This picture was taken five years ago. I was turning 60 years old and there was a count down to my birthday. Darlene came up with the idea to do a 12 days of Sparkie. I had 12 friends who did something special for me and I think I cried everyday of being grateful. There are times in life when we don't know what we mean to someone and I can promise you, this made me realize the depth of my life to so many others. Darlene is our women's pastor and I've known her for 30 years. Stacy is our children's pastor and I've know her 8 years. I am blessed with a great family and friends too.
Our lives make a difference and each of us have a purpose. Read about Jeremiah and we can relate this to our lives about how God has a plan before we are born. Our yes to God is important and remember that you make a difference.
Jeremiah 1:4-19 New International Version (NIV)
The Call of Jeremiah
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
13 The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”
“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”
14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.
“Their kings will come and set up their thrones
in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;
they will come against all her surrounding walls
and against all the towns of Judah.
16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people
because of their wickedness in forsaking me,
in burning incense to other gods
and in worshiping what their hands have made.
17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah said yes to God and his life made a difference. He trusted the Lord and he gave him courage to move forward. God said, "Get yourself ready". That statement alone makes me know I must get myself ready for this new day. God has plan and my yes matters. Your yes matters and you can only do what God has called you to do. You are important! Today, I turn 65 years old and I am embracing my age of change. I am happy to be alive and thank God for it. After my heart attack in Sept of last year, I know the importance of a new day. I hope you enjoy this day and do your best at whatever you do. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie
Our lives make a difference and each of us have a purpose. Read about Jeremiah and we can relate this to our lives about how God has a plan before we are born. Our yes to God is important and remember that you make a difference.
Jeremiah 1:4-19 New International Version (NIV)
The Call of Jeremiah
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
13 The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”
“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”
14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.
“Their kings will come and set up their thrones
in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;
they will come against all her surrounding walls
and against all the towns of Judah.
16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people
because of their wickedness in forsaking me,
in burning incense to other gods
and in worshiping what their hands have made.
17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah said yes to God and his life made a difference. He trusted the Lord and he gave him courage to move forward. God said, "Get yourself ready". That statement alone makes me know I must get myself ready for this new day. God has plan and my yes matters. Your yes matters and you can only do what God has called you to do. You are important! Today, I turn 65 years old and I am embracing my age of change. I am happy to be alive and thank God for it. After my heart attack in Sept of last year, I know the importance of a new day. I hope you enjoy this day and do your best at whatever you do. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie
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