Christmas Morning 2008

It was such blessing to have lots of family with us this year at Christmastime. This picture was taken on our lanai on Christmas morning. Seated you see my mother, daughter, and 27-month-old grandson.

It was also very special to share with our daughter and son-in-law what they have been learning in their church in New York City. Thanks to the internet, we were able to listen to the lessons taught by their pastor on line.

Nathan really loves being at Grandma/Grandpa's house; I think he especially appreciates the ability to go outside and run around in the back yard. He loves helping Grandpa water the plants in the back yard, too. He likes going to the beach; not particularly for the water, but for building "sand" towers and knocking them down. He also likes riding in "Papa's Truck".

Merry Christmas to you all, Little Mazza

I am so proud of my neice, serving as a missionary assistant in Ethiopia. She's been able to publish several posts about her experiences there. So please, if you have time, check out what she has to share at staciainethiopia.blogspot.com.

Happy Memorial Day--the official start of summer. Getting excited about camp. Yes, I said "camp". I'll be attending AWANA merit camp in mid June, possibly as a counselor, and I've been preparing lessons to share with our outstanding AWANA clubbers.

Of course, the challenge is to get their attention, help them realize God wants us to do a right thing in a right way, and to direct them in towards the right path of righteousness.

I am so thankful that the LORD has provided excellent teachers and evangelists to learn by for many years. I've known and heard Rich Hughes for several years; he's an outstanding evangelist based in Alabama. But just recently I discovered he's got a weekly radio show that you can listen to on line. This guy really puts it simply, yet accurately in a non-obtrusive way. Check it for yourself on his website http://www.bigrick.org. You'll find his weekly radio broadcasts by skipping through the opening page intro, then click on the Truth Online tab, at the very far right side .

This may very well be the link that God wants you to click on right now.

Today we celebrate and honor those who made great sacrifice for our national freedom. Now to HIM, who provided for our spiritual freedom---Our LORD Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1-6

Little Mazza

Can you guess how old? I had a great birthday last Sunday.
Thank you, Bob, Mazza, and Papa John.

Birthday lunch at Todai

Teaching hymns

Every year, I teach our AWANA K-2nd graders (Sparks) a new hymn. I'm so glad to see they enjoy singing and learning hymns. This Wed. evening we will be singing "How Great Thou Art".

Yes, our God has revealed his magnificent person, and it's wonderful to discover more and more what a great God HE is.

Yours, LittleMazza

A fresh start

I had a few of my co-workers ask me what my "New Year's Resolution" was. I had to frankly tell them that if I were to try to make a resolution, I would ultimately fail. Romans 7:15 It was a great opportunity to give a short testimony; giving credit to my Lord for giving me a new life in Him.

But yes, I love January and February; because it is a great time for getting things cleaned up and organized for the new year. 1 Corinthians 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order."

It feels great to take some time to weed out, purge, and reorganize. At this time when we start a new year, our thoughts should turn to what Scripture tells us about living in newness of life in Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we can master the details of life, and not allow details of life to rule over us. Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, 6:13 and do not present your members to sin as instruments ¹⁰ to be used for unrighteousness, ¹¹ but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments ¹² to be used for righteousness. 6:14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

The real dynamic of our lives is doing all that we do as unto the Lord, in the power of the Spirit, Galatians 5:25 Ephesians 5:18. What a difference it makes in our mental attitude to know that
we rely upon His Spirit to accomplish His will. No longer do we trust in our own strength. Living in the power of the Spirit produces divine good, that will not be considered as wood, hay, and stubble; but gold, silver and precious stone.

And it all starts at the point we use 1 John 1:9. What a wonderful provision, God is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Every day can be like a new year, with a fresh start.

Thank you Mom and Papa John for the file cabinets, shelf, and drawer. You are a blessing!

Love, Little Mazza

Going through testing?

Good morning, isn't it wonderful to start a new day? May this new day be filled with praise to our Lord; but if you feel the stress, it is an opportunity to allow the Lord to turn cursing into blessing.

Look at all that God revealed to Job after his time of testing. Job 38-39

Learning about my creator and details of His creation has been a wonderful addition to my thinking, and thus my love response to HIM in recent years.

Little Mazza

There is no neutral ground

Do you belong to the God of the Universe? Does he occupy your thinking, your being, your love?

Then you might become more aware of bold attempts to counterfeit God's plan.

Here's only one current example--
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm

Hasn't God already told us that Satan is highly intelligent, Ezekiel 28:12? We have been told what Satan said he would attempt to do. Isaiah 14:13

My prayer today: That we (Christians) would not be caught off guard; that we would rely on the POWER of the Word to guide and strengthen our minds. 1 Peter 5:8-9 and oh, yes, go ahead and read verse 10, too. May your soul be singing songs of victory that are the LORD's.

Little Mazza

All dressed up for the Spring Banquet