolution. God is more than willing to wipe the slate clean and allow us to start again. We just need to have a sincere desire to walk with him and allow him to work on us.</span><br style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: #741b47; color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Whatever the new year holds for you is not going to be lessened or multiplied by the resolutions you make tonight and break tomorrow. God has your year mapped out for you already. He knows what will cross your path, he's looked at it and deemed it to be in your best interest. Whether it's a new job, a new home, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one - it's all good. Rejoice in whatever it is that comes your way! Continue to praise him for everything - even the things that you don't feel are blessings! Make that prayer list and pray every day. Pick up your Bible and read it every day. And if you have a day that is filled with distraction and you forget or can't seem to find the time to meet him in prayer - thank him right then and there - don't give up! If you feel compelled to make that "New Year's Resolution" - make it one that is worth keeping - make it one that you can keep! Put "become closer to God" on the top of that list and you will have a year filled with blessings! Remember, God does great things for his people ~ do great things for God!</span>Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-694005240978216492014-12-30T05:38:00.001-05:002014-12-30T05:44:05.103-05:00~ "Stress..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)</b><br />
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We often worry about our position and status. We hope we'll get proper recognition for what we do. We carry around pain and stressed caused by another's inability to mind their own business. We finally continue to feel good about the direction our lives are going until someone else's misery spills over into our happy world.<br />
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Peter advises us to remember that God's recognition counts more than human praise. God is able and willing to bless us according to HIS timing. Carrying our worries, stress and daily struggles shows that we have not trusted God fully with our lives. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares.<br />
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We must admit our needs and let others in his family help us. Sometimes we think that struggles are caused by our own sin and foolishness. We think they are they are not God's concern. When we turn to him in repentance, he will bear the weight even of those struggles! Letting God have your worries is active, not passive. Don't submit to circumstances, but to the Lord, who controls all circumstances! <br />
Obey God regardless of present circumstances, and in his good time, either in this life or in the next, he will lift you up!!!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-19061544130703737322014-12-29T05:56:00.001-05:002014-12-29T05:56:39.751-05:00~ "The wings of eagles..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)</b><div>
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My first thought every time I hear or read this verse is of the movie "Remember the Titans", which was about a high school football team newly integrated. Much of the story is pure "Hollywood" but the basic truths are there. The team overcomes the racial divide in 1971 Virginia and goes on to win the state championship. </div>
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All people (races and nationalities) have had to cope with decades of prejudice. The Irish immigrants, those from Poland, Italy and India have been subjected to a "class" discrimination at one time or another, and some narrow minded Americans still refer to them by their slang names. The Israelites, too, were scorned and treated poorly by others. God's words to them were to wait, because he would strengthen them and they would be able to rise above the distractions and difficulties of life. </div>
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We, too, can receive the strength promised by God. We, too, can rise above the distractions and difficulties that life brings. Listening to God helps us to be prepared for when he speaks to us, be patient when he asks us to wait and trust him to fulfill the promises found in his Word!</div>
Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-58190577773425729402014-12-28T09:04:00.001-05:002014-12-28T09:04:36.183-05:00~ "For Natacha..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)</b><br />
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Although written primarily for the Israelites (who disobeyed God and were sent in captivity), this verse applies to all of God's "chosen" people. Christians have been given the right to the promised land through their belief in Jesus and the salvation he brought to us.<br />
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When I read this verse this morning, my first thoughts were of my dear friend who has recently suffered a great loss. Like Mary, her son died right before her eyes. Her faith is strong, as Mary's was. Her heart is forever broken, like Mary's was. But through this event in her life, the Lord is telling her that he is with her (as he is with all of us). He is her God and he will strengthen her. He will help her. He will hold her up through this grieving period. He has a plan for her!<br />
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I can't imagine her pain...I pray I never have to. I see the power of God working in her, I see him lifting her up. I see the strength he has provided her with. I am in awe. Our lives are at all times in God's hands. He continues to come to our aid without failing. We have accepted his life for us and he doesn't walk away. <br />
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We can all take a lesson in faith from this woman of God. Faith that tells her that her son is with Jesus in heaven. Faith that tells her this was part of God's plan for her. Faith that one day he will reunite her with her son...in his time. Faith that something good can come from this pain. Faith that will allow her to continue to walk the path laid before her and her blessings will be many.<br />
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Fear not...God will be with you always, he will strengthen you and help you and lift you up. He's promised!!!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-67170929524998977822014-12-27T06:05:00.000-05:002014-12-27T06:11:28.139-05:00~ "The great commission..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..." (Matthew 28:19)</b><br />
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The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believes with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and resurrection to new life. Baptism <i>symbolizes </i>submission to Christ, a willingness to live God's way, and identification with God's covenant people.<br />
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Baptism is scriptural, but not essential for salvation. Baptizing infants does not "guarantee" them something they may or may not believe in later on in life. It does not give them a "pass" to enter eternity if they should die young.<br />
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I was taught that it is most important to baptize a baby within the first month "just in case"!!! I followed the rules even with a dozen questions rolling around in my mind. What happens to babies that are miscarried? What happens to babies that are aborted? What happens to babies whose parents don't believe in God and die shortly after birth? The place sits on the border of hell and is called Limbo. One of the more absurd things I was ever taught. Yes, they died with "original sin" so were prevented from entering heaven!<br />
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I've learned a few things since grammar school and high school. There were many things I questioned over the years but this one truly bothered me. After researching and reading my Bible, I have been able to put aside that nightmare knowing that all of my miscarried siblings, my miscarried children and the young girl up the street from me who had a seizure and died at age five, are, in fact, with Jesus! Water does not save souls, Jesus does! <br />
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I understand those who have been brainwashed by doctrine and misinterpretation of the Word. I don't understand their inability to at least look at what is written as opposed to what it taught! Years and years of training and upbringing are hard to break, but definitely worth a try. God will not condemn you to hell for examining his Word outside the context of religion. If anything, he will bless you for your courage and strength! Take a moment and open a King James Version or even a New King James Version if you find reading the KJV difficult. Read the Word for yourself, see what the message truly is! Open your heart to accept THAT word!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-67034605614722789682014-12-26T05:59:00.003-05:002014-12-26T05:59:52.376-05:00~ "Shepherds in their fields abiding..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJYsVbpcDqc/VJ0_esnht2I/AAAAAAAAI8I/qbPYMKGlSTY/s1600/shepherds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJYsVbpcDqc/VJ0_esnht2I/AAAAAAAAI8I/qbPYMKGlSTY/s1600/shepherds.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen, as it was told unto them." (Luke 2:20)</b><br />
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As Christmases go, I would have to say that yesterday was one of the better ones in my book of memories. Lots of love masked an undertone of sadness in my family. It was their first Christmas without "Grandpa Charlie". Since 1987, my children spend every Christmas at Grandpa's. There was always prime rib, mashed potatoes and gravy and presents galore! Grandpa died in April. The roll of patriarch now falls on my ex-husband. With my children all grown and having lives of their own, after watching my granddaughter open her presents, we all went our separate ways. My son to the in-laws, my oldest daughter to her boyfriend's family and my youngest daughter to work. That left my ex-husband, middle daughter and her boyfriend to have dinner in their apartment - a standing rib roast with all the trimmings. I'm sure it was no where near what they were use to, but they have created a new family tradition for themselves. Life goes on.<br />
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For the shepherds, they too had experienced a new tradition. The celebration of the gift of life. Although the first recorded celebration of Christmas was not until 336AD, I'm sure those shepherds carried the memory of that night with them and told the story to their families and those families told the story to their families, and so on. One birth, one child to save the world, one King for all people!<br />
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The spirit of Christmas is still as intoxicating as it was at Jesus' birth. Just watch a YouTube video and try not to feel the emotion and have tears running down you face. Tears of joy that you cannot contain because the message is so beautiful that it makes you praise God out loud! Look around you and you may still see a Christmas miracle. They happen all the time! So many wonderful things God continues to give us! So many powerful moments of faith surround us. So much strength and courage displayed in our presence! These are all gifts, just as our salvation is a gift, given by God! <br />
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Hold tight to that joy for the next 364 days. Make that feeling of love your priority. Praise God for what you have seen, what you have not seen and what you have been told in God's Word! Rejoice! You are blessed!!!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-7699145872740121702014-12-25T06:28:00.002-05:002014-12-25T06:31:38.327-05:00~ "Come and worship..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #a64d79; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><b>And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ( Luke 2:15)</b></span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">He came heal the sick. He came to feed the poor. He came clothe the naked. He came to redeem mankind. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">Many people will flock to church this morning out of obligation. Many will go to celebrate the birth of Jesus simply because they are moved to. Many will continue on with their day without giving a thought to the reason for the season. Many will worship from the quietness and comfort of their homes. "Why can't every day be Christmas" was a song attached to a Christmas movie entitled "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't"...it hit theaters when I was a kid so many of you would not have every heard of it. A movie I saw only once, yet the lyrics to the songs and the moral of the story have stuck in my head all these years. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">The verses of Luke, the ones that tell of the birth of our Savior, have been written into children's Christmas shows ("A Charlie Brown Christmas"), they have been etched across the hearts and minds of people everywhere. God is not gone from this country. We continue to sing his praises and tell his story. We continue to pray. We continue to mourn and try to understand his plan. There are quite a few people who seem to think that we need to bring God back to schools and other places where he is "not allowed" -- may I remind you that God is everywhere! The best way to turn anyone's heart is by giving them a gift...the power of giving has an effect on both the giver and receiver. He lives in the hearts of the children who enter the school, in the hearts of the teachers who educate them. He lives in the offices we work in. He lives in the businesses we patronize. He lives on the floor of the Senate and in the halls of Congress. He lives where ever a Christian walks...and we are many!</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">Take some time today and worship the gift of love given to us that very first Christmas morning. That miraculous birth that occurred for one reason...to teach us the true meaning of love. Take some time today and pray for those who do not know the joy that is Christmas. Do not let the events of this world overshadow the greatness of what is in the next! Live it, breathe it, feel it...share it!!! Merry Christmas!!!</span></span>Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-20623078968121313592014-12-23T06:16:00.001-05:002014-12-23T06:16:44.775-05:00~ "Interpretation..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7)</b><br />
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There are so many parts to these two verses that leave me in awe! I had four kids - they were each born in a hospital. It was air conditioned in August, and heated in November, January and February. I was medicated to ease the pain. The sheets were clean. My children were bathed and diapered and wrapped in a soft blanket. So much more different than the birth of our Savior. <br />
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As the story of Jesus' birth tells us, Mary did not have the luxury of "around the clock" nursing care. She was not offered any pain meds and her bed was anything but soft and clean. She gave birth and wrapped him up. I'm sure she wiped him off, but she could not shower herself. She was tired and then had to entertain guests - shepherds and their sheep. <br />
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In all of this, she didn't complain. She knew full well who she had given birth to. Her first born was like no other child who had ever been born before and there would never be another like him to follow. His 4 brothers and 3 sisters would follow, however, even though Jesus was their older brother, they were not any different than any of us. Many religions denounce the existence of these offspring of Joseph and Mary, but they are listed by name (James, Joses, Simon and Judas). <br />
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We all interpret the events in the Bible through the eyes of anyone reading any book. There are many things we see differently, there are many things open to interpretation. Two events, the birth of Jesus and the death of Jesus, are relatively free from interpretation - we believe what is written, what has been taught and what has been taught through the generations since these events took place.<br />
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The birth of Christ is a profound miracle that sets the stage for our redemption. His birthday is celebrated in almost every country on December 25. We imitate this by giving gifts to others, as we were given a gift that first Christmas morning. Remember, though, when you open your gifts and they are not what you wanted, they were given with love, with thought and with joy - just as God's gift to us was! Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-4255157692783241162014-12-22T05:52:00.001-05:002014-12-22T05:52:41.590-05:00~ "That one special gift..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)</b><br />
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"Only begotten"...the only unique Son of God. We are all sons and daughters of God, yet only Jesus has that special relationship with him. He IS God, made human, to suffer and die for our sins!<br />
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God made the rules, we broke the rules, God made it right for us. The sin of our ancestors has been wiped away. We only need believe and ask for a gift given to us without any cost to us. The price was paid, in blood, so very long ago.<br />
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As we close in on the celebration of the birth of Jesus, remember that gift was the beginning of God's promise to us. We try to replicate that by buying the most expensive things available. No matter what any of us spends on gifts, it will never compare to the first Christmas gift ever given to all of us - the gift of life ever after. God gave from his heart...shouldn't we do the same?Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-84310309755000054622014-12-20T06:19:00.000-05:002014-12-20T06:19:07.726-05:00~ "The greatest gift..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)</b><br />
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How much does our Father love us? I think it's safe to say that by sending and sacrificing his son for all the world tells us that he does love us unconditionally. Unfortunately, we cannot make the same claim. Often we put our love for God on the back burner. He isn't always front and center as he should be. Why? Because we are human.<br />
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We often lay blame rather than admit wrongdoing - there is always a reason for why we do what we do. It is a learned behavior. We make excuses for not following through on our daily praises. We make excuses for not attending a worship service. There is always a "yes, but" in our lives. <br />
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We all fall into this category, some more so than others. Again, we are human and God knows that better than anyone...he created us with free will. What I've realized is that those of us who were not raised with God as the head of our existence tend to make excuses more often than those who were! We struggle with our priorities and work very hard at undoing and redoing what is most important. For many of us, this verse is something we learned but did not fully comprehend until that moment when we realized that THIS is the reason we can spend eternity with God, not the fact that we attended a church service every Sunday for our entire lives. <br />
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God sent Jesus for all of us! He is the way to heaven - there is no other! You cannot get there by following certain church doctrines, nor do you get there because you were baptized into a certain religion. It is through the acceptance of that gift that we are forgiven and saved from the fires of hell. Choose to accept the gift being offered to you each and every day! Make a sincere effort to put God first in all that you do. Work at removing influences that condemn and replace them with those that commend! Pray for other as well as yourself! Focus on the gift given to us that first Christmas morning and know that God's love for us exceeded any material gift we could ever receive! Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-50030521917751807712014-12-19T05:40:00.001-05:002014-12-19T05:41:05.949-05:00December 19, 2014 ~ "Still her little child... (REPOST 12/19/2010)"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>For my eyes have seen your salvation, Which you have prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:30-32)</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Simeon had received a promise from God. He would not die until he saw his salvation! God kept his word! When Jesus was brought to the temple and upon receiving him and blessing him, Simeon turned to Mary and told her "this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Although we know very little about Christ's life as a child, being a mother or a father would allow you to "presume" a few things. I think of my kids. I think of their "firsts" - rolling over, sitting up, standing, crawling... I think of them learning to walk, stumbling and falling. I think of their little person giggle, the way they spoke certain words, the way they described different things, the first time they called me "Mommy". I think of their first day of school, how excited we both were (I was not one of those parents who cried). I think of their birthday parties, their favorite games, the sports they played, the friends they made. I think of the "private" talks as they got older, the times spent in the car together. I think of vacations. I also think of the times they were sick, when I would hold their head over the toilet, putting bandaids on their "boo-boo's". I think of their high school graduations, their chosen career path, their college days. I think of my son's wedding. I think of them on their own, perhaps someday raising their own children. Then I think of Mary. Jesus was her child, her first born son! Imagine knowing that that precious child you held in your arms would die for all mankind. Imagine the panic that set in when she and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with them when returning from Jerusalem. Imagine the day that he left home to begin his teaching. Imagine what she felt when he was arrested and condemned to die. Imagine watching your precious child nailed to a cross. Imagine that precious child being laid dead in your arms. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Jesus was born, lived a life and died. The joy comes from what followed - the resurrection! Without his birth, there would be no salvation! Without the life he led, there would be no "model" to imitate! Without his death, there would no hope! In all the world there has not been one as innocent or one as sacred as "her little child". God not only gave Mary a gift that first Christmas morning, he gave a gift to all of us ~ he gave us his son. Our redemption lay in Mary's arms. God fulfilled the promise to all people that day - the promise of Savior. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #882255; color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Whatever you are facing this Christmas season, whatever burdens you bear, whatever hardships you face remember this: It took a miracle for Christ to be born. Your salvation was guaranteed through that miracle. If it took faith in a miracle to get you to where you are, what makes you think that same "faith" is not standing beside you? God's love for us is so great, so unending, and so powerful - who are we to NOT believe he will continue to watch over us until we meet him? Remember - YOU are still his little child!</span><br />
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<br />Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-7808018856579340982014-12-18T06:50:00.001-05:002014-12-18T06:56:20.739-05:00~ "Passing the buck..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"To do justice and judgement is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." </b> <b>(Prov 21:3)</b><br />
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Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character defects. It is the act of giving up something you want to keep. It is giving up something to help someone else. It is going without so that others won't have to.<br />
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Our Christian attitude and behavior must extend beyond the doors to the church. We cannot be the front row Christian and expect that our heavenly Father finds favor in our shoddy business dealings. Our tithes, what we do for others is not payment for our shortcomings. It is not payment for our sins.<br />
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If our personal and business dealings are not characterized by justice, there isn't any amount of generosity we render when that offering plate is passed that will make up for it. Lead a good life both in and out of the eyes of your Christian community. Be fair, be honest and then be generous!!!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-85280538992190612942014-12-17T06:03:00.000-05:002014-12-17T06:03:09.336-05:00~ "Grown men do cry..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)</b><br />
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The shortest verse, the greatest image! If ever anyone doubted that Jesus understands our pain, he need only read this verse and know the truth!<br />
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His friend, Lazarus, had died before he was able to reach him and heal him before that occurred. Lazarus had faith, Martha and Mary had faith. They had yet to truly understand the full meaning of his coming. They knew he was the Messiah, yet they had no clue as to what this meant. They were looking for a King to lead them out of persecution (literally lead them out of persecution). They would come to learn that day that what Jesus promised was a eternal life with him that would not end at the grave.<br />
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"Why me, God?" This was a favorite prayer of mine for many years. Why was I bullied? Why was I left to struggle alone? Why was my life filled with misery? The answer...why not! Suffering and trials build character. They are what builds strength of heart, mind and soul! We don't often see our own strength. We don't see how far we've come simply because we do not look back! We walk ahead knowing that there will be more mountains to cross before it is time to rest in his arms!<br />
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We weep. We mourn. We grieve. We have something so many do not - we have faith! Faith in the promises of our Father, faith in the salvation given us by Jesus, and faith that Jesus understands our pain and has already interceded on our behalf. Death, physical death, is inevitable. We will all die. Eternal life is a gift offered to us by the sacrifice of one man - flesh and blood just like us! It is there for the taking with a simple request: Jesus, I am a sinner, not worthy of anything. Forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and lead me!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-9878647845207679922014-12-16T06:13:00.002-05:002014-12-16T06:22:59.670-05:00~ "For Chandler..."<b>"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb 11:6)</b><br />
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I'm sitting here on "autopilot" this morning. What I write may or may not make any sense. My mind is cluttered with images of a young man who had his entire life ahead of him. He had the loving support of his mother, his family. My dear friend must now bury her only son just days before Christmas. The "whys" are not important. It wasn't a hate crime, nor was it police brutality. It wasn't racial profiling either. <br />
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When we begin our walk with Jesus, we begin often because of a tragedy. Our inability to cope or understand brings us to our knees and we are lovingly picked up and carried through the event, coming out often broken, but definitely blessed. How do we manage to deal with and understand these events when they come years later? How do we not doubt the existence of God? How do we push through and believe that God has a plan for us?<br />
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As a mother, I have tried to give my children everything they need to survive in this world. No, not the material things, the spiritual things. I have taught them that although we do not know God's plan for our lives, we know that all things pass through his hands first. I have taught them by example (not always the best example, but that, too, takes time). They know how deep my belief goes and how strong my faith is...there's that word...FAITH!<br />
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It is our faith that takes us through our tragedies and it is faith that brings us closer to Jesus. Each step we take, be it a soft and easy one, or a heartbreaking one, brings us one step closer to his plan and his purpose in our lives. As we walk this walk, we are not alone - ever! We are held and comforted knowing that regardless of the outcome, we are not failures. We are beautiful reflections of all of God's love! We are his and in his time, we will call each of us home. <br />
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So it is at this time that I would step out of the "writer" mode and ask that you take a moment and pray for my friend. Pray for her courage and strength to endure what lies ahead of her in the next few months. Pray for her family, that they can be the support system she needs in this time of loss. Pray for her friends, that we may continue to walk in faith and carry our sister in Christ in our hearts. <br />
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We are blessed with our children for only as long as God gives them to us, and us to them. Cherish every moment...Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-76852218211643974302014-12-15T05:54:00.001-05:002014-12-15T05:54:24.503-05:00~ "Words..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:9-10)</b><br />
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Our contradictory speech often causes us to question which of the two is the "real" us. It is very difficult to go from the every other word explicative to none at all, especially when one has been doing it for a life time. There are times when the words creep out of our mouths in total disbelief of a situation. There are times when no other word seems to fit the emotion. And there are times when the anger rages so hot that you just cannot contain yourself. <br />
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We are good people. We are made in God's image. We are bad people, too. We are fallen and sinful. God works to change us from the inside out. As our hearts are purified by the Holy Spirit, we are given the self-control to eliminate these words from our vocabulary. Do we master it completely? No. We will never be perfect because we will always be sinners!<br />
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When we call upon the power of the Holy Spirit to help us in speaking only words that are pleasing to God, we are inviting an inner change. As our hearts cry out for what seems familiar somewhere in our wasted existence, we begin the metamorphosis into a pleasing, meaningful child of God! Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-35611308046518704432014-12-14T06:56:00.001-05:002014-12-14T06:56:11.106-05:00~ "Ask..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:14-15)</b><br />
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Ask and it shall be given to you...so long as it is God's will. That's the part of the prayer many often forget. God is many things, however, he is not the genie in the bottle who will grant you three wishes! <br />
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Be careful what you pray for, you may just get it...often our Heavenly Father does just that! Remembering that he does have a sense of humor, I am reminded of a prayer I prayed for about a year - he answered that prayer and it was at that time I learned to be more specific in my prayers to him!<br />
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In these verses, we see that not only should we pray, but we should pray with confidence! Going into prayer not believing in what we are petitioning for will happen is the same as making a decision we aren't going to like something before we've experienced it. Additionally, praying for God to change things after they've occurred is similar to closing the barn door after the horse has escaped! God is not going to turn back time and change what has transpired (I've asked, numerous times)! He will, however, bless you with the courage and strength to go through the situation and come out a better person for having experienced it. Often when we realize our own shortcomings just a tad bit too late, he will intervene and make right what we have risked destroying by our own shortsightedness. The lesson we learn is what we were supposed to learn! He is our greatest teacher if we allow him the opportunity!<br />
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So, pray with confidence, pray with purpose and be specific! If you desire the ability to be compassionate, know that you will experience situations that will require you to know what it means to be shown compassion. If you desire patience, know that you will inevitably find yourself in situations that are annoying. If you desire the courage, strength and wisdom of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, you may not find yourself walking in a firey furnace, but you will be thrust into a walk with Jesus that will teach you about yourself and you will find out just what you are made of and with God's help, you will come through that walk braver, stronger and wiser than you could have ever imagined!<br />
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<br />Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-22402611452966410332014-12-13T06:20:00.000-05:002014-12-13T06:20:13.673-05:00~ "Sufficient grace..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9)</b><br />
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I woke up this morning with a nasty belly. It felt as if the stomach acids were literally chewing a hole clear through! Some dry heaves, a half a piece of toast and then a cup of coffee (yes, I know, but I can't function without it) and I'm tolerating the uncomfortable mess I've become. In in this "mess", the enemy thought it would be a good idea to tell me I didn't need to write this morning!<br />
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Strength in weakness...yes, that is when I feel him the most. When I am physically unable, mentally unstable and emotionally stunted, the power of the Holy Spirit intervenes and I am rejuvenated! I become a viable conduit for the love and strength Jesus talks about! <br />
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Find that same grace that Paul reminds us of in the simple things life brings and when the more complex trials are knocking at the door, you will instinctively know that his grace is sufficient!Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601227077636328784.post-20932528460132530942014-12-12T05:54:00.000-05:002014-12-12T05:54:18.814-05:00~ Pieces of life..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of grace of God." (Acts 20:24)</b><br />
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We often feel that we've failed at "life" unless we get a lot out of it. We Look for recognition, fun, money, success...but Paul thought life was worth nothing unless he used it for God's work.<br />
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What we put into life is ultimately more important than what we get out of it. Doing our best day in and day out, making someone else's life a little easier, taking the extra steps to insure that we don't miss anything...all the characteristics of someone who is living a well-rounded life. That "life" is only full when we include God in it! Certainly, he blesses us in ways we take for granted (simply because we "forget" that it is through his mercy and grace that we have what we have - home, job, family), but how much greater the blessings will be when we give back to him what has been given to us by sharing it with someone else! <br />
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Which is more important to you - what you get out of life, or what you put into it?Beth Amatellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01237910897460794451noreply@blogger.com