Life in North Carolina

Listen, Obey, Reap!

04/17/2014

1 Kings 17:12-16 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Listen to God before doing anything else! This widow listened to the man of God who brought her the Word of God. Open God's Word daily and listen to what He has to say to you.
This widow was about to die; her troubles were great!. But she put others above herself and her own needs. Am I more concerned about my own needs rather than the needs of others?
God told this widow specifically what to do. Listen to God's specific instruction which comes from His Word. Obey immediately!
This widow obeyed immediately. When you know the will of God, don't delay to do it. That will only bring confusion and doubt.
This widow's obedience brought great blessing. Her needs were met all thoughout the famine. She never worried again about lack of food. What a blessing!

Are you going through troublesome times? Are you worried about how “you are going to make it”? God can and will provide if we are willing to listen and obey His Word. How many blessings from God have we missed because of our disobedience or just plain doubting his Word! Listen, obey, and reap the benefits! Remember where God guides, He provides. He will never leave us and He cares for each need we have.

Are you in a darkroom producing negatives?

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God's Judgements and Requirements

04/10/2014

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God's judgement

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

God always begins judgement with His people.

God's requirements

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Luke 12:48 . . . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

The more God blesses the more He requires.

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God's Will, Servants, Convictions - good quotes

04/08/2014

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Are you Going Backwards or Forwards?

The Greatest Servant

Jesus is our greatest example as a servant!

Do you really have convictions?

Do you live and die for your convictions?

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Kids say the Funniest Things

04/08/2014

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Kids say the funniest Things like because then I would look like . . .

Addie, our granddaughter had been thinking a lot about being baptized since she was recently saved. She decided to have a talk with the pastor about it.

Addie: Pastor Camp, I need to talk to you.

Pastor: What do you want to talk about Addie?

Addie: I want to be baptized.

Pastor: When do you want to be baptized?

Addie: As soon as my parents get their act together!
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Here is another one.

One Sunday Addie came to church with her hair still a little damp. The dampness was causing her natural curls to come out more. Our Preacher’s wife noticed it and commented to her.

Mrs. Camp: Addie, I like your curly hair

Addie: I don’t like it.

Mrs. Camp: Why don’t you like it?

Addie: Because then I look like Nellie Olson

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The Ins and Outs of Running a Business from a Christian Wife's Point of View

03/31/2014

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Should We or Shouldn't We?

Ins and Outs of Starting a Business from a Christian Wife's Point of View

AN OUT:
We asked ourselves this question for a while. I kept telling my husband he could do it. But he said no he can not. There is much more to it than just doing it, he would tell me. Little did I know. :) We kept talking about starting our own business and even went to a class in order to get help in getting started. HA! The class only confirmed in our minds that it would be impossible and we could never make it. After all, you had to have money to start a business and a plan and so many other things and we really did not want to get a loan.

Now Is the Time!

AN IN:
Finally we knew it was time! The Lord confirmed it in our hearts and minds. I can't really say why or what. We just knew. It is so important to stay in touch with the Lord on a daily basis and to not run ahead of Him. He knows what is best; He has a plan for all of us and His timing is perfect. It was time to step down from his full time job where he did daily maintenance at a Christian college and step out on our own. We took that step of faith; my husband resigned from his job and we were on our way. He started His own HVAC business. He had actually worked in this field for years, maintaining and repairing at the college as well as helping others on the side. He had already taken his state test and received his license so he was prepared in some ways. But could we make it?
WELL, let me tell you . . .

It Is Amazing

God always provides and exceeds our expectations

AN IN:
God has done and continues to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think.

We never got a loan.
We just started with what we had - There were regular customers that had been serviced on side jobs and that was a beginning spot.
We have had all our needs met and more!
Most jobs came and still do come by word of mouth. Even though we have a website, a facebook page, and do minimal advertising, because most of that is time consuming and need somewhat professional work, still most of our jobs come by word of mouth.
We have been able to purchase a work vehicle, two trailers, a newer car, and a shed for storing materials - all fully paid for with no loans. LOOK HERE for an example of God's provision.
We have had good and regular customers
Many people, family and friends, have and do pray for us. That is such a blessing! There have been some slow times when it seemed like we had no business. Prayers were offered for God's provision and He has always answered. I love that blessing!

BUT, there have been times we've asked the question, is it really worth it? . . .

Is it Really Worth all the Hassle?

Often people don't realize what really goes into running your own business. I never did! As a result, lots of times people just don't understand.

AN OUT:

There is always someone who complains about something. Isn't that human nature?
Some people call, want estimates, and then for one reason or another decide against it or get another company. This is sometimes disheartening because on this end there has been much research done to help this customer and then he changes his mind
People do not realize the countless hours that my husband spends at the computer and on the phone researching the best products as far as quality and price and many more countless hours searching for answers to specific problems regarding their system or problem. Once again, this can be disheartening especially when a friend betrays you and chooses another company.
In one sense you can set your own hours, but when you are mostly a one man show, there are often long days and weekends full of work. My husband often comes home after 8, 10, 12 hours a day of work and still has to sit down at his desk to to paper work. It is definitely NOT a piece of cake to go on your own.
Not only does my husband work hard, but there is a built in secretary at home who does all his book work and tries to be on her toes about reminding him of certain things that need to be done. Wonder who that could be?

BUT in our case, I still say it has been worth it. Why? Because like I already mentioned, it was of the Lord. It was and is His will for us at this stage in our lives.

Lessons Learned

As we go I am learning lessons.

Can't Can't, but Can Can. I used to say this to my kids all the time and now to my grandchildren when they tell me they can't. It is true, if you think you can't, you probably can't, but if you think you can, most likely you can, but only with God's help of course. I had a teacher in college who used to say all the time. If you can't do it, then just do it! So I (we) are learning that we certainly can do it when God is on our side.
Don't judge others in their own business. There are so many things that you may not see, such as the things mentioned above so if you think prices are too high, consider what might be going into it as well as the fact that this is how this person makes a living. Remember that person's time, travel expense, gas expense, research, license and permit expense, paper work and bookkeeping, time giving free estimates and consultations, working extra long hours, tool and equipment expense, insurance, taxes, and on and on the list goes. I would sometimes get upset with the price a person charges, but now I can look at things differently. That was a good lesson for me to learn.
It has helped me sympathize with the customer. When there is a complaint or when one seems to betray us, I remember times that I may have felt like they did, because I simply did not see the other side.
Where God leads, God Provides. That is not a new saying and I have heard it said many times. We have seen God provide for us over and over throughout our walk with Him. And it was true again. This is the direction he led us, and He has continued to provide. He has provided over and above all that we could even ask or think. What a great God we serve! We have been able to give to local charities as well as our regular giving to church and missionaries and have found that we cannot outgive God. He has and will continue to meet our needs. Note: We pay thousands, yes thousands of dollars in taxes each year! Don't ask me how! When I think about it, I get angry; How in the world is a small business owner supposed to make it! But then I remember, where God guides, He will provide and He does and He has, and He will! It did not take Him by surprise that we would have to pay out so much. I don't understand it. I don't know where all this money comes from because humanly speaking, we could never make it. I just know that as Christ brought the coin in the fish's mouth to Peter and told him to pay his taxes, He too provides for us in unusual ways. We may give what we think is robbery to the government, but God can and will provide it in unusual ways. We simply cannot out-give Him. He meets our needs over and above our expectations. I am also reminded once again that this world is not my home and the treasures I lay up ought to be in heaven, not here on earth!

So is starting a business an IN or an OUT . . .

Would we do it again?

Definitely! As long as we knew the Lord was in it! So my friend, if you are contemplating starting a business, please do not run ahead of the Lord. When it is time, He will let you know. When it is time, He will guide and provide.

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The Best Dwelling Place

03/25/2014

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It is a blessing to know that we can have the best dwelling place and it is free to all. Are you dwelling there, my friend? If not, you can, if you know Jesus as your Savior.

Dwell in the secret place of the most High. He cares for the birds, He will care for you!

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Will the Real Saint Patrick Please Stand Up?

03/15/2014

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Monday is St. Patrick's Day. This day really did not mean that much to me while growing up. I do remember my friend pinching me sometimes when I didn't wear green. I decided to do a little research on Patrick and then I put together a lesson that I am going to use in Sunday School tomorrow. You are welcome to use it for your own personal use too.

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Bible Lessons

03/04/2014

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I will be posting some Bible Lessons that you are free to use for your own personal use. Below are the first few that I have done. Keep checking back for more to be added. As you teach your Sunday School Class or Children's Church group be sure to make it a point to emphasize the gospel message in each lesson. Oh, how important to reach the world for Jesus!

The Days of Creation

The Story of Cain and Abel

Adam and Eve Sin

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St. Patrick Word Puzzle - Print for Free

03/02/2014

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How much to you know about St. Patrick? Here is a free printable word search puzzle.

Below is the solution to your puzzle.

St. Patrick (His real name wasn’t Patrick. It was Maewyn Succat. Pope Celestine gave him the name Patrick later in his life, and we still know him by that name today.) realized that he could be saved from his sin. While a slave, he placed his trust the the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you been saved from your slavery to sin? You can be. See how here.

Download the pdf file below to print your own word search puzzle.

word_search_puzzle.pdf
File Size:	2751 kb
File Type:	pdf

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St. Patrick's Trivia

03/01/2014

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How much do you know about Saint Patrick?
Select true or false for each question.
True or False:
St. Patrick was Irish.
True or False:
His real name was Patrick.
True or False:
His birthday was March 17.
True or False:
He was kidnapped and sold as a slave.
True or False:
He drove all the snakes out of Ireland.