ARE YOU READY

ARE YOU READY?

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11



I received a phone call this morning asking if I could come down to the post office and pick up my box.  "Is that them that I hear making all that noise?"  I asked the voice on the other end of the phone line.  A high pitched woman's voice replied, "Yes, those are your chickens now come down and pick them up!"  I quickly hung up the phone and grabbed my keys.  Are you ready?  I asked myself. 

After arriving at the post office in the city, several people standing in line asked, "Are those baby chicks in your box?" I was so proud to be bringing home new baby chicks for my hens.  But it kept running through my head, "Are you ready?" 

After arriving home, my twenty year old daughter asked if I had looked to see if the twenty six baby chicks had survived the airplane ride from Iowa to Nevada, "No, not yet."  I told her.  "Are you ready?"  She asked me.   

I gathered the sugar water and scissors to cut open the box.  My daughter followed me out to the chicken coop as we opened up the box we found all but one little chick had survived the trip.  As I dipped each little beak in the sugar water and set the three day old little birds under the lamp I thought about how fragile life is.  I sat outside a long time in that chicken coop worried about the little birds; watching them struggle to stay warm.  I was thinking about Matthew 6:25-26 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"  I thought about that verse for a long time. 

I thought about being ready.

Kelly

GOD IS OUR MAKER

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?  Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

Romans 9:20

The heavy frost hit two days ago and all the leaves died on the pumpkins.  I had been waiting for the last of my pumpkins to turn their welcoming harvest orange before bringing them inside along with the others.  I told my husband this morning that the pumpkins looked "primitive" and would go well in a country magazine.  This had me thinking about how many times I have looked in the mirror and questioned why I looked a certain way or why my illness has left my hair falling out and my body so exhausted.

Romans 9:20 brings our questions back into perspective for us.  God is our maker and who are we to question God.  What we do know is that God loves us and in His word are promises of what are to come.  For it is written, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18 

Today my pumpkins look primitive and are not quite harvest orange, but they are still joyful to look at and may serve as a yummy pie.  Today maybe you are not quite the person you would like to be.  Look up and let God work in your life and reflect His joy!

Kelly

YOUR KINGDOM COME

"Your Kingdom Come.  Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10

I just love the end of August!  Our church gathers at Lake Tahoe for church Baptism and a picnic.  One day God will gather His people from all the nations with the arrival of the coming of God's Kingdom. 

On Wednesday we will be continuing our discussion from chapters 10 and 11 in the book Prayer Our Glorious Privilege by Pastor Chuck Smith.  In Chapter 11 Pastor Chuck talks about what it means when we pray for God's Kingdom to come.  In fact, Pastor Chuck says the meaning behind "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. " is that we are expressing a longing for the return of Jesus Christ. 

When we look at what is going on in world around us with poverty, wars, and sickness we do need hope and that hope is in Jesus Christ!

JESUS LOVES YOU!

This is Solomon, King Solomon to be exact!  He was a feral cat that we found while driving along the end of Washoe Lake last January.  At first because he is so big we thought he was some kind of bobcat, but after we stopped to see we found out otherwise.  Solomon is a gift to us from the Lord.  There is no other way we can figure it out.  The vet had told us no one in the area had been looking for a cat like him, but it was obvious he had been living outdoors a very long time.  Solomon is love.  The day we stopped our Jeep to see a big cat slowly-slowly and I mean slowly walking along the lake in January was the day we brought extra love home.  Out of Solomon cried tears of joy.  Literally!

A few weeks ago a statement was made in bookclub about our Heavenly Father and His love for us.  It was felt that sometimes God can seem harsh and judgemental.  I want to share what our Pastor left us with yesterday in Church...

At the end of taking communion together Pastor felt the Lord wanting him to tell you that, "God loves you!"  He already knows your life, past, present, and future, but still he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for you.  It does not mean you shouldn't strive to live a godly life, but our Heavenly Father is a loving God who sent his only begotten son so that you may have eternal life with Him.

For it is written "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  John 3:17

Have a wonderful day in Jesus Christ!

Kelly

FAITH PRODUCES ANSWERED PRAYER

Mary Jane sent these beautiful fall pictures from her drive to Monitor Pass, CA. 

..."Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."    Mark 11:22a-24

  When I was a child I literally thought Jesus was saying this prayer was for moving mountains only!  Now that I have experienced my "life mountains" I understand what the meaning behind mountain is.  Now the question remains how does prayer change things?  Prayer changes us and having faith in Jesus Christ changes things.  Our life changes when we speak boldly the promises of God.

What mountains are looming over you?  Depression or fear?  Then go to the word of God and speak the words out loud so you can hear.  Say, "It is written "In God I have put my trust;  I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Psalm 56:11 

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;  It shall not return to Me void,  But it shall accomplish what I please,  And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11  Search the word today. Your Bible has wonderful promises from God that will lift you up or help to give you the words to share with a friend or loved one.

In chapter 10 in the book Prayer Our Glorious Privilege by Pastor Chuck Smith we will be reading that we are talking to the God who is the creator of the universe.  Psalm 146:6 "Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them;  Who keeps truth forever," . We will also read chapter 11 God's Kingdom Come this week.  What an exciting week ahead!

To the mountains looming over you today speak so your voice can be heard! Speak faith!

Kelly

STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING

"But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

My husband and I crossed over the Columbia River into the State of Washington and it was a "WOW" moment for me in August.  The land was covered with whirling turbines several stories tall for absolute miles and miles.  "Do you think The Lord approves of the giant windmills cluttering up the land?"  I asked my husband.  He thought it was okay as it was providing energy.  I was unsure, but my childlike imagination envisioned hundreds of  "Goliaths" in the land and I was "David." 

Today I have struggled with my friend "Migraine."  I know there are many of you that wonder where you will find the strength to keep going.  Maybe you too struggle with daily headaches like Migraine or Lupus.  Isaiah 40:31 is so right on.  Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.  Waiting on God is what it is all about.  He told me "one day at a time-one step at a time"  keep pressing on toward the goal of God in Christ Jesus.  It is written in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

The windmills are a strong tower... but where does my help come from?



"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

May the Lord strengthen you today through His word!

Kelly

PRIVILEGES AND PROMISES

Bower's Mansion - Washoe Valley, NV

I love fall!  This morning my husband suprised me with a walk up around Davis Creek and then a drive down around Bowers Mansion.  Our church likes to have its annual church picnic at Bowers Mansion in June so here is a glorious treat to see this beautiful tree full of fall colors. 

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Women's Conference October 16th 2010

Saturday was such a privilege to be at the women's conference at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks.  There were women from Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley-Gardnerville, Fernley, Quincy, Siskiyous-Yreka, Susanville, Truckee, Winnemucca, and a few other places.  I was so blessed to be able to walk around greeting different sister's in the Lord while taking photographs that showed the love of Jesus Christ everywhere.



Davis Creek - Washoe Valley, NV

I am very excited about Wednesday's bookclub.  We are going to be talking about chapter 9 in the book Prayer Our Glorious Privilege by Chuck Smith.  Pastor Chuck says "That we can do more for God through prayer that through any other means, including service."  He also says, "Until you have prayed, there is no use in trying to do anything more.  After you pray, you can then take action - but prayer must be first."  So many times we pray during or at the end. 

My dog Hale-Koa likes to serve me.  She is my companion dog, but she has to wear a bridle because she is a powerful chocolate lab.  Even though she knows my voice and commands, when we go out beyond our gate she must stay connected to me through the lead.  That is what prayer is to me.  It is my connection to my Heavenly Father through the promise of Jesus Christ.  Jesus prayed to the Father and I want to pray like Jesus. 

Matthew 16:24 " Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Enjoy the privileges and promises of the day!

Kelly

GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART

"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment:   that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."  1 John 3:20-23

     When we met for bookclub on Wednesday, several conversations led to one common thread believe it or not. Our Heavenly Father's love for us is written all over our Bible.  Sometimes though, we have a difficult time seeing past our own heart.  In 1 John 3:20 it is written, "God is greater than our heart, and knows all things."  So that means, if we have something like unforgiveness in our heart and we have confessed our sins to God and He has for forgiven us, then to feel condemenation is wrong.    

     In Romans 8:1 it is written, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  Isn't that exciting news?  That means you can have confidence in God and effectiveness in prayer. 

Be Confident in His Word and God Bless You Today! 

Kelly

Remember the Women's Conference tomorrow at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks!

      I topped all my giant sunflowers from the garden. My husband and daughter thought they should be roasted so we could enjoy them like the soon to be scooped out pumpkin seeds.  But... I love watching the many birds around Washoe Lake and the sunflowers had a few ants crawling about the inside of them.  So, all around the yard I set out the giant sunflower heads.  Within minutes my yard was filled with mountain bluebirds like the one who sat so nicely for the photo. 

I MAKE THEM MY JEWELS

" "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels.   And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." "  Malachi 3:17

"The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;  Her clothing is woven with gold."   Psalm 45:13

     We are the promise of God's jewels to those who are faithful to Him. Daughters of the King!  Believers are God's treasured possession.

Chapter 8:  Prayerlessness

In the book, Prayer Our Glorious Privilge by Chuck Smith he talks about (4) reasons for prayerlessess.

1. Impatience
2. Demands
3. Distractions
4. Drowsiness

Knowing that our Heavenly Father thinks of us as His precious jewels. Shouldn't that make us want to spend more time developing our communication skills? 

I was thinking about that questions as a wife, mom and friend.  How would my relationships be if I was impatient, demanding, distracted and drowsy while trying to communicate with my husband.  My husband would probably go to the garage and be upset.  I would lose any type of communication with him.  My children now that they are older, are so busy with what little time they have, I would lose all communication with them.  My friendships would permenantly cease!  So...why do we think we need to communicate less with the Creator of the Universe?

So what is the solution?

Chuck Smith listed a few suggestions we might want to try.

1. Stay the course:  Don't give up!  Pray faithfully!
2. Make time:  Life is about priorities.
3. Fight the distractions:  (I heard my good friend DiAnn suggest a notebook while praying helps to write down distracting thoughts such as things needed to buy at the store.  ie...milk, bread, cheese.)
4. Fight the drowsiness:  Pray while taking a walk.  Get more sleep.
5. Be real with God.  Don't be fancy while talking to God.  Just talk to him like he is your friend.  A real conversation.

"Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  Matthew 22:37

Have a beautiful day today!

Kelly

WHEN WE PRAY BUT GOD IS SILENT

Be Still, My Soul

Katharina A. von Schlegel, 1752

1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds
still know His voice Who ruled them
while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

5. Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy works and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Today we are going to get together and talk about chapters 7 & 8 from the book Prayer Our Glorious Privilege by Pastor Chuck Smith.  Chapter 7 is about when God says "No" or says nothing at all.  In this chapter, Pastor Chuck lists four reason's he has found for a "no" or not at all answers. 

1. You have failed to pray.  "...Yet you do not have because you do not ask."  James 4:2
2. Unconfessed sin has broken the connection.  "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear."  Psalm 66:18
3. Your asking with the wrong motives.  "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."  James 4:3
4. You have an unforgiving spirit.  "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  Matthew 6:15

Not My Will, but Yours...

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart;  Try me, and know my anxieties;  And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."  

Psalm 19:14  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

The Beauty of Lake Tahoe

Our Heavenly Father gives such wonderful good and precious gifts to His children.  Just to gaze on the wonder of his creation.  To smell the scent of the tall pine trees and each day to be able to gaze up at the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.  When I taught elementary school, I used to tell my second graders these mountains are so tall they "pop-up" on a topographic map!  Now...isn't that AMAZING!  

Enjoy the Bounty of the day!  ...Kelly

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9-10



This is one of my chickens "Rocky Road".  She is a black Barred Rock Hen who is almost 5 years old.  Sometimes I call her "Rocky"  like the prize fighter.  She doesn't have the most beautiful feathers, but she will take on my mean old Bantam Rooster if he decides to kick you with his feet.  Rocky also enjoys sparring with my chocolate lab on occassions.  It is amazing that sometimes I need my, "Rocky Road" to come to my defense while gathering eggs.

The weather has been changing back and forth from cold to warm which is common for October in Nevada.  So many friends I know are struggling with painful arthritis and lupus flares.  I am so glad we have the promise in the word of God that when we are without strength we can look to Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46

"God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just as the break of dawn.

The nations rage, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge."

Remember His Blessings today!

Kelly

CALVARY CHAPEL RENO-SPARKS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

"THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM"

OCTOBER 16th : Saturday
Women's Conference 9:00am - 3:00pm
Our theme this year is "THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM". Doors open at 8:00am for a time of fellowship and Continental Breakfast! Conference begins at 9:00am. Lunch will be served. Cost is $10.00 and payable when you sign up at the Women's Ministry Counter beginning September 5th.This is a wonderful time to be refreshed in the Lord, surrounded by women from churches all over the area. Invite a friend and come join us!

It is only a week a way, please mark your calendar's!  For this exciting conference at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks!

God is Our Strength

"He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places."  Psalm 18:33  "The Lord God is my strength;  He will make my feet like deers feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills."  Habakkuk 3:19


Do you know God wants to do great things for you?  He places us where he wants us to serve in ministry.  It may be coming along side someone who is lonely or sick.  It may be praying with someone on the phone or making a meal.  Maybe it is watching a child or helping a neighbor.  The Lord has called you to serve with joy.

I think you will really enjoy reading chapter's 7&8 this next week in the book, Prayer Our Glorious Privilege by Chuck Smith.  In chapter 8 Pastor Chuck say's, "As you walk with the Lord, God will lift you up to the highest level you allow Him, and he will do His best for you-on that level.  Unfortunately, so many times we limit what God wants to do in our lives by insisting on our own way instead of yielding to his way.  God would do so much more for us! But often we are too busy insisting, This is the way I want it God!"

We need to remember to stay in prayer, fellowship and the word.  God wants us to meditate on His Word and how it relates to our lives.  It say's in Malachi 3:16 "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them, So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name."

What can we think about?

Philippians 4:8 say's, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things."

It is a beautiful day today!  Be strengthened in the Lord Jesus Christ!

EVERY BLESSING YOU POUR OUT... PSALM 103

"Bless the Lord, O my soul;  And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5 

If you have time grab your Bible and read the entire Psalm 103 and dwell on how great God's love is for us!  This Psalm tells us what God is like.  We have forgiveness and healing through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Our life once lost forever is now redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  We are crowned with his lovingkindness and tender mercies.  As we go through this life dependent on Jesus Christ we are strengthened day by day through the word of God, our Bible.

I received a phone call that every mom doesn't wish to receive telling me that my 18 year old son rolled his car, but he was okay.  He was alone out on a gravel road, out of cell phone range, but a trucker working for the railroad had picked him up and was bringing him to a ranger station.    This was Monday afternoon.

"Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.  Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.  Bless the Lord, all His works,  In all places of His dominion.  Bless the Lord, O my soul!"  Psalm 103:20-22

Everything everywhere is to praise and bless the Lord.  Praising God means remembering all He has done for us.  Does your life bless the Lord?

Being Ready To Hear God

HEADS OF SUNSHINE ARE BOWED AFTER A NIGHT OF SHOWERS...

This morning at 3 a.m. I was awakened to flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder.  It was awesome the majestic display of the hand of God.  At one point the thunder cracked so loud I watched my digital clock shut off and everything go completly still,  that is with exception to my sleeping, snoring chocolate lab laying so peacefully next to the bed. 

"Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.  He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth.  After it a voice roars;  He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.  God thunders marvelously with His voice;  He does great things which we cannot comprehend."

Job 37:2-5 

When God speaks we must listen.  We must be ready to hear the voice of God by spending time in our Bible and by allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us.  In the book Prayer Our Glorious Privilge by Chuck Smith he said in chapter 5, "Prayer shouldn't lead you into reckless or careless action.  It should actually create a diligence within you." 

Diligence:  earnest;  hardworking;  dutiful;  careful;  persevering in doing good.

The Gift of Intercessory Prayer

A few weeks ago during book club we were talking about intercessory prayer.  We spoke about intercessory prayer is the type of prayer that reaches out beyond ourself and our own needs and it is when we pray for others.  Yesterday, I happened to be reading Stormie Omartian's book, The Power of a Praying Woman and made a connection to our conversation about intercessory prayer.  She said, "Prayer is the greatest gift we can give to anyone.  Of course, if someone needs food, clothes, and a place to live, those needs must be met.  But in giving that way, we can't neglect to pray for them as well.  Material things are temporary, but our prayers for another person can affect them for a lifetime."

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. " 1 Peter 4:10-11

So,  maybe you have been called to speak at a women's bible study or pray in the front of a large group when you are used to praying with just a few or alone.  Your ability is not your own. It comes from God. He will supply all things so that Jesus Christ may be glorified forever and ever!

P.S. 30 pounds of green tomatoes makes 30 quarts of green tomato salsa!