Don't Forget

I was thinking the other day, can we even imagine what Jesus went through when he was crucified? Can we comprehend the pain? The suffering? The courage it took to go through with it? 

Death by crucifixion was, perhaps, the most horrible, painful death ever conceived by man. Spikes were nailed between the bones in the wrist, not in the hands as we would normally suspect, because if they were nailed through their hands, the weight of the hanging body would cause the spikes to tear the flesh, thus freeing the victim. Spikes were also nailed through their feet, or their heels. Death did not occur through loss of blood, but by suffocation. In order to breath, the victim had to push up on the nails in the feet, releasing the pressure on his diaphragm. This caused terrible pain in their feet. Fatigue would eventually cause the victim to slump back down. The nails in the wrists tear into a concentrated section of nerves, causing severe pain, once more. As the victim sags back down, he can't breathe, until finally again, he pushes up on his feet. Eventually fatigue will take its toll again, the victim will sag back down once more, suffocate, because of the pressure put on his diaphram, and die. If a victim survived several days, the Roman soldiers would sometimes break their legs to hasten death.

Can you picture your Savior suffering? Crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus may have been the Son of God, but he was a man, too. He felt the pain. The agony. It scared him. He begged God in the garden: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” But Jesus knew what he had to do and he did it. I am eternally grateful. 

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"As they nail me to this tree
Just know the Father waits for me."
"God how can this be your will?
To have your son and my son killed?"
--New Again by Brad Paisley & Sara Evans
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Let's not forget what Jesus did for us that day.

Quick Update

Just a quick update on dad.

Mom said the doctor told her that dad has two lesions they're pretty concerned about. One on the Medulla, and one on the Corpus Callosum. They're going to give dad steroid infusions, and plasmapheresis, which have both helped him in the past. We estimate that dad will be at the hospital for about two weeks (because of the plasmapheresis, which will be done every other day, and the doctors want to do 6 or 7 treatments). So, since mom stays with dad like the wonderful wife she is, my sisters and I will be hanging out at the house, taking care of the barn chores, grocery shopping, and doing house work. And of course, I'll be working three days a week. :)

Thank you all for your sweet comments of encouragement, and for your prayers! Dad is pretty impatient, and he's ready to get back home. But when you're in the hospital, haha, who wouldn't be? :) We just keep praying that God's will be done, and that He will strengthen dad, heal him and bring him back home to us when He's ready. :)

The Work of His Hands

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." ~Psalm 19:1-2~ 

The sky was so beautiful this evening, so I ran inside and grabbed Narthea's camera to snap a couple of pictures.... Well, I snapped a lot more than a couple. lol

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." ~Genesis 1:1-3~

"Sing to God, sing praise to His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds — His name is the Lord— and rejoice before Him." ~Psalm 68:4~

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." ~Mark 14:62~

one man and one woman

Let me just say ahead of time that this is my blog and even though you may disagree, I have the right to say whatever I feel led to say about the following subject, because it's my blog, so it's my right. :)

Some of you may or may not have noticed, but I have recently added a new picture to my right sidebar. It is an anti-homosexuality button made by my lovely, dear friend Bleah. I thought that I would share with you why I am strongly against homosexuality.

God does not agree with it.

I am a Christian and I strive to please God, and learn more about Him every day. This is one of the many things I've learned: God does not agree with homosexuality. So, being a Christian, I don't either. To tell you the truth, even if I wasn't a Christian, I would still be against this.

God clearly says in Leviticus 18:22, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." So there ya have it. Plain and simple. Homosexuality is wrong.

One argument concerning this subject is: "You can be a Christian and still believe that homosexuality is okay."

Uh, no. If this is what you believe, you are wrong. If God CLEARLY says not to do this, then how can you support it if you're a Christian? Some people say, "Well, as long as they're happy and they love each other, it's okay," but this doesn't even make sense.

Okay, so if I think murdering someone is fun and I find great pleasure in it, does that make it okay? Absolutely not! So why should homosexuality be any different? (Some people on other blogs said that it wasn't fair to compare homosexuality to murder, but John 3:4-5 says, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." Homosexuality and murder are both sins, so there. Sin is sin, peeps.)

When people say they're Christians and also say that being gay is okay, it's like they're saying you only have to obey some of God's commandments, and you can ignore the rest if you please. As I said in a comment on someone's blog, about this same subject, you cannot be a half-way Christian, because there is no such thing as a half-way Christian. You're either a Christian-all-the-way, or you're not a Christian. If you look up what the definition of a Christian is, you will most likely find something said similar to this: "One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ." Jesus does not teach that homosexuality is okay, neither does God, so if you're a true Christian, you will disagree with it.

Here, again, in Leviticus 20:13 God says, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

Now another argument is, "God loves homosexuals, because if He didn't, then why would He create them and make them that way?"

First off, God does not make someone homosexual. They choose to be that way, whether you choose to believe that or not. God hates sin, so why would he create a homosexual person, considering that He says in His Written Word that it is a sin? Sin is of the devil (hence: the devil is the prince of thieves and God is the Prince of Peace). God did not create sin, He allowed sin to enter this world 

And it's not like God allowed sin to enter the world and couldn't care less about our eternal souls. Hello! He gave us Jesus for cryin out loud! He also gave us the Bible which is full of commandments that make us aware of our sin. You have a choice: sin, or Jesus. God loves homosexuals, but that does not mean he loves their homosexuality. He loves the person, but despises their sin.

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." ~Romans 1:21-27~

I'm a Christian, and I am against homosexuality....

I'm prepared to loose followers over this, even all of them, because as my friend Elizabeth @ Living On Literary Lane stated on her blog, "For what am I if I prize followers over His Word and His will?"

{If you agree, you may take anti-homosexuality button, as well.} :)

Miscellany Monday

And just in time. ;)

{1}

Dad is doing much better now that he has had 3 days of IV steroids (that's not all, though, he will be having a few more days worth). Tonight we had some family friends come over and pray with us. First we read scripture. The wife was saying how she strongly believes that dad is going to be delivered from this illness, as we all have been praying for and saying since day 1. Here are some of the verses that we read tonight.

{Psalm 18:2}

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

{Psalm 91:15}

"He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

{Psalm 118:7}

"The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies."

And get this: my dad read scripture too! A week or two ago momma bought him a large print Bible and ever since then he has been able to read his Bible. Dad has had trouble with his vision off and on throughout the last year because of his MS, so we are very happy that he is reading, after going for quite a while without doing so! He prayed too. And immediately my mom, Narthea and I started crying. It felt so good to hear him pray. Dad has also had trouble with his speech, so it's been a while since we've heard him pray aloud. I could really tell that God was dwelling with us tonight.

{Matt 18:20}

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

It was such a blessing to read scripture and pray together. Thank you God for the wonderful friends you have blessed us with who encourage us in our walk with you!!

{Hebrews 10: 24-25}

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

{2}

Next I wanted to announce a few giveaway's that I have found out about today.

First is Lindsay's giveaway!

Now, Awel's giveaway, which I'm not entering because I have already won a blog makeover by her. I just thought I'd let you know about it, though. :)

 And last but certainly not least, Eden's giveaway at Growing In Him!

click here


{3}
Random pictures from my family's 2009 Summer vacation.

{In case you didn't notice, I am in love with the letter box feature on Picnik!}

I was looking through all the pictures I took (close to 300) when my family and I went on a Summer vacation last year. We had so much fun! We went south, to the beach, and stayed a couple of days. While we were there we visited museums, had an awesome time with some friends of ours who lived there, and we toured a battleship and clipper ship. It was an amazing experience and I have to say it was the best family vacation we ever had! Ah, memories... :)

{4}
I haven't heard anything else about either of my aunts, or their condition. If you didn't read about that, you can click here. 

I still cry everytime I think about my aunt Sherry's health, but I am continually praying for her healing, and for her kids to trust in the Lord throughout the whole ordeal!

{5}
My friend Jillian's sister, Caitlin, just got married. You can go here to congratulate them! :)

Also, I have another prayer request for ya. I'm just full of 'em aren't I? :)
The wife of the couple that came over tonight to pray with us has some health issues concerning her kidneys. I'm not going to go into any detail because I'm not sure if she wants everyone to know all about it, but I just wanted to ask you to pray for her healing and comfort. She's such a trooper and, even though she has some medical issues herself, she persistently prays for our family, and dad's healing. She has been such an encouragement to us all. I would just like to ask you to lift her up in prayer. :)

 

Update and Two More Prayer Requests

{If you're confused, click HERE}

Dad isn't any better, but we are so grateful because we finally got his IV steroids (a few hours ago, when we should've gotten them two days ago), and the nurse came out to give them to dad. She's here right now. Everytime dad gets up he pukes. Mom did some research online and found out that with some MS patients puking is a symptom. It's rare, but it happens. We're praying that after dad gets these steroids we'll see some progress. He's very, very weak, we have to help him go anywhere, and like I said, he throws up everytime he gets out of bed. Please continue to pray for him!

Also, my mom called my Me-ma (my dad's mom) this afternoon and we found out from her that my aunt Sherry is dying (she's my dad's, step brother's ex-wife). I don't know all the details, but she has been battling cancer for years and apparently the doctors have been trying to give her some pills (I think it was pain medicine) and she keeps throwing it up. [If I heard my mom correctly] They put her on an IV to try and get some medicine in her, and they might send her home on hospice. Please pray for her 3 children, my cousins, to be strong and trust in the Lord. I won't give you their names, but my aunt's name is Sherry. God can do anything. He can heal my aunt right now if He wants to. We're just praying, praying, praying that God's will be done. I'm quite close to aunt Sherry's youngest daughter, who is my age and I know this will be (and is) very, very hard on her. She does not deal with loss very well, so please pray for her.

Now, the third prayer request. My Me-ma also told us that my other aunt (my dad's, other brother's wife) is going to the emergency room. We are not sure why, Me-ma didn't have time to explain, but I do know she has had severe health problems, in the past. Please pray that everything will be okay and the doctors will be able to help my aunt.

Thank you so much for the prayer and support through all that my family and I are going through! It's tough, but with God we'll get through it.

Please Pray

Can you please pray for my dad? He's not doing very good. Today he has been off balance, weak, and numb on the right side of his face. He's actually been off balance and weak for the last few days, but just today he told us the right side of his mouth is numb. He just got through throwing up a few minutes ago, and we're not sure why. Please pray that another lesion is not growing. Mom called the doctor this afternoon and he said they would send a nurse to our house to give dad a steroid infusion.

For those of you who don't know, and are new followers to my blog, my dad has MS and sometimes he has symptoms like this. Sometimes it lands him in the Hospital. When he has symptoms like this it usually means he has a new lesion growing, so we're really praying and hoping that this time is different.

Praise The Lord, Oh My Soul! Praise Him!

"The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him."

 ~Exodus 15:2~

 

"I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!"

~Deuteronomy 32:3~

 

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"

~2 Samuel 22:47~ 

 

"I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."

~2 Samuel 22:4~

 

"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods."

~1 Chronicles 16:25~

 

"I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

~Psalm 9:2~

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"Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him."

~Psalm 33:1~

 

"Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen."

~Psalm 41:13~

 

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving."

~Psalm 69:30~

My parents are home!! Praise God!! They got home yesterday. Daddy is doing so good. Oh, it's so nice to see his smiling face! God is good, amen? He brought my parents home to me and my sisters!Praise God!!

Daddy is still having trouble with his vision. He's "half blind". Also, he's still having trouble getting out the right words, but my goodness, he is doing SO good!! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!!

 

Thank you God! Thank you for all the wonderful sisters & brothers in Christ that I have met through blogger who have continued to cheer me up when I'm down, and encourage me when I'm discouraged. Thank you Father for the faithful prayer warriors they have been!! I love each and every one of them! :)