tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26956595971097992482012-02-16T02:42:10.115-06:00Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Proverbs 20:15Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-80112377388321526982009-04-08T14:43:00.005-05:002009-06-16T08:10:29.845-05:00Hi ya'll,<br /><br />I've moved!<br /><br />You can now find me at <a href="http://gatheringrubies.com/">http://gatheringrubies.com/</a><br /><br />All future posts will appear on the new address.<br /><br />Please visit......<br /><br />Janice<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8011237738832152698?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-30032749983108213092009-04-08T11:11:00.003-05:002009-04-08T11:16:06.566-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express</em>. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Romans 8:26<br /></span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I’m not trying to be disrespectful or flippant, I’m just feeling soooo frustrated with myself. It must be that pesky perfection gene that pops up from time to time.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I feel like I need some divine intervention today. I’m feeling anxious by my lack of technical knowledge. I’m trying out a new blog site and I hope to share it soon. The person helping me has been most gracious and patient, yet I’m sure will soon be growing weary of me if I don’t learn my way around the site quicker than I’m am so far.<br /><br />I am praying I will “get it”. Sadly I feel like I’m trying to do something blindfolded. I am one of those ‘hands on’ people. Show me how to do something a couple of times and I can usually grasp it.<br /><br />If I was looking at a cookbook I wouldn’t be having this problem. I know my way around the kitchen. I understand all of those cooking terms, whip, cream, fold, stir, chop, dice etc. I’m able to follow a recipe and by looking at the measurements for the ingredients, I know from experience if I want to add more or less of any particular ingredient.<br /><br />I can program TiVo’s, VCR’s, TV’s, Digital Appliances and even the gadgets in our car. I’ve been using computers for years. I use Outlook, Excel, Word, Zoom Browsers, I-Tune and the list goes on….so why can’t I get all the gadgets on this new site? I feel like I’m trying to learn a new language. Hmmm….if I could just become a bit geeky.<br /><br />As I step out into this new realm of unknown, if you will, say a little prayer for me.<br /><br /><em>A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step</em>. (Lao-Tse)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-3003274998310821309?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-61763893154901952222009-04-07T10:46:00.003-05:002009-04-07T10:49:05.258-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">“The temptation to cheat can be overwhelming, particularly if the stakes are high enough.” </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(from 1001 Quotes.)</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-6176389315490195222?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-49310384851296069312009-04-07T10:45:00.002-05:002009-04-07T10:47:52.305-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin</em>. <strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Rom 3:19-20</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4931038485129606931?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-87587209555650723782009-04-07T10:37:00.005-05:002009-04-07T10:50:02.710-05:00<p><span style="font-family:arial;">For the past several months we have heard a lot about accountability, or I should say, the lack of it. AIG, Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, Madoff, Banks and the list goes on. Giant business dealings unchecked and unnoticed, that is until something catastrophic happens; then everyone demands to know “How did this happen?” Who’s Responsible? Of course everyone has their own idea of punishment for the offenders.<br /><br />Interestingly, when I looked up the definition of accountability <strong>Wikipedia</strong> listed several different types and not one was <em>individual.</em> Those listed were Political, Administrative, Market, Constituency relations, etc. It’s as if someone else has to monitor others to make them responsible, consequently letting us off the hook for our own actions.<br /><br />Who are you accountable to and are you only accountable if you get caught?<br /><br />· Do you drive faster than the posted speed limit<br />· Skip Sunday worship to watch sports, hunt, fish, sleep late<br />· Call in sick when your not<br />· Cheat on you income tax<br />· Lie to your spouse/parents/children<br /><br />The list is endless. Ultimately we have to be responsible for our own actions. I can do a lot of things under the guise of ‘no one is going to know’. But God always knows and I’m thankful he does. I try hard not to disappoint him. I know I do disappoint him often, yet if I hold myself accountable, according to his teachings, I will do it less and less. I pray my actions will never cause another to stumble, yet I also pray I will have the courage to teach accountability to others as well. Consider the following illustration from <strong><span style="font-size:78%;">(from 1001 Quotes)...</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Jawanza Kunjufu, in his book Restoring the Village, writes:<br /><br />When I was a fourteen-year-old high school freshman, school was dismissed early for a teachers’ meeting. I conveniently neglected to tell my parents about the change and arranged to bring my girlfriend over to my house. We weren’t planning to study.<br /><br />As we were going up the steps, my neighbor, Mrs. Nolan, poked her head out of a window and said, “You’re home awfully early, Jerome.”<br /><br />“Yes, Ma’am,” I said, improvising a lame story about how we planned to review algebra problems.<br /><br />“Does your mother know you’re home this early,” Mrs. Nolan persisted, “and do you want me to call her?”<br /><br />I gave up. “No, Ma’am. I’ll go inside and call her while Kathy sits on the porch.”<br /><br />Mrs. Nolan saved our careers that day. If Kathy had gotten pregnant, she might not have become the doctor she is today. And my father had warned me that if I made a baby, the mutual fund he set up for me to go to college or start a business would have gone to the child. I’m glad Mrs. Nolan was at her window, looking out for me.<br /><br /><em>So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way</em>. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Rom 14:12-14<br /></span></strong></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8758720955565072378?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-71871644785311514492009-04-06T08:39:00.002-05:002009-04-06T08:42:08.143-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Tragically, many people go to the grave with their music still in them, never contributing to the symphony of God's work. They never realize their potential nor taken the risks that faith requires. They hang onto the security of the tree trunk, but the fruit is always on the end of the limb. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Unknown</span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7187164478531151449?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-74237811747660453292009-04-06T08:38:00.001-05:002009-04-06T08:41:58.889-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Eph. 5:19-20</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7423781174766045329?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-44774325171136389482009-04-06T08:26:00.005-05:002009-04-06T08:41:35.254-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Do you ever have a song in your heart?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My love for music began when I was about twelve. We were on our way to visit my grandparents, Mama, Daddy, my two brothers and me, in the back seat of our old Chevy. Daddy was driving, smoking a Camel, it was a warm summer day and the windows were down. I was staring out the window, waiting for another Burma Shave sign. I loved reading those signs.<br /><br />The radio was on and Elvis Presley was singing Love Me Tender, and the lyrics stirred my young soul. Not in a romantic way; it was more a longing just <em>to be</em> loved. Often, as a child, I felt very unloved. I started paying attention to the lyrics and as I began to understand the message in the songs, I felt like someone knew how I felt. Music had a way of making me feel really happy or really sad.<br /><br />When I found my way back to God I found a new appreciation for music, especially songs of worship and praise. I was just beginning to get my life together and was attending a small church in Mariposa CA. There were some wonderful people at that place, pulling for me, encouraging me, and loving me, in-spite of what they knew about me. I understood very little about being a Christian. Oh yes... I had been taken to church my whole life, I knew about God, I knew about religion, I didn’t know about relationship with God. I didn’t understand what Jesus did for me and he did it because he loved me and wanted me to be saved. I learned so much about Christ loving me through the folks at that little church. They knew how to show the love of Christ.<br /><br />I really wanted to do right, to be good, yet inside of me there was always a struggle. Sin didn’t want to let me go. One time I even went to service high on Marijuana. I told myself it was to see if anyone would notice. As I reflect on it, I think I was really testing their love for me. If anyone noticed, no one said a word to me about it.<br /><br />Chip…Chip…Chip….Love was teaching me lessons, chipping away years of hatred and insecurities<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The apostle Paul identified it so well in <strong>Romans 7:18-20</strong> I<em> know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.<br /></em><br />My all time favorite song (and I have many) is <strong>Just as I Am</strong>. The words to that song melted my sin soaked soul and to this day I can barley get through it without tearing up.<br /><br /><em>Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot,To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind,Yea, all I need in Thee to find,O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.<br /><br />Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Are you listening to the songs in your heart?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4477432517113638948?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-3253215880341710632009-04-03T11:45:00.002-05:002009-04-03T11:47:30.819-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Forgiveness means that even though you remember the hurt, you give up the need to punish the other person.<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-325321588034171063?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-84400062700578541972009-04-03T11:44:00.002-05:002009-04-03T11:47:23.002-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.</em> <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Psalm103:1-5</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8440006270057854197?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-32702682040387683332009-04-03T11:38:00.008-05:002009-04-03T11:49:35.625-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">When I was nine, I lived in Shawnee OK and we attended church at 10th and Bell Streets. Frank Smith was the preacher. I remember the building as very large and very pretty. I especially remember the clouds painted in the baptistery. One of the clouds was shadowed underneath with a light black mark. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In one of his sermons I remember Mr. Smith pointing to that black mark and saying “every time we tell a lie, every time we sin, every time we disobey our parents, God puts a black mark next to our name in the book of life”. That didn’t set well with my nine year old way of thinking. I didn’t want any black marks in <em>my</em> book. It certainly made an impression as I am remembering it now in my 60’s.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If my recollection is correct it was that same summer we had a ‘revival’ and while I can’t remember the speakers name, I recall that he was blind and every so powerful in speech. He preached one of those <em>Hell Fire and Brimstone</em> sermons and by the time he finished and we were singing the invitation song, my legs took on a mind of their own. Next thing I know I was sitting on the front pew wanting to be baptized. My folks didn’t have a clue that I was going to walk down that aisle and really, I didn’t either. I just remember I didn’t want to go to hell and I wanted those ‘black marks’ erased from <em>my</em> book. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sadly events happened that same year which changed me for years to come. My life became a mixed bag of emotions. I became victim to sexual abuse (which extended over three years) and I was stricken with rheumatic fever and had to miss an entire year of school. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My way of escape during that time was to crawl inside myself and ‘remove’ myself from reality. It was my way of surviving. In later years I chose a path of drugs, alcohol and self-destruction-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I had a book full of black marks </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The remainder of that year and years to follow I was able to block many of those memories, that is, until I reached my forties and the flood gates of my mind released them with a fury. <em>I’ll save that story for another time. </em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-3270268204038768333?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-61262528203068784532009-04-01T10:32:00.001-05:002009-04-01T10:35:25.368-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">People need love, especially when they don’t deserve it. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">unknown<br /></span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-6126252820306878453?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-62916391827415346432009-04-01T10:31:00.002-05:002009-04-01T10:35:01.930-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">1 John 5:11</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-6291639182741534643?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-35289668668310144762009-04-01T10:27:00.005-05:002009-04-02T09:33:13.336-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">What do you think of when you think of an indescribable gift or just a gift in general? Society has influenced our thinking of gifts in a material sense rather than a spiritual sense. It may even be safe to say that when we think of a gift, we think of receiving one as opposed to giving one, and going a bit farther, we may even think the more it costs the better it is.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When I think of an indescribable gift, I think of grandeur, something off the charts, something wished for yet not really expected. I have come to understand I (we) have already been given the greatest gift we could possible hope for and as I try to wrap my head around it I am in complete awe.<br /><br />Consider the following verses on <strong>2 Corinthians 9:15</strong> and notice all of the adjectives used to describe the our <em>indescribable gift.</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Thanks be to God for his <strong>indescribable gift</strong>! NIV<br />Thanks be unto God for his <strong>unspeakable gift</strong>. KJV<br />Thank God for this <strong>gift too wonderful for words</strong>! New Living Translation).<br />Thanks be to God for his <strong>inexpressible gift</strong>! ESV<br />Thanks be to God for His <strong>unspeakably precious gift</strong>! Weymouth<br />Thank God for this gift, his gift.<strong> No language can praise it enough</strong>! (from THE MESSAGE)<br />Praise be to God for what he has given, <strong>which words have no power to say</strong>. BBE<br /><br />I am humbled when I ponder<em> indescribable</em> and when I realize I have been given this indescribable gift- Jesus Christ. I am unworthy to receive the gift, unworthy in the sense that I owe God everything and he owes me nothing.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Indescribable-amazing grace!<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-3528966866831014476?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-60029509518453518222009-03-31T11:36:00.003-05:002009-03-31T11:38:58.524-05:00<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-6002950951845351822?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-7305905415096708252009-03-31T11:26:00.002-05:002009-03-31T11:30:26.016-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">We grow and mature spiritually through adversity—not when everything is going smoothly. ..<em><span style="font-size:85%;">Unknown</span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-730590541509670825?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-47389565276930439862009-03-31T11:25:00.001-05:002009-03-31T11:30:17.218-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Psalm 6:6<br /></span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4738956527693043986?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-91760321066274290252009-03-31T11:14:00.005-05:002009-03-31T11:44:18.102-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Last week while watching American Idol, Adam asked Smokey Robinson the history behind the song <strong>Tracks of My Tears</strong>. Robinson’s reply remarkably was “he wondered if someone cried so much if you could see the tracks of their tears”, he illustrated by moving his fingers from Adam’s eyes down his cheek. That really clutched at my heart as I recalled past times of my own anguish, tears pouring out leaving tracks, or footprints as if scarring my soul.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I expect we have all at sometime experienced that deep mental anguish of circumstances seemingly overwhelming at the time.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When I cry it’s not easily hidden. My nose and eyes swell up and turn so red makeup won’t even cover the redness. It’s not a pretty sight. Those gut-wrenching times I felt as though the hurt would never go away. My insides literally ached, leaving me in a state of desolation, falling asleep from weariness, waking up surprised that somehow things weren’t as awful as the night before. Tears have a way of cleansing.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">David said in <strong>Psalm 6:6</strong>: <em>I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.</em><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My own tears have been the greatest over my own sins after I came to realize the impact of my deliberate actions and rebellion against God. Some carried out in ignorance, some carried out intentional.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Today my tears are for a dear friend Karla, who will soon be saying goodbye to her mother, now in palliative care surrounded by her children and family. Her mother has been blessed to live to her eighties, yet that doesn’t diminish the sadness of losing someone you love. Adding to her sorrow she lost her husband to cancer only two months earlier. Karla, I love you, we all love you and we are lifting you up in prayer….and….Happy Birthday!!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I came across this poem almost thirty years ago. I can’t credit the author as I don’t know who wrote it. It’s so beautiful and I share it with you Karla, and your family.</span><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><em><strong>Mother Dear<br /></strong></em></span></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><em>My life became because of you<br />You always encouraged and inspired<br />You shaped our thoughts and molded us<br />And never seemed to tire<br />Our hearts are filled with memories<br />Of all your tender ways,<br />Mother, Mother, Mother…Dear<br />I’ll miss you every day.<br /><br />If only I could hold you<br />Just once more before you go<br />If only I could tell you<br />Just once more: “I love you so”.<br />My words would be of love from me<br />And how I’ll miss your smile,<br />And how you meant the most to me<br />Of all I’ve come to know,<br />Mother, Mother, Mother…Dear<br />Pray with me if you hear.<br /><br />Our lives are full because of you<br />We cherish and adore.<br />The happy times we shared with you<br />We want for many more.<br />You gave yourself to all of us<br />Your loving touch and care,<br />Mother, Mother, Mother…Dear<br />God Bless and Keep you there.<br /><br />Our Mother is in heaven now<br />And peace she surely knows,<br />Her time down here was Oh so dear<br />Her treasures Oh so clear.<br />Her courage left a trail behind<br />For all of us to see,<br />Mother, Mother, Mother…Dear<br />God Bless you and Keep you<br />Until we meet again.</em></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-9176032106627429025?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-56744345222464577782009-03-30T08:15:00.002-05:002009-03-30T08:17:11.004-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Speak when you’re angry—and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Laurence J. Peter<br /></span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5674434522246457778?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-70330249835782577502009-03-30T08:14:00.001-05:002009-03-30T08:16:59.291-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Psalm 25:7<br /></strong></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7033024983578257750?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-3441502651342657312009-03-30T07:50:00.007-05:002009-03-30T08:20:34.227-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">I love to cook although it didn’t start out that way. If you’ve been following you know I was a child bride. I had to learn many things by trial and error and cooking was a big one. The Monterey County Clerks Office mailed me the first cookbook I ever owned. It was titled “The Bride’s Cookbook” and had perhaps 50 pages of advice and recipes. I decided to try cooking a pot of pinto beans. Let me tell you, I LOVE beans! I had never made them so I used my brand new cookbook. The recipe called for 3 teaspoons of Chili Powder and I misread and added 3 heaping tablespoons. I’m not sure what else I did wrong; needless to say the beans were not edible. For some reason that cooking blunder didn’t bother me too much, the next one however is a different story.<br /><br />I decided I would bake a Walnut Glory Cake. I had picked up another cookbook at the supermarket. Pillsbury Bake-Off Winning Recipes (or something like that). The recipe called for ingredients that I really couldn’t afford; on the other hand I was eager to cook some nice meals and desserts. The recipe called for 9 egg whites and to use almost a dozen eggs for one cake was living a little high-on-the-hog.<br /><br />It happened like this…I turned on my old radio that I’d had since I was nine. Set out my ingredients, turned the oven on and went to work. The baby was sleeping and all was good. My old angle food cake pan was the kind that the center lifted out of, so in the back of my mind I kept reminding myself “<em>not to pick the pan up by the middle when it was time to put it in the oven</em>”. Mind you, I didn’t even own so much as a hand mixer and had I known more about cooking I would NEVER have tried this particular cake. Remember those 9 egg whites? Well they had to be beaten until very stiff peaks formed. Yep, that’s right, with fork in hand I whipped those non-submissive egg whites until I thought my arm would drop off. It must have taken the better part of an hour, and finally they were starting to take on some shape. Feeling <em>oh so proud and hopeful</em> I finished with the egg whites and completed the recipe. I poured the batter into my ungreased cake pan, licked the spatula and picked the cake up to put it in the oven.<br /><br />As soon as I took hold of that pan things went down hill. After all of my self reminders…I did it…I picked that pan up by the middle and the cake batter crept all over the kitchen counter, down the sides of the cabinet and onto the floor. I was beside myself. Frantically I tried catching all I could and finally realizing the despair of it all I just exploded. I was in disbelief… Crying uncontrollably I grabbed a hammer and smashed that pan flatter than a pancake and I didn’t stop there, I beat my old plastic radio to smithereens too. I think that hurt me worse than anything. I loved that old radio. It had been a constant companion to me. I dumped the whole mess into paper bags and hauled it out to the garbage. My kitchen looked like it had just seen a Saturday night brawl. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Cleaning up the atrocious mess was bit of a lesson learned. I began to realize </span><span style="font-family:arial;">consequences come with unchecked anger.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-344150265134265731?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-85622202059444310792009-03-27T09:47:00.001-05:002009-03-27T09:50:52.682-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">The African proverb is chillingly true: "When the elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers."</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8562220205944431079?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-75798427235110372912009-03-27T09:46:00.001-05:002009-03-27T09:50:44.211-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">James 1:19-21</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7579842723511037291?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-50007977485746059202009-03-27T09:43:00.002-05:002009-03-27T09:50:19.103-05:00If my anger had been an earthquake it would have been off the charts and the area declared a disaster zone. I was five months shy of my 16th birthday, married with a 3 month old baby. I had serious anger issues and this particular day there was no holding back.<br /><br />The next thing I remember was looking at broken glass all over our tiny apartment. We didn’t have much and I had just destroyed most of what we had. I stormed out of the apartment and left my 18 year old husband shocked and in a daze at what he had just witnessed.<br /><br />I was insecure and jealous, he had just told me he had to work late and I didn’t believe him. I flew down the stairs to the parking lot, jumped in his 58 Ford and kicked the dash in.<br /><br />My cheeks blush with shame as I recall that out-of-control 15 year old wife and mother. It is only by the grace of God that I’m not sitting in a prison cell.<br /><br />That was 45 years ago and only the beginning of my spiraling out of control. To make a long story short, that marriage lasted 16 years and ended in divorce.<br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My anger was deep rooted from a childhood filled with confusion and sexual abuse. In those days things were kept hidden. I had stuffed years of anger into my wounded soul and suddenly it spilled over and it seemed there was no turning back.<br /><br />Last night in our Thursday evening get-together, after looking at some of the parables we started talking about anger. Our group has been meeting close to three years. We share a bond that is indescribable and they know just about all the ‘ugly’ stuff there is to know about me. <em>The fact that they still love me is AMAZING</em>. Someone asked me how I learned to control my anger. I answered that I was so afraid of my anger, so afraid of going to jail that I made up my mind I had to stop my explosive outbursts. I was truly afraid of killing someone or hurting my children.<br /><br />It didn’t happen overnight and I had help along the way. God is an amazing God and he has put some incredible people in my life.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control</em>.<strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> Prov 29:11</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5000797748574605920?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-10251624123158540322009-03-26T10:46:00.005-05:002009-03-26T11:30:57.767-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe</span></em>. </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>Eph 1:17-19</strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-1025162412315854032?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-24411756037268880822009-03-26T10:45:00.001-05:002009-03-26T10:47:40.066-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Jonathan Swift wrote in 1699, "Vision is the art of seeing the invisible."</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2441175603726888082?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-81872707467340120422009-03-26T10:38:00.006-05:002009-03-26T12:11:55.258-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Last night Russell talked about “coming out from behind the veil and approaching the throne of grace”. I don’t know if Russell stepped on my toes or tugged at my heart. Whichever it was doesn’t really matter, the pain is still very real. The pain of not being emptied, the pain of selfishness, and wanting to control ‘my world’. It was mentioned recently that everything we do is a matter of the heart. I can’t disagree with that; I conclude I need heart surgery, spiritual heart surgery.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">See, that’s where the pain comes in. I like to think of myself as a loving, caring being. Don’t get me wrong, I really am, it’s just that too often it’s on my terms. I have this need to ‘regulate’ my schedule. Where does that come from??? Satan is so deceiving, he persuades me that all the things I do which really aren’t important, <em>except to me,</em> are necessary. Things like watching TV, curling up with a good book, spending hours on my computer, etc.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am first in line to say surrendering to Christ is emptying <strong>me</strong> of <strong>me</strong>, and filling me with Christ. Why is it so easy to say and so hard to do? Wow! This is hard, admitting my imperfections. I know (for me) if I don’t admit them they will remain.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I desire your prayers…that I will be emptied of me and filled with Christ. "<em>If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.</em> <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Matt 16:24</strong></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8187270746734012042?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-12319573740474333622009-03-24T10:21:00.000-05:002009-03-24T10:22:05.666-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.<em> </em><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Unkown<br /></em></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-1231957374047433362?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-53720041065398682572009-03-24T10:20:00.002-05:002009-03-24T10:46:49.155-05:00<em>In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free</em>.<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Ps 118:5<br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5372004106539868257?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-59067981179898820582009-03-24T10:14:00.005-05:002009-03-24T10:46:08.683-05:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Free in Christ</span><br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">By Janice Garrison</span><br /><br />Imagine if you can; being completely lost.<br />Without hope ~ without love.<br />I took a trip – I knew not where.<br />The road I traveled was called despair.<br /><br />Darkness was my guide, my escorts were many.<br />Stubbornness, Pride, Rebellion, Anger,<br />Sadness, Loneliness, Insecurity, Hatred<br />And Confusion, Just to name a few.<br />They were evil adversaries – I wish I never knew.<br /><br />We stopped at many places, none I recommend.<br />We came upon Jose Cuevro; he always had a worm,<br />And Christian Brothers Brandy, chased with Coke and Rum,<br />And I knew the Marlboro man, He was my favorite smoke, and<br />Don’t forget “Mary Jane” and “Cocaine” What a threesome we were.<br /><br />Years went by, I was always high,<br />But something was amiss, something was horribly wrong.<br />I felt myself wanting to check out of this place called life,<br />I no longer felt at home.<br /><br />Imagine if you can, being lost on this trip,<br />You know your not in prison, but there are bars everywhere.<br />The sun is perfect in the sky, but all you see are shadows prowling all around.<br /><br />Your standing at the oceans edge, knowing you can’t swim,<br />Yet you hear it calling, “Come on, come on in” Instead I turned and ran away.<br /><br />I listened to a small still voice, coming from within,<br />Which seemed to say to me, if you will only let me, I will be your friend.<br />And in the midst of all the darkness came a flicker of light,<br />A shred of hope, in the still of night.<br /><br />With all my might I dared to trust,<br />That from all my misery I could be free,<br />If I would only, Surrender, Surrender Me.<br /><br />I only had to knock but once on His door, and it opened wide.<br />He said, “Come in, Come inside.<br />I asked, “Who are you”? “I Am” came His reply.<br />I asked, “What do you want from me”?<br />He said, “I want to make you Free”.<br /><br />So I asked about this freedom, and what I had to do.<br />He said, “In me you must believe” and I said, “I do”.<br /><br />So I went into the watery grave and was cleansed with His blood.<br />I left behind all my chains, I died, but now I am alive.<br />I was lost but now I’m found,<br />Was blind but now I see.<br />I was a slave, but now I’m Free.<br />Free in Christ and Christ in me.</em></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5906798117989882058?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-85661075891880726822009-03-23T08:21:00.004-05:002009-03-23T08:35:29.786-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Check out Edward Fudges latest book.<br /><strong>Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today<br /></strong>To learn more please go to: </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.edwardfudge.com/">http://www.edwardfudge.com</a> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Edward will be at the Tulsa Workshop this year at the Tulsa Fairgrounds</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8566107589188072682?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-24197860242686315102009-03-23T07:53:00.001-05:002009-03-23T07:55:03.277-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">It isn't troubles that make saints, but their response to troubles. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Unknown<br /></span></em><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2419786024268631510?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-28886594608656330092009-03-23T07:50:00.003-05:002009-03-23T07:55:40.872-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known</em></span>.<br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>1 Corinthians 13:11-12<br /><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2888659460865633009?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-78845472299694949262009-03-23T07:43:00.003-05:002009-03-23T07:54:30.197-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">I like things to be confirmed. If I’m flying I want that confirmation number after I’ve purchased my tickets. Having it gives me a sense of confidence; it assures me of a seat on the plane. I have my reservation… that is until I arrive at the airport. I find out that due to unforeseen circumstances, my flight is cancelled rendering my confirmation useless.<br /><br />When I order something online, I check my tracking number with UPS to see when my package will arrive. I watch and I wait and the date arrives and sadly my package is not delivered. It could be weather related, the company could be on strike, the merchant didn’t get it out on time. There could be a dozen reasons, yet again; disappointment sets in.<br /><br />Most of us want proof or verification of what we have been promised, or what we are offering. We like that RSVP when we extend an invitation.<br /><br />When I diet, I hope to lose weight. When I have eaten less and faithfully exercised, I expect to see the results on my bathroom scale. When I have stuck to the plan, my expectation is to see the numbers on the scale going down. I know too well, in this world I don’t always get what I expect or what I’ve hoped for or what was confirmed.<br /><br />I will face many disappointments in my lifetime over various things, yet there is <strong>One</strong> whose promises will not disappoint me and my faith and hope are in him. — <em>a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,</em> <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Titus 1:2<br /></span></strong><br />As a Christian, my hope not only involves this life but more importantly the life to come.<em> If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men</em>. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">1 Corinthians 15:19<br /></span></strong><br />I have learned to roll with the punches so to speak. I no longer let the ups and downs in my life cause me the anxieties and disappointments that I did when I was younger. Belonging to Christ, continually knowing and learning of him has changed me. It has changed how I speak, how I act, who I hang out with and where I hang out.<br /><br /><em>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come</em>. </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>2 Corinthians 5:17</strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7884547229969494926?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-42293280646081934742009-03-20T19:43:00.002-05:002009-03-20T19:43:44.657-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">"And so I urge you: carry on an ongoing conversation with God about the daily stuff of life, a little like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. For now, do not worry about 'proper' praying, just talk to God. Share your hurts, share your sorrows, share your joys -- freely and openly. God listens in compassion and love, just like we do when our children come to us. He delights in our presence. When we do this, we will discover something of inestimable value. We will discover that by praying we learn to pray." -- <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Richard J. Foster</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4229328064608193474?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-32312528681509946692009-03-20T19:42:00.002-05:002009-03-20T19:42:59.147-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Col 3:17</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-3231252868150994669?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-5535113153252584012009-03-20T19:27:00.008-05:002009-03-20T19:41:33.542-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Friday-<br /></strong>It was cool weather today and I think I fell back into my winter mode. I enjoyed a lazy day, no deadlines, although <em>my</em> deadlines are self imposed, that still counts…doesn’t it? No place to be; and I enjoyed every minute of the day. We drove to Kendall’s to pick up my prescription, and then went to visit with mom for a while. I came home and made <strong>M</strong>y <strong>F</strong>amous <strong>C</strong>hicken <strong>S</strong>oup and looked at recipe books. I have a few, 200 and counting. Mom had a hair appointment this afternoon and came to our house afterwards. The three of us had big piping hot bowls of <em>pure comfort</em>. Mmmm….I’m telling you, it truly was! Mom and I played Scrabble after we finished filling our tummies.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Since it’s been a lazy day and I’m glazed over from too much of<strong> MFCS</strong> I will just give you a short recap of my week.<br /><strong>Monday</strong> –Ladies Bible Class and a ‘Fax’ was born. I love my Mondays because it means I will spend a couple of hours with my gal-friends. Spent time on the computer, and yes, for me that’s a daily ‘given’.<br /><strong>Tuesday</strong>-I don’t think I left the house; did some cooking, cleaning and laundry, writing and computer surfing.<br /><strong>Wednesday</strong>- Ah yes, got my pearly whites cleaned, more domestic chores, hanging out with my man and bible class in the evening.<br /><strong>Thursday</strong>- visited on the phone, read a while, went to our Thursday night bible class, that’s always a treat. It was hosted by Ted and Ellen this week. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends. We cherish our times together.<br /><br />I’m in the Word everyday, looking, wondering, learning and everyday I’m talking to God. It’s a good life!<br /><br />Thanks for tuning in! Lord willing, I’ll be back on Monday. Hope you have a great weekend!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-553511315325258401?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-15872909127867231142009-03-19T15:15:00.003-05:002009-03-19T15:20:55.273-05:00<span style="font-family:Arial;">Check out this site - you may subscribe to graceEmail (it's free) and has great articles.</span><br /><a href="http://www.edwardfudge.com/">http://www.edwardfudge.com/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-1587290912786723114?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-89349600903076897092009-03-19T15:12:00.001-05:002009-03-19T15:13:51.209-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Psalm 4:8</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8934960090307689709?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-3180954190107031062009-03-19T15:10:00.002-05:002009-03-19T15:13:39.307-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Some people think that courage means having no fear, but I disagree. Courage means moving forward in spite of your fears to face the task you've been given. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Unkown</span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-318095419010703106?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-67270553149479779872009-03-17T10:14:00.001-05:002009-03-17T10:17:19.988-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">You don’t stop laughing when you get old; you get old when you stop laughing. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Unknown</span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-6727055314947977987?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-25046765203745573532009-03-17T10:13:00.006-05:002009-03-17T10:20:01.344-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Our mouths were filled with laughter, </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">our tongues with songs of joy. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Psalm 126:2<br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;">A cheerful heart is good medicine. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Proverbs 17:22</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2504676520374557353?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-48863438944814139852009-03-17T10:06:00.003-05:002009-03-17T10:15:41.114-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>The Fax Machine and Lamaze </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Hmmm…Sounds crazy and it was!<br /><br />You never know what might happen when you get a group of girlfriends together and one of them wants to send a fax, has not used the particular fax machine in question and gets help from someone who has only used it a couple of times.<br /><br />Two pages and a cover sheet, how hard can it be? Not hard at all if all the papers are completely <em>wrinkle free</em>. It happened like this….papers are positioned in the fax machine, face down, number is dialed, start button is pushed….<em>ring</em>….<em>ring</em>…Oh! What’s this, an error message? Line communication error. OK, let’s try again, re-position pages, dial number…<em>ring</em>…<em>ring</em>…New message, Paper jam! Third try; another paper jam! <strong>What</strong>??? Do I need to iron these papers??<br /><br />Quizzical looks, giggles, nervousness. C’mon now, in desperation I’m talking to the machine, I turn the papers upside down and slowly the pages start to move. I’m encouraging them…<em>Push</em>…<em>Push</em>….First page is sent, <em>Push</em>…<em>Push</em>…We’re all laughing, anxiously waiting for the second page to go through and it did. Finally, all eyes are on the final page. From the background I hear…<em>its crowning</em>! More laughter, more <em>Push</em>…<em>Push</em>…You can feel the apprehension in the room. Hooray! Belly laughing erupts, fax complete.<br /><br />Yeah, we get a little nutty, but we cherish our times together. Some days we have wonderful serious discussion, other times we laugh and cry together. Whatever we do, it truly is a bond that can never be broken. Who said Mondays are boring? They don’t know me and my friends. :-)</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4886343894481413985?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-83747320631036705872009-03-16T08:42:00.002-05:002009-03-16T08:44:43.675-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Whatever “color" our day may be - a "blue" Monday or a "gray" Tuesday - God has grace sufficient to meet the need. <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Unkown<br /></em></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8374732063103670587?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-84981357459503509062009-03-16T08:41:00.001-05:002009-03-16T08:45:09.572-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Rom 8:18</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8498135745950350906?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-22758192808696771142009-03-16T08:36:00.007-05:002009-03-28T10:27:24.025-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Article by Janice Garrison</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Monday Monday, so good to me,</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That Monday evening you would still be here with me.<br /><br />Monday Monday, can't trust that day,</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Monday Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to be</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh Monday Monday, how could you leave and not take me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Every other day, every other day,Every other day of the week is fine, yeah</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You can find me cryin' all of the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lyrics from “Monday Monday” by the Mama’s and Papa’s. It’s one of my “old” favorites.<br /><br />When I was working I used to dread Monday’s. It’ meant five more days of waking up at 4:30am and <em>hopefully</em> getting to bed between 9 and 10pm. I did that for about 25 years. When I look back I wonder how I did it all, working, taking care of our home, raising our kids, being a wife, church, shopping. I bet a lot of heads are shaking up and down right now as you identify with the scenario.<br /><br />Friday rolled around and it was met with much more enthusiasm as I anticipated the weekend ahead. I almost always picked up some kind of take out food for Friday nights. Saturday was cleaning and cooking day Sunday was church, finishing up laundry in the afternoon and hopefully catching a nap before evening services. It was our routine and if it varied much, something had to be left undone. We didn’t do a lot for entertainment, there just never seemed to be much time left for anything else.<br /><br />Before I knew it, the kids were grown and married, grandkids came along, and we finally got to retire in 2004. I thought at last…..we will have more time! Not!! Ask anyone who’s retired and they will likely tell you, “I don’t know where the time goes”. It’s true too. I always heard that the older you get the faster time goes and it certainly seems that way. Are there still 24 hours in a day? Really??<br /><br />My views on time and days have changed dramatically. I still plan events and days, but now I live differently. I know that each day could be my last and I try to live “prepared”. Prepared to meet God should he come today. I no longer live in dread of Monday’s. I’m not anxious to leave my loved ones, and I can’t fully wrap my head around not being with them, but I believe what the bible says and I am learning to wait with <em>eager expectation</em>.<br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2275819280869677114?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-40221979210783909472009-03-13T13:12:00.003-05:002009-03-13T13:15:25.910-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">"Look around and be distressed. Look within and be depressed. Look at Jesus and be at rest" <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>(Heb. 12:2).</strong> (Corrie ten Boom)</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4022197921078390947?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-74627561593854284852009-03-13T13:10:00.002-05:002009-03-13T13:15:15.114-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.<strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> Rom 14:8</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7462756159385428485?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-40969472133029513382009-03-13T13:07:00.007-05:002009-03-28T10:20:56.239-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Superstitions</strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Article by Janice Garrison</span><br /><br />Yes….it’s yet another Friday the 13th…<br />If you are like me you have probably taken part in some sort of silly superstitions.<br />I remember one from my childhood days-“Step on a crack and brake your mothers back”.<br />I’m ashamed to say, I read my daily horoscope for years. I foolishly planned my day and let my attitude be influenced by superstitious belief. Thankfully, I now put my trust in God and his Word.<br /><br />We live in a world of superstitions and so called fortune-tellers, astrologers, psychics, spiritualist, witchcraft etc. Superstitions are found all over the world. They are sometimes practiced as part of a cultural heritage. Or they may be considered a frivolous curiosity—adding adventure to life. In some parts of the world, superstitions are usually taken with the proverbial grain of salt. In other parts of the world they are taken very seriously.<br /><br />Many Christians believe or take part in superstitions and follow them religiously. Read the following from Isa 47:13-14 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.<br /><br />The Apostle Paul wrote in Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And he goes on to say in Eph 6:13-18 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.<br /><br />Superstitions, Idolatry, witchcraft and things related are all part of the devil’s schemes to draw us away from God. We are so blessed that God always provides a way of escape for whatever temptations come our way.<br /><br />I would like to encourage you to consider what, if any, superstitions you may have in your life and ask yourself, are they really harmless?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4096947213302951338?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-91347151330613430452009-03-12T12:38:00.002-05:002009-03-12T12:46:20.713-05:00“When you can’t see God’s hand, trust in his character.” <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Unknown)</span></em><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-9134715133061343045?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-75004468298155704242009-03-12T12:37:00.003-05:002009-03-12T12:46:02.903-05:00<strong>2 Cor 12:7-10</strong> To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. <span style="font-size:85%;">NIV</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7500446829815570424?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-47483225173306480262009-03-11T11:09:00.003-05:002009-03-11T11:12:43.633-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” <span style="font-size:85%;">Corrie ten Boom</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4748322517330648026?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-17085674063823732242009-03-11T11:07:00.001-05:002009-03-11T11:11:30.513-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Rom 8:24-25</strong> But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.<strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> NIV</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-1708567406382373224?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-82322886339027456632009-03-11T10:54:00.009-05:002009-03-12T08:30:26.282-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Future Glory</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Article by Janice Garrison</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What do you think of when you think of the future? Do you think of the future in physical or spiritual terms?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I must admit that <em>generally speaking</em>, I think of the future in physical terms. Let me explain….When I wake up each morning, I think of what day it is. If it’s Monday I know I will be going to Ladies Bible Class, so I plan my morning according to what time I need to leave. That means I have less time on the computer, squeeze in my 2 cups of coffee and a bowl of cereal, put my makeup on, fix my hair and leave in time to pick up my friend Debra, if she needs a ride that day. <em>By the way</em>, you will be pleased to know, that yes, I did get dressed too! I know; it’s a scary thought what can happen if you leave out small details</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I usually make a list for things I need for my Monday trip to Wal-Mart after LBC, remind myself to call Mom and see if she needs anything. If time allows, she and I will get to play Scrabble in the afternoon. Then, <em>still planning ahead</em>, I make mental notes of what I’m going to prepare for our <em>linner.</em> (Lunch/Dinner) Perhaps I will have some leftovers from the weekend, or soup and sandwich; after all, I haven’t left much time for cooking. Since we retired, Larry and I usually eat our main meal between 2 and 4pm. So you see; all of that thinking and planning was mental/physical.<br /><br />I guess then that I multi-task between my physical and spiritual self. I have <em>prayerfully</em>, disciplined myself with the Word, and have ‘let my light shine’ in all of the physical activities of my day, while I have thought of God, have studied and discussed spiritual things, I have not thought of death or heaven.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For the Christian, I believe that to be completely natural. We know our hope lies in Christ and we live our lives pressing on to our goal, which <strong>is</strong> heaven. We try to live each day being prepared; knowing each day could be our last. If we are experiencing peace and good times or sufferings and trials, we know we are living toward our future. We see this in <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>2 Cor 4:17-18</strong>:</span> <em>For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. </em><span style="font-size:78%;">NIV</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span>Yes- I live, I plan, and the older I get, I wait in <em>eager expectation</em> of being with the Lord, eternally.</span><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-8232288633902745663?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-52066541162988419402009-03-10T10:28:00.001-05:002009-03-10T10:30:56.269-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Matt 5:48<br /></span></strong> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5206654116298841940?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-26276933886585419532009-03-10T10:26:00.000-05:002009-03-10T10:27:46.402-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">A man all wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.<em> <span style="font-size:85%;">Unknown</span></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2627693388658541953?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-48769706610626726492009-03-10T10:12:00.007-05:002009-03-10T11:47:30.177-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Imperfections</span></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Article by Janice Garrison</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">How often do we find ourselves struggling with our imperfections, and do we let them hinder us from pressing forward in our daily walk?<br /><br />I was thinking of Adam and Eve. Before they sinned their life was perfection, <em>literally</em>. I had an image of a very large and beautiful mirror, which would represent life before sin. Then I imagined that same beautiful mirror shattered into thousands of broken shards.<br /><br />The shards represent us today. We were born sinless and slowly became sinful.<br />In the same way that the broken pieces of the mirror could never be put back exactly the way it was before it was shattered, back to its original perfection, we will never be perfect in this fleshly body.<br /><br />If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Gen 4:7<br /></strong><br /></span>But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">1 John 1:7<br /></span></strong><br />If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">1 John 1:8-10</span></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4876970661062672649?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-35502651037123151632009-03-09T08:57:00.000-05:002009-03-09T08:58:05.940-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." <span style="font-size:85%;">Matt 26:41</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-3550265103712315163?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-4472119397211860902009-03-09T08:55:00.001-05:002009-03-09T08:57:00.309-05:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Joy bursts in on our lives when we go about doing the good at hand and not trying to manipulate things and times to achieve joy. <span style="font-size:85%;">C. S. Lewis</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-447211939721186090?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-45238408029882752072009-03-08T08:58:00.002-05:002009-03-08T09:03:50.816-05:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Ps 105:3-4</strong> Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength;seek his face always. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4523840802988275207?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-41610332388217394722009-03-08T08:33:00.001-05:002009-03-08T08:37:36.708-05:00<span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>If your motive is wrong, your service can never be right.</em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-4161033238821739472?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-74340494871453171142009-03-08T08:29:00.001-05:002009-03-08T08:32:51.981-05:00<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I enjoyed yesterday’s article about Lifelong Learners. I love learning new things. There are numerous passages in the Old and New Testament instructing us to learn about God and Jesus.<br /><strong> 2 Tim 2:15</strong> Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. King James Version ready “Study” to show thyself approved.<br /> We are instructed by God to learn about Him. (Moses urges Israel to Obey) <strong>Deut.</strong> <strong>4:10</strong> Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.<br /><strong> Matt 11:29-30</strong> Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7434049487145317114?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-52950431611388477832009-03-07T14:11:00.000-06:002009-03-07T14:13:12.205-06:00Prov 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,<br />but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. <br />NIV<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5295043161138847783?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-28747058675888753432009-03-07T13:51:00.000-06:002009-03-07T13:56:07.600-06:00He sat in the large auditorium on the campus of a small Christian college. Chapel would begin soon. Students began to fill the auditorium.<br />He was a longtime professor at the college. For many years he taught undergraduate Bible classes. He was a student and a scholar. Long ago, he had earned a Ph. D. in New Testament and continued to learn and grow for many, many years. Today was no exception. <br />As the chapel program began, a young undergraduate walked to the lectern to "make a talk." The old professor did what was his custom each day in chapel. He opened his notebook and, with pen in hand, began to take notes of the young man’s talk. <br />One day, a colleague asked him about this habit. The old professor explained that he wanted to learn and grow. He said "I never know when I might learn something. So I want to be ready to write it down."<br />What are some characteristics of people who are lifelong learners?<br />1. Lifelong learners intend to grow, develop, and mature. I have found that much learning is "on purpose." Not all of us learn in the same way. However, I do believe that we are at an advantage when we desire to learn and intend to learn.<br />2. Lifelong learners know that there are many, many ways to learn. For example, I have learned much from reading. I can point to several biographies and a few other books as well that have been important in my growth and development. We also learn from people. This morning I had breakfast with one of the most gifted people I have ever known. For many years my friend has asked me important questions that have caused me to think about my life and about the way I minister.<br />3. Lifelong learners are humble. It is a good thing to learn from leading experts, top professors, and prolific authors. However, am I willing to learn from one of my peers? Am I willing to learn from one who has less experience or formal education than I? Am I willing to learn from someone who is younger than I am? Am I willing to learn from one I have helped to mentor? (See Cliff Barbarick’s excellent post.) Humility means that I could be wrong about something. Humility is to acknowledge that I may know very little, if anything, about a particular area of life or work and that I am willing to listen. <br />4. Lifelong learners have learned and are learning. (I read this somewhere but at the moment the source is unknown.) There is nothing arrogant about acknowledging that I have learned something. I have lived, thought, and studied for a number of years and I can honestly say that I have learned a few things about life and ministry. At the same time, I continue to learn. I don’t think that one ever arrives.<br />5. Lifelong learners maintain a healthy curiosity about life, God, and the things that matter most. So often men and women lose any sense of curiosity and settle for their self-imposed ruts. On the other hand, those who remain curious are willing to experience something different. Perhaps I listen to music I don’t normally listen to (easily possible if you use Pandora). Maybe I watch a television program about a part of the world about which I know nothing. I might take a different route home from work. At the restaurant, perhaps I could order something different. I have found that making such choices nurtures my curiosity. This curiosity is something I don’t want to lose.<br />What about you? What do you do to intentionally live as a lifelong learner?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-2874705867588875343?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-51665854494676738162009-03-07T13:14:00.000-06:002009-03-07T13:21:59.471-06:00<span style="font-family:verdana;">The God who made us also can remake us</span>. <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;">Woodrow Kroll</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-5166585449467673816?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2695659597109799248.post-75629576534473578352009-03-07T10:15:00.000-06:002009-03-07T10:24:10.503-06:00Ok...I still don't have the hang of this. I'm working on it though.<br /><br />I suppose I have writers block, usually I'm not at a loss for words but today I'm working with a blank slate.<br /><br />One of my purposes for starting this blog is to encourage anyone who reads it. I love to share things that have encouraged me and I strive to be a 'modern day' Barnabas. From what I have read, Barnabas means Son of Thunder or Encourager or One who Encourages.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2695659597109799248-7562957653447357835?l=gatheringrubies.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Janicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174585761777926752noreply@blogger.com0