Biblical Times-- Government

I know it has been a while since I posted! I'm very sorry. We finally got to our new station post and have moved into our adorable 3 bed/2 bath home. It is so nice to have my soldier back home again. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are still deployed.

As I looked over today's Daily Bible Verse, I can see it's connection with what is going on with our government. There is threat of shutdown one day, then a temporary fix. But still the military received their paychecks in two parts. I pray that they will get it together and take care of our military and their families. In all, however, God has a plan. It is all in the good book.


Psalm 103:6 says, "The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed"

 There are times in our world history when this promise of God seems like a mirage in the face of brutal governments, racial hatred, and human injustice. But over time, brutal governments are smashed. Despots go to their graves. Moral indignation replaces complacency. As Kingdom people, don't you think we are called to model the ethics and values of God's will? So let's renew the prayer Jesus taught us: "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!" And let's also demonstrate God's will in our families, friendships, and churches!

Do it Military Style

I found a blog titled The Adventures and Misadventures of Our Lives and she had come across a new 30 Day Challenge: Military Style. It seems like a great way to keep motivated blogging. If you have a military spouse, feel free to link up and join! I am going to do this on my personal blog, but just wanted to share the idea with you all as well!

Here is the list:

Day 1 - Post a photo of your military spouse and list 10 facts about him

Day 2 - Post a picture of you and you military spouse being silly

Day 3 - Post a a random photo of how you and your spouse met. Did you know then that you’d be where you are with him today?
Day 4 - Post a picture of the family he had to leave behind to protect his country
Day 5 - Post a pic of the branch he is in and list your favorite "stay strong" quote.
Day 6 - Post a picture of the base your spouse is stationed at and tell 5 cool things about that base
Day 7 - Post a picture of a wonderful friend that you’ve made because of your spouse being in the military
Day 8 - Post your favorite deployment photo (a photo of "see you laters", him coming home, or him deployed) and tell why it is your favorite
Day 9 – Post a picture of your favorite thing that you or your spouse has made and tell what it is.
Day 10 - Post a photo that you or your spouse took on webcam or cell phone
Day 11 - Post a picture of the stationary you pour your heart out onto in letters to your spouse
Day 12 – Post a picture of a book you are reading/have read because of your spouse being in the military and tell how it has helped you.
Day 13 – Post a picture of your favorite military support accessory and tell where you got it from.
Day 14 – Post a picture of what consumes most of your time when your spouse is away
Day 15 - Post a picture of your spouse during your proudest moment of him
Day 16 - Post a picture of your favorite piece of jewelry that your spouse has gotten you and why it is your favorite!
Day 17 - Post a picture of something your spouse left you while he was away and how that helped you… did/do you carry it with you or sleep with it?
Day 18 – Post a picture/video and the lyrics of your and your spouse’s song and tell how/why it became y’alls song
Day 19 - Post a picture of his favorite show and tell of one episode you watched with him
Day 20 - Post a pic of you in something military (shirt, camo, etc.)
Day 21 - Post a picture of a movie or show you watch when your spouse is away that you usually don’t watch when he is home and tell why you don’t watch it when he is home.
Day 22 – Post a picture of what keeps you strong when your military spouse is away
Day 23 - Post a picture and tell what your life would be like without your spouse
Day 24 – Post a picture of your spouse's favorite sports team
 Day 25- Favorite moment or experience you have had with the military
Day 26 - Post a homecoming picture and tell how you felt that day
 Day 27 - Post a picture of something that reminds you of your spouse and tell why it does.
 Day 28 – Post a picture of the band that sings the song of your significant others' ring tone while they are away.
 Day 29 – Post a picture of the coolest place you ever got to go to because of your spouse being in the military
Day 30 - Post a picture of your favorite military spouse support group and tell how it has helped you

Truth Hurts

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Isaiah 51:6

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that sometimes the Bible is so brutally honest it hurts! We consider our world, our earth, to have been here a long time and assume it will be here a long time more. But God reminds us that it is temporary! We are even more temporary: just like flies, we're here for a short while, and then we're gone. But not gone, gone! Christians are just gone from the temporary existence of earth because our lives are caught up with Christ in God's salvation which lasts forever and God's righteousness that will never end or fail. 

-- Credit for this comes from Daily Verse by Phil Ware  

Understanding

It doesn't matter whether you are having the best day or the worst day, there is always someone you should turn to and thank. In every situation there is an up and a down, but we must focus on the good things in life. The Lord gives us trials and tribulations for a reason. Each one comes with a lesson to be learned. Sometimes we do not see the lesson right away, but trust me, in His time, the Lord will reveal it. The Bible tells us not to worry. Did you know that about 95% of the things that we worry about on a daily basis don't ever happen. There is no need to cause yourself extra stress. 

I know that this is easier said than done. I, too, have to live by my own words. Right now my husband is stuck in South Korea without orders. He was set to come home on March 1st, but God had other plans for him. I am having a hard time being patient. Sometimes I get angry with the Army, and angry with the situation, but I know that He must have a better plan for us. So, here I sit, thinking about what Bible verse I want to focus on tonight. This one comes to mind...

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

1 John 5:20

God wants us to have faith in Him. He died on the cross for us, and for that, we owe Him our lives, we owe Him everything. I have been selfish when I get mad about Weston being stuck in Korea. Instead I should be grateful that he is not stuck else where. I should be glad that he knows the Lord, and grateful for the fact that our marriage is based around God. Take some time to thank the Lord for being merciful to us. If it wasn't for His grace and mercy, we would all be going to hell. 

If the Lord was to come back right now, do you know where you are going? I am going to heaven, because I have accepted the gift of the Lord's salvation. If you haven't done so, then take a look at my previous post, Romans Road. Let me know if you have any questions. 

God Bless!

Thought of the Day

When things are tough, remember:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." John 1:7

As we draw near to the Lord and live for him, two amazing blessings come our way. First, we find that our sins are forgiven and we're cleansed of those sins thanks to the loving sacrifice of Jesus. Second, we find that we are not alone in this wonderful cleansing. True fellowship among believers is built when folks seeking the Lord find each other in his presence. This fellowship isn't forced or contrived, just heavenly. 

Are We There Yet?

I have been very optimistic and now, in the last days of this deployment is when I really have to pull myself together and say, "Hey, it is almost over. Even if he was supposed to be home in 5 days, but has no orders, and had to cancel his plane ticket home.... It will be ok. Right?" As I try to reassure myself of these things, I don't 100% feel better about it. When things are hard, what do I tell every one else to do-- to turn to God. It is time for me to take my own advice.

So now, I open my Bible to Romans Chapter 5. 

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

First, I would like to turn my attention to verses 3-5. "Tribulations worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed..." I know this, of course, when you pray to God to give you patience, in return, He gives you something to be patient about. That trial, that tribulation will make you stronger. When a person is stronger, they are hopeful, they know that they can accomplish all things through Christ.

As it says in Philippians Chapter 4:
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.  5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is ] at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing' but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, bretheren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned , and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We must know that God is in control, and all good things are in Christ the Lord.
And we can. So now, I am putting a smile back on my face, because I know that the Lord is in control.
Philippians 4 continues in verse 13 to say, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 
There is a lesson to be learned in this tribulation, and out of it will come experience and hope; and yes, of course, patience too. Make it your goal today to smile, even if something is going wrong, or the fact that your soldier is away from you- God is in control!

Custom Blankets

I am now making blankets. You can custom order 

them to fit you and with your favorite design*

 

This is the first blanket that I made. The fabric is fleece, and the 

same design is on both sides. I cut and tied all four edges.**

 

This is the second blanket that I made, for Brenda Keddell. 

It is also made of fleece with a plain tan fleece on the back. 

I also cut and tied all four sides.** I have one more

of this blanket that is currently for sale. 

Contact me on here, or by email rutter_melissa@yahoo.com.

*As long as I can find the fabric. 

**Color in the photo may vary to that of the actual blanket.