I enjoy bass fishing, deer hunting and golfing in the south.
Giving is an expression
Of gratitude for our blessings.
- Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
Wear gratitude like a cloak
And it will feed every corner
Of your life.
- Rumi
Make it a habit to tell people
Thank you.
To express your appreciation,
Sincerely and without the
Expectation of anything in
Return.
Truly appreciate those around you,
And you’ll soon find many others
Around you.
Truly appreciate life,
And you’ll find that you have more
Of it.
- Ralph Marston
Give thanks for a little
And you will find a lot.
- Hansa Proverb
Entitlement is such a cancer,
Because it is void of gratitude.
- Adam Smith
Let gratitude be the pillow upon
Which you kneel to say your
Nightly prayer.
And let faith be the bridge you
Build to overcome evil and
Welcome good.
- Maya Angelou
This resource link is shared
In loving memory of my
Grand-son Colson Lee Clark
https://upjourney.com/what-to-say-to-someone-who-lost-a-child
Perception is reality,
Do you communicate
Effectively?
- Steven Ballard
Let us be grateful to people
Who make us happy,
They are the charming gardeners
Who make our souls blossom.
- Marcel Proust
Emotions…
Positive and negative emotions
Cannot occupy the mind at the
Same time.
- Napoleon Hill Foundation
Friend…
God told Noah to build an ark. The apostle Peter wrote that
eight souls or persons were saved in that ark by water (1 Peter 3:20).
Then Peter wrote, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also
save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer
of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"
(1 Peter 3:21).
Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives were the eight
people who were saved in the ark by water. They were not saved
by water from water! They were saved from water by the ark
(Hebrews 11:7). But, they were saved by water from something!
From what were they saved by water? They were saved by water
from a wicked, sinful world of people!
Of that sinful world, Moses wrote, "And God saw that the wickedness
of man was great in all the earth, and that every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).
The waters of the flood destroyed that world of exceedingly wicked people.
The waters of the flood came between that wicked world and the cleansed
world following that flood! Therefore, Noah and his family were saved
from that wicked world by water!
We are saved by water in the same sense that the blind man of
John 9 received his sight by water. Jesus told that blind man to wash
his eyes in the water of the pool of Siloam. When he did so, he
received his sight. Of course, the Lord Jesus gave him his sight.
The water of the pool did not give him his sight, but Christ gave
him his sight when he did what Christ told him to do. His doing what
Christ told him to do involved water.
Even so, water does not wash away the sins of one when he is
baptized in water. Christ takes away his sins when he does what
Christ tells him to do by being baptized in water. His doing what
Christ tells him to do involve water. That is the only sense in which
water saves sinners.
The Blood of Christ Saves
The blood of Jesus Christ saves, but it saves in Christ. "In whom
(Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
The reason baptism saves is because in being baptized one gets
into Christ where the blood of Christ saves! Since water is involved
in one's being baptized into Christ, then water is involved in one's
reaching the blood of Christ.
To reach the blood of Christ in baptism obviously just means that
one reaches the forgiveness of God Almighty which he gives because
Christ shed his blood or gave his life for our sins. Jesus made
forgiveness of sins available for everyone when he died on
Calvary's cross. Those who are baptized into Christ receive what
Christ made available when he died.
The great Baptist scholar, Dr. Charles B. Williams, translated
1 Peter 3:21 as follows. "Baptism which corresponds to this figure
now saves you too…I do not mean the mere removal of physical stains,
but the craving for a clear conscience toward God."
(The New Testament, A Translation in the Language of the People,
by Charles B. Williams.)
Dr. Gerrit Verkuyl of Princeton translated in his Berkley Version
of the New Testament 1 Peter so that it says that baptism saves
and that it is "the earnest of seeking a conscience that is clear in
God's presence." Could one who knows that being baptized isessential to being saved by the blood of Christ have a good
conscience until he is baptized?
One who knows that Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved" could not have a clear conscience before God until
after he is baptized. Therefore, when he is baptized, he is seeking for,
or craving, a clear conscience before God.
After saying Noah and his family were saved by water, Peter said,
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…"
"Like figure" of this text is from the Greek word antitupou.
This word is put in English or anglicized as anti-type.
There are many types in the Old Testament. When a lamb was
sacrificed for sins, it was a type of Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
who was sacrificed for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-10). A literal lamb
offered in sacrifice under the Old Covenant was a type.
Jesus being offered in sacrifice for our sins was the anti-type of
that Old Testament type.
Peter said our being saved by baptism is the anti-type of eight souls
being saved in the ark by water. This all obviously means that just
as the water of the great flood came between the old world of
wickedness and the new and cleansed world following that flood,
even so the water of baptism comes between the world of sin and
the new world of righteousness in Christ Jesus.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The person in Christ got into Christ by being baptized into Christ
(Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4). So, the water of baptism comes
between the old world of sin and the new world in Christ Jesus.
Via Gospel Gazette
When I heard the news,
there'd be baby shoes,
waiting and wondering pink or blue,
either Gonna be a little me or you,
If I can see inside,
heaven knows we've tried,
looking though the belly On a TV screen,
don't have to tell me what a heartbeat means.
There's only one other who can love this girl like me
The mother of the finest little pearl in any sea
April showers brings,
lots of tiny things,
bellys getting bigger every single day,
don't think this flowers gonna wait for May,
Had to dry my eyes,
write a lullaby,
I'm gonna sing her every Song I know
got to get ready for a whole new show.
Cause I know father time is not wasting me,
With a brand new tiny little branch on the family tree
Barely time to choose,
All The Baby shoes,
no more wondering pink or blue,
she gonna be a Little me and you,
now I have a mind for nursery rhymes,
old mother goose little Bo peep
call Dr Seuss to put her right to sleep
There's only one other who can love this girl like me
The mother of the finest little pearl in any sea that is what she is to me
Go to sleep my darling sandman is calling,
where the stars are gleaming you will be dreaming
Go to sleep my darling sandman is calling,
we will be waiting for you love and adore you
Go to sleep my darling sandman is calling,
where the angels guide you to the dreams inside you
Go to sleep my darling sandman is calling,
holding all your moonbeam join me in my dreams
- Clint Black
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle…
Our God is the Sovereign King
Of the universe, and He has
Blessed mothers with an
Awesome responsibility.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls un-resting grow…
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky…
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
- William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
In Honor of Allison Childs Clark
Who became a mother 051721
Thankful and Blessed!
- Hayden Childs
Breaking The Generational Curse...
Quit yelling at your children
Before they go to bed and expect
Them to sleep well.
Quit yelling at your children
in the morning right after they
wake up, before school and
expect them to have a good day.
You set the tone for your children.
You set the tone for your voice
that they will always remember
in their heads.
You become their inner voice
Don't be their inner critic.
Speak life. Speak love.
Speak bravery and kindness
and hope.
Speak wisdom and truth.
But most of all
Listen to your children
- Via Laughs and Lifts Apr.2021
https://bible-study-lessons.blogspot.com/2020/09/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother.html
My basketball coach taught me
To take time to think.
We’re all so busy checking our
E-mail and text messages,
But how often do we schedule a
Time to think about what we want
To accomplish and make a clear
Roadmap?
- Stephen Jermyn
The smallest action is better
Than the biggest intention.
No one ever intended their
Way into greatness.
We’ve been waiting on others
To change the world.
You don’t get attention by talking.
You get attention by taking action.
- John Maxwell
I don’t believe in quotas.
I don’t quota myself to score ten
Points playing basketball,
So why should I do that in business?
I encourage my sales team to set goals
And talk openly about their success
And struggles along the way.
- Stephen Jermyn
Always love your mother
Because you will never
Get another.
- Anonymous
Mother is the name for God
In the lips and hearts of
Little children.
- William Makepeace Thackeray
A mother’s love for her child
Is like nothing else in the world.
It knows no law, no pity.
It dares all things and crushes
Down remorselessly all that
Stands in its path.
- Jewish Proverb
The Great Need for Godly Mothers!
Sunday, May 9, is the day that the world has set aside to honor
mothers who discharge their responsibilities toward their children
with great love, wisdom, and devotion.
Today, more than any time in history, our society needs the influence
of godly mothers. This writer is thankful to God for both a mother and
grandmother who taught me God’s truth, not only verbally, but by
example as well.
Mothers, do you want to be a godly mother in the Lord’s eyes as well
as in the eyes of your children?
Here are six great needs that need to be visible in your life:
1) Model Yourself after Godly Mothers
Strive to be as humble as Mary (Luke 1-52), as prayerful as Hannah
(1 Samuel 1:1-28; 1 Samuel 2:1-11), as faithful as Sarah (Genesis 17:19;
Genesis 18:11; Genesis 18:9-14; Hebrews 11:11), as kind as Ruth
(Ruth 1-3), as sacrificial as Jochebed (Exodus 6:20; Exodus 2:1-3),
as courageous as Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22), as instructive as Eunice
and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), as wise as the mother of Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9),
as joyful as Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-44). Rise to the challenge of being the kind
of person you would want your children to imitate, by imitating these righteous
women.
2) Obey the Lord Yourself
It’s pointless to try to persuade your children to do what God commands
if they don’t see you obeying Him in all that you do. There’s much truth
in the old axiom that states, “Children become what they see”
(cf. Philippians 4:9; Philippians 3:17). If you want your children to grow
into faithful Christians, they need to “see” their mother faithfully following
Christ. Children come equipped with a powerful hypocrisy detector and are
not easily fooled by any “do as I say and not as I do” behavior.
3) Teach Your Children God’s Word
Moses instructed the Israelites with God’s wise counsel, “These words
which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them
diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up”
(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV). The world has much to reach your children…
you have to get to them first. And note the word “diligently” in the above
passage. This means “more often than once in a blue moon.”
4) Honor Your Own Parents and Husband
If you want your children to respect you, they need to see you show the
proper honor to your parents, living or deceased. The principle found in
Ephesians 6:1-3, has lifelong application. If you want your children to
eventually become loving husbands or wives, they need to observe your
example in the conduct of your own marriage. Let them see the truth and
beauty of Ephesians 5:22-33 at work in your home.
5) Encourage Your Children Often
Children, like flowers in the garden, need nurturing. Let your children “hear”
that they are loved and valued, and let them hear it often. Praise their good
efforts, and help them learn from their mistakes. Show them that you regard
them as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).
6) Rebuke When Necessary
Don’t be afraid to admonish your children for wrongdoing (Proverbs 13:24;
Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13). Correction must be done without breaking
the child’s spirit, but if the child never receives correction, he or she cannot
mature (Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13;
Proverbs 29:15; Proverbs 29:17). Respect for the laws of God and society
grow out of a healthy respect for the authority of parents in the home.
The joys and blessings received by children who have experienced a godly
mother and grandmother, cannot be over emphasized (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5;
2 Timothy 3:15). In the words of the old song, “Put them all together, they
spell M-O-T-H-E-R.” Next to “Christian,” it’s the most beautiful title any woman
on earth can wear.
- Mike Riley
I will make love my greatest
Weapon and none on who I
Call can defend against its force…
My love will melt all hearts liken
To the sun whose rays soften the
Coldest day.
- Og Mandino
Hope has two beautiful daughters…
Anger and courage.
Anger with the way things are and
The courage to make a difference.
- John Maxwell
One day you will tell your story
Of how you overcame what you
Went through and it will be
Someone else's survival guide.
- Brene Brown
What is a mom but the sunshine
Of our days and the north star of
Our nights.
- Anonymous
A mother’s arms are made
Of tenderness and children
Sleep soundly in them.
- Victor Hugo
Mama was my greatest teacher,
A teacher of compassion, love,
And fearlessness.
If love is sweet as a flower,
Then my mother is that sweet
Flower of love.
- Stevie Wonder
