I must ask you a question.???

A few months ago my son had a friend pass away in a motorcycle accident. We were talking in the car about it, just he and I (I love those moments of deep conversation).  I asked him, " Do you know if he was saved?"  My son replied, "Well, he went to church, seemed like it."  My reply " Did you ever just ask him?"  We talked more and discussed that just because we hang out with someone and they attend church with us sometimes we assume they are saved.  I told him this is a great opportunity to just ask his friends.  As the months have gone on and now over the last few months cancer has been my battle I can't help but think, "Have I asked my friends?"  So I thought I would take this time to ask you a question.  "Do you know if today was your last day, or the next breath was your last, Do you know where you would go?" 
I would love for you to know.  The Bible tells us how.  So I hope you won't tune me out now and quit reading.  Please read the rest of this post.  It may be the most important thing you ever do. 
The Bible says in one of the most famous verses -- you've probably heard it. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 
Why did He have to give His Son?  Because we are sinners.  Sin is anything we have done wrong -- We all have sinned.  You've lied ( even if it's a white lie) or cheated, or gossiped.  Any of these are sin.  The Bible says in Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 
But don't worry, He made a way.  He gave His Son.  1 Corinthians 15:3,4 "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried,that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"   Romans 6:23 says " For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  He gave His Son as a gift.
What does that mean?  Well a gift is something you accept -- not something you earn. Ephesians 2:8-9  "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast."  It's a gift, you just must accept it.  If someone gives you a gift, you can't receive it until you take it.
 The Bible tells us how to accept His gift.  Romans 10: 9,10  "If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation." It's that simple.  We need to realize we are sinners who need a Savior.  He sent His son to take our sins. We must accept His gift. The Bible clearly says we can't earn it.  "Not by works".  Sometimes that just seems to simple.  But it is.  It's as simple as saying a prayer to God right now. 
"Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner,please forgive me.  Thank You for sending Your Son to die for me.  I accept the gift of Your Son.  I believe in His death, burial, and resurrection.  I believe in my heart that You are Lord.  Amen."  It doesn't have to be perfect, it's about what's in your heart and confessing it for salvation.
So I have to ask "Are you saved? If you were to die, do you know where you would go? "  I am so thankful that I do.  If you have prayed this prayer I would like to know.  If you have any other questions I'd be more than happy to discuss it with you.  If you are saved -- have you asked your friends and family?

I wanted to get out some great verses that you may choose to use for your 100 verse challenge. I have challenged you to memorize 100 verses this summer. You may choose different verses, but these are just a few of the verses my family has chosen for this summer. You also may choose a different version of the Bible and that's okay. The point is to memorize the scripture so you can recall them when you need encouragement. You can have fun with it. Make puzzles with the verses and have the kids practice putting them together. Make posters and hang them throughout the house, you can even put some in the car. Also Scripture Typer has a great app that you can use to memorize as well.
/http://scripturetyper.com/

Philippians 4:4-8

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

James 1:2-6

² Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 

Romans 1:16

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel,  because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:9-10

⁹ If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 

  

Psalm 119:9-16

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping Your word.
¹⁰ I have sought You with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from Your commands.
¹¹ I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.
¹² Lord, may You be praised;
teach me Your statutes.
¹³ With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from Your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees
as much as in all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on Your precepts
and think about Your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

No Hair --- No Problem!!

No Hair -- No Problem!
It's easy without hair -- shorter showers, no shampoo or conditioning, no blow drying -- really we all should be bald!!
Losing my hair really wasn't a traumatic part of this whole crisis called cancer. To me losing my hair is something that could be fun and different. I'm not going to say I didn't cry when it first started falling out. I was in the shower, all alone just me and God. I cried because the hair falling out was the reality of what this was doing to my body. The reality of my cancer. But the tears only lasted in the shower.
   Matthew 10:29-31 " Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows. 
 I knew God was taking care of me. He knew how much or how little hair I had on my head.  I know my family is watching how I react, if I'm okay, it's okay.I felt it was time for a little joy in our storm.  After all how many times do you get to have no regard when it comes to your hair. I mean it was all coming out one way or another. 
  First, I let my daughter practice cutting hair. It turned out pretty cute, a little bob.   Of course, nothing like the original picture we were going for, but cute none the less. 
  We made a video with my teens. It's fun to watch peoples reactions, you don't realize quite how serious this hair falling out is until you see it. Here you can watch it. Then share it so you can see the reactions too!

As more and more fell out I'd leave it places for people I love -- I left my dad a full carpet full all over his dashboard! I saved my morning weave (it would all collect in the night and just come right off my head in the morning) for my husband. He has a bald spot he could use it for.  

   Then when we knew it was really time to shave it, I let my son give me a mullet. YUCK!! Me and a mullet do not look good together. Of course does anyone really look good in a mullet? 

 
Then it came time for the shaving. All the kids wanted to cut a piece, then they put them in a Ziploc and labeled them, just like I did for their first hair cuts. 

My husband then finished it off with a shave. It was a fun night of great memory making for us. We had a great night amidst our storm. Times can be tough, but we need see the joy even when in those times. I wish I would have done that so much more over the years. Don't have a pity party, rejoice God is doing something big!! It's not always fun, but you can find ways to make it joyful!
Love you all, 
       Robin (mama of the Mitchell Homestead)