Archive for September, 2006

27
Sep

Encouraging WORD of the Day

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in Encouraging Words

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For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.    Eph 2:10 NIV

I like the way the Message translation reads: No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

In his book “Finding Your Greater Yes” Dr. Dan Erickson translates this verse to tell us we are God’s masterpiece!!  “You are His best; now be what you are“.

My grandson brought me a painting he had made in preschool the other day. A painting by my 2 year old grandson was more precious at that very moment than any Thomas Kinkaid painting. We proudly placed it on the refrigerator for all to see.

God has created a masterpiece in you and in me. He proudly places us here on this earth for all to see. The painting we are to display is His wonderful works. Our lives are to be a representation of Christ.

What do people see when they look at you? Do they see random paint strokes or a masterpiece?  “YOU ARE HIS BEST; NOW BE WHAT YOU ARE”.

22
Sep

What’s your vision?

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in Encouraging Words, Paws to Think About It

Many companies have a posted ”Vision Statement” declaring what they feel is the purpose, the vision, of the company itself. It is designed to give a broad image of the future of the company. It is a summary of their goals and objectives.

I met a woman the other who has created a vision statement for her life. She says she uses it a constant reminder of who she is and whose she is. I found her so intriging I set down and pondered about my own life and what I envision my purpose to be.  Here is what I came up with.

I am BearyAnn, a citizen of heaven (Heb 13:14) straining toward what is ahead (Phil 3:13) ; bearing witness of Christ (Jn 1:7) anxiously awaiting His return (I Cor 1:7).

What about you? Do you have a vision statement for your life? What would you like your life to be representative of? Do you have a set of goals and objectives in your life? This is a small way to begin a life review so grab a piece of paper and a pen and start putting together your own vision statement.

22
Sep

Encouraging WORD of the Day

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in Encouraging Words

Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth.  Eph 6:14

My mind was wandering the other day and I started a list of thoughts.  One particular list went like this:

LIES my parents told me:

If you keep crossing your eyes they’ll stay that way.

Santa Clause (Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy) are watching to see if you are good.

 LIES friends and co-workers have told me:

We will be friends forever.

Even if you work at that other place we’ll still stay in close contact.

LIES God told me.

——–   

hmmmmmm, I couldn’t find any lies from my Lord and Savior. No matter how small a lie, a lie is still a lie. Often words are spoken hoping to be true, but in fact, they are not.  There is only one who ever spoke words that were only truth. A lie, no matter how small is sin. God is perfect, He cannot sin.

His WORD is truth and the truth shall set you free.  (John 8:32).

I don’t always understand His Word, but I do know that whatever He says, it is true.

20
Sep

Encouraging WORD of the Day

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in Encouraging Words

 We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.… For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:14-18 NLT

A favorite phrase used many times in the Bible is “and it came to pass”.  That pretty much describes people and events in our lives. Everyone and everything we experience is with us for a season. Are you having a rough time? It will pass.  Are things going great in your life? That too will pass. Each day is a new opportunity to pass through life’s many hurts, pains, loves and blessings.

We read books to our children that start out “once upon a time” and end with “they lived happily ever after”.  In between the characters face troubles and conflicts. We have a story promised us by God.  It starts out “and it came to pass you are born” and it concludes with “we will be raised to Jesus and our joys to come will last forever”.  In between we experience many trials and troubles as well as love and happiness but in the end will be the ultimate happiness. We will be with Jesus.

 

TVLAND is asking people to sit down to dinner with your family on September 25, reminding us all that our lives have become so busy and hectic the family structure is breaking down and a simple act like having a meal together can begin the process of making a difference. It sounds so simple, but I wonder how many families do sit down to a meal any more. I know myself that since my children are grown and on their own I eat in front of the TV and by talking to others I realize I am not the only one.  (for information on the TVLAND challenge, click here)

I wonder about a Family Bible Time Challenge.  Pick one night this week, sit down with your family and have a time of devotion.  Here are some ideas:

1)      Have a Bible Quiz.  Ask each family member to write a question and also the Bible reference answer on a card.  Questions on one side, answers on the other.  If your family is large enough divide into teams and have a moderator ask the questions, if not modify the process to fit your family size.

2)      Dress up as Biblical characters and guess who each person is.

3)      Using teddy bears or dolls act out a Bible story with smaller children.

4)      Using large font, print scripture verses, then cut the words apart.  Make a game of putting the words together to complete the scripture phrase.    

17
Sep

Encouraging WORD of the Day

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in TeddyBear Thoughts

Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.  Phil 2:5 KJV

And the peace of God….will guard your hearts and your minds.   Phil 4:7

I don’t like to be around negative people. I find they bring me down more often than I get them to become positive. It seems there are some people that just can’t be happy unless they are bringing other people down.  I find I must protect my mind from these attacks by keeping focused on God’s Word. To keep from wallowing in the negative that surrounds me I must put on my Armor of God and prepare for battle.

First I must know His Word, to bring back to my mind when doubt and fear prevails. Next I must surround myself with His Word, turn off the country music and rock songs to hear praise music (hey, todays praise music has a lot of country and rock sound, just more uplifting words).  I have the shoes of peace to help me move away from a person or problem to allow God’s peace to reign. God’s shield of righteousness must be held over my heart in order to protect it; it cannot ward off the arrows of attack if I leave laying by the wayside.

Put on your armor, stand firm, and take comfort in God’s peace. As Jesus promised in John 14:27 “my peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you”.  He has given us this peace, will you take it?

16
Sep

Encouraging WORD of the Day

   Posted by: BearyAnn   in Encouraging Words, Paws to Think About It

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God  Eph 2:8 NIV

The Story of Soul
There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord, but he was a baby Christian. As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very startled. He said, “Hello, I’m Soul, what is your name?”

She replied, “I am Temptation, I have what you want.”

“What do I want?” replied Soul.

“You want to do all things which are of the flesh,” said Temptation.

Soul replied, “O.K., lead me.”

So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation. Condemnation said, “Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation.”

Soul said, “Yes, who are you?”

“I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand. “Then Condemnation jumped on Soul’s back and began to beat him. He hit him in the face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for several days.

On about the third day, a man named Mercy came running and said, “I command you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul.”

Condemnation snickered, “Make me.”

So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.

As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy. Mercy walked up to Soul and said, “I have dealt with Condemnation before. He should not show up around you anymore.”

Soul replied, “How can I ever thank you?”

“Well,” replied Mercy, “I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption.”

Redemption walked up and said, “Hello Soul, I see that you are not doing well.”

Soul replied, “Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you Redemption.”

“Well”, said Redemption,” I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to accept me?”

“What do you mean?” asked Soul.

Redemption said, “Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk with Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am a part of Jesus’ love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would like for you to meet who can help you with
that. His name is Grace.”

Grace walked up to Soul and said, “Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you. As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it comes up. The last person we want you to meet is Faith.”

“Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs strong,” said Faith.

Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, “This is what we were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul.”

Soul said, “I love you, Jesus.”

I apologize if you have been having problems accessing the Bear Witness website. There are server issues. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We may have to move to another server host. Thank you for continuing to check the Bear Witness website.

Recently a co-worker sent out a request on behalf of Global Health Ministries for beanie babies for their Peru mission. Thanks to his call for help 180 beanie babies are now on their way to children in Peru as well as those donated by others.

Teddy bear lovers are truly people who love and care for others and want to share that comfort.

I have been looking for someone to take teddy bears to children in Iraq. Here is a posting of a soldier preparing to return to Iraq and wanting to take teddybears with him.

If this link is a fraud, then some poor soldier will soon be inundated with teddy bears.