Monday, April 11, 2011

Household of Faith






Here we are at the start committing to each other
By His word and from our hearts
We will be a family in a house that will be a home
And with faith we'll build it strong


We'll build a household of faith
That together we can make
And when the strong winds blow it won't fall down
As one in Him we'll grow and the whole world will know
We are a household of faith


 
Now to be a family we've got to love each other
At any cost unselfishly
And our home must be a place that fully abounds with grace
A reflection of His face




We'll build a household of faith
That together we can make
And when the strong winds blow it won't fall down
As one in Him we'll grow and the whole world will know
We are a household of faith
(written by Steve Green)

 


 “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,
 I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;
 and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.



 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them,
 will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house;
 and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:24-27



Sunday, April 10, 2011

Influence Lives...With Stories...Books


Lamplighter... Building character one story at a time....



It is a delight to bring to the forefront this line of books and products.


We are so excited about the opportunity to feature these powerful,

 poignant stories on Heritage of Truth.


We believe these products will enrich and challenge the lives of those who read them.



{ Many times the reading of a book has made the future of a man.}
~RALPH WALDO EMERSON~



Written below is a brief history of Lamplighter Publishing.

 Following this history is a powerful video called
 Defy the Darkness that casts the vision of this ministry.

Mark Hamby, hated reading as a child. When he became a Christian at age 22, he was introduced to Christian biographies, which ignited a passion in his heart for great Christian literature. He was always looking for a role model whom he could follow, someone from whom he could learn and who would inspire and motivate him in his new life of faith. When he read his first biographies of D. L. Moody, George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Alwardt, and Abraham Lincoln, he knew he had found his mentors.

 Today, thirty years later, Mark is still praying the prayer of D. L. Moody: “The world has not yet seen what God can do through one man wholly committed unto Christ.” Several years later, after completing seminary training, Mark read The Basket of Flowers, which had such an influence upon his life that he knew immediately that the world had to read it!

 God continued to give Mark the desires of his heart by helping him to find some of the greatest life-transforming literature ever written. Through Lamplighter Ministries, we now have one hundred thirty titles published and a million in print! In 1994, it became a 501 C-3 non-profit organization.


This year, Mark is particularly thankful because his 76-year-old father came to know the Savior after reading Christie’s Old Organ and Buried in the Snow. A few months later, he went to be with the Lord. You can imagine the joy that Mark experienced knowing that he will some day see his dad again! I think some day it might become a Lamplighter story—in fact, I am sure it will!



We believe the following video will ignite a fire in your heart!


Defy the Darkness 
 
 



Lamplighter Publishing offers products for many different age groups.

There are audio stories as well as children books.

Adults will find help help and encouragement through the books and seminars offered.

Our family has been reading these wonderful books aloud for 10 years.

We are currently reading The Hidden Hand.




We are pleased to have become Lamplighter Publishing affiliates.
 If you order through our site, you will receive a 15% discount off your order
 and we will receive a commission. This will help support our family's vision of full-time ministry.

You can enter the Lamplighter site through the Lamplighter button
located in the sidebar on the righthand side.

If  you choose to order through our site, please include the Unique Tracking Code.
This code is GUILD 13 and is not case-sensitive.

Thank you very much and God Bless you~






Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Give Praise

       





 Hallelujah   

To praise ~ to throw the voice

To utter a loud sound

To exclaim...to exult...to sing...to rejoice

{To praise or WORSHIP God}

PRAISE

Thanksgiving to God.

(Webster's 1828)


Hallelujah ! Hallelujah!
To The One who is Holy.
You're worthy;
King of all Kings~
[ by Tamara]


Why do I honor God with my praise and worship?

Because I love Him. His word tells me to. The gratitude in my heart just overflows and I can't help myself. He is merciful, just, kind, and faithful. His compassion does not fail and He has written my name on the palm of His hand. The joy that His love and faithfulness brings overwhelms me.

He inhabits the praises of His people; When I praise Him, He is here.

While Paul and Silas were shackled, they sang praises. The chains were broken and they were free.

There is LIBERTY in praise.
 
Bondages are broken.
 
{Spiritual}

{Emotional}

{Physical}



 But what happens when I feel let down?

 Suppose God seems silent and far away.

Maybe I am angry.



Then what do I do? Is my devotion to Him based on feelings? 

At this point....  

My love for God overflows and changes into reverance.

He is not just my Master, He is the Master.  The Creator of the universe who knows all and sees all and is THE all in all.

How can I not offer Him everything that I am? My entire being.

{He is worthy of so much more than I can give.... of everything..}

Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who made us and not we oursleves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting.
And His truth endures to all generations.


Praise  the name of Jesus forever and ever.
Amen

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Can Trials Be a Blessing?

A trial that takes your breath away.

 Pain that rips at your heart.

 You feel as if you won't be able to live another day.

 You can't face another sunrise.

 A day full of responsibilty.

Peope asking questions.

Uncertainties that leave you feeling empty and afraid.

I have visited this place many times.  

 If that is your reality today,You can be sure that He will not leave you there. There is hope beyond any situation you may be facing.
Your Heavenly Father is watching this very moment.. His word says  in Psalm 56:8 ,"That He bottles your tears."


Perhaps for a moment, you can consider the height and depth of His love.

Have you ever looked back at a difficult time and been able to see the blessing that was birthed through it? Have you even been able to thank God for it? There was so much growth during that time. Gratitude towards God overflows. It brought you to your knees and closer to Him. He held you up with His righteous right arm. Your love for Him grew deeper than ever before. He had shown His faithfulness.


It is in these times that we truly learn that His grace is sufficient. There is nothing else that sustains or satisfies. Our faith increases. We experience a true ownership of what we believe because we lived it. It is out of love that He doesn't leave us to ourselves.


He sees you. He knows you. He loves you.
 His love exceeds anything you can possibly understand. Knowing this, you realize that you can trust Him with all the broken pieces of your heart. He will handle them with love and compassion. He knows how to mend and restore. He will lead you through the dark places by the light of His truth and love.


Thou, O Lord, canst transform my thorn into a flower.  And I want my thorn transformed into a flower.
 Job got the sunshine after the rain. But was the rain a waste? Job wanted to know, I want to know if the shower had anything to do with the shining.
And Thou canst tell me-- Thy cross can tell me. Thou hast crowned Thy sorrow. Be this my crown, O Lord.
 I only triumph in Thee when I have learned the radiance of the rain.

George Matheson, Streams in the Desert

Lord, in my heart, I plan my course, but You determine my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
Life is not going as I planned. I am so grateful that You are not caught off guard. You knew everything that was going to befall me. Please direct my steps as You determine. I need You, Lord. Carry me whn I cannot walk.


Father, continue to bring me along so that I can also rejoice in my sufferings because I know that suffering produces perseverance.  (Romans 5:3)


Praying God's Word   by Beth Moore

 

                   the beautiful song BLESSINGS by Laura Story~





Know in your heart of hearts that the God of love is loving you. Your pain and trials belong to Him. He feels every ache and sees every teardrop. He delights in bringing healing rain to His suffering children. He is walking with you and watching over you as He awaits to rejoice with you as you arrive on the other side~


Can we get to place where we can always say," Your will, not  mine?" Can we recklessly abandon our places of refuge and trust fully in Him? 

He will  take  all of your circumstances and work them for good. You are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Family Table



All week, I have been thinking a lot about our mealtimes around the table. I realized that they are something that I have taken for granted. What prompted this was a visit from a friend of our daughters.

This  young lady came over to spend a few days with our family. The first couple of mornings were atypical so we didn't have a normal breakfast. The last morning she was to be with us, I wanted to make a big meal to bless her. We made french toast and scrambled some eggs. There were mandarin orange slices with yogurt. Each had their choice of a hot drink; cocoa, chai, tea or cappuccino.

We  said a blessing and were having pleasant conversation and enjoying being together. Someone made a comment about the meal and I said I planned a big meal to make our guest feel special. Then, she said something that touched my heart. She said, "All of your meals are special because you sit down together and eat. At my house we all eat in different places." I didn't know what to say. She looked so sad.

After she had gone home, I thought more and more about our mealtimes and what they mean to us. This time is sacred to us and we guard them very carefully. Listed below are a few ways that we utilize "table time" in our home.

1.) We share our experiences.

2.) Biblical principles and school topics are discussed.

3.) Sometimes we read stories or poetry. 

4.) An awareness of current events is cultivated.

5.) It's the perfect time for working on manners and communication skills! (without too much intensity :)

6.) It is a time to minister hospitality and serve others.



  There are also some absolute guidelines that we follow.



1.) Individuals are not permitted to bring personal reading materials to the table.

2.) The television is not on. (exception would be for special event: presidential inauguration..etc....)

3.) Everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the conversation.

4.) Attention is given to others while they are speaking.



While focusing on these things we try to remember to ENJOY EACH OTHER. Understanding that learning these things are important, the relationships are at the heart of our homes. We want this to be a time of nurturing as well as nourishing. It is best if the atmosphere is one of warm encouragement and gentle admonitions.

Jesus and the early church spent much time breaking bread together. There was teaching and fellowship. I am sure there were discussions of many kinds while friends and family ate together.

 A scientific study done by the American Psychological Association has shown that youth who ate dinner more often with their families (5 times per week) were less likely to be depressed or involved in drug use compared with youth who dined less often (3 times per week).

The family table can be a place where relationships are strengthened. Use it as valuable teaching time and just plain, have fun! It is where memories are made. Make it a time of hospitality and serving.  May the time be filled with love, laughter and all the good things that God intended!  Above all, as always, we want it be a time that honors our Lord, Jesus.

                                                                                                       
S0 much has been lost in the sea of activities and under the banner of providing
experiences. Time passes so quickly. Teachable moments and times of building our
families can be lost forever. This is a time to treasure and guard. May we evaluate as
 we plan our schedules and make commitments. Let us keep this time sacred.


Undoubtedly, many of you have your own objectives and strengths that your families apply to this special time. I would really appreciate hearing some of the ways God has led your family to redeem these priceless moments.

May God Bless your table time richly~