My Favorite Song

O GLORIOUS DAY

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed.

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Happy Father's Day

Today is such a special day. We have a whole day dedicated to honor our fathers. Whether you have one father or more there is such an awesomeness to this day. I have three fathers: My Earthly Father, My Heavenly Father and my deceased Stepfather.  As I reminisce about my childhood, I revisit fond memories that I had from little life lessons to just plain good times. My dad taught me how to take my first steps, ride a bicycle, fish, shoot a shotgun for target shooting and hunting, the difference between a flathead and phillip's head screwdriver, how to assist in working on stuff like waterwell pumps, lawn mowers, boat motors, etc. I guess you could say I was daddy's little helper and shadow. He took me to church and helped guide me in the right direction. What are some of the traits that stand out in my mind? Well, a big,big heart. He always was very friendly. Everyone knows him from towns near and far. He was always a helper. He would help anyone and give them the shirt off his back if he needed to and he is still that way to this day. My father was there to provide discipline but luckily I didn't require that very often. Guess I was exceptional in that area.


My Heavenly Father has also provided me with many tools and guided me with his loving hands. He is always loving, forgiving, gentle, looks for the best in me, guides in down the right paths and helps me realize when I have ventured down the wrong one. Even though I can't actually see him and hold him in my arms, I know he is always with me. He left me a written instruction book ,"The Bible", which he uses to guide me. I open the pages, pray for his guidance and he often leads me to the much needed words I need to hear. I look forward to the day when I can see his face and thank him in person for all he has done and showed me in this life.


My Stepfather, I should mention as well, I suppose. He has been gone one year today. To mention a few words on his behalf, he is most remembered by me for his gentlemanly demeaner. He was a true "Southern Gentleman" with all the manners. A member of the "Old School" where you opened doors for Ladies and spoke respectfully. He was an avid hunter of ducks, doves, pheasants,  and geese. Hunting season for somethings was 365 days a year. He loved to write hunting articles and did have several of them published in 'Outdoor Life Magazine'. My dad and stepfather were instrumental in me learning to shoot and hunt. I don't use these talents very often these days, but can rely on them if I decide to do so. Their views have tremendously influenced my outlook of nature and wildlife. For that I am grateful and have been able to pass that down to my children.

This day would not be complete without mentioning my husband. Although he is not my father, he is the father of my two beautiful children. I have known this man 25 years and been married to him for 23 1/2. We met in college. By our third date he was telling me that he was going to marry me one day. Needless-to-say, I thought he was crazy but here we are. I could tell back then by the way little children were drawn to him on mission trips and other places that he would be a good father one day. I am proud to say that I was right. He is a great dad to our children and I know he will be a wonderful grandpa one day.

Well to all the fathers I want to wish a very good day to you. You are what makes us all special and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

VERSE

I thank my God every time I remember you,  in constantly praying

 with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you. Philippians 1:3-4

God Bless

RJ Rachel

If You Had Only One Day To Live

What If You Will Die Tomorrow?

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)

"And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come,
he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through."
(Luke 12:39)

What would you do today, if you knew you would die tomorrow?

Think about that!
What would you do if you had only one day to live!

What would you do with that one day?
Maybe you would spend it doing something you had always wanted to do,
but had never gotten the chance.
Maybe you would choose to spend it with family and friends.
Maybe you would want to spend that one day fulfilling some fantasy,
or perhaps it would be spent as had every other day of your life had been spent.

If you had only one day to live, how would you spend it?

Moses said that we should number our days, count them one by one, in order to be wise.
(Psalm 90:12)

When you are down to only one day left to live, there will not be time to then live the way
you should have.
Jonathan Edwards made a resolution at the age of 18-20 to live each day as if it were the last.

What would you do differently today, if you knew that you will die tomorrow?
Would you start searching God's Word for the assurance that you need?
Would you start praying to God with fervent weeping?

Would you make peace and express deep affection for your spouse, and family and friends?
Would you hit the "off" button on the radio or television, and turn to God for His help?.
Would you try to get serious about loving the Lord?
Would you express your love to God, and ask for His mercy and forgiveness?

Or, would you still foolishly procrastinate like Governor Felix under Paul's preaching.
(Acts 24:25)
I don't think that you would say one negative thing about others today.
I don't believe that all the trivial things that bother you now would bother you,
if today were your last day on this earth.

I believe that you would hold your loved ones close, and thank them for the good things
that they have done for you.
I believe that you would have a serious talk to your children about greater things
than their homework or cleaning their room.

I believe that you would honor and obey your parents with great love, if you were to die tomorrow.
I believe that your priorities would change in your use of your limited time,
and that you would value every minute that you had left.
I believe that you would be absolutely content with the things you already have, if you were dying.

I also believe that your mind will not be focused on idle thoughts in your last hours..
All of the politics, business, and all worldly matters would fade from your mind
in the face of your last day of life on this earth.

We can be certain that one day soon, maybe even today or tomorrow you will die.
There is only one way to prepare for the day before the day you will die, live as if it were today!
You will die tomorrow!

Whether it is tomorrow or another tomorrow, you will die tomorrow!
When tomorrow arrives, it will be too late to make any corrections as to how you have lived
the thousands of days that God has given you. days!

What an opportunity you have today!
I am warning you to live today for death tomorrow, so you can make the needed preparation.

Paul faced death often (Acts 14:19; II Cor 4:11; 11:23), and this caused him to live
righteously and to die with assurance that he would be in heaven with Jesus.
(2 Cor 5:8-11; Phil 1:21-23; 2 Tim 1:12; 4:6-8).

In Psalm 84:10-12 David said: "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee."

In these verses David talks about his decision, and the reasons why he feels this way.
As we look at these 3 verses, think about the words, "If I Only Had One Day!"

David tells us that he had rather be the lowly door keeper in the House of God
than to enjoy the all the wealth and luxury of evil.
David was saying that if his life was about to end, he wanted to be found serving the Lord.

The greatest thing anyone can say is that he is being faithful to the task to which
God has called him.
If I had one day to live I would want to be found in my place of service doing
what the Lord has called me to do!
You will either be ready and become a Christian, or you will be lost.
The apostle Paul did not say he was almost ready.
He said, I am ready.
Are you ready?

There are many Christians who will tell you that they are not ready to die today,
but they are going to get ready.I seriously considered what would a Christian need to do to be ready to meet God.
Are all of your relationships in good order?
Does your husband, your children and your loved ones know that you really love them?
Just saying that they should know doesn't cut it.

Do you give them the understanding that they need?
Are you ready to help them when they need your help?
Are you kind and considerate when they need that from you?
Do they know how important they are to you?
Do you spend enough time with them?

When you die, will your family feel at peace with how they feel toward you,
or will you leave them wishing for something that you didn't give them?
When it is my time I want to be ready.
I want to go in peace.
I want to go satisfied that I did my best.
I want to know I accomplished the things that I knew were important, but more importantly
I want to know I accomplished the things God gave me to do.
When I get on the other side, it will be too late.

"One day at a time sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from you.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time. "
-- One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus

By Marijohn Wilkins, and Kris Kristofferson

God Bless...
RJ Rachel

Encourage Others-- It's Our Christian Duty

One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. It is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Jesus certainly knew how to encourage others! Think about the time the disciples were caught in the middle of the Sea of Galilee during a fierce storm. Just when they were ready to give up, Jesus came alongside their boat and said, "Take courage, it is I!" Just before His death, Jesus spent a great deal of time encouraging His disciples.

What are the marks of people with the gift of encouragement? They are people who are willing to get involved with other people’s problems and heartaches. They are good listeners. Encouragers are sensitive to other people’s needs. Those who encourage others will offer forgiveness to those who need to make a new start. If you have the gift of encouragement, use it. Write someone a letter, visit the sick, pat someone on the back, sit with the bereaved, share your money, be a good listener, and be available to others.

VERSE

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. PSALM 121: 7-8.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I want the encouragement I get from you to go through me to others I love and ones I don't know. Show me how to pray for them, Lord, that they might receive so much of your heavenly encouragement that their cups are overflowing! Teach me to respect each person I love for who they are in your eyes, Lord. And may all my prayers for them be a great encouragement to them. Amen.



Spread The Word

I wonder how many times I've had the opportunity to tell someone else what you've done in my life, Lord, only to walk away without saying a word. You see, Lord, in order to get to the part of the story where you saved me from my sins, it's necessary for me to confess the sins to someone new. My shame or my pride, perhaps both, make it difficult for me to do that sometimes, Lord. Yet I know that I must never be ashamed of your saving grace, and that by sharing what you've done for me I might be encouraging someone else to turn to you. So forgive my hesitation, Lord.

I pray that until the day I die I will be able to tell all the people I meet what you have done for me. Amen.