Refining and purifying silver

Refining and purifying silver

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"  He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

 This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

There are a thousand thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up a pen to write.

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http://tedscolumn.blogspot.com

"The gospel is meant to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." ~Garrison Keillor

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St. Theresa's Prayer:

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.... May you be content knowing you are a child of God.... Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

THE SCARS OF LIFE

THE SCARS OF LIFE

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly ! and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too - enough to not let them go. Always Tell Your Family And Friends How Much You Love Them!!!

Donna Brown
Executive Director
Wise County Committee on Aging, Inc.
300 N. Trinity
Decatur , TX 76234

The 23rd Psalm

The twenty-third Psalm

This is an eye opener; some probably never thought nor looked at Psalm 23 in this way, even though they say it over and over again.

The Lord is my Shepherd That's Relationship!

I shall not want That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters That's refreshment!

He restoreth my soul That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness That's Guidance

For His name sake That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

That's Testing!

I will fear no evil That's Protection!

For Thou art with me That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
Thou anointest my head with oil That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever That's Eternity

Face it, the Lord is crazy about about you. What is valuable, is not what we have in our lives but WHO we have in our lives. God provides our every need.
Today was a good day, I woke up breathing.

Have a good one.

pray for our troops

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

A little prayer

In case anyone is interested, Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love.

She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.

St. Theresa's Prayer:

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....
Let His presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance,
praise
and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Dietrich Bonhoeffer | International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society

Dietrich Bonhoeffer | International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society

Have you ever heard of this guy? There was an awesome biography on him on PBS the other night. He was a German pastor and theologian who was part of a plot to assasinate Hitler.

Very cool stuff, read some of his writings, he's excellent.

Church History Book & Blog

I am putting together a history of our church for it's anninversary comittee. Since I had all these stories and pictures. AndI thought I'd throw a "blog" together.

Follow this link -http://stjohnchrteroak.blogspot.com

My home church in Phoenix, Christ Church Lutheran had a website-http://www.cclphoenix.org

Our Church in California, Bethlehem Lutheran had an AWESOME website- www.followthestar.com or http://forministry.com/USCALUCMSBLC1

I guess that I'd love to see our church now have a website. But, the committee has concerns that this new blog may make people decide not to buy a copy of the history book... so I may end up deleting it soon. Take a look and let me (or the church office) know if you like it.

Daddy's Chair

Daddy's Chair

A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me, he said. "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "All of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head," " I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though, If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send! Me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. Did he die in peace?" he asked. Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

Send this to four people or more, and do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

I asked God for water,
He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower,
He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend,
He gave me all of YOU...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Prayers for all week

Monday
Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday
Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday
Mending Day

Oh God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday
Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday
Shopping Day

Oh God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday
Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it
with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday
The Lord's Day

Oh God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Wild Art

Check out WILD ART
that's where you'll find...

1. My paintings, drawings, and prints
2. My photographs & digital images
3. My cartoons
4. Artworks or photos by some of my students
5. Some of my favorite paintings by famous artists and why I like them.