King ~ I'd Rather Have Jesus ~ Part 1

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

~*~*~*~* 

I was sitting in our music/library room sipping a cup of tea, sunshine pouring into the room, and going thru my normal Bible study for the morning. It started out great. My mind was open for God to teach me whatever He wanted, I had a cup of my favorite tea in my hand and the sun was shining. Who could 
have asked for more? 

Well, as I started going through my study, this song (I’d Rather Have Jesus) jumped out at me. The man who wrote the study had put the song in there, and I have always loved it, but this time was different. There was one line that jumped out at me. "Than to be the king of a vast domain."

Two days ago, I was talking to a friend of mine and we were just having some fun and started play acting. He said that he wanted to be the King of Awesomeness. So, I 'crowned' him. :P After that he started giving out ‘rules’ to his ‘subjects’. The first one was to have a national holiday that would honor the King of Awesomeness and the second one was to take a nap. *laughs* After his ‘nap’, he sat up, took of the ‘crown’ and said, “Being  king is boring.” 

You might be thinking, “Why would being a king be boring? I have always wanted to be a princess or a queen, or something like that.” 

Well, after reading/singing this hymn, I realized that being a King, Queen, Princess or Prince, would only be fun for a time, but then would get boring. You would always have people bowing down to you. You would always have to watch your p’s and q’s. People would look up to you because you had authority over them. Even though the dresses would be pretty, or it would be fun to live in a castle, things would get boring. 

This guy was ‘King Awesomeness’ (wouldn’t that be fun to be king over? ;P). But when King, he could no longer be himself. Having all the power could be fun up to a point, but there would be no one telling YOU what to do. Wouldn’t that get boring? I know I would surely get bored. 

Wouldn’t you want Jesus than to be King of... awesomeness or of a vast domain? Everything that is talked about in the song is what a king would have within his grasp. Silver and gold, riches untold, houses and lands, men’s applause, and worldwide fame. A king would have all of that but one, Jesus. He would be rich in the world’s eyes, so therefore, he would not need Jesus.

If you don’t know Jesus, being a king would get boring very quickly. But if you know and love Jesus, you have become a Prince or Princess, of more than you could imagine. You might not be a king in the world’s eyes, but you have Jesus and that makes you richer than a king in the world.

Modesty

I promised my sister I would do a post on modesty. So, Jane, this is for you. :) (I am sorry it has taken  me this long to get it posted.)

I have had some conversations lately with some of my friends about modesty. So, I just thought I would share some things. 

When I think of modesty, I think of modest dress. As Christians, we need to dress modestly. We do need to be modest and not cause people to stumble. But there are  other aspects  I have found that also, in my eyes, are considered modesty. 

Modesty - behavior, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency. 

This definition applies to all of what I am going to talk about and I will explain as I go. :) 

Clothes are a big part of our culture. We, as young ladies, are concerned about what we wear, what we look like and what not. We want to make sure that we look good and that we can ‘attract’ guys. I will say that I have fallen into this. I am always concerned about what I look like and what I wear, but I am learning, thru what God has been showing me, that I need not be so concerned about those things. 

Matthew 6:25 -26 (KJV) says: “Therefore I say unto you, Take not thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

God will take care of you. There is nothing to be concerned about. Yes, you still have to take responsibility for getting dressed, doing your hair and all. But, God will make you look beautiful from the inside out. Although, you may want to make sure that you don’t wear polka dots and strips and that your hair is nice, not ragged. :D 

A few weeks ago, my mom, sister and I went to a Mary Kay party.. (for those of you know what it is. :D) I was kinda skeptical at first, but I went and enjoyed myself. Not because I was ‘trying’ new make up products, but because I was with godly friends. As we were talking about taking care of your skin, the mom who hosted the party said that our bodies are the temple of God and that we need to take care of our bodies. When we put on makeup, do our hair and get dressed we are just bringing out what God has already put in us. We are beautiful just as we are. Without makeup and without our hair done. Although, we most likely will look pretty ragged in the world's eyes, we are still beautiful in God’s sight. 

I will tell you that after that I began to relax. You are God’s child and He will always think you are beautiful. 

Okay, I got side tracked. That is not where I was going with this, but it is still important. :) When I think of modesty, I think of higher neckline shirts, not tight pants but long skirts and looser jeans. When I say higher necklines I don’t mean turtle neck shirts. I mean a modest neckline. You may ask, what is considered a modest neckline? 

Well, my definition is something that does not show to much... That is kinda hard in our culture, I know, but I just wear a camisole under the really low shirts. That can always fix your modesty problem. :)

That is one way to stay modest, yes. But there are other things that can keep you modest. These things that I am going to mention are not something that are seen by just looking at a person.

 Purity - You may be thinking, how can this be considered modesty? Well, when I say purity, I mean not flirting and not going after guys. This can also be considered modesty.

Still don't get it do you? *thinks* Let me explain it a little bit more... 

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."  ~ Matthew 5:28


This can also go for us women. As emotional people, we can get emotionally involved with a guy. We can, once we get to know a guy and become friends with him,  easily start pouring out our heart to him. We can also look at a guy and say, "Oh he is cute. I like him." That is how we can commit adultery. By not doing these things, we are keeping ourselves pure and modest. 


From conversations I have had with other young ladies, this is something that every young lady struggles with.  I know I do struggle with it. It is a hard thing to do in this culture. It tells us to follow our feelings and not to follow truth and God.  


At the end of the movie, Two Towers, Sam has a speech that he makes. (You can find it here if you want to see/hear the whole thing) 


"I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something." 


"What are we holding onto, Sam?"

"That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for."


We, as Christians need to fight for the good. We don't need to be walking around with super tight pants, low shirts, always flirting with every guy we see. We need to be shining the light of Jesus and proclaiming His name. 


"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." ~Matthew 5:14 (KJV)


When we have the light of Jesus in us, we cannot hide it. We should dress, act, think, speak, do, and hear, as if Jesus was right by our side, in person, taking note of everything we do. What would He think of what you wore, or  how you act around guys? 

Trust Me

He reaches out to take your hand.

He picks you up when you have fallen.

He is a shoulder to cry on. 

“I am your shelter,” He whispers in your ear. 

He bears all your burdens. 

He takes all your pain and grief.

He wipes away all your sins and tears.

“I am your love,” He whispers. 

He delivers you for your enemies.

He delivers you from evil. 

He delivers you from this world. 

“I am your deliverer,” He whispers.

He will lead you. 

He won’t steer you wrong.

He will keep you safe. 

“I am your guide,” He whispers.

He will bring light to your night.

He will give you light in dark places.

He will light your path so you won’t stumble. 

“I am your light,” He whispers. 

He will lead you in battle.

He will make your enemies fall. 

He will bring victory to His camp. 

“I am your captain,” He whispers. 

He will rule His people with a just and righteous hand. 

He will bring peace to the city. 

He will protect His people.

“I am your king,” He whispers.

He created the heavens.

He created the earth.

He created you.

“I am your creator,” He whispers. 

Why not praise the God of the universe? 

Why not trust him with everything? 

Does He not deserve it?

“Trust me,” He whispers.

Why shouldn’t He have our love?

Why shouldn’t He be your shelter?

Has He not earned it? 

“Trust me,” He whispers.

All He wants is your praise.

All He wants is your trust. 

All He wants is your love. 

“Trust me,” He whispers.

All He wants is for you to honor Him.

All He wants is for you to give Him everything. 

All He wants is for you to surrender to him.

“Trust me,” He whispers. 

True Love

You sit on the corner hoping someone will stop and think you are special.
You wait, day after day, in the same spot, with the same hope.
You want someone to say ‘I love you’ and to wrap their arms around you. 

You want someone to truly love you. 

Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.

Still, no one comes to tell you I love you. 

Still, you don’t give up your hope, but you wonder,

“What am I good for? Why was I created this way? Does anyone love me?”

Your friends stop by every now and then to tell you they love you,

But that is not enough. 

Do they really mean it or are they just saying it because they know you are searching?

Even if you become an old maid, will they still love you? 

Your hope begins to fade and the light goes out of your eyes.

Your clothes become old and worn.

You are so deprived of love, that you will do anything for it. 

You will become a maid, only if it promises love, anything in the world just for love.

One day, a man, nicely dressed, walks by, takes one look at you and offers his arm.

You hesitate, you see his friendly smile and his glittering eyes. 

“Does this man feel bad for me?” you wonder, “That he will take me home to feed and clothe me?”

You look up into his eyes and see there is much more than that. 

You take his arm, completely trusting him, hoping love will be around the corner. 

When you get to his house, you see it was a scam. 

He did not love you, he only wanted you for his servant, nothing else. 

You fly from the house, tears rolling down your cheeks and painful images in your mind. 

“Where is love, true love?” you cry out to who ever is listening.

“Where is the love I have waited so long for? That I deserve?” 

You sit down on your corner, sad, disappointed, and angry. 

How could a man do such a thing to you? 

“He never really loved me?” you cry. 

You sit and cry all the tears that you have. 

No one could love you. 

You are just a wretch that is lower than anything in the earth. 

You look around you. 

Everyone has their love but you. 

Why are you the only one who does not? 

What did you do to receive this desertion? 

“Don’t you love me?” you ask one of your friends.

“Of course I do,” he answers “But...” 

Your blood runs cold when he adds on the but.

“I love my girl.” he continues, “Who ever falls in love with you will have an awesome girl.”  He said and puts his arm around you. 

You sigh at his words. 

You were not even good enough for him. 

Your best friend. 

You fall apart, without a love to comfort you. 

A few days later, as you are wandering around on the streets,

A man approaches you. 

He was not finely dressed like the last man, 

But he was not in rags. 

He had a sparkle in his eyes. 

You did not believe it at first. 

You turn and walk away. 

The man follows you. 

You walk a little faster.

Still, he keeps up with you. 

You stop in your tracks, too scared to turn around. 

“I have been following you for a few days now.” He says. 

You turn around and stare at him. 

“You have been following me?” 

“What do you want?” you ask, scared to death. 

The man gives you a warm, friendly smile. 

“I want your love,” He says calmly and steadily.

“My love?” you ask in shock. 

The man nods. 

“Your love...” He says again. 

You feel at peace. 

You want him to love you. 

You want to love him.

“Can this be real?” you ask yourself. 

“I love you,” The man says. 

“I love you,” you whisper back as he takes you into his arms.

Tears, softly roll down your cheeks. 

This is what you have been waiting for. 

Why has it taken so long? 

For years you have waited for this? 

Is this really true love? 

Or was this man just faking it like the rest? 

“I have waited for you for years,” He whispered. 

“You have?” you ask, still, with tears rolling down your face.

The man nods and strokes your hair. 

“I have suffered and bled looking for you,” He says.  

At his words, more tears stream down your face. 

“This is true love,” you think to your self.

“But is it really true?” 

“Come,” The man whispers in your ear “let’s get you something to eat and clothes to wear.”

At first you hesitate, but the eyes of the man are gentle and kind. 

He offers you his arm, and you gratefully take it. 

Here is the love that you have searched for so long. 

This is true love. 

He will treat you with love and respect. 

He will give up everything. 

He will suffer for you. 

This is true love. 

I wrote this for my sister when she was struggling with somethings. She also did a post on love, you can find it here if you want to read it.

The Greatest Gift ~

Presents under the tree

Snowflakes drifting to the ground

The tree decked with lights and ornaments

Family gathered ‘round the piano singing carols.

Memories being created

Traditions being kept

Love being shared

Peace being brought

A time when laughter and love fill the air.

A time when hatred and fighting is put aside.

A time when the separated are united.

A time when love was born on earth. 

Christmas time; the birth of our Lord

God sent His Son in the form of a babe.

He used a lowly virgin to bring His Son to earth.

What a wonderful gift. 

This is a time of toys, chocolates, sweets, and memories.

But let us not forget the greatest gift of them all. 

The gift that will never break, or become old. 

The gift that will always stay new and fresh. 

This is a time to forget all your sorrows 

A time to forget what has happened and to welcome a baby into our world.

A time to be thankful for all the presents you get under the tree.

A time to spend with family and friends. 

The new year is right ‘round the corner, 

Soon, this time will be forgotten

The presents become things on a shelf.
Let us not put our Lord on the shelf after the new year. 

Let us cherish the gift that was so willing to die for us. 

Let us cherish the gift of love that was sent down that night.

Let us cherish the gift of peace that was bestowed on the earth.

Let us never forget what price was paid for the greatest gift. 

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope ya'll had a wonderful day!

Miracles ~

What is a miracle, you ask?

Isn’t it just the blind seeing, the lame walking and the sick healed? 

Isn’t it just Jesus conceived in Mary’s womb, or John in Elizabeth’s? 

Has God said that your time on earth is done? 

Has He called you to Himself? 

Are you His child? 

You are a living miracle. 

Have you over come temptations? 

Have you faced the enemy knowing God has a plan for you? 

Have you trusted God with your life? 

You are a living miracle. 

It isn’t just the blind seeing, the lame walking and the sick healed

It isn’t just Jesus conceived in Mary’s womb or John in Elizabeth’s.

It isn’t just Jesus rising from the dead on the third day. 

You are a miracle. 

You are walking on this earth. 

You are alive and well.

You are living in Jesus. 

You are a miracle. 

Yet Another Camping Trip ~ Day 2 ~ Shooting and Gold Mines

Yes, I know, this post is LONG over due!

On the second day while we were out at Antone Ranch, we went to a western shooting course and then to see two gold mines on the ranch. It was a cold and raining day, but we still had our share of laughing. :)

Here are some pictures of the day. I will start with the shooting pictures. The pictures are pretty explanatory. :) Oh, and the guns we shot were a 38 special pistol, a 38 special rifle and and 21 gauge shotgun.








Yes, that is my brother. :)









The 38 special pistol


Loading the guns.

Isn't he cute?

Some of the group.





The men had fun shooting the guns like the do in the movies...

It did not work so well. They only missed the target. :P



Entrance to one of the gold mines


One of the boys in the mine with a flashlight




Inside one of the mines


I simply had to put this picture in because there is a funny story behind it. :D


On the way home from the gold mines, which was almost a half an hour drive. We (the older kids, please don't make me name them. :P) had stayed up till midnight the night before, and that day was a cold and misty day. Plus, we only had trucks, so a bunch of the older kids had to pile into the back of my dad's truck. There were a total of 5 of us plus we had two dog kennels, so we were a little squished. :P Well, on the way back, Chad must have lost his mind. Braden and I were leaning up against the tail gate with Chad up against the window in the back, leaving the other two to sit in front of the dog kennels. (Some how we all fit.) Now, Braden and I talked for awhile until I noticed Chad had his face pressed up against the glass. At first I did not think much about it, and continued on talking, that was, until Chad started talking. He was trying to talk to the people in the cab of the truck, though the window.

I don't really know what possessed Chad to do such a thing. He is normally a quiet guy and is not really the funny one in our family, or so you think. :P Anyhow, back to the story.

Chad was talking though the window in this high pitched voice that he only uses when he is very hipper. The next thing I know, Chad is looking back at us and then turns to put his face back up the the window, but instead Dad slams on the brakes, and makes us all go flying. And guess where his face went. Yup, right into the window. *laughs* After I recovered myself from the jolt, I find Chd rubbing his nose. He then turned back to the window and started talking again. By this time, Braden and I were rolling. Dad slammed on the brakes again, but this time Chad hit is forehead. Dad did it one more time before we got home. But we all were rolling.

That is the story about that picture. :)

Thanks to In His Name Photography for the pictures!