The moment when

Mark 12:28-34 NIV

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

 There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

I had to go to Champaign yesterday to pick up a script for Steven.  I got to Carle and went to the bathroom.  I looked in the mirror and came the awkward moment when you realize you are fat and ugly.  Then came the joyous moment when you realize it doesn't matter.  It has no bearing on whether or not you go to heaven.  Unless of course you obsess over it and it detracts you from God.  Follow the Lord your God. That is all you have to do.  Not to say it is always easy. There are times when you just want to throw in the towel and take the easy way out.  But, then you think about all the wonderful blessings you have received and bestowed on others by following God and you realize it is all worth it.  Nothing can compare to his blessings and his beauty.  You can have the most money in the world, but it can't but the blessings that God has for you.  You can be the prettiest person in the world, but your beauty is nothing compared to the beauty of nature God has given us.  

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Then comes on the Sonic commercial about appearance and what is on the inside.  We need to remember to keep the inside of your heart clean and it is what matters, not our appearance.


Matthew 23:27  NIV
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.


Take Care and God Bless,
Sherri


The beautiful moon

Be a Christian

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
Be kind. Always!

The above task can sometimes be hard to do,  to always be kind.  But, that is what we need to strive to do as Christians.  Working at the food bank, I come across people quite a bit that are scared to come in.  They have had people make fun of them or turn them away.  They feel as though they have nowhere to go.  They have not been shown the true love of God. I have been in situations where people have not show me kindness, even at a church. They look at my son and have no clue why he acts the way he does. They think that I must be doing a bad job at parenting. They don't take the time to see what Steven's need really is. You can have all the money in the world, the best and biggest family, or the largest number of friends. But, without God you can face battles with all that in place and still feel alone. Don't judge people by what you know because generally you don't know the whole story. Talk to the person get to know them and see what you can do to help them through. Sometimes all they need a shoulder to cry on or a smile from a friendly face. They need to know they're not alone and that there are people that care. We have to allow Christ to shine through us so people can come to us when in need. We also have to let people come and help us in our times of need also.  It is a blessing to help others out, so we cannot steal that from others when they need to be there for us.  So, when you see that child that is acting out, please don't just assume that the child is a brat.  For all you know the child knows no other way to act because of disabilities. Even if he is acting that way because he's a brat, do you really think the parents need you to tell them that. They need support not being looked down on.  The family you see using food stamps in the grocery line, don't assume that they're throwing away their money on other things. For all you know they have never smoked, drank, or taken a single drug in their life. They just hit hard times and need the help like we all do occasionally.  Even if they are throwing them anyway on other things please just smile and say a prayer. They do not need your condemnation they need the love of God shining through you.

Take Care and God Bless

Sherri

The beautiful sky from a sunset and the moon rising in the other horizon at the same time.

Quiet Time

Matthew 6:1-8  NIV

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I love having time with just my hubby and son.  It is rewarding to be with them and no one else around, to help become closer.  Well, usually closer we have been known to drive each other nuts.  Just like I need the time with my family, I need the alone time with God.  The above verses talk about the importance of being alone when you pray to God.  It also talks about doing good anonymously.  It is rewarding to know that you are having the one on one time with God.  It is rewarding to do the good for others in secret.  Just to see how happy they are and thankful for what has been done.  It helps to make sure the glory goes to God and not you.  I for one am uncomfortable when people make a fuss over how well I do something or tell me how hard of a worker I am for God. I don't do it for people to see what I do and think I am wonderful for it.  I do it because it is the right thing to do.  God has given me so much and I don't see how I can ever match it with doing good for Him.  The best thing is, I don't have to match it.  I just have to go out and make the most out of the opportunities God gives me.  Don't do your works for praise from man, it doesn't matter in the end what every one thinks of you.  It matters in the end why you did the works you did.  If you do it because you love God and want to do His will, you will reap your reward in heaven.  

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

Steven and I took an impromptu walk the other night and this was the focus of a lot of our discussion.  He loves talking about the moon.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



This is one of my favorite verses.  It always has been and it means even more to me now.  Love does make the world go round.  Love is what makes it all worth it.  Love is.  You remember those little cartoons don't you?  I will have to try and find a good one to put at the end.  It is so important to surround yourself with love on a daily basis.  If you can't find it at home, do your best to find a place to find it.  It definitely helps you survive the hard times.  It is such a sad thought that there are so many people out there that can't find love at home.  So many children that can't find love at home.  I pray that you may find love where ever you may go.  Love makes life life.  Last night we had family time.  We got to hang out and sleep under the same roof at the same time.  We don't always get that and it's great when we do.  Steven loves his dad and loves when he gets time with him.  I think he gets tired of mom, even though he loves me.  God has the love out there and he wants you to find it.  


Take care and God bless,
Sherri

It isn't as old as I wanted but here it is

The wild ride called life

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

The past several weeks have been interesting to say the least.  I have seen happiness, I have seen sorrow, I have seen anger, I have seen pride, I have seen greed and so much more.  God will lead you in places you could have never imagined you would go.  Especially doing it joyfully and without reserve. I never thought I could have run things at the pantry like I have had to without having a anxiety attack.  Granted, I did have all but a nervous breakdown last week.  I know that God places people in our life to help us through.  God has placed so many people in my life that has helped me through and others that have made me crazy. Somehow, I start with one thought and then when I start the blog it goes elsewhere.  I have totally lost my train of thought.  I do know though that we have the best volunteers at The Master's Hands.  Bev has needed to be gone most of this week and now I can't really do anything but sit and do desk work.  I went to the doctor yesterday and I seem to have nerve damage in my arms.  I have been told not to do anything that will make my arms tingle or go numb.  Well, I am not really liking this.  I seriously can't hardly do anything without having problems.  Driving even makes it act up.  But everyone has stepped up and taken care of things.  Especially when we got the over 80 crates of fruit punch plus crates of other items.  I was bad and helped load it and unload some, but stopped when it started to really act up.  The best part of the day, my hubby was off (well, that wasn't the best) and helped me with getting things taken care of.  It was great to spend the time with him.  Steven had a decent night until bed.  He started acting up again.  Last night we had an over hour fit.  It was pretty short lived tonight and went to bed after about 10 minutes and went right to sleep.  He is under the blankie in the picture.  Here is to another great day tomorrow.  I guess first, I need to say I miss my mommy!  Today marks 4 years since my mom passed away.  Tomorrow starts services for two wonderful men here in Richland County.  We say good-bye to Jackie and Father Jerry.  The best thing, we will see them again in heaven.  To all who are missing others from their life, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Take Care and God bless,
Sherri