Why Read the Bible?

Not too long ago I was listening to a conversation by some folks a generation younger than mine. I did not speak up, but I have been searching my heart since than.
Why do I read the Bible? Do I read simply to prove a point, to convince myself or someone else that I am right, or do I read it so that I might become transformed by it?
I am sure there are times in which I read the Bible to confirm that I have God's mind on a matter, but I realize that the Word of God is the power of God. The truth of God's Word is meant to transform us. Romans 12:1,2 tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. The only way our minds will truly be transformed is by the Word of God.
We recently had a grandchild here who came to the dinner table with a dirty little face. Some water on a wash cloth soon transformed her face. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that we are to be washed by the water of the Word. Even rocks, in their hardened conditions, become transformed by time and water flowing over them. This is what God wants His Word to do for us.
God doesn't just want us to prove a point with His Word. He wants that Word to first and foremostly transform us. According to Ephesians 1:18 He wants to enlighten, to illuminate our eyes and our understanding by the acceptance of His Word.

Re: My Mother

The past two months have made big changes in my mother's life. I want to post an update to my last November 11th blog.

On December 3rd my mother was placed in a nursing home. She loves her little home. The nursing home staff fixes her 3 Reliv shakes a day. She was soon off of oxygen, which the medical profession thought would never happen. She was restricted to walking only in her room, but now the restrictions have been lifted and she can walk the hallways.

The other day when she was out she met up with a woman who was trying to wheel her way to the dining room. Mom said that she was going so slowly! She pushed her to where she was going. We thank God for this turn-around. We thank the nursing home staff for providing her with her shakes. We also thank Reliv for coming up with such a product.

Children Whose Lives Are Being Changed

this is what God is doing through Reliv in a Christian school that my friend Connie heads up. She gives her students only 1/2 the recommended daily amount and yet these are some of the things which are taking place in her school.

I have noticed less sickness; bett er attention, less afternoon slump, no more chronic nosebleeds in one boy, and in another boy who often had allergic reactions to plants and dirt... on the playground several times a year has had no more problems. Last year he would come in from recess all broken out in hives; his mother left Benadryl with me to give him. Several times last year he had to be sent home when he broke out in hives; since Reliv... no more hives. Another boy in Vikki's class had the prescription for his eye glasses improve this year.

They have one Kid's shake at school. Only one parent has product at home to give her child a second shake a day; he is the one who has ulcers and was hospitalized at the beginning of this school year. His appetite has improved and he has gained a little weight; he has been a sickly child, but since Reliv he has not had nearly as many sick days or Dr. visits.

Happy New Year

Today I began anew. I face the challenges of today with Hope and Faith. I focus on spending time in God's Word and His presence. I renew my vision of the first call that I remember God placing on my life. I was 18 or 19 and just newly baptized with the Holy Spirit. As I had been singing the Psalms to God and singing in my new prayer language the Lord put a spirit of travail on me and asked me if I was willing to become an intercessor for Him. I have often shirked from this strenuous work, because my flesh does not enjoy this.
But I have learned that this is also a powerful and blessed work. it is most effective when we know the Word of God and pray according to Scriptures. Romans 8:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit knows how to make intercession for us when we have no idea of how to pray. This becomes powerful.
This year we will need to pray in the Spirit more than we have ever prayed in the Spirit before. None of us know what will lie ahead of us this year, but God's Holy Spirit does. Let us be filled with His Spirit. Let us stand on His Word. Let us be one in the Love of Christ so that we will draw all men unto God! This is our Day! This is our Hour!

Poetry of the Month

20 Years ago the Lord miracelously opened the flow of anointed poetry through me. Since then He has given me hundreds of pieces. These are meant to bless His people and bring souls into the kingdom. I share these pieces with the lavish love God has placed in my life!

Start collecting my poetry!
Sign up for Poetry of the Month.
Email me at rlv-sog@charter.net .
My goal is to attach it to your email around the middle of the month.

NEW RELEASE

Spring into the New Year with fresh new concepts from the second edition of my first book!

I Had my friend, Rich Shaver, here helping me upload this picture. It does not show the real cover of my newest edition of my first book, but it has the background.

I love the stairway. It really resembles the stairs that Joseph climbed when he was finally summoned out of prison and appeared before the king of Egypt. He never descended those stairs to slavery again!

John 8:36 tells us that if Jesus has set us free we will truly be set free. Romans 6:14 says that sin has no more dominion over us!

Order your book online in English or in Spanish from www.StonesOfGold.org and find out how to see your God-given dreams come true! 2010 is the year for us to live life with a purpose.

This is the last picture I have of my mother (age 97) and me in her apartment.

While we were waiting to do a family conference call during her transition into the nursing home. I felt like writing. I wrote this the day before Thanksgiving, Novermber 25,2009

Time ticks on and yet stands still.

I await the call but wish it would never come.

The past has become the old

and the old must become history.

How can I embrace the new?

"the new"...strange words, and yet we face them everywhere.

Some 'news' we embrace--new shoes, new sunrises, new cars, new toys

But what about the 'new tomorrows' - the new that we don't know?

The shoes that we can't be fitted for - the srormy horizonswe never expected

Or perhaps we'd put it off into the distant future.

But now tomorrow becomes today - to time frames collide into one.

How then do I embrace the new?

The familiar becomes the old. The familiar home. The old clock on the wall. The old address. The tattered old blankieThe door so gladly opened - now securely locked for its final time.

How do I embrace this new?

What have I that's's hidden secure? What have I to bring me into the new?

What jewels/ What treasures? What gold have I for tomorrow's today?

Where find I hope, my strength or my faith?

What hand have I told hold to guide me into tomorrow's today?

I solemnly wait...timeticks on and yet stands so very still.

I search my heart for what I need to embrace - tomorrow's today, the old turned new!

yes, there's a hand - A tug at my heart - The call has come and I have found God's grace was on the line. For He has borne my sorrows. He has carried my grief. I can let go of tomorrow for today I find grace to embrace the old tunred new.

Today I find grace to embrace the old turned new - my tomorrows today