Superbowl Weekend.

Many Americans will watch Superbowl XLIII this coming Sunday. My question, my friends, do you watch the Superbowl for the game or for the commercials?

Here's a news clip for the new one second commercials as vendors are cutting back costs in our economy. (Disclaimer: I do not endorse any products mentioned in the videos.)



What about this teaser on YouTube.com by Bridgestone tires? Does it make you want to watch on Sunday to see what will happen?



Well for those who choose to watch the actual game, which team are you going for?

Here's a clip of a post-game interview of the NFC Champions Arizona Cardinals' quarterback, Kurt Warner:



The Arizona Cardinals have never been to a Superbowl game. Kurt believes.

Here's a clip of a post-game interview of the AFC Champions Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger:



The Steelers have five Superbowl wins in their history. Roethlisberger was the quarterback in Superbowl XL. Ben's favorite word, unbelievable.

I'll watch the game with my guys this Sunday & if you are on Twitter or have unlimited texting, I'd love to chat or text with you during the game. One fellow Twitter & blog friend and I did that during the Texas Tech v. Old Miss Cottonbowl game. She was actually there. I watched on TV. We had a blast!

I'll watch the game hoping it will be more entertaining than the commercials and half-time show. I believe in Jesus & I believe old men like Kurt & his team can win. I tend to favor the underdogs--therefore, Go Cardinals!!!

Engrafted by His Grace--

New Column Launched

Today you can find me over here:

I have a column published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month called

Click on the photo above and it will take you to the column. Go on over and visit this exciting place where Christian women gather for encouragement.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Word Study Wednesday - Anger

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ~~Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

Does this passage mean we cannot be angry? Many references in the Bible reveal God’s righteous anger. Jesus demonstrated anger when He cleansed the Temple. (Matt. 21:12-13) Jesus never sinned. However, we all have sinned and fall short. (Rom. 3:23)

Aristotle wrote, “Anyone can become angry but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way—this is not easy.” Perhaps we can be mad and not sin.

We feel anger as it is an emotion. Sometimes we just like being mad. Perhaps it makes us feel as though we have control and power over a situation. In country singer Teri Clark’s song, “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” she declares in the chorus:

“I’ll never leave, I’ll never stray.
My love for you will never change.
But I ain’t ready to make up.
Well get around to that.
I think I’m right, I think you’re wrong.
I’ll probably give in before long.
Please don’t make me smile.
I just wanna be mad for a while.”

Perhaps as a woman, we think our man will come to his senses. Hello! He’s a man, created by God. And as I’ve heard Beth Moore proclaim, she wouldn’t want her man to be like her girlfriends. We don’t need a girlfriend in our home that will go along with us all the time. We need our man to be who God made him to be—the priest of our homes.

The danger in Clark’s song is that if we stay mad too long, we can give the devil an open opportunity to cause us to sin. Sin will be crouching at our door waiting for us as it did for Cain. If we dwell on the anger long enough, we will open the door and we fall into the enemy’s snare. Anger may be an emotion, but sin is a choice.

The Bible Exposition Commentary states, “Satan hates God and God’s people, and when he finds a believer with the sparks of anger in his heart, he fans those sparks, adds fuel to the fire, and does a great deal of damage to God’s people and God’s church. Both lying and anger ‘give peace to the devil’ (Eph. 4:27).”

Let’s not make excuses for sin that rises from anger. Let’s repent quickly. First John 1:9 tells us that if we will confess our sins, the Lord will be faithful to forgive us of our sins. Then let’s obey the Word. Some examples are:

Search your hearts and be silent. (Psalm 4:4)

Give a gentle answer. (Proverbs 15:1)

Let’s stay close to the Lord and not sin in our anger.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Heart Issues

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." ~~Genesis 4:6-7 NIV

Two brothers, Cain worked as a farmer and Abel worked as a rancher. Each one had an important job to perform. However, one brother saw what the other one appeared to be more acceptable to the Lord. Feeling rejected, he desired acceptance too.

The Lord instructed Cain on how to resolve the issue. However, Cain refused to listen to the Lord. He continued to be angry in his heart.

How many times has that happened to us? I know it has happened to me. I love my husband dearly, but sometimes he can make me really mad. (That doesn’t happen to any of you. Does it?) I can have plans laid out for the day, but then he has something else in mind. I didn’t want to change my plans. But for the sake of peace, being a spiritual woman, I keep my mouth shut. In the mean time as I’m being the great, submissive wife, bitterness and anger grew inside my heart. I went along with the plans saying nothing to him, but screaming loudly in my own mind. Until eventually, like an exploding volcano it all comes out. Sin.

The Lord gives us warnings just as he gave Cain a warning. Cain failed to heed God’s warning, lured Abel out into the field, and murdered him. If we fail to heed the admonitions of the Lord, we’ll end up in sin and then consequences follow.

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ~~Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV

Do what is right. If we allow ourselves to stay angry for very long, we’ll dwell on it and eventually act out our resentment. Sin opens the door to the enemy. That’s why I’m learning it is so important to pray, confess and turn it over to the Lord quickly. Forgive as we have been forgiven. Forgiveness keeps our hearts with the Lord and away from the devil.

The Lord assigned each of us different duties. It’s not that one job is better than another job. It’s what we keep in our hearts. We belong to the Lord through Jesus, His Son who was the Lamb who was slain. Let’s fill our hearts with Him, and resolve our heart issues with the Lord, not on each other.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Word Study Wednesday - Content

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ~~Philippians 4:11 ESV

According to Dictionary.com, content means “satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.”

In the Greek the word content is autarkēs, which means self-sufficient. This was a favorite word of the Stoics. The who?

In the book of Acts, we’re introduced to the different Greek philosophers Paul met in Athens.

Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, What does this babbler wish to say? Others said, He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. ~~ Acts 17:18 ESV

The Epicureans were agnostics. Their creed was “Eat, drink and be merry.” Whatever happens does so by chance. They did not believe God existed or if there were gods that they just didn’t concern themselves with the world. The Stoics were pantheists. They believed God was in all and everything was controlled by fate. Their most desirable trait was to achieve apathy (without emotions or feelings). Living life stoically. [1]

“But Paul’s self-sufficiency was not of the Stoic kind. It was Christ-sufficiency. Paul’s independence was not Stoic independence, but dependence upon Christ. He found his sufficiency in Christ. He was independent of circumstances because he was dependent upon Christ.”[2]

In my life, I’ve had undesirable circumstances. I confess, it’s hard to be content in trials. Therefore as I meditate on being content, I do so because I’m dependent on Christ.

Engrafted by His Grace--

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[1] Wood, George O.: Acts, A Study Guide, Global University, Springfield, Missouri, 2004, p. 273

[2] Wuest, Kenneth S.: Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 1997, c1984, S. Php 4:11

Be Content

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ~~Philippians 4:10-13 NIV

Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison to the Philippians to thank them for their gift. This letter was to encourage them in their faith. Paul established the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey. These people enjoyed a special relationship with Paul.

During Paul’s three missionary journeys he faced many trials, yet also he experienced times of prosperity. On his last journey he collected an offering to return to the church in Jerusalem. When he arrived at Jerusalem, they did not open him with welcome arms. They charged him falsely and committed him to prison. When the Roman governors could not sort out what charges the Jews brought against Paul, Paul appealed to Caesar. Then he began his journey to Rome as a prisoner. On his way to Rome, he was shipwrecked on an island for months. When he finally arrived in Rome, he was imprisoned. Yet his friends were allowed to tend to his needs.

Paul counted all his experiences joy. He celebrated the trials he faced in his life. He lived with much and he lived with little. He personally experiences all his needs being met through Christ and those faithful to Christ.

A little over two years ago, I traveled to Cameroon, Africa, on a short term mission’s trip. I learned to be content in my situations. When we arrived in Cameroon, we were informed our luggage did not arrive from Paris, where we had a connecting flight. Scheduled to be in another city the next day, we left the airport with only the contents in our carry on backpacks. After spending two days on the airplane, we all looked forward to a nice shower. We arrived during the rainy season; therefore, the hotel did not have dry towels. No hot water. No clean clothes. All conveniences I’m accustomed to as an American were stripped away in a matter of moments. We traveled on overcrowded buses. Restroom facilities were nonexistent. My life’s familiar conveniences were absent, but the love of Christ was so much more apparent.

I learned to be content with what I had on that trip. Christ was more than enough. God’s people met our needs all along the way. Fellow Christians opened their homes to feed us. I view things differently in America now. I’m on the journey and in the process of learning to be content in whatever circumstance I face. My situation may not be how I want it, but I’m learning to be at peace trusting the Lord to meet my needs.

Paul experienced the physical prison. For most of us we experience the imprisonment by our circumstances. In today’s devotion by Os Hillman titled “Secret Places,” Os quoted Bible teacher F. B. Meyer. "Whenever you get into a prison of circumstances, be on watch. Prisons are rare places for seeing things. It was in prison that Bunyan saw his wondrous allegory and Paul met the Lord and John looked through heaven's open door and Joseph saw God's mercy. God has no chance to show His mercy to some of us except when we are in some distressing sorrow. The night is the time to see the stars."

Then Os went on to relay this message, “We must live each day to the fullest. We can't live in the past or in the future. We must live in the moment God that gives us right now. Our time of deliverance will come according to God's schedule. Meanwhile, we need to be faithful in doing what God has given us to do and be content in the place where He has placed us.”

At this moment, let’s be obedient to what we know to do. Let’s be content with Christ where we are and He’ll change our circumstances when it’s time.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Wednesday Word Study -- The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ~~John 1:1 NASB

Why is it important to read and understand the Word of God?

When we spend time with a loved one, friend, coworker or acquaintance, we begin to understand how they think and feel about various issues. Those who have been married for many years know their spouse well enough to complete their sentences, know their feelings and meet their needs before verbal requests are expressed.

When we asked Jesus into our hearts, confessing Him to be our Lord and Savior, we entered into a relationship with Him. To be in a relationship with someone means to spend time getting to know this person. We’re to spend time with Christ getting to know Him.

Who is Christ? Christ, the Son of God is the Word. In John 1:1 The Word or in the Greek Logos, is one of the titles of our Lord and the revealer of God according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament states, “Just as our words reveal our mind and heart, so Christ reveals the mind and heart of God to men. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NKJV). A word is composed of letters; and Christ is the Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Gk. alphabet; Rev. 22:13) who spells out God’s love to us. In Genesis 1, God created everything through His Word; and Col. 1:16 and 2 Peter 3:5 indicate that this Word was Christ. While God can be known in part through nature and history, He is known in full through His Son (Heb. 1:1–2). Christ as the Word brings grace and truth (1:14 and 17); but if men will not receive Him, this same Word will come in wrath and judgment (Rev. 19:13). The Bible is the written Word of God, and Christ is the living, incarnate Word of God.”

Therefore, I am glad to hear from many of you that you have a Bible reading plan, participating in Bible studies and learning the Word of God. As we read daily and study the Word, we grow closer to our Lord and know Him better. His Word reveals to us the mind and heart of God. As we fill up on His love for us, we can love others as He first loved us. That compassion He has for us pours out on others through us. Then we can share Him with the world who doesn’t’ know Him.

When we spend time in The Word, we're spending time with Jesus. Let’s commit stay in the Word!

Engrafted by His Grace--

New Year, New Thing

The old has gone, the new has come. God established times and seasons for our benefit. The times in which we live today are not like the times of our parents. Everything God created changes.

Our children grow up. We watch them transition through the various stages of their lives. Our jobs change. The places we live change. Gas prices change. We change our hair styles and make up. We change our homes around from time to time. We change our clothes. I believe the Lord wants us to experience new things.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. ~~ Isaiah 43:19 NIV

The Lord wants us to see how he does new things for us. Can you see it?

In order to see what the Lord does for us, we need to understand Him more. How do we understand God? After all, His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Is. 55:11)

We learn more about Him in His word. The answers we need are in His Word. First, we must have Christ as our Lord, who is the Word. Then we have the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things.

His word changes us as we apply it to our lives. When we read and study the Word of God, we see new things. His Word is useful for teaching and correcting. We learn how to live the life God calls us to live. The Lord wants us to let go of our old self, the self that desires the ways of the world and become a new creation living a victorious, abundant life through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17)

A new creation—made over and transformed by His Word. My desire this year is to be transformed by His word, to be a new creation. To be more of what He called me to be, I will be in His Word more.

I want to challenge each person who reads this to commit to spending more time with the Lord in HIS word this year. Last year I read the Bible through chronologically. It was the first time I ever read the whole Bible. I cannot express to you enough how much it improved my life. I grew. I confess there were growing pains and pruning seasons, but it was all for the better.

I found this Read the Bible in One Year web site. This site has five options for reading the Bible through. You can read it from beginning to end, chronologically, historically, Old and New, or New and Old. I believe there are nineteen different English versions and numerous other languages available. Or there are many reading plans available through various ministries. I choose to read the Bible again chronologically as I am a sequential learner. It makes sense to me to read events in the order in which it happened. I encourage you to choose a method that appeals to you.

Whatever our preference, I encourage each one of us to read the Bible daily. Let’s make time daily to spend with the Lord in His word and in prayer. I prefer to wake up early in the mornings to meet with Him. Others prefer to set aside time at lunch or before bed.

Let’s commit in 2009 to grow into the new creation, letting go of the old and experience the new thing He has for us this year.

Please let me know how you commit to read God’s word and spend time with Him daily. May the Lord bless you more than you can think or imagine in this new year! (Eph. 3:20-21)

Engrafted by His Grace--