A Child is Born…

 

(note please click on web site version at bottom of this page.)

Luke 2:11-14  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior let us take boundless joy in knowing God’s Word told us of the coming birth of Jesus in advance through scripture.

Regarding Jesus’ birth—Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 

 Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Please know that God throughout scripture always tells us in advance what He is going to do. The birth of Christ is just one of the many promises God fulfills throughout His Word. Because He is faithful to tell us in advance and then we see it fulfilled in scripture you can take Great Hope in knowing He has overcome this crazy world. The victory is ours in and through Christ!

If you really want to see this truth over and over firsthand purchase a Chronological Bible to read throughout the year in 2024. It is one of the greatest gifts to give others and yourself. The One Year (NLT) Chronological Study Bible by Tyndale publishers September 6, 2022, is a good one.

From Pure Joy International Board, Staff and Advisors

Giving Thanks…

 As so many of us gather with family and friends in our homes and around tables to give "Thanks to God"  and His many blessings, we at Pure Joy International count all of you that support our ministry through prayer, gifting, going, and giving as true blessings from God in the life of this ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness and blessings over you and your families today and always.

From our family here at Pure Joy International to yours...

We’re Back…

 

Thank you each and everyone for your prayers while we were gone and for our trip back across the waters.  We all made it home safely Sunday evening.   What a wonderful time we had in the country of Tbilisi, Georgia.  The country is beautiful and the ladies that attended the Retreat were absolutely a “Joy” to the team and the other women attending.  Many new friendships were established, connections made for future time together, the word of God was shared, worship was marvelous, and fellowship so sweet. 

I am attaching pictures to this post as many as possible.   They are random but will give you some idea of some of the things we as a team had an opportunity to see.  One thing I would point out to you that was so much fun to see for me personally was what I thought were candles hanging in store fronts along the way was actually a candy called “Churchkhela” and is a candy treat. You will catch that in the pictures somewhere.  So, enjoy and if you have questions about any of the pictures are comments let us know. 

His,

Vickie

 

Note: Pictures are of sights and team members only.  Because of the sensitivity of where some of our ladies serve, we did not take any pictures of the ladies attending.  We had some ladies that did not make it to the conference because they could not get visas to get in and or were concerned about not getting one to get one back into their country.   But you can know as we do here at Pure Joy International, God had exactly the ladies that were supposed to be there for this conference at this time and season. Again, thank you all for your gifting, going, giving and continual prayer support.  

And thank you to all that serve cross-culturally to make a difference for His Name Sake.

Update…

We landed around 3 a.m. in Tbilisi Sunday morning. Everyone is just a little bit tired, ha, ha, ha.  By the time most of you are reading this it will be Sunday afternoon your direction in the States.  Most of the team is still asleep and I just woke up it is 2:00 a.m. here on Monday the 23, 2023.  I’m still trying to adjust to the switch over on days and night.  I’m not there yet. Truth be known, I suspect some of the team is wide awake in their rooms too. 

 Yesterday, the team grabbed some breakfast after arriving to the hotel and getting rooms, and settled in.  Then it was straight to bed for everyone until 1:00 p.m. the time here.  We had lunch, went to the mall, and had our first team meeting followed by an afternoon of putting the final touches on all the awesome things you sent for with us to love on the ladies attending the retreat.

We have our first day of sightseeing today following breakfast.  We will be doing a 4-hour walking tour of the city of Tbilisi to gain some understanding of the culture of this country.  Well, post those pic this evening.

Please continue to pray the team will get rest and have prepared hearts for the ladies coming on Wednesday.  So, appreciate the hundreds of team members (that would be you) back home that are praying for us all and following our journey here.

 His,

Vickie

 

 

 

Almost there….

 

Left Chicago last night at 9:10 p.m. and arrived in Munich Airport today at 1:30 p.m.   We leave out of Munich at 10:30 p.m. tonight to head on to Republic of Georgia. 

The team is awesome.  They are having fun together and many laughs.  Probably from sleep deprivation. Ha, Ha,   It is so fun to be back with those that have traveled with us before and the new team members traveling with us for the first time. 

Please continue to pray for us as we navigate the remainder of the trip to Republic of Georgia.  So far, our flights have been good and on time.  Several of us had extra seats by us on the plane here so we could stretch out some.  

Will post more tomorrow and hopefully have a few pics to throw into the mix.

Keep Praying...

His,

Vickie

Team Leaving Friday Morning….

 

Well, it is finally here.  We leave the country in the morning headed to the Republic of Georgia.  I cannot tell you how thankful we are for all the prayers and support we have received in the months of preparation leading up to our departure. 

I know I share this with you each trip but only because it is true.  All of you that have made gifts, prayed over a woman, and have gotten them a card, supported a lady to attend the conference, supported the ministries general fund, prayed with us daily and weekly, thank you so much for being a part of this team.  We all have a part and you have done your part well!!!  Now may we as a team carry those gifts, giving and prayers to our sisters across the waters!  

I will try to blog or get some information that our PR person Kim Roberson can post to our Facebook page.  So, keep an eye out. (Smile)

Please pray for safe travel. For Him to be our front and rear guard, to hem us in before and behind.  And for the ladies attending to be Blessed Beyond Measure!

His,

Vickie

Republic of Georgia Registration Closes…

Registration for the Republic of Georgia Retreat closes this Saturday September 30, 2023.  Please make sure if you have any friends that are considering signing up to let them know.

We have 8 slots left open. However, if they are not filled by the deadline the registration will still be closed on the aforementioned date. 

We are so excited and cannot believe we are just under 3 weeks away from our time in the Republic of Georgia.  Please continue to pray for the ladies that will be attending and the team that will be leaving.  All the details are coming together well.  Of course, there are several things that cannot get done until registration closes but we are used to a little bit of stress. (ha,ha,ha)   Keep the prayers lifted up!

As you finish your week consider this reminder which you have probably processed before but need a review;  Am I so busy working for Christ that I am neglecting Him.

His,

Vickie

 

Encourage one another…

Today as I have been working on things for our Pure Joy International trip to Republic of Georgia, I have been reminded of the very first bible verse God gave me for encouraging the missionary women.

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called
“today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  (ESV)

I love that verse and what God spoke to my heart about it in those early years still holds true today.  “Encourage each other, lift each other up in the things of the LORD, while you can.  It prevents spiritual heart attacks in the body of CHRIST. "

We go to other countries to encourage our sisters in Christ because God gave us the vision to go in the format of retreats/conferences.  To encourage them, to remind them of His Love for them, to speak the Word over them, to worship Him with them, to laugh, cry, and fellowship as His girls.  We don’t just go to go; we go because we can’t not go!

Please continue to pray for the team as we are in the major stages of preparation now.  We have 11 slots left.  Registration will close at the end of the next 3 weeks so please continue to get the word out.

Thank you so much to you that are giving towards sponsorships of the missionary women that will be attending.  It means so much to them to be able to come at no cost to them except getting to and back home from the venue.  Their room and meals, materials for the retreat are all sponsored through your giving.  You all are always the best!  If you want to donate, go to our web site www.purejoyinternational.org and scroll down to Support for instructions on how to give.

Have a blessed and safe long weekend as we celebrate Labor Day weekend here in the U.S.

 

His,

Vickie

Christmas in August…

Vickie invited me to write the blog this week…

Our stores here in the States are already rolling out ALL the Christmas merchandise. Walking through the isles at Hobby Lobby, looking at all the stockings, tinsel and decorations caused me to think back on some very sweet memories of Christmas in August.

When I was a child, my siblings and I were the recipients of a Christmas in August giving by our home church in St. Louis just because we were furloughing MK’s. I will never forget receiving that sparkly gold Banana seat bike with high-rise-handlebars. It was a dream, and it truly was like Christmas!

So yesterday on a warm summer day, I decorated Christmas cookies for a group of ladies who were coming over to learn about the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc.

God stirred my heart the very first time I heard Vickie speak about Pure Joy. It made me think of how my mom served our family, served in ministry, loved on the nationals and other missionaries. It made me think of how encouraging a Pure Joy Retreat would have been for mom as she served alongside my dad for 35 years in Colombia.

Pure Joy International has been called to minister to missionary women around the world, with the purpose of helping our missionary/mission families stay on the field of service God has called them to.

In other words, like that sparkly gold banana seat bike of a beautifully decorated Christmas cookie in August, Pure Joy Retreats refresh the heart and soul of missionary women across the globe.

Would you ...

·       Pray for our missionary women/families, team members and the details of each trip. 

·       Pray for the next retreat to the Republic of Georgia in October.

·       Write a card, fill a favorite bag, or make a gift.

·       Give to sponsor a missionary or become a monthly supporter.

·       Invite us to come share the mission of Pure Joy International with your women’s 

      ministry. Contact myself Kim Roberson, kim@purejoyinternational.org or Vickie

      Arruda,  vickie@purejoyinternationnal.org

If you have any questions or would like to be involved, reach out. 

Merry Christmas (in August).

Kim Roberson

Public Relations 

Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc.

Time is ticking, better hurry…

 

Registration for Republic of Georgia is filling up. We have 25 spots left before we go to the waiting list. Please continue to get the word out to your friends that are talking about getting registered. Again, the dates of the Retreat are October 25-28, 2023. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org to register.

Well, speaking of time ticking away, the summer is almost over for many of our school children here in the states. I pray that you have had time to spend with your children and your children’s children this summer if that applies to you. I do want to remind all of us that our children and young adult children are up against a world different than what most of us faced growing up. Whether they are old enough to recognize it or are being challenged by it in their everyday life right now.

It would be an understatement to acknowledge the great need we have to stand in the gap for relationships with God, Spouses, Family, Friends, and others. Do not be deceived and do not think you are beyond the touch of spiritual warfare. The only way it is not touching you in the world today is if you stand for nothing. If you stand for God, His Word, His Truths, His Ways, trust me, you and your family are under attack. Hunker down brothers and sisters and get your boots on…We are at war!

The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…

 

His,

Vickie

  

Register Now…

 Registration for our October 25-28, 2023 retreat is now open.  Go to our website homepage www.purejoyinternational.org and click on register here for retreat.  Please sign up as soon as possible and let your friends serving anywhere in Europe or nearby know about this opportunity.  First come first serve up to 50 participants, then we go to a waiting list.  Your responsibility is to get to and from the retreat.  Once there your hotel, meals, materials, are provided for you free of charge.  This is because of the generosity of those that want to be a support to you and your ministry overseas.  Participants are already registering, so do not hesitate to register as soon as possible.  Click on Retreats on our website homepage to see comments and pictures from our spring retreat in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this year.

Well, the team will be zooming our first team meeting tonight.  I’m so excited for everyone to get to see each other’s faces.  Locale churches and individuals that partner with us in prayer, giving, and gifting are already beginning to stand in the gap for all the ladies that will be attending this retreat.  Please begin to pray the word gets out to the missionary women about the conference that need this time of encouragement, rest, fellowship, worship, and being in the Word together.

A final note.  If you have not had the opportunity to see the movie “Sounds of Freedom” I personally highly recommend it.  It is a wake-up call to those that believe the lie that these things are not going on in our world today. 

In the 1960s through the late 1980s the was a public service announcement (PSA) for parents on the American television that usually proceeded the 10:00 p.m. and or 11:00 p.m. news cast.  The announcement was “Do you know where your children are?” I loved that because it was a simple reminder to shift the focus of a parent if only for a few moments to the whereabouts of their children.  What about you.  In this, crazy, fast-paced, world full of distractions, self-centered, all about me society, “Do you know where your children are?”  Because chances are someone else may.

His,

Vickie

Public of Georgia Registration on the Horizon…

 I know it is hard to believe but we have already started our preparations for the Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. Public of Georgia Retreat for October 25-28, 2023.   (Tbilisi, Georgia)

If you know of a missionary serving cross-culturally in that part of the world that could benefit from such an opportunity, please ask them to go to our website www.purejoyinternational.org to register starting next week.  Please remember first come first serve.  We limit space to the first 50 registrants and then go to a waiting list. 

 If you did not get a chance to see some of the pictures from our Portugal Retreat in April 2023, please go to our website mentioned above and click on Retreats in the headings.

I hope that everyone is having a good summer as it gets on its way.  I know many of you will be working with church groups coming from the USA and other countries to help with projects you have going in your locations, others will be coming home to start a stateside stint, etc.  Praying for a great summer for all to His Glory!

Here at home in the USA many families are hitting the vacations spots for the summer.  Personally, I am getting ready to head to Louisville, Kentucky with one of my great nephews to the National Beta Club Conference.  Pray for me as will be surrounded by Intermediate kids, ages 9-12 years old.  (smile)

Please don’t forget to get the word out about the Public of Georgia Retreat.  The team is already solidified, plane tickets being purchased, and the hotel locked in.  Now all the details that include all of you that join us on these trips begin to take place, praying, giving, gifting, and going.  So, excited to share we have two more churches joining us in the journey of gifting this trip.  First Baptist Claremore, OK and First Baptist McGehee, AR.  We welcome your heart to join us as we minister to these ladies overseas.

His,

Vickie

 

 

Team Is Home Safe and Retreat Was Sooo Good…

 Thank you all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again.  Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each team that goes.

There are no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again.  It was also great to hear from many of you that said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!

The LORD led each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team needed for this season and time.  It was obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put together for the trip. 

In case you wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.  I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain on their system. LOL

I do want to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as they share.  Enjoy these pictures till then…

Thank you all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again.  Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each team that goes.

There are no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again.  It was also great to hear from many of you that said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!

The LORD led each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team needed for this season and time.  It was obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put together for the trip. 

In case you wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.  I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain on their system. LOL

I do want to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as they share.  Enjoy these pictures till then…

Thank you all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again.  Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each team that goes.

There are no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again.  It was also great to hear from many of you that said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!

The LORD led each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team needed for this season and time.  It was obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put together for the trip. 

In case you wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.  I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain on their system. LOL

I do want to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as they share.  Enjoy these pictures till then…

A Beautiful Day in Portugal… (Sunday afternoon)

 The team had a full but wonderful day here in Portugal. We began our morning with a wonderful devotion from Kim R. and a sweet time of prayer and team fellowship. Oh, and of course we ate breakfast first. (smile) You can just assume we are eating several meals a day. (LOL)

Then Valerie M. our contact missionary on the field came to the hotel and took us on the Metro to downtown Portugal for a city tour and to the Lisbon Story Centre. The Story Centre is a museum dedicated to the history of Lisbon. https://youtu.be/huRuUfRPYog   Here is another link if you want to see a little bit more about things we learned. https://onu.missaoportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/about-portugal/history

A couple of us ate dinner at the Time Out Market https://www.timeout.com/lisbon/time-out-market while others shopped and ate along the way at some of the outdoor food areas. 

We had good fellowship and lots of laughs along the way. It is exciting to see the team continue to grow together as they are learning more about each other. We had another sweet devotional time by Deb. P to finish our evening. We also discussed our preparation work time for tomorrow.

I wanted to include one pic that stood out to me yesterday at a random moment. There are more pics to come but I did not want to wake anyone up when I was working on this to get them.

Love the bike hanging on the balcony. (smile)

 His,

Vickie

 

 

The Team made it to Portugal safely...

We had a good flight over. Weather here is nice in the upper 60's to lower 70's. We were met at the airport by our Valerie our contact missionary. I would like to say thank you LORD for her presence at the airport. You might not believe this but none of the team can speak Portuguese, LOL.

Once settled in at the hotel we had lunch, then several of the team members headed to the local mall. Hmmmm, imagine that fifteen women and someone wanted to go to the local mall. But not just any mall, this one has history. It is called Campo Pequeno.

Built in 1892 in a Moorish style with small cupolas atop its four main towers, Campo Pequeno's bullring (Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno) accommodates up to 9,000 spectators. It was loosely based on the Madrid bullring of Las Ventas, and bullfights take place here on Thursdays in season. During the rest of the year, it is occasionally used for concerts and other shows, such as a circus. After being closed for many years for extensive renovation, it reopened in 2006 with a new retractable ceiling and a shopping mall, restaurants, cinemas, and a supermarket. Parking space for 1200 cars is also available. 

The team members not at the mall spent the later part of the day trying to help Vickie (me) find my phone. I know that surprises those of you that know me. Ha, Ha, Ha    We did find it and let me just say, it is a God story in and of itself. He is already affirming He is present and at work here.

Enjoy some of the pics of the day. Keep praying for the team and the missionaries that will be attending the Retreat. 

His,

Vickie

4 Days and Counting…

Well, it is finally here.  We are 4 days away from boarding the plane to head to Lisbon, Portugal.  The team is getting so excited as we finish up the final preparations.  Trunks are packed along with working out the smallest of details that must happen in the next 4 days.

So hard to believe we have not been overseas since the fall of 2019, that was our last retreat.   Of course, the Portugal Retreat was scheduled for April of 2020 just over three years ago when Covid showed up in full force working against travel in country and out of country.  

We are so glad to be traveling once again to minister to the missionary women.  Also, it has been fun to be reminded of how many hands touch this ministry in preparation for a trip to minister to the women.  Whether you are going with us or have helped along the way in preparations for this trip you are part of the team serving Pure Joy International Portugal 2023! To all of you that have given financially to support a missionary and or team member, thank you.  To all of you that are praying for the missionary women and the team now and while we are on the field, thank you.  To all of you that have helped with the gifting, thank you. To the team members representing churches in 5 states, thank you.  What a blessing to be able to serve alongside all of you with your different hearts for serving. 

On a final note, please pray for the spouses, children, family members, friends, etc., that are pulling extra weight both for the team members and the missionaries so we can all attend the Retreat.   

Keep us close in your prayers as we fly out Friday and return on the 30^th.  Watch the blog for pictures that will be posted along the way starting Friday through the next week. 

Forever Thankful,

His,

Vickie

 

 

Planes and Avocados …

Monday, I flew out of Little Rock, Arkansas early to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to complete my Global Entry Pass as we start to travel overseas again.  It was the closes place I could get in for an interview before we leave the country for Portugal.

It was a strange feeling being back on a plane again.  The last time I was on a plane was when we traveled to San Paulo, Brazil to minister to missionaries in that part of the world.  I had forgotten how crazy it can be in airport settings.   But it also brought the sweet excitement that starts taking place as the team closes in on our departure out of the country.   Hard to believe we are a little less than two months away for boarding planes to Lisbon, Portugal.

Please continue to pray for the missionaries that will be attending, the team that is going, details that continue to need to be taken care of before we leave.  As many of you already know from experience, the spiritual warfare that takes place before a team is headed out of the country to minister to others is intense.  We appreciate all your prayers.

Another thing I have missed is people watching in the airports.  And I also, love the things you can learn.  For example, today I was riding the tram from one terminal to another and the older couple sitting across from me were joyfully sharing some things they had learned on their vacation.  I never really caught where they had spent the vacation, but it obviously brought then great joy.  Anyway, they had spent some time with a young man that grows avocados.  They were surprised to learn that while some avocados can look great on the outside and even nice when you cut them open, if they are not grown in good soil there is no flavor to them. Their discussion immediately triggered in me a trip we had taken to Senegal Africa.   I will never forget the first meal we went to in the evening.  They had an incredible spread of fresh fruit, strawberries, watermelon, berries, etc.  It was so inviting, with brilliant colors, fresh looking when cut open, etc.  My taste buds were jumping in my mouth waiting to bite into that fruit.  Especially the watermelon.   I will be honest and say I put some extra on my plate.  When I took the first bite, I honestly could not reconcile what was going on in my mouth with what was going on in my brain at that moment.  I immediately took a bite of all the fruit I had put on my plate.  Same outcome.  No taste at all.  Absolutely bland.  I would be lying if I told you I was not disappointed because I was.  Talking about having expectations that didn’t get met!

Stop and think for a minute of the number of times just today that your expectations didn’t get met.   Something as ridiculous as you ordered a burger and they got your order wrong, your spouse said they would pick up some bread for dinner, but they forgot, your friend said they would pick you up at 9 a.m. and it is now 9:15 a.m.   If we consider the times throughout the day we get frustrated with others it we might be surprised to see how often it is tied into what we expected as an outcome.  Don’t hear me wrong.  I’m not saying all expectations are wrong!!  I’m just saying look at where frivolous expectation could be tripping you up in your daily walk. 

Saw this quote that is rather amusing because there may be a little more truth to it than we like.  “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21.  Everything since then has been a bonus.”

Oh, and by the way regarding both the avocado farmer and the fruit that was bland.  Both needed soil that had more nutrients in it.  As the couple on the tram explained, they needed to be fertilizing the soil much more.  The same would be true of the fruit I told you about.

Kind of like some of us.  Maybe we could use a little Word fertilizer to make sure what you see on the outside really permeates through our being.  Just saying…

 

His,

Vickie

Stay Strong in The LORD…

 

This week unlike many of the weeks over the past year I have heard the voice of so many struggling with the things they see around them in this world.  The horizontal will always drag us down.  Yes, we live in this world but never forget we are sojourner's in this world.  It is not our home.  Takes some time to read these word from Psalms 37.

He Will Not Forsake His Saints

¹    Fret not yourself because of evildoers;

be not envious of wrongdoers!

²    For they will soon fade like the grass

and wither like the green herb.

³    Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

⁴    Delight yourself in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵    Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

⁶    He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your justice as the noonday.

⁷    Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,

over the man who carries out evil devices!

⁸    Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!

Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

⁹    For the evildoers shall be cut off,

but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

¹⁰    In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;

though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.

¹¹    But the meek shall inherit the land

and delight themselves in abundant peace.

¹²    The wicked plots against the righteous

and gnashes his teeth at him,

¹³    but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

for he sees that his day is coming.

¹⁴    The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows

to bring down the poor and needy,

to slay those whose way is upright;

¹⁵    their sword shall enter their own heart,

and their bows shall be broken.

¹⁶    Better is the little that the righteous has

than the abundance of many wicked.

¹⁷    For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,

but the Lord upholds the righteous.

¹⁸    The Lord knows the days of the blameless,

and their heritage will remain forever;

¹⁹    they are not put to shame in evil times;

in the days of famine they have abundance.

²⁰    But the wicked will perish;

the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;

they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

²¹    The wicked borrows but does not pay back,

but the righteous is generous and gives;

²²    for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,

but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

²³    The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way;

²⁴    though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

for the Lord upholds his hand.

²⁵    I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread.

²⁶    He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.

²⁷    Turn away from evil and do good;

so shall you dwell forever.

²⁸    For the Lord loves justice;

he will not forsake his saints.

       They are preserved forever,

but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

²⁹    The righteous shall inherit the land

and dwell upon it forever.

³⁰    The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks justice.

³¹    The law of his God is in his heart;

his steps do not slip.

³²    The wicked watches for the righteous

and seeks to put him to death.

³³    The Lord will not abandon him to his power

or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

³⁴    Wait for the Lord and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land;

you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

³⁵    I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,

spreading himself like a green laurel tree.

³⁶    But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;

though I sought him, he could not be found.

³⁷    Mark the blameless and behold the upright,

for there is a future for the man of peace.

³⁸    But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;

the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

³⁹    The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

⁴⁰    The Lord helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

His, Vickie