Do You Know Abba Father?

Last night was the first service of our Fellowship meeting. It was so very good from the very beginning to the end, when another name was written down in heaven. Welcome to the family of God Sister Kathy! I wanted to share my notes from the beautiful message that was brought.

Do You Know "ABBA FATHER?"

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" Romans 8:15
In the Garden of Eden there was nothing between God and man. They enjoyed a precious, sweet, communion. But sin broke this communion.
In the Old Testament God's people rarely referred to God as a Father.
When Jesus came he introduced us to His "Abba Father". The word "Abba" has reference to a very intimate, close, loving relationship. Jesus was willing to do what it took to see us reconciled to God as "Abba Father". He took our sins upon himself... a sinless lamb.
Jesus loved his Father, just as a little child would love his father and want to tell others all about his "daddy". So it was Jesus' desire to show us His "Abba Father". "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." Luke 10:21 Jesus was rejoicing because what he had come to do was being fulfilled. Devils were being cast out and souls were being delivered from sin. Jesus loved and admired his Father.
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust". Matt 5:45 Jesus was telling people all about how great God's mercy is and how our Father loves. We were all in that evil part before. Thank God for his mercy. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven...That thine alms might be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly." Matt 6: 1, 4 Jesus loved to please His father and he was telling us how to please him; to do what we do for HIM, not for show.
Jesus taught us how to pray beginning with "Our FATHER", again showing us to come to God as we would a Father. Nobody else but God deserves that special place of reverence. Even little children can call Him their Father: " Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." Matt 18:10
God wants us to get close to him intimately.
Jesus taught us that "Abba Father" loves it when "two or more agree". (Matt 18:20) The enemy knows this and will work to get you not to agree so God won't intervene.
God loves peacemakers- those willing to bear their cross and humble themselves so there might be peace.
God loves giving us the best (Luke 11:11-13) 13 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" The Father is saying, I want to give you ME! I want to be there for you, to be close to you intimately. We need this infilling of the Holy Spirit. Without it, we will have a hard time reaching sinners because "self" will get in the way.
Jesus came to bridge the gap between the sinner and the Father. His blood was shed to take away our sins so that God could once again come and abide "inside" us. God cannot even bare to look upon sin much more to dwell in a vessel that is sinful. God the Father gave his best. He gave us His Son. It was not easy for him. Jesus paid a horrible price for us to be able to have our sins taken away.
Do you have the cry "Abba Father" , what can I do for you? How can I continue the work Jesus started on the earth?
Lets look at Jesus' relationship with the Father in the garden; "And he saith, my soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death: (he knew what he was facing) 36- And he said, Abba Father all things are possible unto thee; take this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." This "Abba Father" is the cry for the comfort that is needed- and it's the comfort that is there through the Holy Ghost.
Jesus did not have to go through with this (Matt 26:53) He had to be a willing sacrifice from a heart of love. It is the only sacrifice that will work, and reach a soul. It takes something in you beyond just a "work". It wasn't the cross that killed Jesus, it was the sins that were put on him. He wants to be there for us.
Do you know him as "Abba Father"?

Unto Myself My Child I Would Bring Thee

Unto Myself my child I would bring thee!
Who like Myself thy sure solace can be?

Who can reach down, down so deeply within thee?

Give to thy heart such a full sympathy?

Mournest thou sore that thy loved ones have failed thee?

Failed, sadly failed thy true comfort to be?

"Why did they fail" dost thou ask? Let me whisper--

"That thou shoulds't find thy heart's comfort in ME."

Unto Myself! Ah, not unto others,

Dearest, or sweetest, or fairest, or best;

Only in Me lieth unchanging solace;

Only in Me is thy promise of rest!

Child of My love, to Myself I would bring thee!

Not to some PLACE of most heavenly bliss:

Places, like people, may all disappoint thee,

Till thou hast learned to drink higher than this.

Unto Myself, my dear child, I would bring thee!

None like Myself thy full portion can be!

While, in my heart, there is hunger and longing

That I might find choicest treasure in thee.

Unto Myself! To MYSELF---not my service!

Thou to most sweetly and certainly prove

That I can make thee My channel of blessing,

Use thee to shed forth the wealth of my love.

Author J Danson Smith

Best of Bran Muffins

These muffins pack a powerful punch to start the day with. Loaded with fiber, they also contain magnesium, calcium, protein, potassium and a healthy dose of B vitamins which are known to increase energy level and are a mood enhancer. They are surprisingly tasty and induced a tempting aroma while baking. Add a boiled egg and a slice of melon and you are well on your way to a great day!


3 cups shredded 100% all-bran cereal
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1 cup organic raisins
1 cup boiling filtered water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
1 tablespoon raw honey
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

In a large bowl, combine the cereal, oil, and raisins, and pour the boiling water over them. Set mixture aside to cool slightly. In a small bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, and molasses and honey. Add this to partly cool mixture. In another small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the cereal mixture, stirring just enough to moisten the dry ingredients. Cover batter with a plastic wrap or damp cloth, and let sit for at least 15 minutes, preferably 1 hour.Preheat oven to 400. Grease 24 muffin cups, and divide batter among them, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven, and, when they are slightly cooled, take them out of the tin and place them on a rack to cool completely. I like to eat them warm!

Seven Beautiful Words

When I was in first grade I was at the top of my reading class. Somewhere in between that class and when I finally dropped out at 17, I became literally convinced that I was stupid. I failed at everything I tried. I couldn't read anything and retain it. I couldn't concentrate on anything a teacher was saying.
Later, when the Lord Jesus began to reveal his love to me and to bring me to a place of real healing, I timidly went back to adult school and gained my diploma. Then, I began to read again. At first I started with the Bible. God opened up a window in my heart and sunshine came pouring in when I would read his precious word, and I was beginning to understand some things. As my confidence grew, I started reading through whole chapter books, and to my delight would finish them and have enjoyed them. This opened up a whole new world to me. I began to discover words, beautiful words that I had never realized existed. Beautiful, character building words. In the beginning, I didn't even know what character meant. I would look the words up in the dictionary and be in awe of them, wondering if I could ever possess such a word in my own character. I would fervently pray for this new beautiful word to become a part of me.
Maybe you know them already, maybe not. But they are truly beautiful, and they are jewels to be coveted. I hope that they might one day all be a part of me.
God is just so wonderful. The work he does is complete and a real miracle. You can safely trust your heart in His love expressed in his son Jesus Christ.

Seven Beautiful Words

1. Noble: possessing outstanding qualities- I first encountered this word in a Louisa May Alcott book. It referred to a character that was brave, and strong and self sacrificing for the good of others. "Nobel Prize" comes from this concept of contributing work for the interest of humanity
2. Integrity: an unimpaired condition; soundness; incorruptibility; - I saw this word in books as well as the Bible, used to describe a character that you could trust; one that would never think of lying to you, or using you; one that would always keep their word. An upright man!
3. Purity:the quality or state of being pure "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." ---spotless, stainless; free from harshness or roughness; free from moral fault or guilt. This is truly our Savior. Oh the beauty of purity!
4. Virtue: Strength; conformity to a standard of right; moral excellence; chaste
5. Charity: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity; kindly liberality and helpfulness esp. toward the needy or suffering.
6. Gentleness: kind; amiable; free from harshness, sternness or violence; mild, docile, soft--the very word gentleness stirs deep emotion inside my heart. It is lovely to speak, beautiful to behold. I am in utter awe at the beauty I see in the gentle saints of God.
7. Jesus Christ: I cannot but include the most beautiful word the world has ever known; the Lord Jesus Christ! Only through him are any of us able to obtain anything beautiful. Only through the Savior, who was the ultimate example of integrity, handling the crushed sinner with love and gentleness, going about in charity to serve humanity and bowing his lovely, noble, pure, virtuous head in submission to the Father, gave his undefiled body up on a cruel cross. He who did all this to save me from the wretch I was, and teach me the beauty of holiness. What a Savior! What a friend!

Blueberry Sunrise Yogurt, By LizAnn

Blueberries have the highest anti-oxidant benefits of any other fruit. One cup of Blueberries contain 14 mg of vitamin C and .8 mg of vitamin E. They can slow the aging process and help maintain mental alertness.
Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that fight yeast and improve the immune system. It also is a good source of calcium. The problem is most people get the little sugar laden yogurts which undermines the health benefits of yogurt. This recipe uses an all natural sweetener product called Stevia Balance with Inulin & Chromium, found at your local health food store. Inulin is derived from chicory which actually stimulates the growth of friendly intestinal bacteria and has a low glycemic index which is good news for the sugar sensitive system. Chromium, a trace mineral, is known to help reduce the need for insulin in diabetics.

2 Cups organic, whole milk, plain yogurt
1 cup organic frozen blue berries
3 packets Stevia Balance
1 banana, sliced
4 Tbs, unsweetened coconut

Mix the yogurt, Stevia, and blueberries together. Divide the banana up into four small bowls.
Top with the yogurt mixture, dividing evenly
Sprinkle with coconut
optional: add a few sliced almonds

A Loving Roe

Oh loving Roe, how can it be

You've come to walk beside of me?

I turn to leave, she follows nigh;

A loving roe now by my side.

She frolicks in the pastures fair,

The sunlight glistens in her hair;

In merriment I laugh and play,

my loving roe has come to stay.

I pant for water, cool and clear,

My loving Roe, she draweth near;

I drinketh full, my thirst abates,

My loving Roe doth satiate.

My step is weary, my head drops low,

I gaze upon my loving Roe;

She lieth near me, still and sweet,

Till I can get back on my feet.

I lose my way, in fear I cry,

and look into her tender eye;

And there reflected back I see,

A man of strength and dignity.

My loving Roe, she follows near,

I sense danger, she perks her ears;

And keeps a watch upon my lead,

My loving Roe, she trusteth me.

She skips and splashes near the stream,

In sunlight fair, her hair doth gleam;

I jump and sport with bucks for show,

They wonder at my loving Roe.

My heart is light, I stand up tall,

Strong and Brave, she hears my call;

With gentle steps she draweth nigh,

My loving Roe doth satisfy.

My gentle fawn, so fair and dear,

Her love is constant year by year;

How did you come to love me so

And be a faithful, loving Roe?

Author Liz V.C.

"Let her be as a loving hind and pleasant roe;"
Proverbs 5:19

Happy 47th Birthday Troy!

47 Little Facts About Troy you may or may not have known-

1. Troy was a preemie baby weighing only 4 lbs 7 oz when he was born.


2. When he was a young boy he used to hang his sister's barbie dolls by a noose from his bunk bed.


3. Troy was in 4H and raised Cornish Game Hens.


4. Troy has only lived in two places his whole life; he lived in a renovated barn house near Greenback and Garfield till he was 14. Developers ran them out and he has been at his current residence ever since. He said he cried when they moved.


5. Troy has worked at his current job at Sutter Roseville Hopital scince he was 18; almost 30 years now.


6. Troy met his wife at that same place of employment. He started dating her when she was 18 and he was 25.


7. Troy played blues guitar for years and was such an exceptional player that his friends said he rivaled Eric Clapton!


8. Troys middle name is Yoshimi a Japanese name given by his mother who is Japanese. The name means "to rejoice in beauty" which is very befitting for him.


9. Troy LOVES the out doors and nature. He often has a leaf pressed in a book or a pretty rock or pine cone in his pocket.


10. Troy enjoys Archery.


11. Troy loves to hike around in the mountains and would love to live in them.


12. Troy is a very routine person. He rarely changes his daily routine.


13. Troy is an extrememly faithful and loyal friend that would give you the shirt off his back.


14. Troy loves to read books about nature and out doors. One of his favorite books is "The Last of the Mohicans."


15. Troy calls both his wife and his daughter Priscilla "boogie".


16. Troy has an unborn son in heaven named Samuel.


17. Troy is very dependable.


18. Though he is small framed, Troy could always beat his peers at arm restling when he was a younger chap, no matter how big and buffed they were. It left them shaking their heads and his wife beaming!


19. Troy has a sense of humor though somethimes unseen by the general public. After one of their first dates, Troy brought in a very long hair to work that he found in his truck and handed it to Liz who was working at the register, and said, "I think this belongs to you!"


20. Troy carries a pocket knife with him everywhere he goes.


21. Troy loves mowing the lawn.


22. Troy just spent his day off building a ramp for Kenny so he can get into their house with his wheel chair. Awe.... so sweet!


23. Troy is a very gentle daddy. Not much spanking going on around here!


24. Troy was saved 14 years ago on Mothers Day!


25. Troy loves fishing and took Liz on her first fishing trip where she caught several trout. He also took her to her first concert, bought her her first brand new jacket, and took her to many places around N. California for the first time.


26. Troy is a helper.


27. Troy always gives his wife exactly three kisses when ever he gets home from work.


28. Troy likes salt and used to carry a salt shaker around and eat it when he was young.


29. Troy loves a good rain storm.


30. Troy chops stacks of firewood every year with an ax.


31. Troy is a "handy man". He can fix just about anything, and if he's not sure how, he learns.


32. Troy is very intelligent. His wife thinks he has and encyclopedia for a brain.


33. Troy used to love to go hunting and would like to again soon.


34. Troy can be very brave when needed. He demonstrates the statement: "courage is fear that has said his prayers."


35. Troy is very giving.


36. Troy picks up Felecia every Thurday afternoon from her job and brings her a "special lunch."


37. Troy does not like water...swimming that is.


38. Troy is a natural born oraganizer and his employer makes full use of him often, taking him from his regular work, to organize a freezer or closet.


39. Troy is a very detailed cleaner as well.


40. Troy loves a BBQ'd steak.


41. Troy plays guitar sometimes at church.


42. Troy helps his son Shane with many endeavors such as building a chicken coop and putting up fencing for a barn yard.


43. Troy's favorite color is green the colors of nature.


44. Troy is a collector. His drawers are full or very organized collections.


45. Troy is very creative and artistic. He has made things like you would see at craft bazzars and he gets many compliments on them.


46. Troy gets more compliments on his garage than his wife gets on the house.


47. Troy's dad is Dutch and his family lineage goes back to relations with Daniel Boone and the Wright Brothers. The Wright brothers created a bike called the 'Van Cleve' bike.

Lying In His Bosom

Last night the church choir sang a song about how someday we are going to wear a robe and crown. On the way home from church I was meditating about what it will be like to see Jesus.

And I thought, a crown, hmmm... we will toss our crowns at his feet. But with all the excitement and billions of souls gathered 'round, I will be comforted when I can crawl up in his lap and snuggle close to his breast. I tried to envision just that. How my heart felt comfort at just the thought of it.

I have often reflected with great yearning of the disciple that leaned on Jesus' breast: "Now there was one leaning on Jesus' bosom, one of his disciples whom Jesus loved." John 13:23

And then to my joy I was reminded of the beggar: "and it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels unto Abraham's bosom...now he is comforted." Luke 16: 22, 25

Bosom --- lap, the area in which one holds and cradles a loved one; the inner person; the heart; the seat of affection.

" I will trust His love, for it e'er will last

It is rich and warm and free

Through the years of life, it will hold me fast

And my help and comfort be

To my waiting heart, all its treasures rare

As a sparkling stream shall flow

In the Joy of God, I shall ever share

Just because He loves me so. A-men!"

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11