You Decorate My Life! 2014

 

 

~Dearest Family and Friends~

Today I was thinking about Christmas. . .while rushing to get the last few gifts and listening to Christmas music. . .I looked at all the beautiful decorations and fancy displays in the stores. . .and the thought came to me my favorite decorations at Christmas are my family and friends.

YOU decorate my life, not only at Christmas, but all through the year. Some of you are brand new and I'm just learning to appreciate your value. . .others of you have become old favorites with many cherished memories attached to your existence. I am so thankful for the beauty of your friendship. . .for the warm glow you bring to my heart. . .for the light you shed on my pathway. . .for the color and sparkle you add to the events we share in. . .for the joy you bring to my pain. I love my decorations. . .I'm sentimental so even though I love getting "new decorations" I will always treasure those I first found at the beginning of my life. . .and someday my "new decorations" will be old friends with memories galore.

Jesus is the "Topper" in my life. . .he makes all my “decorations” work together for good. . .but he is my most cherished. He was preparing for me the most precious gift long before I even was born. . .Oh what a Savior!

So, go ahead and let your "life" shine. . .make a difference in the lives of others. . .let them feel the depth of Christ when they touch your life. . .decorate them with the love, joy and peace you feel. . .help them REJOICE because they have a Savior.

krp 2014

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tom & Karen Peach

 

 

My how time flies!

 

 

My brother, Denny, is going to be sixty in a few weeks!

I can hardly believe it. . .and my kids are both

close to forty. . .my baby brothers are getting

close to fifty. . .my little sister is going to be  fifty-seven and I have a grandchild almost sixteen!

 

Life is a vapor. . .

smell it's fragrance and enjoy it's beauty while you can.

 

Jesus has a great plan for living eternally if you'll give him your whole life. 



Chasing pretty rainbows. . .give them all to Jesus

 

 

Micah 6:8 KJV

 

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

 

I woke up in the night thinking of this scripture and an old song.

The Lord has shown us what is good for us.

He has shown us what he requires of us.

To do justly - live each day conforming to high moral standards; live honestly. . .

To love mercy -  give a blessing that is an act of divine favor; compassion or forbearance, especially to an offender or to one subject to your power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment . . .

To walk humbly - presenting yourself in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion; abjectly, deferentially, meekly, modestly, submissively giving

of yourself.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhZ4P9YIk0s

"Give Them All to Jesus" by Imperials

 

Here are couple more on my heart. . .

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G51fEPrYxkk

"Jesus Be the Lord of All"  Lanny Wolfe trio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwTjCkFzATU

"Whatever It Takes" Lanny Wolfe trio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtF6oTykl0

"It's My Desire" Downings

 

 

 

Men have to be stronger than their wives in order to lead them and their entire family

into paths of righteousness. . .

My dad was a strong man. . .he had five children and he was strong enough

to set the correct example for them.

Dad always went to church if the doors were open. . .he always participated in

every work project at the church. . .he gave offerings. . .

he paid tithes. . .his home was open to God's people to spend the

night. . .or the week. . .Dad didn't have much money but he was rich.

God gave him a wife who supported his desire to be an overcomer.

We always had food on our table, clothes that were clean and pressed, a car for transportation. . .plenty of space in our home for love.

Dad put the Lord's work first and we kids saw that. . .all five of Dad's kids are serving the Lord. . .they all value the church. . .Dad and Mom had a lot to do with it.

Dad didn't spend time chasing foolish dreams that the world would try to sell him.

He had found what really mattered, and it was what he pursued.

Mom never felt "left out" because Dad gave God his time. . .she felt loved

and honored. . .and she was. . .she just worked with him creating harmony in the home.

 

Men have to be the leaders in setting the value of "time" given to God.

What would a man give up "God's time" for?

(By "God's time" I mean time he should be giving to God's work.)

Would he give it up for more money?

Would he give it up to keep peace with his spouse?

Would he give it up for a fishing trip?  A game of golf?

A kid's sporting practice?

Would a father give up his example of faithfulness to Christ in order

that his kid could be a soccer player?  Or a basketball player?

Would he rather his children play for the world than be on God's team?

Our choices are so important!

We are planting our children "in" something by the decisions we make

for/with them.

We need to realize each program we place our children

in is either leading them closer to God or away from him.

We are training them how to make decisions on their own.

Ask them questions. . .If you participate in this activity will it cause you

to miss out on church functions?  Church services? Youth outings?

Will it require that you do things that violate your conscience. . .your standards?

This old world is a rough place for kids to grow up. . .they NEED

direction from their fathers (and mothers) to help them do justly, love mercy and

 walk humbly before God.

 

Matthew 16:26 (KJV)

 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

 

 

 

Help Us Lord. . .Help our children.

Good Morning Lord!

I'm glad that I belong to you and that I know you love me.

 

I am so amazed by the wonderful things you are doing with your people!

It seems like every time we gather together at church we see

growth in our spiritual family.

People are deciding to follow you, not just in lip service, but

really dedicating their whole lives to you, 24/7.

 

This world is getting so dark, men's thoughts seem to be on evil continually.

All the "breaking news" is pretty "heart-breaking" .

Your WORD is no longer held in esteem by our leaders. . .

or if it is, like David's brothers and the army of Israel back then. . .

our worldly leaders are afraid to stand up to this giant system that defies

you, the only true and living God, and your law.

We should take up your offence, like David, and be getting ourselves

and our children ready to stand for right in spite of all the world bending

over to accept (and enforce) as good the very things you hate.

 

I just feel such a burden for the children going

back to schools in a few days.

They will have their minds bombarded with untruths.

They will be pressured to adopt life-styles they would never even consider

if the government wasn't trying to pluck your law from their thoughts.

Oh God, help us to save our children.

Help us to give them your truths for breakfast, dinner and supper.

When we are riding with them in the car or working with them in the yard,

help us to teach them your truth.

Lord, we realize our children need the vision you have for your church.

Without a vision of what you are doing and how they

can fit into your plan they will perish in this great coming darkness.

 

Lord, help our mothers and fathers to be full of faith.

Help us to discipline our children correctly. . .

not in man's wrath but with Christian character.

Help us to shun the very appearance of evil in our discipline.

Help us to wrap them in our love (and yours).

Please help us to treasure each moment we have them in our homes.

Lord, our children are blessings, help us remember to thank you for them.

If at all possible, help us to choose to be their "teachers" rather

than to hand them over to men and women we don't even know. . .

teachers who have been taught to influence them against

our values. . .against your values.

God, help us to love our children more than money.

Help our fathers to be the protectors and providers for the family.

Help them find work with wages that will meet their true needs.

Help our mothers to love being mothers.

Help our ministers to boldly speak the truth in our pulpits.

Help us, Lord, to reject everything that gives the enemy of our soul

a chance to come inside our hearts and destroy us.

 

I was thinking on the day of 9/11 something evil came crashing

into our world trade center (man's building). . .

It was so evil and set up so well that the world/building would come crumbling

down in only a few minutes. . .

the only hope of getting out alive was to run out of the building. . .

run with all your might.

I heard stories of people having to take off their high heels

so they could move faster. . .so they could have life. . .

They couldn't take anything with them that would slow them down.

This world has been hit by evil forces that will take it down.

It will crumble and fall. . .taking down everyone who fails

to "come out".

We've got to run with all our strength to get out of it.

We've got to take off our "high heels" because some things

might not be "evil", but they might just hinder us from getting

outside the "building" before it collapses.

Oh, Lord, help us to listen to your voice as you speak

to our hearts through your Word and your ministry.

Help us to apply ourselves unto wisdom.

Help us to embrace your statutes.

Oh, God, we want your approval written on our hearts by your own hand.

Give us grace. . . that power and desire to do right.

Help us to expose our children to your grace.

Grace to stand.

Grace to forgive those who have offended us. . .help us take off those

"high heels" in our lives that will cause us to dally too

long . . .help us leave all the things we "want" to take with us

and just focus on life.

The world will pass away. . .but God's Word will endure forever.

Please help us as we need you now more than ever.

 

By your grace, Lord, let this old song be our vow. . .

"I will, I will follow Thee. . .over mountains high. . .

or through the stormy sea.

When I hear your voice, Lord, no matter how I feel. . .

I WILL lay my burden down and I will follow Thee."

 

Your child, krp

 

One Day at a Time. . .The Lord's Prayer

Stan has a friend who has been very sick with cancer and one morning when I was praying for him

I felt the Lord speaking to my heart about the Lord's prayer. . .so I wrote to him about it. . .and then

today I was thinking about my brother-in-law, Greg Martin, and it came to me again so I am posting

it online to encourage us all to focus on living for the Lord. . .one day at a time. . .and let's let him

have his way in our lives so He can build his kingdom. 

 

Rachel and Greg listening to "God Will Make A Way, Where There Seems to Be No Way"
shortly before surgery today.
Greg had a tumor removed from his brain. . .the doctor feels like the surgery went well but
the tumor was most likely malignant. . .he has sent off the biopsy for confirmation.
God will make a way!

 

 

 

Matthew 6: The Lord's Prayer

9 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

I was just thinking . . .when Jesus prayed he first gave honor to his father before anything else. . .he showed him reverence.. . .so I should want to reverence his name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Then he told his father he wanted his father's kingdom here on earth to be completed. . .just like his father has complete power in heaven we want him to have power over our "earth".

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

But this is what really stood out to me; Jesus said, give us THIS DAY. . .he didn't ask for 70 years or 40 years. . .just this day. That really made me think. . .we don't need to ask the Lord for a lifetime at once. . .just ask him to give us THIS DAY. . .and bread  for it.  That's all I need today.

You think you could live that way? One day from the Lord at a time? That's how we all should live. Sometimes the Lord lets us get sick enough to realize we need him EVERYDAY. . .and we realize that is a blessing in itself. . .realizing our need for Him. . .HE is drawing us to him. If we were well we'd

think we didn't need him right now, but we do need him everyday and sickness helps us realize that great truth. One day at a time we wake up and honor him for being a mighty God, then we ask him how can we help him build his kingdom. . .then we ask him to GIVE US THIS DAY.

I really felt good in that thought, living day by day with the Lord in control of my life. I've thought it before but it just is such a powerful thought.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Then we go on to ask God to forgive us for the things we owe to him, but haven't given him. . .that we too want to forgive others who have failed us. . .I mean really failed us and caused us pain. . .but we like the Lord want to forgive them because we know He's forgiven us.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Finally we ask him not to take us where we'd be tempted, but to deliver us from the evil things that would tempt us to doubt in him. . . .for He is the very ultimate thing we need. . .he is power and glory. He is life. .and there is not a better kingdom than the Lord's.

One day at a time the Lord has a work for us.  We can stand with the Lord and face the enemy! 

Let's have victory no matter how intense the battle. . .one day at a time.

_______________________________________________

Here are a few more songs I love. . .hope they bless you. . .music is a very good way to let the Lord encourage your heart!

 

http://www.bensonsound.com/lyrics/1718.htm Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

http://pinterest.com/pin/534028468284199084/ I've Been Through Enough

http://pinterest.com/pin/534028468284199082/ I Can Trust Jesus

http://pinterest.com/pin/534028468284084347/ Can I Pray for You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d71dZNP9pQ The Potter Knows the Clay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLE8EY0gMX4 We Are the Reason

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOjYR8UZT8 God Will Make a Way

Do our children regard our voice? . . .Do we regard God's voice?

Operator, Give me Jesus!

Sarah Jean Peach Hanna 1976

As you all know. . .Sarah just had baby Douglas so Tom and I were taking

care of the others for a few days. . .

Now let me tell you. . .they can be a handful.

They can be more than a handful. . .they are full of energy!

And all that energy isn't spent on doing just good things either. . .

they fuss and fight. . .disobey and get into things they know they can't have.

Anyway, Tom and I are getting older.

We don't move quite as quickly as we once did.

Plus I somehow managed to dislocate my knee so I am getting around but very carefully and with a few adjustments from the chiropractor.

Our dilemma? 

How to take care of these rootin', tootin' grand kids.

We knew Sarah and Chad needed our help and we love those

little ones. . .but we also needed to feel comfortable in our own home.

With all the kids fussing and fighting. . .disobeying and acting wild it was hard.

So, I prayed about it.

I was praying, asking the LORD to help me know how to discipline

them while they were here staying in my home.

I was sincerely praying because these kids, imitating a deaf daddy

and being descendants of Adam. . .would act like they didn't even

hear me when I'd get after them. . .they'd just go right ahead and

do whatever they were doing. . .I'd have to chase after them

to get them to come back from the other side of the yard. . .

or to get them to stop fighting. . .or to get them to pick up toys. . .or,

you get the picture?

So Lord, what should I do?

I felt like the Lord gave me the answer!

Speaking to my mind He said, "They are failing

to respond to your voice.  They don't regard what you say.

Correct them for that and it will diminish all the other problems."

It was true. 

They didn't regard "my voice" or "the voice" of their authorities.

I picked me a switch off a tree (like my mother did for me) and started giving an "attention tap" for

each time they failed to respond to me when I called their name.

When I'd give them this "attention tap" some would

start having a "fit" and wailing, even falling onto the ground trying to get their own way.

So I would let them know having a fit was not going to work. . .

did they want more "attention taps" or did they want to stop crying

and get up off the ground?

After a few times it started working!

When I'd call their names they realized it would be better to come

than delay. . .I didn't keep repeating things over and over. . .

I just called their name and when they came to me I asked them

why I needed them?  What had they done wrong?

They usually knew exactly why I called them.

They were starting to be more aware of their actions.

I told them it was so important for them to answer when I ( or their Grandpa

or Mom and Dad) called them because if they failed to regard my

voice, they would grow up thinking they could disregard God's voice.

I told them God expected me to teach them to regard

the voice of Godly authority.

When I'd discipline Travis, the youngest, he would at first ignore. . .

then he'd start crying when he was disciplined and didn't get his way. . .

he'd then up the pressure by jumping up and down while loudly crying. . .

finally falling on the ground and kicking his feet making the dust fly.

So, I'd calmly give him his "attention taps" and let him know

he WAS NOT in charge.

I said, "Travis, you are not listening to Grandma's voice. . .

you have to listen to my voice.  Now what are you going to

do if I call your name?  You are going to answer me. 

Are you going to come to me when I call you?"

He said, "Yes Ma'am."

I'd give him a hug and tell him I love him and I want him to be a soldier for Jesus. . .how soldiers have to listen and obey.

So, as he was walking off I'd "try" him and say, "Travis". . .he'd stop and

turn around to look me in the eye and say, "What Grandma?"

I'd say, "That is a good boy.  You are listening to Grandma's voice."

Then after he went several more feet into the yard I'd repeat the call.

He got to where after he was disciplined as he'd leave me to to play he

would go several steps, then turn and look at me just waiting to see if I'd call him. . .then he'd go a few more steps and turn and raise his brows like

are you ready to call me again?  It was so sweet!

He was learning to regard my voice!

He was learning an important character quality, obedience. . .

and also attentiveness.

It made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy!

We were communicating. . .he was getting his spirit in tune with mine.

I was learning too.

God wants to feel comfortable in His own house without his kids all

fighting and fussing. He wants to be able to talk to us about

something other than, "Now you be a good child or I'm going to. . ."

I was thinking about how all my troubles start by my failure to listen to God's voice when He speaks to me.

He speaks through his Word, His ministry, the Holy Ghost speaking to my heart. . .He speaks in many ways. . . but I often fail to listen.

Even when I listen, like the kids, I fail to respond.

He wants me to obey right away. . .not finish what I want to do first. . .

not keep walking the other direction. . .not make him chase me. . .

God wants to get me to the place I don't have to come to him for

an "attention tap". . .he wants me to regard his voice because

he wants to enjoy being around me. . .he wants me to enjoy his way.

He doesn't feel comfortable around me and enjoy my fellowship

if He's always having to correct me. . .

He wants to be able to talk to me about more than, "Karen quit doing that. . .

stop crying about everything. . .stop being a bully. . .

stop bossing around others. . .quit be ungrateful. . .

stop running around with the enemy. . .quit following after other gods. . .etc."

God wants to be able to actually communicate with me about

his truths.  He doesn't want to spend all his time

correcting me. . . and then assuring me He loves me. . .just so I can go off

forgetting all his disciplines.

He wants me to keep looking at his face. . .waiting to see if He will call me again. . .He wants me responding to his Word without Him

having to repeat it over. . . and over. . . and over.

He wants me to walk a few steps and then pause to see if He wants me.

He wants me to regard Him.

HE is GOD.

I am HIS CHILD.

I am so BLESSED just to be part of HIS FAMILY.

It has been a good lesson.

The kids left here doing much better.

They are responding better and without all the drama.

I am trying to do the same.

"Lord, Here I am.  I want to listen.  I want to obey.

I want to be a "first responder" so I'll be able to help others

when you get a call for help. . .I'll be ready to listen if you

have a need for me to help.

Thank you for loving me enough. ..

And my Grand kids . . .

and Kids enough to give us direction.

We are listening and we are applying your instructions.

You are giving us light for the darkness." krp

 

Sis. Donna Mofley wrote a song years ago for Bible School.

The words came to me as I wrote this post. . .

"Are you listening to the Lord?  Are you listening to the Lord?

Are you listening to what He says?

He is talking to your heart. . .He is talking to your heart. . .

Are you listening to what He says."