My Jakob Amor

I can hardly believe that twelve years have went by
I can still hear the sound of your newborn cry
An ecstatic mother, though nervous I'll say
You took my heart on that cold winters day
You make so proud that words aren't enough
Even though I know that I can be tough
Just know I do it because I love you so
I see how each day you grow
My baby is gone, a young man stands now
Please take this, a mother's vow
I'll stand by you through thick and thin
In good times, in trouble, I'll be there then
I love you Jakob for a lifetime and more
Always remember it's you I adore

Happy birthday baby boy...I am so proud of you!

Nip It In The Bud

Today I went to a different church.  I have moved recently, and attended a church that is a little closer to home.  I know almost all the people that attend this church, as I work with most of them or had them as teachers at one time or another. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, people that didn't know me asked who I was, and those that did greeted me kindly.  

The pastor gave a wonderful sermon today based on the Bible passage from Psalms 103.  

" Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²¹ Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul."

Now He focused mainly on the first 10 verses.  Let us ponder these a moment.  Firstly, if you are reading this post, you are blessed abundantly.  You are alive, you have access to internet, you are literate, and you are not blind.  Those blessings should be appreciated   The first two verses tells us just that.  We have blessings abundantly, surrounding us all, but do we take time to thank Him for these?  Not just when something awesome happens, but for everyday blessings?  I think sometimes we take these for granted.  Assuming that we are entitled to or have worked hard for them so they will always be there.  This is not so.  Things that we take for granted can be wiped away in an instant.  The car you worked for, the house you went in debt for, the nice clothes you wear, all these things should be given thanks for daily.  

The pastor also talked about how most of us during the New Year's season reflect on our lives and decide to make changes.  We see things that need improvement, that need replacement, or things that just need a fresh start.  He told us that when the Holy Spirit is telling us something in our life is not going according to God's plan, it starts out as needing to be "tweaked".  We should "nip it in the bud" is what popped in my mind when he was saying this.  If we ignore this, then it needs to be repaired and finally needs a total replacement.  It costs a lot less money to maintain a car, for example, if you regularly maintain it, than it would if you waited until it was broke to the point of needing a total overhaul or totally replaced.

I really enjoyed the service this morning and hope that no one in the church walked away without    having a relationship with Jesus.  And most importantly, I hope everyone received the same message that I did, this moment wasn't promised to me and I am so thankful I have received it!