Happy Anniversary!

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ocheltree
September 30, 1979

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ocheltree
September 30, 2012
(Photographer: Andrew Ocheltree)

In our wedding sermon,
 our minister told us that, "when you get married, you multiply
the joys and divide the sorrows". 
It's true!
For 33 years and still going strong!
--Posted by Mama O.

Look What God Has Done



Women and children pray over their new home

Rescue The Children

On Friday, September 28, 2012, Steve and I attended the prayer dedication ceremony for Rescue The Children, a newly opening shelter and training facility for women and children who come from abuse, neglect and incarceration.  Many of these women have other issues to overcome like substance abuse.  The Fresno Rescue Mission has overseen the process of renovating the former Vagabond Inn at Clinton and Highway 99, making it a safe haven for the women and children, who will begin moving into their newly refurbished rooms in October.  Many, many hours of volunteer labor and donated building and homemaking materials have gone into making this new safe house for the women and children.  And the work is not yet complete.  Many more hours and materials are still needed.  The Ocheltree Shepherding Group will be helping out with this project on our Service Saturday on November 3, 2012.  I hope many of us can come out, see what God is doing in our community and become part of an exciting work!  See you all there!
--Posted by Mama O.

In his right mind

Homeless people line up in the heart of San Francisco's Tenderloin District.

"When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons,
sitting there, dressed and in his right mind...Jesus...said,'Go home to your family and tell
them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'
So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.
And all hte people were amazed."
Mark 5:15,19,20 (New International Version)

Our friends, George and Cindy Freeman, left today to spend several years working with Youth With A Mission in the heart of San Francisco's Tenderloin District. They have already spent a month up in the City, living at the YWAM center and getting acquainted with the people.  George has made a friend on the street: a man who was regularly beaten with a hose by his stepfather as a child and turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain.  The man carries a guitar, which is bound up with athletic tape.  Every day, while George spent a month there, he would tune the man's guitar using an app on his own iPhone. We plan to go visit George and Cindy in October and we want George to introduce us to his new guitar-playing friend.

 

We attended a farewell dinner for George and Cindy last night at Chipotle, George's favorite restaurant.  George shared his heart with us: he wants to pray for these people who have lost almost everything to the demons of alcohol, drugs, mental illness and sexual immorality.  He wants to see minds restored to clear thinking and people being amazed at the healing power of God!  God has prepared George and Cindy for this level of spiritual warfare. We agree, in God's will, George!  We say a loud "Amen" to that desire and we will support and cover your ministry in prayer from this end!

--Posted by Mama O.



A creative spirit

"In the beginning God created the heavens

and the earth. Now the earth was

formless and empty, darkness was over the

surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God

was hovering over the waters."
Genesis 1:1,2 (New International Version)

I am studying the book of Genesis in Bible Study Fellowship this year.  We have returned to the very dawn of the earth, when the Spirit of God hovered over the empty, churning chaos, and began to bring beauty, order and meaning to the new world.  The study notes reminded us that God's Spirit still hovers over emptiness and chaos today, wherever it occurs in human hearts that need love, direction, meaning, beauty and order.  God's Spirit waits for an opening, then moves in to speak creatively in human hearts, bringing about forgiveness, reconciliation, dignity, value, worth and meaning.  The same God who spoke the world, the sun, moon and stars into being is still creating new life every day.  For those who have missed opportunities, lost relationships, hurt themselves and other people, God's Spirit hovers, waiting to create new life, new order, new beauty where there has been chaos and emptiness.  Whether you have never known God, or have known him for years but have allowed yourself to slip into empty habits, God's Spirit is hovering near, filled with creativity and life and health and vigor!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Psalm 51:10-12 (New International Version)

--Posted by Mama O.

Mercy Triumphs

"Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

James 2:13b (New International Version)

We began our women's Bible Study day class yesterday (Tuesday, September 25, 2012) with an introduction to Beth Moore's study of the New Testament book of James called "Mercy Triumphs". Class runs from 9:45-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday. We willl complete the study of the book of James in February, 2013, but will continue with another study to complete our study year, which corresponds with the school year. About 25 women came out to study God's Word with us.  Grace Pendleton and Carolyn Ocheltree are sharing the teaching this year.

 

If you can't make it to the Tuesday morning study, try joining us on Wednesday nights at 6:30, starting in November.  It is the same study and both men and women are welcome to join us!

 

The title of the Bible study comes from James 2:13, where James challenges his students to humbly acknowledge that God is the judge of all mankind, and God is a merciful judge.  Any of us who think to take God's role of judge over our fellow man will find ourselves facing the judgment of a holy God.  Our only hope in this life is to show the same kind of mercy to others that God has shown to us!

 

James is an immensely practical Bible writer.  His book has been called the "Proverbs" of the New Testament, with its 108 direct commands. Like the Old Testament book of Proverbs, James' advice is simple and direct. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26), according to James, and we will be participating in service projects, to put those practical works into our faith. James encourages us to be "doers of the word" and not "hearers only" (James 1:22). So, let's go!

--Posted by Mama O.

Happy birthday Dr. Rice!

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, our church family had the privilege of celebrating Dr. Allen Rice's 90th birthday with him and his family.  This is a man who has served tirelessly for  years and years, and continues to do so.  Many knew Dr. Rice as the administrator for Mountain View Christian School, which operates on our church campus.  Others have known him as a prayer partner for young people in our church, who goes above and beyond the call of duty, preparing homemade meals for his young prayer partner's family and becoming a prayer warrior for the whole family.  Still others have known Dr. Rice as a strong Bible student, a supportive friend, and the list goes on and on.  The celebration was well attended and much love and many good wishes were given at Sunday's party.  People who have known Dr. Rice throughout the years have experienced different facets of his well-lived life.  I have only had the privilege of knowing the "older" Dr. Rice, but it is a joy to know a man who works so faithfully on behalf of missions (collecting eye glasses for people in Mexico) and on behalf of our church family (preparing and serving Wednesday night fellowship dinners). Truly, Dr. Rice lives out the words of Psalm 78:5-7 (New Living Translation):

"For he issued his laws to Jacob;

he gave his instructions to Israel.

He commanded our ancestors

to teach them to their children,

so the next generation might

know them--

even the children not yet born--

and they in turn will teach their

own children.

So each generation should set its hope

anew on God,

not forgetting his glorious miracles

and obeyng his commands."

--Posted by Mama O.


Dr. Rice at his birthday party
Photo by Vicki Cheney

Breaking bread together

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Our first potluck

David Jessie counted at least 52 people enjoying
fellowhip on Sunday.

Elijah and Josiah Roland enjoy the meal.

 

"Every day they continued to meet together

in the temple courts.  They broke bread in

their homes and ate together with glad and

sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying

the favor of all the people. And the Lord

added to their number daily those who were

being saved."  Acts. 2:46,47

(New International Version)

 

We enjoyed our first potluck together as a group

on Sunday, September 23, 2012.  Thanks to every-

one for really delicious food and a lot of great

sharing and friendship. 

 

Steve Ocheltree talked about transparency

during class time, and we discussed

our need and desire to be a family who

supports one another in good times and

bad. Then, we formed new relationships

and strengthened existing ones as we

shared our first potluck together.

 

"But if we walk in the light as he is

in the light, we have fellowship with

one another, and the blood of Jesus,

his Son, purifies us from all sin." 

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)



--Posted by Mama O.

Welll played, Travis Herb!

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games

goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last;

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;

I do not fight like a man beating the air.

No, I beat my body and make it my slave

so that after I have preached to others,

I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Well played, Travis Herb!  Dubbed the "Art-lete", by co-hosts John Anderson and John Henson, Travis competed in WIPEOUT, aired Thursday night, September 20, 2012, at 8 p.m. on ABC.  Travis informed the show's cast that art teachers can keep up with physical education teachers and then proceeded to prove himself absolutely correct as he made it through one grueling trial after another in the "Back to School: Students' Revenge" episode, where "an audience of students watched as teachers competed for the prize, facing obstacles that included the Cruel Bus and Wipeout Skate Park." Travis persevered through three elimination rounds and made it into the final three contestants competing for the $50,000 prize.  At the end of the game, he assured television viewers that this is not easy. The show's hosts immediately agreed.

 

Travis, who teaches middle school art, endured corny jokes like, "The ceramics teacher gets shellacked!" as he tumbled into the pool below. He became our College Church of Christ example of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  Travis amazed all his viewers with his athletic prowess and good sportsmanship.  Even more amazing, though, is his faithful perseverance and service as "Christ-lete". We appreciate your example to all of us, your brothers and sisters in Christ, Travis!

--Posted by Mama O.

Jesus also did many other things...

"Jesus also did many other things.

If they were all written down, I suppose the

whole world couold not contain the books

that would be written."

John 21:25 (New Living Translation)

 

Do you ever wonder what all those "many other things" were?  Jesus' best friend here on earth, the Apostle John, considered this important enough to make it the very last thing he said about Jesus in his gospel.  The Holy Spirit inspired the gospel writers to "play the highlights" from Jesus' ministry, to give us enough information to know who Jesus is and who he is not.  But, there is no way they could write about everything Jesus did.

 

Do you ever think about those "many other things" in light of your life today?

 

How many of those "many other things" am I receiving from Jesus on a day-to-day basis, that, if they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written?"

 

I experienced just one of those "many other things" yesterday while I was doing research at the library.  One of the librarians came across the perfect piece, but it had been displaced from its source. I asked her about its source and she did not have it.  Then, she opened a binder filled with historical documents and there was the magazine from whence this article had come!

 

"It's a miracle," the librarian said.

 

She was right.  It was a miracle. 

 

"I prayed before I came here today," I said.  "Your'e right, it is a miracle! God helped us find the source."

 

It might be an interesting assignment to journal just three of those "many other things" that happen this coming week. It could increase my awareness of Jesus' work in my life!
--Posted by Mama O.

Going home

SUPPERTIME

Music by Ira Stanphill, Lyrics by Jim Reeves

"Many years ago in days of childhood

I used to play till evenin' shadows come

Then windin' down that old familiar pathway

I'd hear my mother call at set of sun.

 

Come home, come home it's suppertime

The shadows lengthen fast

Come home, come home it's suppertime

We're going home at last.

 

(Spoken)

Some of the fondest memories of my childhood

Were woven around suppertime

When my mother used to call

From the backsteps of the old homeplace

Come on home now son it's suppertime.

 

Ahhhh, but I'd loved to hear that once more

But know for me time has woven the realization of

The truth that's even more thrilling and that's when

The call comes up from the portals of glory

To come home for it's suppertime.

 

When all God's children shall gather around the table

of the Lord, Himself and the greatest suppertime of them all.

 

(Sung)

Come home, come home it's suppertime

The shadows lengthen fast

Come home, come home it's suppertime

We're going home at last..."

 

Our dear friend and brother, Bob Burrell, went home to heaven on Tuesday, September 18. While he was not able to make it back home to Fresno from the UCLA Medical Center, he had a tremendous impact on all who met him in Los Angeles with his positive, Christ-filled spirit.  As his beautiful wife, Arrolene can tell you, "He never complained!" We will miss your joyful spirit, your artistic soul and your friendship, Bob!

--Posted by Mama O.



Moon watching

 

Christina and Sisi Alonzo, Carolyn Ocheltree and Tom La Notte look at the waxing crescent moon after church on Wednesday night, September 19, 2012.

(Photo taken by Terry Hutchison)

 

"Jesus shall reign where e'er the sun

Does his successive journeys run,

His kingdom spread from shore to shore,

'Til moons shall wax and wane no more."

(Hymn lyrics written by Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 72)

 

"He will endure as long as the sun,

as long as the moon, through all generations.

He will be like rain falling on a mown field,

like showers watering the earth.

In his days the righteous will flourish;

prosperity will abound till the moon is no more."

 Psalm 72:5-7 (New International Version)

 

Wow! If we have joy in sharing a view of the crescent moon now,

just think how much joy we will share some day

in eternity with Jesus!

--Posted by Mama O.

  

Observing Christianity

""even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.

And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;

and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant,

with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 1:13,14 (New American Standard Version)

 

I was having a conversation yesterday with a young woman who is in the process of observing Christianity and Christians in a up-close-and-personal way.  She is receiving assistance from a Christian organization, but has not decided whether Christianity is right for her just yet.  Her background involves a great deal of tradition, wrapped up in idolatry.

 

As I listened to her stories, I reassured her that God is a gentleman, and will not force anyone to love him.  He is not threatened by people who want to observe him and make an informed decision about becoming part of his family.  God's mercy and grace are big and strong enough to cover and embrace all of mankind.  God works in many ways to draw people to his love and restoration.  Sometimes the things we are most ashamed of, the things that cause us pain and embarassment, are the very things God uses to draw us to his unconditional love, mercy, forgiveness and restoration.

 

The Apostle Paul was not exaggerating when he called himself the "foremost" or "chief" of sinners.  He had participated in the murder of St. Stephen, an evangelist with the respect of a modern-day Billy Graham.  (Acts 8:1-3) But, God's grace and mercy were big enough to call Paul (formerly Saul) to a new life of love:

 

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15,16 (New American Standard Version)

--Posted by Mama O.

Puppy training

"Train yourself to be godly." 1 Timothy 4:7 (New Living Translation)

I have two dear friends, both of whom I call my "sisters", who are in the process of training new puppies.  My "sister" Cathi Ferri is training a St. Bernard puppy named Arthur.  My "sister" Margie Prout is training a Springer Spaniel puppy named Billy.  Both of them have to think ahead, of how any given habit will play out over time and increase in size of the dog.  This is especially true with the St. Bernard puppy, whose adult weight could be near 200 pounds.  The St. Bernard puppy, Arthur, must be taught now, while he is small, to be respectful, not to jump on people or shove them.  He must learn to be calm when he is in the house and to keep his rough-housing for outdoors.

 Billy, the Springer Spaniel is learning to greet guests who come to the door politely, not shrinking back in timidity nor lunging and barking in an overwhelming way.  Billy is learning to approach the door confidently and politely and to sit in the entry hall, anticipating the guests' entrance into the home.

Watching my friends train their dogs makes me think about the training we need to do in godliness.  Thoughts become actions which become habits which form character.  Thoughts, like puppies, need to be trained while they are still little, before they become engrained ways of selfishness or rebellion against God's ways.

Author C.S. Lewis explains it this way:

"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance."  (Mere Christianity, Book III, p. 117)
--Posted by Mama O.

Arthur at 18 weeks

 

 

 

 Billy

Claiming the victory!

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power and riches and wisdom

and might and honor and glory and blessing.

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory

and dominion forever and ever."

Revelation 5:12,13b (New American Standard Version)

 

Our youth minister, Aaron Scott, challenged us yesterday in his sermon, based on the words from Revelation 5.  He asked us to take that future worship and adoration of Jesus into our day-to-day lives, to allow us to have such a focus on Jesus that the other people around us become more important to us, because they are important to Jesus!

 

We watched John Mayer's music video of "Me and All My Friends", and how they are "waiting on the world to change." Aaron reminded us that Jesus will bring the change the whole world is waiting for, and that is what will cause all creation to bow down and worship Jesus, declaring him worthy of honor and glory!

 

Aaron strongly encouraged us to come fellowship with our church family on Wednesday nights.  The food is good and cheap and it gives us a chance to renew our faith and spiritual passion midweek.

 

And, best of all, Aaron challenged us to claim Christ's victory in our lives.  He asked, "Have you been baptized?"

 

Within a few minutes, Robert Gonzales and his oldest granddaughter, Riley Gonzales, were in the baptismal, where Grandpa Robert baptized Riley, seeing her claim that victory in her life!  Ruby's school principal, Marshall Hamm, even attended the baptism.  Marshall grew up at College Church and has a long history with our church family.  We love you, Riley!  Welcome to your victory in Jesus and your place in God's family!
--Posted by Mama O.

No excuses

"A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.

At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who

had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

But they all alike began to make excuses." Luke 14:16-18 (New International Version)

 

We felt like that man inviting guests to his great banquet last night when we found ourselves with four extra tickets to the Bulldogs football game against the Colorado State Buffaloes.  We heard a lot of excuses: work obligations, homework, exhaustion, heat, illness....

 

But who knew?  Last night's game is one of historic significance in Bulldog history.  Even a band mom like me, who attends the games for the music and the fellowship, knows that something big happened last night when Robbie Rouse ran 94 yards down the field, untouched, to make a touchdown for the Bulldogs and become the new career rushing record holder for Fresno State. And that wasn't the only spectacular play in a game that ended with a score of 69-14 against the Pac-12's Colorado State!

MARK CROSSE / THE FRESNO BEE

Fresno State's Robbie Rouse races down the Colorado sideline on a 94-yard touchdown run that also shattered the Bulldogs' career rushing record.

MARK CROSSE / THE FRESNO BEE

Fresno's Isaiah Burse runs with the ball after making a catch against Colorado. He finished with 107 yards receiving and a touchdown.

GARY KAZANJIAN / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fresno State's Robbie Rouse rushes in for a touchdown against Colorado's Paul Vigo and Chidera Uzo-Diribe in the first quarter of Saturday's game at Bulldog Stadium.

MORE PHOTOS

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KMJ sports commentators credited new Bulldogs football coach Tim DeRuyter with "turning the Bulldogs around overnight."

 

We felt sad for our friends who missed this great moment in "football history." If only they could have seen into the future, they might have made time for the game.

 

Christ has given us a glimpse into the future, of the importance of that great banquet, to which his Father, God, invites all of us.  It is taking place in heaven. Christ gives us the gift of faith, so we can say "yes" to the invitation, and extend it to others who may not have yet heard.  We may not know everything that is coming, but we do know enough to keep from making excuses for our absence at that great banquet!

 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

Hebrews 12:2 (New International Version)

--Posted by Mama O.

 

Copyright 2012 The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Be an example to all believers

"Don't let anyone think less of you

because you are young. 

Be an example to all believers

in what you say, in the way you live,

in your love, your faith, and your purity."

1 Timothy 4:12 (New Living Translation)

 

I had a conversation with Sandra Dohman, one of the women in the Sue Shepherding Group last night at our church Ladies' Night.  She was positively glowing over the experience of having the high school students visit their group last Sunday to share stories. Since there were more adults in the Sue Group than there were high school students, each student had the undivided attention of several adults as they exchanged stories.

 

"Even though I've been attending church here for some time," Sandra observed, "I've never met our preacher's son, Jericho Locke."  The adults in Jericho's small group asked him if he ever wants to rebel from being a preacher's son.  Jericho admitted that there are Sunday mornings when "my body doesn't want to get up and go to church, but my faith makes me go."  Jericho may only be 16 years old, but his faith is an example to all believers, no matter what age.

 

Sandra said the adults in the small group shared stories of their own experiences growing up in church.  It was generally just a great family time of sharing and getting to know one another. We are blessed to be family at College Church of Christ!

--Posted by Mama O.

The power of stories

"For I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past--

stories we have heard and known,

stories our ancestors handed down to us.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God,

not forgetting his glorious miracles

and obeying his commands."

Psalm 78:2,3,7 (New Living Translation)

The high school and junior high school students at College Church are embarking on a new journey.  Once a month, these young people are visiting an adult shepherding group where they interact with another generation, listening to stories about life and church and God and youth group in a different time period.  Last week was the first week of this journey, where high schoolers surrounded themselves with members of Gene and Linda Sue's Shepherding Group.  One high school girl called the experience "life changing".

 

"We forget the power of hearing one another's stories," says youth minister Aaron Scott.

 

What a joyous and powerful way to communicate our faith from one generation to the next!  Good work Sue Group and Youth Group!  All of us will look forward to our time to share stories with our young friends.
--Posted by Mama O.

Whatever is just and good

"For the word of the Lord holds true,

and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;

the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth."

Psalm 33:4,5 (New Living Translation)

I am taking a class right now through the Fresno County Department of Social Services called "Nurturing Parenting".  The class is designed for those who will go back and teach these life skills to people who come to various social welfare agencies in need of help.  Some have lost custody of their children due to mistakes they have made.  Others have been appointed by the court to take this class, in hopes of replacing the irresponsible behavior that led to an arrest with responsible behavior.  The class focuses a lot on good, positive ways of communicating with one another in a family, in ways that communicate needs without blaming or shaming others.  The purpose of good, healthy communication is to become empowered.  To do what is right by your self and by other people.  Not to be a victim nor to make victims of other people.  Good, healthy communication within families, then, is to do what God does: to be true to our word, honest in our communication with one another, to love whatever is just and good!

--Posted by Mama O.

Let us press on know him

Come, let us return to the Lord,

He has torn us to pieces;

now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

now he will bandage our wounds.

In just a short time he will restore us,

so that we may live in his presence.

Oh, that we might know the Lord!

Let us press on to know him.

He will responsd to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

or the coming of rains in early spring."

Hosea 6:1-3 (New Living Translation)

My son, Peter, and I studied together yesterday for his college World History exam.  We discussed the gods of ancient China, India, Mesopotamia and Greece.  These were gods who were good sometimes but could use their power capriciously, for their own benefit, not for the benefit of the people they ruled. Abraham Heschel, in his classic book The Prophets, gives the Greek philosopher Sophocles' description of the Greek god Zeus: one who  "rules the world with arbitrary power, according to new-made laws, a tyrant among the gods, insensible to prayer and decides at will what is to be just." (p.315)

 

In contrast, the God of the ancient Hebrews, who is our God, is known for his faithful love for his people, even when they are unfaithful and disobedient.  God may wound, but it is for our good, so we will return to him and be healed. Let us "press on to know him" who "forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases." (Psalm 103:3 New International Version)
--Posted by Mama O.

9-1-1

Today is a day to remember. To reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, and how they forever changed the world.  To remember, in our prayers, the loved ones of those who died that day.  And to pray for our military troops who have been working to protect us ever since.

Jesus addressed the tragedy of a tower falling on a group of people and killing them, reminding all of us that it is only God's mercies that keep us alive:

"Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:4,5 (New International Version)

This is the same concept the prophet Jeremiah presented after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.:

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentation 3:22,23 (King James Version)

Thank you, God, for your mercy, which sustains life, so we may share your love with others!
--Posted by Mama O.

NEW MERCIES

"But this I call to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-23 (King James Version)

 







The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah wrote these words after his beloved city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed and her people either killed, tortured or taken captive by the Babylonians.  A prophet's job, in part, is to communicate the heart (emotions) of God to the people.  And so, Jeremiah shared the hope and love and faithfulness and NEW MERCIES of a God whose "anger is but for a moment...but joy comes with the morning."  Psalm 30:5 (King James Version)

 

God's people had been taken captive due to their own sin. They were suffering the consequences of bad choices.  But God still wanted them to know that he had NEW MERCIES available every morning for those who would repent and trust him.  And that is still God's message to us today. No matter where you are, what you have done or failed to do, God is waiting for you, with NEW MERCIES every morning!

--Posted by Mama O.http://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5#!/ocheltree.ocheltree 



 





Welcome!

Hi! Welome to our blog, where we will post daily devotional thoughts. Take a ride with us as we go on this new exciting journey! :)

-Amanda, Stacy & Carolyn.