Saturday, February 28, 2009







Eccl 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" NIV
Jim is a such a great man. Whenever help is needed, he pitches in if possible. This weekend we drove to Fort lauderdale to pick up our son's wrecked vehicle and hauled it to Sebring to have it repaired. What a good sport. It was certainly nice of him to take time out of his weekend. Luckily, he and Phil together with Nick, got the job done. Three strapping young men were far better than one when it came to pushing the heavy truck on the trailer. Great team-work guys!

Thursday, February 26, 2009




Heb 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching." NIV
Our son Philip and his friend Rob came up from Fort Lauderdale on the train today; to pick up Clay's truck. Phil is going to borrow/own it for awhile while his damaged vehicle is repaired. Since Phil is moving to Jacksonville this weekend, he needed something safer than his bike to get not only to Jacksonville but around that big city, as well.
While they were here we shared a meal with them at Olive Garden, since we all love the food there and the prices are great.
During our time together, I chauffered Phil (and Rob) around in search for insurance, auto tags, etc., we had lots of fun. I hope Christ's love with them through my conversation and actions. I pray my light was a good example and an encouragment that they are truly loved. I thank God for every opportunity He gives me to spend with our children. They are the loves of my life!

Monday, February 23, 2009


Prov 17:17
"A friend loves at all times..." NIV
We babysat our grandbaby this weekend. No we don't have a surprise we didn't tell you, she's actually our grand puppy and what a puppy she is! She is non-stop, 24/7, no kidding! She loves to run outside, chasing the 4 wheeler and rarely tires! I don't know where she gets her energy from!
She (Belle) found a friend in Blondie my sister's dog and here she is trying to play but Blondie is uninterested. I certainly can say that Belle lives out Proverbs 17:17. She is the happiest dog I've ever seen and she certainly is extremely lovable! Attributes we all should learn. She truly is man's best friend!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Earthly Bailouts Don't Compare to God's Greatest Plan

What actually is “bailout” and what does “stimulus” mean?
In an attempt to find out, I searched my handy Webster’s manual.

Bailout according to the great Webster himself is “a helping out of one in difficulty; a providing of government financial aid to a failing company, city, etc.; a rescue from financial distress.”
Stimulus is “something that rouses or incites to action or increased action; incentive.” Incite is “to set in motion.”

We are studying the Tabernacle in our Women’s Bible Study; and of the care and preciseness the Lord required in constructing it. The Tabernacle is a place in the Old Testament times, where the people went to met with God, a holy place where God’s presence dwelled. This Tabernacle or meeting place; housed the Altar of Sacrifice. Here, sacrifices or burnt offerings were made to God, as atonement for sin.

Over and over, in Old Testament scripture, sacrifices were made for the forgiveness of sin. Because of His great love for them, God bailed out the Israelites, time and time again. No sooner did He help them out of one crisis, were they in another. Their sinful nature brought them much anguish. But God was, and still is, always faithful. God’s promise to Abraham follows to his descendants (us), and He intends to keep it.

God forever stimulates, in an attempt to teach us obedience and trust in Him. He allows temptations to test us and when we fail, He bails us out, two, three sometimes dozens of times. Why? Because, He loves us.

Being the self-centered society that we are, do we really deserve a bailout? When I think about all the corporate businesses that are being bailed, I can’t help but wonder if it’s really necessary. Sure I believe something must be done, but when the big guys take the money and frivolously spend it on elaborate parties and private jets, rather than finding ways to help our economy, come on, what’s wrong with the picture? And the stimulus package, what a joke, a whole thirteen dollars? Is that enough to help starving families put food on the table and pay their mortgages? What are they thinking? Now maybe I’m wrong due to my ignorance in the matter, but I’m not so stupid as to fall for all the phony boloney our current government has to offer. God help us!

Thank God, we Christians have a proven bail-out/stimulus package that will last through all eternity. Thank God, He thought enough of us to provide an easy payment plan; one that pulls us out of our distress, is guaranteed to work, and has no hidden surprises.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV

An oldie, but goodie. This is probably the most well known verse in history, one that many people have heard of, but often taken for granted. God never intended for His people to perish. He loves His creation and desires to spend eternity with every one. Unfortunately, because many don’t believe, they won’t see the pearly gates and streets of gold. Maybe many don’t believe, because they don’t understand the extent of God’s love. Maybe because they just can’t fathom the depth of it. Or maybe, it’s because they are too stubborn to accept the Truth.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” NIV Eph 3:17-19

God wants us to know Him. He desires that we fellowship with Him and bask in His presence, just as the Israelites did. He allows circumstances in our lives to enter in, in an attempt to stimulate or cause us to take action toward a growing relationship with Him. The Word of God says that before we ever knew Him, He was at work, working on His plan.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

The United States of America is still a very powerful country, and we know it. Hopefully, the bailout and stimulus packages will help our economy. No matter what happens, I’m thankful that God is in control. Even when we are not, He is faithful. He will continue knocking on the doors of our hearts, hoping to stimulate us, with His greatest plan of all, His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let’s talk.
Terri can be reached at terriotterman@hotmail.com

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Where is your treasure?

A couple of weeks ago Jim picked the fruit from our trees, filling several laundry baskets full. Knowing it was more than we could eat, I decided to get out the squeeze machine. The outsides of the oranges were tough and blemished and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if they would juice well. But what do I know? Their outward appearance had no bearing, and the juice was sweeter than last year’s.

Which brings me to this; on the outside, we may not look so good at times. Maybe we have a few extra blemishes, or our weight is not where it used to be. Maybe the dark circles under our eyes reveal the stress we’ve been under, or the extra strands of grey the worries we’ve been carrying. Sometimes life is just not easy which brings out the worst in us and around us. Relationships suffer, marriages fail, jobs are lost, foreclosures happen and we don’t understand it all. But, even when the future seems dim, Christ remains. In our darkest hour He is our strength.

“I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13 NIV

What’s going on in your life right now? How are you faring today’s storms? Is your heart focused, on your problems or the problem solver? Where is your life treasure? Do you live for your finances, or your family? Are material things more important to you, or is your faith on top of the list? What do you hold dear to your heart, what concerns you?

In Matthew Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21 NIV

I have more than my share on my plate these days. While plenty of fruits, veggies, grace my plate, there’s also one too many Twinkies, and way too much chocolate. In moderation, it’s all ok, but too much, is trouble waiting to happen.

In a different perspective, how many good things fill our schedules and how many not so good? Do we have an excess of shopping trips and luncheons, and not enough Bible reading and studies? Do we spend overtime at the office and little time with our family?

Life can be so busy with meetings and football games; work and social events, even church can rob us of precious time, that often we forget what’s most important. While all are well and good, each task has an affect on our relationships. Too many, can rob us leaving less time to spend with our children or significant other. As Christians, the more we spend doing busy things, the less quiet time we have with God. Excess activities, just like eating too many Twinkies and chocolate bars, is trouble waiting to happen.

If you haven’t seen the movie “FireProof” I encourage you to buy it, rent it, and watch it. It is truly an eye opener. With Valentine’s Day at hand, it’d make a nice gift, along with a box of Twinkies and a big bag of chocolate covered raisins, of course (once in a while is ok). These, along with a cuddle on the couch, would make a great Valentine evening. Who needs diamonds?

Think about it. Where is your treasure? Is it in your special someone, or in your money? Is it in your children or in your job? Is your treasure in the One who died for you, or in your golf game? Is it in that box of Twinkies or in the Bread of Life?