Don't Shoot The Wounded

After reading Debra's post http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-guess-ive-had-it.html I had to look up the words to an older song "Don't shoot the wounded" I will post the words after this nugget I found:

http://www.faithman.org/11-02/Dont_shoot_the_wounded.htm
Don’t Shoot the Wounded
By Dr. Larry Ollison
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Over the years I have heard one statement too many times. Just last week I was at a meeting and someone said, “When the church goes to battle, it is the only army that shoots its wounded.” This should never be.
God's plan for the church is rest, recovery and restoration. But all too often we apply this mindset only to those who are currently walking in the things of God. While it is true that Christians should be at rest, recovery and restoration is not solely the benefit of those who are walking in faith.
Many Christians are living outside of God's best. They live their lives daily with stress and pressures and many have hurting hearts. When the pressures come upon these “young in faith” Christians, they do not necessarily react properly. Yes, it is true that a mature Christian who encounters trials in life increases in faith and patience and actually becomes stronger because of the trial. James chapter one, verse two tells us that we should “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” However, the immature Christian does not necessarily react this way.
I wish that all Christians were mature and knew how to withstand the storms of life. However, this does not mean that the church body should ridicule, condemn or exclude immature Christians who react poorly.
It is time for the mature church to stand up and act mature. We have a responsibility to teach, train and show by example the love of God for each other. Jesus said that the way the world would know that we are Christians is by the love that we have for each other. So the conclusion is this. Love the mature Christians and love and train the immature. Rise above the works of the flesh and walk in love. Be an example not only to the world, but also to the young in the church. Let the reputation be that we comfort and restore our wounded instead of shooting them"

Now for the words to the song:

DON'T SHOOT THE WOUNDED
(by Chuck Girard)
Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.
They need our love no matter what it is they've done.
Sometimes we just condemn them, and don't take time to hear their story.
Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one.
It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast.
Pressing on to meet that higher calling.
But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly,

and refuse to try and catch them when they're falling.
We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions,

and when they do the things we know they should not do,
we sometimes write them off as hopeless, and we throw them to the dogs.
Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply,

so I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
We can love them and forgive them when their sin does not exceed our own.

For we too have been down bumpy roads
before but when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set,

we judge them in a word and we turn them out,
and we close the door. Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things.

I've been cleansed and washed and bathed so
many times that when I see a brother who has fallen from the way I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes.
So I say... Don't shoot the wounded!
That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin and pretend that what he's doing is all right.
But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent.

Cry with those who cry, but bring their deeds into the light .
For it's the sick that need the doctor, and it's the lame that need the crutch.

It's the prodigal who needs the loving hand.

For a man who's in despair, there should be kindness from his friends.

'Lest he should forsake the fear of Almighty God and turn away from God and man,

So I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP

Bolding mine.

Savor This Moment

I haven't blogged for awhile... I haven't felt much like it... not been in a good place mentally and I didn't want everyone knowing it... tho those who know and "love" me will love me anyway.
Still not in a good place but I know that somehow The Lord will bring me out to the other side.

I picked up this book today that I haven't picked up in forever... "Savor This Moment, Embracing the goodness in everyday life" By Karla Dornacher
I opened the book and it opened to "Savor This Moment of Love" below is what it says... I needed this today and I know my Father had me open it:

"Of all the treasures a moment has to offer,
love is the greatest and most priceless jewel of all.
It may sparkel for an instant
in a random act of kindness by a total stranger,
or it may shine for a lifetime
in the golden setting of an intimate relationship.
But above all, it is the most precious gift you can ever receive,
and the most valuable one you can give away.
Unfortuately, our perception of love can so easily become distorted
by rejection, abuse, insensitivity, or unrealistic expectaions.
Somewhere along the way, you may come to believe that love
must be earned rather than simply received.
You may even have days when you feel you're not worth loving.

Take heart! I have good news!Unlike man's love,
God's loveis unconditional, He says you're worth it.
You cannot earn or deserve His love~
You can only open your heart and let it in!
The saying is true:
There is a God shaped hole in your heart that only He can fill.
So let Him fill it...
Every moment of everyday!
Savor His love and then give it away!
And when someone offers the gift to you,
reach out and embrace it with all your heart!"

A Moment of Sadness

It has been a year today since Jose' went to be with Jesus... there is a sadness in my heart... not for him, I know where he is... but for me, for Cassie, and for those of us who love him. He had a great impact on my life... one that I will never forget... He showed me what a real Daddy was... He was a Daddy by choice, but he was Cassie's REAL Daddy and no one can ever take his place in her heart... or in mine... no one.
Jose' I love you and I miss you. I will see you again someday, and I will once again hear your voice and see your smile, see that smirk and once again give you one of those hugs that meant so much to both of us. You are in my heart and there you will always be.
I will never regret any price I paid to fight for you and Cassie... I will never regret letting you be her daddy, You were the Daddy she needed and God gave you to each other... She needed you as you needed her... somehow I knew that... that is why I fought so hard. I will NEVER regret... how can I? My regret is that you didn't have more time together.
I love you Jose'... I wish I would have told you that the night you slipped away from us... "I love you... you were a wonderful Daddy... " not saying that is my other regret.

A Moment of Joy

I haven't seen my Aunt and uncle for so long I can't remember when it was. They were always my favorite ... My fondest memory as a little girl was my Uncle holding me down giving me wisker burn on my belly... I didn't understand until I saw them yesterday that the reason I remembered that with such fondness was because I wished my parents were like my Aunt and Uncle... I wished my Daddy would have played with me like my Uncle did. Don't get me wrong... I love my Dad to this day but we didn't do those kind of things in my home... we didn't have those joy filled, fun moments... not that I can remember anyway.
Cassie had never met my Aunt and Uncle... my other girls wouldn't remember them either because they were so small the last time they seen them... I took Cassie to the hospital with me yesterday so she could meet them... I kept telling her she would really like them but she was concerned... shy... but it didn't take long for my Uncle to wear away all of that and really get to her... and get the joy to come out... they had a blast... And seeing my Uncle holding Cassie down giving her whisker burn brought back so much for me.... a moment of joy from my childhood... and a moment of joy for my daughter... I know you will probley never read this but Aunt Ethel and Uncle Robert... I love you more than you will ever know...
those moments are now new memories, new blessings that came for a very "bad" thing.... If Darrel hadn't have had his stroke then Cassie wouldn't have met them because it will probley be forever before we get to their part of the country...
Darrel is doing wonderful considering he had a massive stroke and I still have that deep peace that I had the first night... He will come through this... no matter what he has to go through he WILL come through this better... stronger. I KNOW that God is in control!
indeed all things work together for good... we don't have to look far for the blessings in the midst of the storm if our eyes are open.

The Architect

I just wanted to share something from my inbox this morning.... From "Grace Mail

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

There are a lot of things that we don't know in life, but here is one thing that we DO know; God has a plan and He knows what He is doing. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, you can trust His plan for your life.
Centuries ago a great architect was secured to design a magnificent church for the king of Spain's magnificent palace, the Escorial. The name of the church is San Lorenzo.

When this awesome building was being constructed the architect designed a huge arch, one larger than any that had ever been built before. That single arch was supposed to support the entire weight of the church's giant roof. The king, however, was worried that the enormous weight of the roof would be too much for that arch. So he insisted that the architect build a column from the floor all the way up to the center of the arch, to help support it.

The architect took the King's command to build a center column as a tremendous insult and argued loud and long with the king that this was not necessary and that his fears were all groundless. But the king insisted and the column was built. After the building was finished the king worshipped in peace. He could look at that column and feel secure that the column he had added to the architect's design would hold up that enormous roof.

Many years later, after the King's death, the architect revealed that he had left a quarter-inch space between the top of the column and the arch it was supposed to support!

Even now, though hundreds of years have gone by, that ceiling has not sagged even a quarter of an inch! You can go and visit the Escorial today and the tour guides will take you to San Lorenzo Church and they will pass a board between that column and the arch proving that the great architect's plan was sure. He stands vindicated even after all these centuries!

God's plan is this way. His plan for our lives is sure and doesn't need our support. We can trust the work that He is doing in our lives and we can rest in His gracious design. We aren't left in the hands of fate. Lady Luck doesn't control our lives! We are in the hands of a loving God! There is nothing that happens to us which does not dovetail into God's plan for our lives. "

Have a wonderful Day
Hilma

God's Reminder

I just wanted to share this pic of the sunset on my ferry ride to Seattle sunday night to see my cousin... even in the midst of circustances we would change if we could, God still reminds us of His mercy and grace... and that He is always with us... even to the end of the age. And if we will but look we will see the beauty of ALL His creation.

Finished

I finally got one of the chairs done... life happens and changes our plans sometimes but thank God that He is TOTALLY in control of the life... and that no matter what is happening He is our peace and our hope if we let Him be.
My 39 year old cousin decided that he was going to go ocean fishing on his rare day off from working 2 jobs... while on the boat out in the ocean he collapsed, suffering from a massive stroke.
The coast gaurd boat going out to get him broke down but the civilian boat go him to shore... the ambulance took him to the local hospital but were unable to care for him so he was life flighted to our major medical center in Seattle, where he has been since sunday evening... considering what has happened he is doing well mentally... talking, tho slurred, laughing and joking around.
I am TOTALLY at peace that no matter what happens during his recoverery, or how long it takes that the Lord is in control and He knows what He is doing.
Thank you Lord that you are our Peace.

Fabric!

I got the fabric for one of the wingbacks and the footstool.... I am going to have the flowered print as the main color and then the solid sage as the top of the footstool and both sides of the seat cushion. The ONLY problem I have is my sewing machine was "borrowed" months ago and the one who borrowed it hasn't brought it back!... You know who you are..LOL. So I am waiting til she gets in the mood to drive over here and return it. I would go pick it up myself but she has it at a friend of her's house so her husband wouldn't know she was making him a quilt... Did you ever finish that quilt? Don't know if she will ever read this since I never told her I had a blog. Only one of my kids know I have one.. maybe 2 I dunno. Oh well... so.... I am not just sitting and waiting, I started painting my kichen cupboards... but those pics are for another post.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
Til next time!

Disgust and then Willing

Psalm 31, verses 14-15a, "But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, 'You are my God!' 15 My future is in your hands..."

Sometimes I get really disgusted with myself.... with my attitudes... with how small of a thing I LET take away my joy... I see all the junk in my heart and I hate it....I went to sleep last night after one of my "moments", totally upset with myself, this morning I woke up thinking about it... telling the Lord about it, then got on line and read Debra's posts for today then opened up my inbox... this is what I found...


August 4, 2006: Beloved, I am doing a deep work of cleansing in your heart. Yield to this work that will make you a fit vessel, a vessel of honor to bear My name. My eyes search to and fro throughout the whole earth to find those who are willing to be sanctified for the work of My kingdom. This is a work of My mercy and grace, and all you must do is be willing. It is I who works in you both to will and to do My good pleasure, says the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
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It made me "feel" better knowing it is not me who does the changing but JESUS in me, I just have to be willing.... I think we get so blind to our own stuff that we don't see it is still there until The Lord allows us to see it... and we don't get willing until we get disgusted with it... and THEN and ONLY then, with a willing heart, can we own it and let HIM change us!

The Fire

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2 (AMP)

Another verse I needed today.
Sometimes circustances are beyond our control... but NOT beyond HIS control... MANY times we must go through things to get rid of the junk in our own hearts, other times it is just to test us to see where our faith really lies... and other times I think it is just like Job... for reasons just to glorify God and to show the enemy our faithfulness, no matter what.
But no matter the reason we need to remember this verse (among many others) with these promises... remember, when the 3 men went into the fire Jesus showed up there with them...Some say He was ALREADY there, while those on the OUTSIDE perished. when they (The 3 that were IN the fire) came out they didn't even smell of smoke!
I know that the fire scares me, to be honest, most of the time, but IF I really look at this... And look at HIM, well, I guess I would rather be in the fire WITH Jesus, than on the outside WITHOUT Him.
WE will NOT BE DESTROYED usnless we LET IT!

He Simply SPOKE

Psalm 33: 6-9, "The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. 7 He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. 8 Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. 9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command."

This is a really good verse to meditate on... The Lord SIMPLY spoke and it WAS! I needed that today!

My WingBack Chairs

YIPPEEEE !!! I got my Wing Back treasures!!!! I LOVE them... and I love the colors, I will still have to change them because they are the colors I used to have... not the ones I have now... but they are still WONDERFUL!!!! Thank you Lord and Thank you Holly! The footstool is a little worn but only the fabric. I need to "Re-do" them, as Cassie puts it, and re-arrange the living room again cuz I want them in here where I can be reminded in a physical way that the Lord listens to even unspoken prayers! I have always tried NOT to ask for anything physical unless it was a NEED because I didn't want to be asking "amiss", but this shows me... along with my other little treasures... that it is OK to ask... IF He wants to bless me with it then He will.. IF He wants to bless someone else with it then that is ok with me too... There are enough blessings to go around with tons left over! He DELIGHTS in giving us the Kingdom!

My First Freecycle Treasures

A little while ago Debra posted a link on her blog to freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) and I joined the local group.. I was sooooo excited when I got my first "treasure" some books... some really good books, And a ROOSTER!!!! I was absolutly blessed!

I am soooooo stoked!!!!I answered a post from freecycle last night for 2 wingback chairs and an ottoman... I have wanted wingback chairs for as long as I can remember... anyway, I answered it thinking someone else would beat me to them... BUT this morning I got an email saying "They are all yours" !!!!! YIPPPEEEE God is soooooo good!!! He gives us the desires of our hearts!!! I pick them up today and will post pics in my blog later...I don't know what they look like and I DON'T care cuz He will have me change them anyway!!! A few weeks ago The Lord said He wanted to give me and Cassie a new beginning, and that is exactly what He is doing... in the spiritual realem and the physical!!! Life is getting "lighter" for lack of a better word... and NOT because of the treasures He is sending in the physical but because of the inward changes HE is bringing about!

My Favorite things

Ok... posting more pics before I head to bed... been a long day but a good one.
I LOVE pics and nicnacs so I have them everywhere in my living room. The first 2 pics are of a "buffet" thing i have in my livingroom... the next thing to either get changed to white or go out my door.


These next 2 pics are of my mantle above my wood stove


and last but not least... the things I have atop my entertainment center.

My Tables

I have such a HARD time uploading pics with blogger!
If you want to see my living room redo please look at my previous post.
But THIS is where it all started... inspired by The Holy Spirit throught Debra's posting (see link in last post)
The top pic is one of my tables before the redoing.
Cassie had to help me and that "still, small voice" told me to let her.... we were making a memory! and THAT is what counts!!! Life is too short not to!
I did the antiquing of the tables... the "cracking"
And the After pic:
I forgot to take a REAL before pic so here is the top of the 2nd table before painting.

Again... Cassie helping with another table
The "after" of this table... before the whole living room redo

and the 3rd Table
Before:
and after: without the lampshade:

My Inspiration for the redos

I wanted to link to a post the the Lord used to inspire me to do this in the first place.... If you have some time read some of her posts!
http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/04/to-complain-or-to-create-that-is.html

My Living Room Redo

I have been TRYING and TRYING to make this post but blogger is being a bugger

I haven't posted for awhile... not been in the scrappin or bloggin mood but thought I would post some pics of my living room. I have changed it alot since my Grandma went to be with Jesus. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Jose going to be with the Lord and it has been hard on Cassie... and in turn on me.
anyway here are some pics of my re-do of the living room.... duh me forgot to take a bunch of before pics but there is one with my book cases and entertainment center (Which I gave away)... after I redid my tables... I took the pic for my table to begin with. Notice the curtains too, I had huntergreen . and no rugs as I gave mine to Brandi and Shana.



now for the redo.... Cassie says I have a bad case of the dreaded "Redos". The "new" entertainment Center was brown walmart put it together yourself I got from my neighbor... I painted part of it and then added contact paper to the rest.Before:



After:


And now for the finshed, well almost, Living room

I now have rugs again.... Purple to match my lampshades... I have beads to put on the bottom of the lamp shades... just haven't done it yet. Those are bed sheets (ones I still had in the package for a long time, but just the right color) on the sliding glass door.



Thanks for looking!