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Norma's Blog (30)

Readin’, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2Peter 1:8-10 My heart is heavy. I feel a… Continue

Added by Norma on October 20, 2009 at 9:44pm — No Comments

Get Rich Quick – A Guide to Prayer

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21 Now that I have your attention this is not about material wealth but spiritual wealth. I bet your eyes were bi… Continue

Added by Norma on October 20, 2009 at 9:35pm — No Comments

Love God, Love Others – Any Questions?

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 Why so much discord among those who call themselves Christians? Why is there so much division in the church? Could it be that the One in whom we choose to w… Continue

Added by Norma on September 18, 2009 at 9:47am — No Comments

You Are Under Arrest…

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things. Isaiah 59:3 You have the right to remain silent (and I suggest that you do). Everything you say can and will be used against you. Reader, I know you are saying, “Norma, you’ve got the wrong one. I have not committed a… Continue

Added by Norma on September 8, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

Don’t Look Now, They’re Right Behind You!

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 How many times have we read and said verse 6 of the 23rd Psalm? Have you really thought about what it says? Let’s break it down and look closely at what David is telling us. He opens the statement with the word ‘surely.’ Webster defines surely as certainly; assuredly; safely and firmly. This lets us know that the state… Continue

Added by Norma on September 1, 2009 at 9:27pm — 2 Comments

No Wonder He Calls Us Sheep

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 How much do you know about sheep? I mean the nature of, physical features and its temperament? When you think… Continue

Added by Norma on August 22, 2009 at 12:18am — 2 Comments

What Are You Thinking?

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Where does sin begin? How is it birthed within… Continue

Added by Norma on August 17, 2009 at 11:03pm — 1 Comment

Liars and Trials and Burdens… Oh, My!

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), Ephesians 5:8-9 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of l… Continue

Added by Norma on July 25, 2009 at 11:47pm — 1 Comment

Be R.A.R.E. and B.E.W.A.R.E. to Resist the Devil

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Corinthians 10:13 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on… Continue

Added by Norma on June 19, 2009 at 9:58am — 1 Comment

It's Not What They Do...

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not… Continue

Added by Norma on June 10, 2009 at 10:07pm — No Comments

I'm Worth A Lot

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question "What kind of man are you looking for?" She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, "Do you really want to know?" Reluctantly, he said, "Yes." She began to expound... "As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the p… Continue

Added by Norma on June 5, 2009 at 4:00pm — 2 Comments

Invisible Me

INVISIBLE ME The body before you is merely the temple in which I dwell It is my representative and not me This body cannot contain all that I am now or what I will be This brain can only hold so much knowledge so I carry wisdom in these hips The heart is only as big as a fist so love flows from my soft, supple lips The pain of life is too great so I let it sit in my belly to be nurtured until it is ready to be birthed as revolution, salvation and solution These two eyes, though deep and brown,… Continue

Added by Norma on May 20, 2009 at 2:26pm — 1 Comment

You Do the Believing, He’ll Do the Cleaning!

How many folks believe that they need to have it all together before they commit their lives to Christ? How many people think that they are just too dirty for God’s use? How many “so-called” Christians have made others feel that they were not worthy enough to sit next to them on their pew? Paul explained it like this: “When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and He forgave all our si… Continue

Added by Norma on March 17, 2009 at 1:20pm — 2 Comments

I Believe I'll Testify...

Thank God for Cancer! On December 15, 2005 it was confirmed that my brother, Jerrold, had multiple myeloma - a blood cancer. Never in the history of my life or that of my family had we dealt with such devastating news. Little did we know that this awful disease would save some of us, strengthened the faith of a few and ultimately leave all of us changed for the better. I am the only daughter, maternal niece and granddaughter. I am the fifth child in a household of boys. While others may have t… Continue

Added by Norma on March 7, 2009 at 8:05pm — 13 Comments

Extreme Makeover - Soul Edition

Norma J. Oliver olivernorma@bellsouth.net Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2 NIV I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything th… Continue

Added by Norma on March 5, 2009 at 11:40am — No Comments

“I Ain’t Coming By No Letter!”

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord. Proverbs 22:17-19 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 5:7 Where do I begin? Let me first explain this title. Yes, my spelling and grammar check is working. It suggested that I not use the word ‘ain’t’ and i… Continue

Added by Norma on February 2, 2009 at 8:00am — 2 Comments

LOVE EPIPHANY

Thought he was the butter for my biscuit Thought he was the sugar for my tea Thought he looked like a husband Thought he talked like a husband But MY husband he was not to be Love, real love, is a splendid and elusive thing Sometimes it seems of true love we can only dream The ultimate goal is love tri-fold The union of man and woman with God at the center Not merely a relationship of convenience for one or the other Love and marriage – one is no good without the other But one must love himsel… Continue

Added by Norma on January 28, 2009 at 8:07am — 2 Comments

Unforgettable...

The moment that President-Elect Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States will be a moment of hope, not just for these United States but for the world. Mr. Obama’s presidency is so much more than his breaking the color barrier but his ability to transcend race, religion and socioeconomic status. He has shown leadership in unity, in inclusion, in service to others and even in the most basic institution of family. I cannot begin to fully express what today means to me personally… Continue

Added by Norma on January 20, 2009 at 11:33am — 1 Comment

Do Christians Need A Bailout Plan?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 So the economy is not fundamentally sound. Wall Street is sinking fast and since misery loves company, it is taking ‘Main Street’ along for the ride. Nearly every industry (from banks to pornography) is asking for a bailout from Uncle Sam.… Continue

Added by Norma on January 18, 2009 at 3:05pm — 1 Comment

Grow Up, People!

What are you looking for? A good girl or perhaps a creeper? You give of your body so freely No discretion is used – sex comes too easy Don’t try to feed me your lines of deceit When what you really want is between the sheets Maybe I want something meaningless Until you ask, it’s anybody’s guess Don’t hate me when I can play the game “Oh, I’m sorry – what was your name?” You don’t have to go home but my bed you must vacate Thanks for the ride, I mean, I enjoyed our date Don’t call me, I’ll cal… Continue

Added by Norma on January 14, 2009 at 9:38am — 2 Comments