Dear sisters,
My BIL was taken back for his surgery for esophagus cancer. His chemo went well over the past few months and now to remove all or part of his esphagus and/or what all that covers. Please pray that this long surgery is shorter and his healing time is less and his wife continues to lean into God.
Thanks!

Our purpose

1 Timothy 1:15-17
  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.


   Why are there Christians? What is the point? Why are we saved? What is our very purpose in Christ? After people get saved, it is very easy to live our lives primarily around fellow Christians, and we need that fellowship to be strong and bond together, but that is not the point of our salvation. How many unbelievers do you know and interact with? How and where do you let the light of Christ shine? Is it just in church and to your believer friends, or are you being used to increase the kingdom of God? How many friends do you have who are not believers? Who would you listen to and trust on important life changing decisions more, a friend whom you know, or a casual acquaintance or stranger? When is the last time you really talked to a non-believer about your faith and your life in Christ and tried to share that gift with them? How often do you cultivate a friendship with a non believer and allow yourself to be the 'light of Jesus ' that they see?  If we are to be like Christ, and he came to the world for the purpose of saving sinners, isn't that our purpose too? Lets take a look....


   1st timothy 1:15-17 is one of my favorite verses. I know we all have those special few verses that touch us to the very core of our faith. For me, this is the one that sums up my salvation and the reason for it. There is so much Paul is saying here and  I just feel led to share what God has revealed to me over years of contemplating on this passage. It may seem like a no brainer, but to me it has great power.
   First , a bit of background  -   Paul was writing to Timothy, who was not a Jew but was a gentile believer. Paul was Timothy's mentor. It is believed that Paul led Timothy to Christ and then he helped to teach and mold him as a missionary and preacher. Timothy was on fire for the Lord, even being circumcised so that he could minister to Jewish people better. Timothy's grandmother was named Lois (on a personal note, my dear hubby is Timothy and his mother is named Lois :  )  I think of Timothy as coming from a worldly or pagan upbringing, not a religious one as Jewish people would have. Sometimes I find that people who have come 'out of the world' and 'found ' Christ just give it 110 % and can be very effective in evangelism. Today, some call them Jesus freaks ! It is obvious Timothy had a strong walk with the Lord, after all he died a martyrs death. What incredible faith those men had, and how amazing would it have been to have Paul as your friend and mentor, right? WOW :D   I  imagine Paul and Timothy were very close after traveling together and working to start many churches, but obviously they were no longer together.
   Paul leads with 'Here is a trustworthy saying'. Why does Paul want to make a point of that to his friend and student?  Well, it is like when we are talking to our friends and we have something important that we want to stress. Yes, they would most likely believe us if we tell them. " You don't want to do this, or I tried such n such and it was not a good deal', but we say things like 'Trust me.' or ' Mark my words' . He wants Timothy to know that he has real experience on this and he KNOWS what he is talking about for a fact!
   'Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners' (We know this is all of us, no matter what our past or present circumstances and choices.) ' Of whom I am the worst.'    Boy, I can relate to that one! That is how I felt and I am sure so many others do do. Of course we all know Paul's amazing story of transformation. I can see how he viewed himself as ' the worst'. God does not put sin on a scale. Sometimes as humans we do. I mean, murdering someone, rape, or any violent act we see as much worse than many other sins. Just look at our world and our judicial systems. There are different sentences for each crime depending on 'how bad' it is. God doesn't work that way. There is one sentence, and that sentence is eternal death and separation from God in hell. Period. And we ALL deserve it. Point blank. None of us have lived a sin free life. NO NOT ONE.
   Here's where I get all excited !!!! (not that the previous isn't wonderful : D)  but get this---  BUT FOR THAT VERY REASON, (because the point is others to be saved)  I was shown mercy so that IN ME , the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his UNLIMITED PATIENCE  ( For myself, I was out there living in the world, using drugs, committing sins and crimes against myself and others KNOWING, yes, knowing there was another way and that Christ was that way!! How I did not end up dead, I do not know, except for this reason---  hehehe  it's so good : D )  'As an EXAMPLE for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.'  Whoo hoooo ! Isn't that good? See, the purpose of our salvation BEGINS with the fact that we will go to heaven ourselves, but that is not the goal! We don't say, 'Whew! I'm covered now. Too bad if no one else gets it!' Salvation is not meant to be kept and hoarded, it is meant to be shared. We are saved so that we may reach others and increase the kingdom of God.
   Everyone loves to hear exciting testimonies of lives turned around by salvation through Christ. We love a good before and after, so to speak. That is human. We like to see evidence of a life completely changed--- like the murderous, drug dealing gang banger who became a humble, loving preacher - the abused young woman who had several children by different men who falls in love with Jesus and finds peace and fulfillment in a relationship with him - or the homeless person who has been wandering around with an addiction or alcohol problem, who turns his life over to Christ, puts down roots in fertile soil, and begins to go out to the highways and byways and minister to the hurting, hungry people. They are the kind of stories that are inspiring and show us the power of Jesus' saving grace and mercy. Often times, people can only be reached by someone who has once walked in their steps. For many out there in the world would look at someone who has led a clean, simple life and say, 'You don't understand. What do you know? You don't know a thing about me or where I have been.' Lost people need to hear and see our testimonies through our lives. The people that Paul preached to and led to Christ probably did not know him before, but had heard of him and how he was prior to that day on the Damascus road. They knew what kind of life he came from and the things he did, and if they didn't I am sure he told them. His past was not hidden in shame, it was used to show how he became a new creation, and to be an example that others could be changed too.
   Now, let me clarify.... As a teen I heard something in a sermon by Bro.Jerry Gibson. It was one of those times where a point just stuck with you and you don't know why, but it did. He said, 'Everyone likes a good testimony, but the BEST testimony is of one who has lived their whole life loving and serving God.' I do agree. How wonderful to have a whole life walking by faith and serving our Lord ! In this day and age that truly is the unique testimony, for it does not happen much, and the person who does live that life is someone who should be respected and admired. I know a few who have, and they are amazing people. But no matter what path you took, no matter what your testimony, they are all for the purpose of leading others to Christ.
   'Now to the King  ETERNAL ----  IMMORTAL ----  INVISIBLE ----  THE   ONLY   GOD ----  be HONOR and GLORY for ever and ever. Amen.' Although it may be popular in self help books or in the world to pat yourself on the back when you  do something good or help someone else, we know all good things are from God.
   So, I end this as Paul did. God is so good, and I praise him and to thank him for his patience and for saving me. I ask him to lead me, and that my life may be used to be a witness to others for Christ. TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE AND WILL DO IN AND THROUGH US ALL.
  Be Blessed - Cyndi 

Happy Belated Birthday To A Princess!

there has been so many things happening in the sisterworld and so here i have forgotten our dear sister amrita's birthday...but it is better late then never, eh to
hope that she and her mama and sheeba had a great day on august the first!
while i was searching through amrita's blog.i came across this that she has written and at the end of each post before i hit "older post", i read these words...

YESUGARDEN

8 LET ME HEAR WHAT GOD THE LORD WILL SPEAK, FOR HE WILL SPEAK PEACE TO HIS PEOPLE, TO HIS SAINTS; BUT LET THEM NOT TURN BACK TO FOLLY.
9SURELY HIS SALVATION IS NEAR TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, THAT GLORY MAY DWELL IN OUR LAND.
10STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS MEET; RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE KISS EACH OTHER.
11FAITHFULNESS SPRINGS UP FROM THE GROUND, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LOOKS DOWN FROM THE SKY.
12YES, THE LORD WILL GIVE WHAT IS GOOD, AND OUR LAND WILL YIELD ITS INCREASE.
13RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL GO BEFORE HIM AND MAKE HIS FOOTSTEPS A WAY.

PSALM 85

so this is who indian princess amrita is about!

thank you for being such a faithful and loving sister, amrita!..give mama a hug and give that sheeba a big piece of google cake!
happy birthday from all of your sisters from every corner of the world!

There’s Staggering Glory in Your Story - Desiring God

There’s Staggering Glory in Your Story - Desiring God

Following God

It's been a while since I posted here.  Since our Bible was lost and now found ... and taking her sweet time once again, I thought I'd pop in and share.

Today I had an amazing opportunity to go with my oldest daughter, Elizabeth (Katie), and be with her and her husband as they visited a specialist.  They are expecting a daughter in December and it's been determined that the baby has a heart defect.

As you can imagine, getting that type of news on Monday was a shock.  I was at that ultrasound appointment as well.  Today's appointment was at least an hour and a half.  Forty-five minutes for the new ultrasound and 45 minutes with the doctor.  While it is a serious defect, it is treatable.   Tomorrow we will go to a cardiologist and find out more details.

Thank you to all that have been praying for my daughter and her family.  I'm sure the road ahead will be bumpy .. but God is leading the way ... and we're following right behind.

Hugs,

Art....

Today, Olivia and I had a "girl's day out" - we went to see a movie: The Smurfs, and then headed to one of our favorite shopping places...Pat Catan's. I could spend hours in that store. (and did!) I came away with a few art supplies, one of which was a pocket-sized leather bound sketch book which will fit nicely in my purse. Have sketch book - will travel! I will be able to draw whenever I have the urge if I'm waiting in a doctor's office, or sitting in the park...or wherever.

So, having this brand new sketch book, I could not possibly go to sleep without "breaking it in!"

Having just lost my friend, Frances, my thoughts have been focused more and more lately on heaven. In fact, Olivia and I were talking today about how wonderful it will be when we are all there together. We can't even possibly imagine....for "eye hasn't seen, ear hasn't heard, neither has it entered into the hearts of men the things that God has prepared for those who love Him!"

Where Are You Beloved Book??

has the sisterhood bible landed yet?...we surely need some encouragement from the best book and next sister...we surely do!!...love terry