Friday, June 29, 2012

~ ♥♥♥~ Happy 5th Birthday O! ~ ♥♥♥~
I fell in love when I first saw your precious face and bright, twinkling eyes.  I had no earthly idea how to be a Nana.  I didn’t know what do.  I didn’t read a book or look for advice.  Somehow, along the way, you taught me the things I needed to know.  Thru your eyes, I learned to laugh and make funny faces and play and talk silly and blow bubbles and read and pretend and hide and color and tell stories...I still remember that very first moment.  I melted then, and I still melt now.
I love you so much, Nana

  Happy 32nd Anniversary Mark! We are forever together in love!














Wednesday, June 27, 2012

how long?

I hum.  I hum a lot.  I really hum a lot.  Sometimes I make a mental note in hopes I’ll be conscious of my ‘hums’.  Sometimes I’m successful and sometimes not.  Sometimes I catch myself humming and wonder ‘where did that song come from?’  It may be a children’s Sunday school song, a song on the radio from when I was a teen, something like ‘Old McDonald’ or ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, a contemporary Christian song, an old hymn, or any other song that finds itself wiggling from the song part of my brain.

Lately I’ve been slack in my quiet time.  No excuses.  After what God did for me, why don’t I hunger and thirst to spend time daily in prayer and in His Word?  Why isn’t it first and foremost in my mind each day?  Why do I automatically go to the coffee pot each morning, but not to my bible?  I know what’s wrong with this picture.

The other day I found myself humming an old hymn.  I was totally astonished.  I believe God sent me this song... 

How Long Has it Been?
By Jim Reeves

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord
And told him your heart's hidden secrets?
How long since you prayed?
How long since you stayed on your knees till the light shone through?
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew that he cared for you?
How long has it been since you knelt by your bed
And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?
How long since you knew that he'd answer you
And would keep you the long night through?
How long has it been since you woke with the dawn
And felt this day is worth living?
Can you call him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew that he cared for you?

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

wait


I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5 NAS

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 NAS

For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:9 NAS

Monday, June 25, 2012

time with Him


trust in His timing
rely on His promises
wait for His answers
believe in His miracles
rejoice in His goodness
relax in His presence

Sunday, June 24, 2012

!

Happy 30th Birthday Andrew!  God blessed me with a wonderful son!  
I love you.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

always here

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 NAS

for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
Hebrews 13:5 NAS

There are times when I have to remind myself that I’m not walking thru a valley all alone. And when there are steep cliffs between me and the mountain top, I’m not climbing up all by myself. I don’t have to be dismayed or upset or anxious or miserable or troubled or discouraged or frustrated or concerned or.. or...
God is here, He always has been, and He always will be. When I stop trying to go it alone, and focus on God instead, He leads the way for me to follow, and He is with me every step I take.
God will not abandon or disregard or avoid or desert or forsake or leave or forget or fail or .. or...
God is right here with me now. And He’s not going anywhere.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

you lived your faith

Happy Father's Day Dad!  You've been gone from this earth almost 12 years.  I hope you know what a great Dad you were.  This is one of my favorite memories about you:



I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:36 NIV

When I was in my mid-teens, there was a particular experience that made a permanent impression on my heart. On occasion, something will remind me of what happened many years ago.

My Dad bought an insurance policy from a salesman I’ll call George. As it turned out, George was a successful salesman who had written many insurance policies. However, the policies were worthless. The premium payments were put into the pockets of George instead of the pockets of the insurance company. George was caught, arrested, tried, and convicted of insurance fraud. I never knew how much money Dad lost, but in the scheme of things, it really wasn’t very important.

My Dad was involved in a local prison ministry, taking his turn leading services for the men who attended. I don’t know how it happened, but I imagine that one day when Dad stood to speak, he noticed a specific inmate sitting among the others. It was George. And no, I don’t believe it was just a coincidence.

Some inmates were allowed passes, so Dad brought George to our home for Sunday dinners. I don’t know how often George ate with us. After a couple of visits, I didn’t think of him as a prisoner. He was a man who had wronged others. He was a man who enjoyed Sunday dinner with us. He was a man separated from his family. (Although his wife and daughter were local, no contact was permitted while George was with Dad.)

This is my favorite part of the story. George finished serving his sentence and was released from prison. While he was cleaning out his house preparing to move, he came across some papers. These weren’t just any papers. These were records of some of the people he had defrauded.

And whose name do you think he saw? Yes, it was Dad’s. Right about then, I would think he had a sinking feeling in his gut. More than likely, he was embarrassed, mortified, and ashamed. George probably had an extremely hard time facing Dad again. He must have had many questions, such as “why didn’t you tell me who you were?”, and “why did you let me have meals with your family?”, and “after what I did to you, how could you treat me with such kindness?, and “why?”, and “why?”.

Dad lived his faith in front of others.

What about me? Is there anything that my son remembers about me? Is there some word or some action or some feeling or some example or some attitude or some something?

I sure hope so.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

He cares for us


The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11 NIV


 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NAS

Friday, June 15, 2012

Christian doubts?


I read this devotion and thought I’d share:

What to Do with Your Doubts
by Bayless Conley

Being a Christian doesn't mean you won't have doubts. In fact, some of the greatest heroes of the Christian faith had doubts and crises of faith, one of which we find recorded in Luke chapter 7.
In this chapter, we find John the Baptist in an intense season of doubt and fear. He was in prison after being arrested by King Herod, and in his struggle of faith he asked of Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
Yet through his struggle we learn two lessons that can encourage us when we find ourselves in a season of doubt.
The first lesson is to go to the right place with our doubts and fears—which is straight to the Lord.
The second lesson we can learn from John's crisis of faith is that in the eyes of the Lord, it's the whole journey that defines us—not just a single event.
And when you stumble, Jesus won't condemn you because of that one misstep. Even though some people may define who you are by one stupid mistake you've made, God doesn't. He's looking at the whole journey… and your journey isn't done.
So, my friend, no matter what doubt you may be facing today, be encouraged. Jesus is always there for you… ready for you to come to Him. And don't worry if you've messed up. He won't condemn you, but instead, He looks at the whole of your life!
(for more from Bayless Conley, check out the Answers for Each Day devotional).

Thursday, June 14, 2012

in the moment...


Do I get so busy doing nothing to realize I’m not on the edge of the road, but in the ditch? 
Do I know what’s important and meaningful and worthy and significant and precious?
Do I focus on faith and prayer and God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness and Word and love and compassion and blessings and truth?
Do I live as God has commanded?  Do others see Jesus in me?

Only God knows the answers.  Only God knows my heart. 

Today is a day of reflection.

Does anyone else have days like this?  

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 14:15 NAS

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

reflective reads


What Should I Do?
Martin Luther

Author: Catherine MacKenzie

The true story of Martin Luther and the Reformation. What would you do if you were hungry and needed your supper? Would you stand outside someone's door and sing for it? At the boarding school in Eisenach, Martin and his friends had to sing for their supper. As well as working out ways to get some tasty food before bedtime Martin spent a lot of time thinking about how to get to heaven. Martin thought that he had to pray for hours on end, eat very little, work very hard and study a great many good books in order to have his sins forgiven. However, as he began to read God's Word for himself he discovered that the answer was not in doing these things, but by putting his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, June 11, 2012

re-purposed


I came across these on Facebook.  Love 'em!

Friday, June 8, 2012

quick quotes


Saving us is the greatest and most concrete demonstration of God's love, the definitive display of His grace throughout time and eternity.

The only Jesus that unbelievers ever see on this earth is the one reflected in those who already know Him. By mirroring Christ, we should be ready to turn any conversation or meeting with an unbeliever into a divine encounter.

We should be holy people eager to greet our Lord when He returns, ready at any moment for the trumpet's call, people of optimism, busy in evangelism, hands to the plow, eyes on the prize.

~David Jeremiah

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

carry me

There are times when I’m extremely tired.  No energy at all.  The couch is where I want to be.  I’ll ache and I’ll hurt and I’ll throb.  Might have an awful headache too.  Generally, don’t feel well at all.  Don’t leave out the dreaded Fibro Fog.  Sometimes I can’t help but cry.  This is a pretty good description of Fibromyalgia.

There are times when my burdens are too heavy.  Can’t pick them up and carry them.  And the struggles, I can’t face.  They overwhelm me.  I’m not talking about Fibromyalgia.  I’m talking about my heart.  Amy Grant does a song named ‘Carry You’.  There are many times I need to hear the song.  Or at least read the lyrics.  I can actually feel the Lord wrapping His arms around me.  Sometimes I can’t help but cry.  He knows me.  He wants my burdens.  He will carry me...              

Carry You
Amy Grant

Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

Cause I can walk on water...
Calm a restless sea
I've done a thousand things you've never done
And I'm really watching
While you struggle on your way

Call on my name, I'll come
I give vision to the blind
I can raise the dead
I've seen the darker side of hell
And I've returned
I've seen those sleepless night
And Count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn

Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

here kitty, kitty

We have some ‘neighborhood’ cats around here.  Under our storage building is the preferred labor and delivery room.  Then it converts to a nice, safe nursery.  They all have given names, courtesy of me and hubs.  Bonnie is the mom to three beautiful kittens (yet to be named).  Blackie (short for Black Panther) appears to be the father.  I have been putting food out for them.  Bonnie isn’t skittish, she appears when I let her know dinner’s ready.  I talk to her (from a reasonable distance) and she doesn’t run away.  Now she is bringing her kittens to eat.  Today, I only saw two kittens :(.  I can look at them, and they tolerate it.  But, unlike Bonnie, they disappear at the sound of my voice.  This afternoon I was on my stool working in the flower garden.  I realized I was humming/(softly) singing ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’.  Both kittens kept eating.  So, I guess I’ll hum/(softly) from now on.







Monday, June 4, 2012

choose to live a life that matters


what will matter?

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won
t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It wont matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you
re gone.
What will matter are not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesnt happen by accident.
It
s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.
u will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

~ Michael Josephson  

Sunday, June 3, 2012

'nuff said


and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14  NAS

Saturday, June 2, 2012

believe, believe, believe


As the sky fades into the peaceful darkness of the night, I believe I’ll see the moon and stars.  I believe the darkness will softly give way to the bright morning light.  I believe there will be dazzling sunrises and breathtaking sunsets.  I believe there will be nights and days of joy and love and peace and kindness.  I believe there will be nights and days of sorrow and hate and terror and cruelty.  

I believe life is both dark and light.  I believe life is both bad and good.  I believe life has both an ending and a beginning.  I believe life has both hatred and love.  I believe life has both wars and peace.  I believe there is a hell and there is heaven.  I believe there is a devil and there is God.

Anyone can say they believe there is a God. That doesn’t mean they believe in God!  There is a world of difference (literally) between a and in God!  To believe in God is to turn away from your sins, to believe Jesus died and rose again to pay for your sins, to ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, and turn your life over to Him.**

Yes. I believe. I believe God is in control of the nights and days, the sun and the moon, of death and of life.

**"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 NIV

and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:15 NAS

Friday, June 1, 2012

lessons learned


a lesson from the butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

~unknown