Although the song is beautiful and the words can stir the heart, I removed it because I was alerted to the fact that Julia Ward Howe was a universalist. I apologize to those of you who have read it and led to believe that she was a Christian. How very sad I was to read this. Please accept my apologies. I will post another Day 24 in its place.

Good morning, blogger friends!

Well, after MUCH packing, moving and unpacking, I’m happy to say we are settled in … well, at least temporarily – until May 2008!

Thank you for the prayers… they were much needed and I am grateful for them. So much happened while I was away. My precious husband, John, is so looking forward to retiring from police work. May cannot come too quickly for him. He is looking forward to starting his own commercial cleaning business once we move to Oregon. What a blessing this man is to me! He is not afraid to work and I admire his zeal to start a new adventure at this point in our lives!

Aaron, my oldest, is nearly finished with his college courses and is hoping to do his student teaching once we get to Oregon. We are praying for a good IFB church with a Christian school there as well for him to achieve this goal! That would be such a blessing so we covet your prayers in this area.

My Marine, Adam, is in Ft. Sill, OK and waiting for orders to report as Recruiter’s Assistant here in the next week or so. We are hoping this goes through because that means he will be home for Christmas. I don’t know if I shared this with ya’ll but he asked Bethany to marry him. They will wait to be married until he reaches the rank of Corporal – good thinking!

We had to put our sweet, precious Sheltie, Bandit, to sleep three weeks ago. He was with us for almost 14 years and was a faithful friend. He is sorely missed. His sweet demeanor warmed the coldest heart and dried the loneliest tears.

As for me, I’m thankful for God’s goodness to me. He has provided everything we could possibly need. When we were looking for temporary housing until the move next May, He gave us a beautiful apartment and threw in a garage with the same dimensions as public storage for $150 less a month! Even when we are not looking for His blessings, He is in the background working out all the details! We serve a mighty and wonderful God, my friends.

I am glad to be back and look forward to finishing this series of devotionals covering the blessed hymns of old!

God bless you, dear readers, and I pray for God’s goodness in your lives today!

Kate

I won’t be posting for a couple of weeks due to jury duty and our upcoming trip to Parris Island,SC to see our son gradaute as a United States Marine! Ooh-Rah!

I’ll be back 10/22 – God bless ya’ll until then!!

If you would like to purchase any of the series of devotionals, they are available in:

(1) Electronic format (PDF) for $15.00

(2) A beautiful 3-ring binder for $35.00 (includes shipping).

Quantity discounts available.

Email me at 777.maranatha@gmail.com for orders or details.

Kate

I am so excited to announce that next week we will be starting the next 30-day series. Brother Jerry Bouey and I will be working together to bring you devotionals dealing with “Numbers in the Bible.” We’ll be starting with sevens and eights, but not limiting ourselves because there is so much to glean from in this area! We’re looking forward to working together on this and pray that you will join us over the next 30 days and receive a blessing!

If you have not already visited the Fundamental Baptist Forum, please come one over and give it a try! Brother John Boone began this ministry and had dreams of seeing it become a haven of rest and a place where people could find salvation through Jesus Christ. Brother Boone went home to be with the Lord on April 14th, but the Forum lives on with his dreams in each of the administrators’ hearts. We have something for everyone – men, women, husbands, wives, teenagers, and tons of resources for those in the ministry.

This forum is visible to the general public for viewing only. Members enjoy the privilege of contributing to the forum and sharing in the sweet fellowship. Unlike other forums where debate is the center of most topics, the administrative team works hard to provide a haven of rest where like-minded believers can come together and fellowship without arguing.

Here are some of our boards – if you see something of interest, come on over and visit as a guest. If you like it, follow the link at the top of the Forum to join! See you there!

The Jesus Forum (This forum is devoted entirely to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You may post anything that directly relates to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.)

Inspirational Stories (Encouraging stories that build and strengthen our walks with the Lord.)

The Poetry Corner (This forum is for Christ centered poetry.)

The Family Forum (A forum that focuses on the families of fundamental Baptists)

For the Ladies (A place for the ladies to meet and fellowship. It will be a place for sharing, witnessing, and encouragement.)

Helpmeets’ Corner (For Married Ladies – visible to members only)

The Teen Room (A place where our Teens can hang out and have fun.)

Bible Devotions for Young People (These devotions are posted to assist parents in leading devotions with children.)

The Addictions and Abstinence Forum (This forum is for interaction among members who are working in Christ centered programs that deal with addictions and abstinence from addictions.)

Current Events (This is the place to discuss current events and the potential impact that they may have on Christians.)

Bible Questions and Answers Forum (This forum is a place where all registered members may post Bible related questions. The Moderator team and Admin’s will provide Biblically sound answers to those questions.)

The Church Forum (This forum is a place where members can discuss church related matters and issues.)

Baptist Chapel (This board for short, inspirational, Biblical devotionals.)

The Pastor’s Corner (This forum is where pastors can come and share their Christ centered viewpoints! – viewable by member Pastors only)

Sunday School Helps (There are no doubt some Sunday School teachers and members among our members. This forum is a place to share ideas and suggestions regarding Sunday School.)

Sermon Outlines (Come and share your favorite outlines – either yours or notes you have taken from your pastor’s sermons.)

Salvation and Evangelism Forum (This forum is for the discussion God’s greatest gift to mankind, Salvation through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as well as discussion of Evangelism in general.)

The Missionary Forum (This forum is where members can discuss the Christian Missions, missionaries, missionary work, and any Christ centered topic concerning the mission field.)

Stories of Unshackled Sinners (Dramatized stories of men and women being saved – many of which are from the logs of the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago)

Theological Discussions (This board is intended for the discussion of Theological topics.)

Doctrinal Discussions (This forum exists to promote sound Biblical doctrine and to also discuss and expose false heretical teachings and doctrines, denominationalists teachings that oppose sound Biblical doctrine and the false teachings of cults.)

Bible Exposition (A place where members can post their own personal expository Biblical teachings or sermonettes based on God’s Word. (KJV only))

Creation Discussions (This forum exists to promote the Biblical Account of creation and to discuss opposing viewpoints.)

End Time Discussions (This forum is for general discussion on end times based on Biblical scripture.)

General Bible Study (This board is where you can post Scripture and point out how these Scriptures can apply to the daily life of a Christian believer.)

Basic Bible Truths for New Believers (In the first days following the new birth, it is important to establish a sound footing – These studies, LORD willing, will help but they can not replace membership in a good, local church.)

FBF Bible Institute (This will have a series of questions which will lead you to a very good Bible education.)

Christian Classics (Timeless works that are in the public domain and made available free of charge!)

Pastor Ryan responded to my email and said we could follow Amy’s progress and that of the baby’s at his own blog.

Random Thoughts of a Young Pastor

I am not led to post these types of things very often. However, as I was reading prayer requests on the Fundamental Baptist Forum, I came across this unique prayer request. I ask that you include this dear Pastor and his family in your prayers. What a Mighty God we serve and He can do this. Here is Pastor Ryan’s letter sent out after Resurrection Sunday. I changed only one thing in his letter and that was to quote the King James Bible in his Bible reference.

“The baby boy that my wife Amy is carrying in her belly right now has not been given any chance to live once he is born. Every doctor and website that I have been to has stated this unfortunate outcome. There is not, to my knowledge, one person that has survived for any amount of time with this condition. I know some people would say well then let’s pray for the family as they begin now until September 14 to deal with the loss of their son.

Let me pause and say – hold off on those prayers for now. As this past weekend has brought to my attention in a very real and relevant way – our God conquers death. Hello? He thrives on the impossible! Let’s not get caught up in believing only what octors say when the God who conquers death hasn’t had any say. We will know what God wants to do when this child is born. So please pray that God would form this little boy’s brain and close the skull and scalp. This isn’t supposed to happen – I get that. But dead guys aren’t supposed to come back to life either!

Some people probably think that Amy and I are setting ourselves up for heartbreak. No – we are asking God to give us our heart’s desire. If He doesn’t – He is still God and He is still good. How do you want to be remembered? Praying for God to comfort us (He has already promised to do that) or having a part in praying for the impossible?

Please help us pray for the impossible! We will leave the rest up to the God who hates death so much that He overcame it. Psalm 40:3 – “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Our goal is that many people would see that we believe God is good even when life is not, begin to fear (respect), and trust in the Lord.

Thank you for coming in this journey with us! We need you!”

If you place Pastor Ryan, Amy and their baby boy on your prayer list, please encourage them with an e-mail and let them know you are praying. It would be awesome if this dear family received emails from all over the world letting them know they are praying to the God of miracles on their behalf. Their e-mail is:

northline@northlinebaptist.org

Thank you!

Much to my surprise, I made my daily visit to Sis. Julie’s blog only to see that I had been selected as one of the winners of her Thinking Blog Award.

I believe my strongest drive as a Christian is to challenge others to righteous living. I guess that causes them to think :-) We should be searching, seeking, learning and conforming to the image of Christ. That should be a drive within all of us, don’t you think?

To continue passing on this Award process, I reviewed those blogs that I frequent daily. Those five that I’ve chosen are not chosen to reciprocate but because I am always challenged at their blogs to think about my spiritual condition. Thank you, my brethren, for continuing the challenge!!

Bro. Jerry – has been instrumental in causing me to dig deeper when I study and research. He has always encouraged me to search for golden nuggets :-) I know that when I go read his blog, I need to put my thinking cap on ;-)

Sis. Julie – has a heart for the Lord. Each post blesses me in some way and causes me to meditate and search out my heart. She truly is a Pastor’s wife and I’m thankful for the heart she has for the ladies God has entrusted in her care.

Bro. Tim – packs a punch in each of his blogs. I always walk away with something that encourages me to live right or glean from. I’m never disappointed :-)

Bro. Jim – Standing in the Gap always has some kind of exhortation for the reader. We’re always encouraged to live right and do right. Again, I walk away challenged to think.

Bro. Joshua & Bro. Caleb – are the youngest men I read after but they never cease to amaze me with their posts. Whether it is something they have written or have gleaned from, I am challenged to think. These young men are going to pack a whollop when they are grown!

Thank you all for the blessings you give this lady every day!!

Studies for Women:
Married to an Unbeliever?
Biblical Submission
Yay or Nay
8 Steps to Living Peaceably With Your Unsaved Husband
Definition of Submission

Miscellaneous Studies:
Being a Good Sister
Study on Blessings

Christian Growth:
Six Ways to Prove That I Am Saved!
Spiritual Housecleaning
World-o-Meter
The Secret to Living a Successful Christian Life
Do Our Actions Say We Hate God?
To and Fro