Tag: Grace Bible Church Middleton

8 Dec 2024 Garden of Anguish

by saymber, posted in history, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you! Today it was hard to get up because I knew I would have to scrape my car of ice. I forced myself to get to church and I’m glad I did. Today’s message took us to the garden of Gethsemane, the garden of anguish, where Jesus pleaded with God to spare him the cross. Even though he was afraid he prayed for protection over his disciples and you and I. He said “not as I would have it but your will be done” he resolved to pay the cost that was being asked of him. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to accept such a burden that was put on him! Without his acceptance and going through what he did we wouldn’t have the Christianity of today!

Here is the scripture we read today:

Matthew 26:36-39New International Version

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:44-46New International Version

44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

John 17:1-5New International Version

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heavenand prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:9-21New International Version

9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world,and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[a] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[b] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[c] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world,I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

5 Dec 2024 Wild Animals

by saymber, posted in Animal Rights, animals, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Do you ever see wild animals?

Good afternoon! How are you? It was another icy and frosty day today. I had morning prayer today so I had to scrape my car windows! It was just Lois, Pastor Jayson and me. There is always a lot to give praise about and equally as much to pray about.

Matthew 18:20New International Version

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

We are hoping our little group will grow in 2025!

Today’s prompt is rather random. As I’ve mentioned before, I live in a small town that could be considered rural. We have a current population of approximately 11,501 in Middleton and growing. People have cows, horses, goats, chickens and ducks. A month or so ago there was talk of seeing a wild mountain lion wandering about. I don’t know what became of that. The only wild animals I’ve seen in town were a bunch of wild turkeys one morning! They seemed so lost. With the growth we’ve been experiencing, the open spaces for the wild animals native to this area are disappearing.

Here are some Bible verses about love from the NIV – (love is one of the most used words in the Bible – 551 times in the NIV version):

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” 
  • Mark 12:30-31: “
    Mark 12:30-31 says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. 
  • 1 Chronicles 16:34: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” 
  • Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” 
  • Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” 

Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments were to:

  • “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” 
  • “Love your neighbor as yourself” 

1 Dec 2024 Meant To Be

by saymber, posted in history, Home, Leading Life by Example, space, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hello to you from frosty Idaho. I had to scrape frost off of my windows before church this morning! Something I have been following lately is the increased reporting of lights in the sky to include right over the Capitol building on Thanksgiving! Interesting times we are living in.

Lights captured over the Capitol building

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14137567/Mysterious-lights-Capitol-Hill-sparks-fears-UFOs-Washington-DC.html

Today’s message at Grace Bible Church Middleton was from Christmas Story Meant To Be – Garden of Sorrow. Pastor Jayson was in Genesis Chapter 2 and 3:

Genesis 2:8-9New International Version

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:1-4New International Version

The Fall

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.

Out of these scripture we are told that God gives us great gifts but what God gave as a gift became a gift of sorrow by what Adam and Eve did by eating fruit from the one tree God told them not to eat from. The garden became a garden of sorrow instead of paradise. We are reminded in this season of gifts that it’s not entirely about the manger – Jesus’s birth – but ultimately the cross he would die on for that first sin and all sin that has followed.

This message makes me reflect on my walk of faith and all the ways I have fallen short – eaten fruit from the forbidden tree, broken commandments. I am so grateful to be knowing Jesus more and more. I have so much yet to learn! It’s important to know it’s never too late to know him.

24 Nov 2024 Thankful In Pain

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Good day to you. I hope this finds you well. Today was the last of the I AmThankful series at church today. We got to listen to the inspiring story of John and Kristin who relocated to Middleton from California last year. In the midst of their transition they were thrown a major curve ball. One day Kristin was in severe pain and it turned out she had gall stones. A large one ended up rupturing and caused septics! When all was said and done she ended up losing part of her arms and both hands. She was wearing a prosthetic arm/hand on her right side. She said it was her faith that got her through it! A very inspiring story! It goes to prove something that I’ve said and has proven true in my life that if you think you have troubles just talk to someone else!

Messages from Pastor Jayson included these key points: 1) Contentment is a choice 2) Life rarely goes the way we think it should 3) A Faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted and The things we focus on will determine our contentment.

Something that comes to mind for me and my experience is God always has a plan even in our suffering and discontent. It’s in his timing not ours! Every trial I have faced has been for my greater good in the end. If I was still living in Texas I would be so much worse off! I don’t think I would have found the church family I have or the relationship with Jesus I have now.

Philippians 4:13New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

19 Nov 2024 Adversity

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you from the chilly yet sunny state of Idaho. I hope this finds you well – if not I hope you know you are loved and people you have never met are praying for you. I pray for the world and those who think they have no one who cares for them each day. With the latest headlines we are facing great uncertainty and as brothers and sisters need to keep eachother in prayer even more than ever!

This morning I went over to my Aunts house and road with her to meet with some ladies from the last Bible study we did. We tried to meet and have coffee at The Harvesters but it was practically standing room only! So we had a change of plans and went to the Bible study leaders home instead. We each talked about our stories – especially health. Each of us has experienced and continue to experience adversity. What we have in common is leaning on our faith in Jesus to face those trials. I have only recently started to refer to God, my Lord, my savior as Jesus Christ. Growing up Roman Catholic we weren’t really taught that. I only ever believed in God. Since moving here to Idaho I have turned my life, my soul, specifically to Jesus. What’s ironic about that is every single manic episode I’ve had has in some way involved Jesus! It’s refreshing to not be manic and have Jesus in my life.

Adversity strikes us all in one way or another. It is how and to whom we turn to that makes all the difference as we face those trials. In my not so distant past I often tried to face and figure how to navigate troubles on my own. Having a relationship with Christ has helped relieve the burden of life’s adversities and I don’t feel so alone. When I go to church on Sundays I feel so welcome and part of a family apart from my biological family.

Romans 5:3-5New International Version

3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

17 Nov 2024 City

by saymber, posted in history, Home, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs

What is your favorite place to go in your city?

Hello to you from snowy and wet Idaho! I had snow on my car this morning before heading to church. I wanted to mention my cousin and I ended up going to Applebee’s on Veteran’s Day. They had a wonderful menu just for us veterans! We both had the 6 oz steak, broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes. It was very good. This was the first time I have taken advantage of such a thing. We agreed we would make a tradition out of it!

Today’s prompt is thinking about a city but I live in a town (for now! We are growing fast!). My favorite part of where I live is old town. Middleton was established in the 1860’s and is the oldest settlement in Canyon County. This is where the history is. There isn’t much left of old town Middleton – a lot of vacant buildings. There are a couple churches, the community center, the police station, modern stuff like a gas station and Subway. A couple businesses like a hair salon, a dog groomer, The Chap Wine and Tap, The Original Sunrise Cafe, 208 Burger, Kravs and Tacos El Rancho. Our Grace House is one of the only homes on Main Street. Because of the way Middleton is it is pretty much set the way it is. Growth has only happened to the outskirts not within where the historical buildings are. They built a Jack In The Box and Dairy Queen within the past couple of years. I hope Middleton will stay on the small side but with all the new developments (housing) I doubt it will stay small for long. The town next to us, Star, is experiencing growth we cannot with the way Middleton is laid out.

Today’s message in church came from a couple that was invited to share their stories of trials and tribulations within the past couple of years. They are business owners, home school their children and are active members of Grace Middleton Bible Church. With more commitment to the Lord, they have experienced more trying times but have remained faithful. I have been enjoying the interviews with members of our church. It seems like the more you are devoted to the Lord the bigger target you become for attacks and challenges!

Lamentations 3:22-23English Standard Version

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

28 August 2024 Something to Write About

by saymber, posted in Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Writing and blogging

Hi there! How are you doing today? I hope this finds you well. I am trying to write a little more often and it’s kind of hard. Being single and living alone with my sweet dog Link – not going out much makes for not much to write about! Most of the outside my home activities are family, church and medical appointment related. Starting next month on Tuesdays I will be joining my Aunt for a Bible study called One in a Million. This study will go on into November. It will be nice to have an opportunity to make new friends! People my age are still working so most of the people will be older and retired. As a newer Christian it will be good to learn more and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Recently I had the question about being baptized as a baby versus being baptized as an adult. The difference is not having a say as a baby and my parents choosing versus my being an adult and making a conscious decision to follow Christ. So at some point I may decide to get baptized as an adult!

Sometimes I feel like I’m holding back from being all into following Jesus. Part of it has to do with each of the episodes I’ve had being Bipolar. Each episode involved religion and Jesus. This last episode that landed me in the hospital and trouble with the law was because I felt Jesus was taking too long to return so I was going to push things along! So I have been avoiding becoming overly religious for fear of what could happen! So much of my life I have been into death and darkness – my early life began with such things losing my Mom so young. I’m grateful to be surrounded by loving family both by blood and by church. They are helping me navigate this phase of my journey.

7 May 2024 Community

by saymber, posted in Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, trust

What do you do to be involved in the community?

Luke 22:26New International Version

The way I am involved in community is through my church. I go to church, attend a prayer meeting and fold bulletins on Thursdays. There is more I could be doing but I’m doing what I can right now. There are a lot of leadership vacancies in the church and I have thought about filling one but worry about becoming overwhelmed. I have been praying about it.

Luke 22:26

26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

17 April 2024 Decision

by saymber, posted in Home, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

A decision I made that helped me grow was going back to church and becoming a Christian this past year. I had stopped going to church for a long time. The whole 12 years I lived in Texas and part of the time I lived in Delaware. I was a pagan for all that time. I was raised Roman Catholic and became disenchanted with it and stopped going. My ex and I used to go but felt like we didn’t belong. Since making the choice to allow Christ to be my savior I have made friends and church family at Grace Bible Church in Middleton. I am not alone anymore! I am finding my way with the help of my family and church family. There is a little part of me that is still reserved but I am learning to surrender. I have always believed in Jesus just hadn’t completely surrendered to him.

Philippians 4:13New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength

29 March 2024 Laugh

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What makes me laugh? I laugh at comedians like Gabriel Iglesias – he is my favorite! It doesn’t matter how many times I watch his shows I always laugh. Another one is Sebastian Maniscalco. I’m the type of person who goes to a comedy show and laugh embarrassing loud! Live comedy is a lot of fun. I laugh at potty humor pretty easily!

I went to physical therapy today and I am really weak in my glutes and core. She gave me some exercises to do to regain some strength. I see her again in May so I will have some time to work on things between now and then. She was really informative.

Today is Good Friday, it’s always been hard to understand what was so good about such a solemn chain of events. Our church is having a service this evening at 6 pm.

Mark 10:33-34New International Version

33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”