In the Throne Room

Are you ready??!!

2012-01-31T11:46:00.005-05:00

We're two verses into our A-Z Scripture Memorization Challenge being hosted by *She Sparkles and going for our third now!! How are you feeling?

I'll share how I'm feeling...uplifted, energized and READY FOR MORE!! The success of these past two verses has been monumental in affirming my belief that I CAN do this!! I WILL do this!!

So ~ a new verse will go up on my refrigerator tile today and I will begin the challenge of keeping three verses going! I'll also be thinking of something else to help me...another tool for my memorization tool belt! And you know I'll share it with you as soon as it comes to me!

Are you ready?! I know I am!! Here we go!! Our "C" verse is:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Be sure to share tips, hints and how you're doing!! Remember ~ we're in this together!

My little helper!

2012-01-19T12:18:00.008-05:00

So I mentioned that I would post a photo of my Scripture memorization "helper" that I've pulled into duty this week! Here it is:

This is a dry erase magnetized tile that is on my refrigerator. I picked it up at a local Craft Market several years ago and I just love it...especially the Scripture verse - one of my favorites!

This week, it's been pulled into my tool belt, if you will! How many times a day do YOU go to your refrigerator? I'm at mine a number of times as I get refills of my iced green tea and every time I'm there, I see this week's verse...and even better - I was able to write it out by memory! VICTORY!

How are YOU doing with this week's verse? How about last week's verse? Still repeating it? What tips do you have as we continue to add verses each week? I'd love to hear them, so please share!

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
Acts 16:31

Believe!!

2012-01-16T16:46:00.007-05:00

So friends...how did you do with our first Scripture memorization verse?

As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

I'll admit...this first verse was an easy one for me - thank goodness! It really energized me and made me truly believe that I CAN DO THIS!! I hope you're feeling the same way!

Are you ready? Today is "B" day!! Here we go!!!!!

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved...
Acts 16:31

What beautiful assurance we have in God's Word! What a precious gift we received in the form of His only Son...our Savior!

Have you developed any tips for your memorization? Personally, I'm repeating the verse often - out loud - multiple times a day! But, as I said - the first one was easy! I think for this next verse, I'm going to do that and add another helper. I'll post a picture in the days to come!

I'd LOVE to hear what you're doing to make the memorization easier during this Challenge! Please share your tips...I'd bet we could all use the help - if not now, eventually!

Thanks, Cindy ~ I am so loving this Challenge! In service yesterday, our Pastor reminded us that Jesus, when He was tempted by the Enemy quoted Scripture! The Word of God is our most formidable weapon in any battle!!

Remember, the next verse is up two weeks from today, January 30th! In the meantime...be sure to pop over to *She Sparkles* and see what Cindy's got brewing (hint hint)! I'm adding her blog button to my sidebar, directly underneath the A-Z Scripture Challenge Button...just click and you'll be instantly transported to her blog!

Have a blessed week!

A perfect start!

2012-01-01T19:20:00.027-05:00

Happy 2012 everybody!! Did you stay up to bid farewell to 2011 and usher in the brand spanking new year? Or did you curl up in your cozy bed at your usual time and leave the mad festivities to others?!

I have to be honest and say it was with a sigh of relief that I said GOODBYE to last year. It was another year of loss.

My sweet Lulu...January 24, 2011

My beloved Mom...May 31, 2011

The thought of a brand new year was most welcome! Endless possibilities! A clean slate! YES!

I don't make New Year's Resolutions, per se...but I do like to have a bit of direction! If you've read my blog for a while, you may remember that I like to choose a "focus word" for the year. Last year, my word was "JOY." And while I certainly had my share of sorrow - I had MUCH joy as well!

Namely:

Matthew and Baylor!! These two make me laugh till my sides hurt!

So...what word have I chosen for 2012? It's one I'm hoping will act as a reminder of what our Lord and Savior Himself charged us to do. My word for this year is "TRINITY."

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28: 19-20 NIV

I have some goals in mind for 2012. One being working on my discipleship. Another ties in with that quite nicely. Scripture memorization. Eeek!!! I have to be honest here. Memorization of anything is no easy feat for me! BUT - I'm up for the challenge!! And my beautiful bloggie friend, Cindy Bultema, over at *She Sparkles* is helping me out BIG TIME with her A-Z Scripture Memory Verse Challenge 2012! Perfect (GOD) timing, right?!

Wait - it gets better!! YOU CAN JOIN ALONG TOO!! That's right! We can all do this together...all year long!

The first verse is up today at Cindy's blog, *She Sparkles* and I love this one! (Thanks for taking it easy on me this time, Cindy!!)

I've placed Cindy's "clickable" button at the top of my sidebar for greater visibility and easy access. A new verse will be up on *She Sparkles* every two weeks. The "B" verse will be up 2 weeks from today - I'll give you a little reminder too. You know...since we're doing this together and all! ;)

Oh - did I mention Cindy's making it extra fun by throwing in a bunch of goodies throughout the year?! She's just that special and giving! You can't help but smile when you read her posts...she's absolutely INFECTIOUS!! But in a GOOD way!! A link to her blog has been in my sidebar for quite some time. I hope you've checked it out!

So, from my home to yours - Happy New Year! Let's make it a year where we praise the One worthy of ALL our praise, glorify Him with ALL that we are, and go forth as His disciples knowing that He is with us always, to the very end of the age!

12.26.11

2011-12-26T09:11:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Darling.
You were then, and are today, the love of my life.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 NIV

Emmanuel...God with us!!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

From my home to yours...Merry Christmas!!
Let us rejoice!! He is born!!

Tap, tap, tap...is this thing on??

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm hoping that someone (anyone?!) is still out there...maybe?! But one way or the other, I hope to be back soon!

Blessings,
Gigi

Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
1 Corinthians 16:6 NIV

For now, anyway...

2011-11-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

because I haven't had much to say...
because November 9th is drawing near...
because I need some time...

Blessings,
Gigi

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

Where WOULD we be?

2011-09-26T12:01:00.005-04:00

We sang this song yesterday in church...and I've been thinking about it ever since choir practice last week.

(Note: this is not my church's choir)

"I would be lost...without the cross."

Miriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "lost" this way:

1: not made use of, won, or claimed
2 a : no longer possessed b : no longer known
3: ruined or destroyed physically or morally : desperate
4 a : taken away or beyond reach or attainment : denied lost to the faith>
b : insensible, hardened <lost to shame>
5 a : unable to find the way b : no longer visible c : lacking assurance or self-confidence : helpless
6: rapt, absorbed <lost in reverie>
7: not appreciated or understood : wasted lost on me>
8: obscured or overlooked during a process or activity <lost in translation>
9: hopelessly unattainable : futile lost cause>
source: Miriam-Webster dictionary online

I know I can apply 3 and 5a to my everyday life...and as I sit and ponder the other meanings, I can certainly find application for them as well!

How about you, my friends? Where would YOU be without the cross?

We observed The Lord's Supper yesterday during service and our Pastor shared a quote prior...but because I can't remember the author, it won't be verbatim! The gist of it was that Jesus, Who was without sin, took up the cross on behalf of you and I. At any point, He could have said "Did you drop this? Is this yours?" But He didn't...He carried it all the way to Calvary, where He laid down and was nailed to it, and died, in our place.

Oh yes...I would be so lost without the cross. Thank you, Jesus.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV

The journey

2011-09-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

Bittersweet

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today is my parent's 58th Wedding Anniversary. It's also the 3 month anniversary of my Mom's Homegoing. A celebration of so much love amidst so much sadness.

I'd be grateful if you'd keep my family in your prayers through this time.

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Psalm 71: 20-21 NIV

Just one word

2011-08-19T11:25:00.003-04:00

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Revelation 4:8 NIV

I will exalt thee!!

2011-08-15T10:40:00.006-04:00

Wow, it's been almost a month since I've put up a new post! I've been spending a lot of time with my Dad, keeping him company, taking him to various doctor's appointments...my poor little blog has taken a back seat, I'm afraid, to these other demands on my time.

But it's a sunshiny Monday morning, our King is on His Throne and I give Him all the praise, honor and glory for all the blessings in my life!

What are you praising Him for today? Leave me a comment - I'd love to help you praise our Heavenly Father for His goodness!

A psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145 NIV

More than enough

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's Monday...God is on His throne and He is oh-so-good! I thought maybe we could all just use a little extension of yesterday's service and continue our worship, what say you?! So let's just praise Him, glorify Him, bow down before Him and tell Him that yes, Jesus...You're more than enough for me!

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NIV

Happy Birthday America

2011-07-04T09:17:00.011-04:00

We were founded as a godly nation...a Christian nation. It is my prayer that we are called to revival in our country - back to the premise our forefathers spoke of so fervently. Please pray for our land, my brothers and sisters. Pray for our leaders, from our President on down. Our heavenly Father promises in His Word that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. And we NEED Him near to us...now more than ever!

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galations 5:13 NLT

From my home to yours, have a happy, safe and blessed Independence Day!

~~For my Dad~~

2011-06-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

My Dad...for as long as I can remember, he's been one of my favorite people on Earth! He's smart, wise, full of great advice, the best listener and funnier than all get out! Put the two of us together and it's a laugh-a-thon and most times we're not even sure why!

He's the kind of Dad you can go to when you just want to talk or you have a problem that needs fixing...never too busy for his kids.

I learned to look *up* from my Dad. To this day, I'm a stargazer. I inherited a love of walking from my Dad. I love a good thunderstorm - and the more thunder and lightening, the better! Thanks, Dad!!

He and my Mom have lived lives of service to others. Never bragging, never publicizing what they've done. My Dad is a very private person and keeps his good deeds to himself - between he and his God. But I've watched my whole life - more than half a century now. And I hope I've learned well. He's still teaching and I'd like to think I'm still paying attention!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad. He and my Mom were my first best gifts from the Lord. Called me blessed!

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 NIV

A girl's first best friend

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Long before anyone else enters the picture, a girl's best friend is her Mom. Confidante, playmate, defender, teacher...you name it, Mom is it!

Everything I know about being a woman, a friend, a wife and a Mom, I have learned from my Mother. She taught the the BEST way - by example.

On Tuesday, May 31st around 6:00 in the morning, the Lord called my Mom Home.

God looked around his garden
and found an empty place
He then looked down upon this earth
and saw your tired face
He put his arms around you
and lifted you to rest
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never
get well on earth again
He saw that the road was getting rough
and the hills are hard to climb
So he closed your weary eyelids
and whispered, “Peace be thine”

I used to live in fear of losing my Mother. Until I lost my Sweet Hubby. Somehow, since then...loss has taken on a new meaning for me. So when I kissed my Mom goodbye Tuesday morning, I told her to be sure and dance with my sweetie for me. I have no doubt he was there to greet her along with the parents she has missed for so very long. I smile when I think of the reunion it must have been!

Years ago, I thought I would have my Sweet Hubby to lean on during this time in my life. But that was not the Lord's plan for me. Instead, I take comfort in the knowledge that one glorious day we'll all be together again. And I give thanks to my Savior for blessing me with the both of them.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.
Proverbs 6:20-23 NLT

Let us never forget...

2011-05-28T13:11:00.007-04:00

In honor and tribute to all who have laid down their lives in sacrifice to our country; let us never forget that freedom ISN'T free...but has come at very great cost to many over our Nation's history. Thank you to our fallen heroes.

~~**~~National Day of Remembrance 2011~~**~~

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 NIV

For a friend

2011-05-16T12:10:00.003-04:00

I have a friend who is going through a lot right now. She is feeling oh-so-broken. Anybody been there? Yeah...

This is for her. She already knows all of this. But sometimes when you're in the midst of it all, a reminder is nice. And I want her to know how very much she is loved. And prayed for. Better days are coming, sweet girl...

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

30

2011-05-09T08:56:00.004-04:00

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

How I love you...how I miss you...how I wish you were still here with me...

Your True

Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
Psalm 25:18 NLT

Mine

2011-05-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

The saying goes that "A Mother holds her children's hands for a while, their hearts forever."

I still hold my Mom's hand, and she still has my heart.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you. Always.

My Mom, July 1965

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Proverbs 31:28-29 NIV

Worth repeating!

2011-04-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

I saw these words on a friend's Facebook profile yesterday and as I read them, I realized just how much power they carried...

He's not a baby in a manger anymore, not a broken Man on a cross. He didn't stay in the grave and He's not staying in Heaven forever. He's alive!

He's ALIVE!! I don't think we can hear it or say it often enough! He's ALIVE!!
JESUS IS ALIVE!! Hallelujah!!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT

Indeed!!!

2011-04-24T08:29:00.006-04:00

He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Matthew 28:6 NLT

Finally!

2011-04-19T13:47:00.003-04:00

He stepped down as the front man for Newsboys and handpicked Michael Tait to take his place. And Michael - best known as part of the dc Talk trio - has done an amazing job!

And yet...I can't help but miss him - the voice that has sung all of my favorite Newsboys songs over these many years.

But today - his single Reach came out and all I can say is finally...! It's good to hear from you again, Peter Furler!!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Psalm 147:4 NIV

Chosen

2011-04-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Blessed Holy Week. A prayerful time of reflection, worship, praise and thanksgiving for the sacrifice made by our Heavenly Father in the form of His only Son...our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Because He bore my sin on that cross, I can truly say I am NEW!!! I am CHOSEN!!!

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Romans 8:29 NLT

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!" The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked. And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Matthew 21: 8-11 NLT

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And speaking of prayerful - thanks to all who entered my *Prayerful* giveaway here at ItTR! Three beautiful prayer journals will be finding new homes with:

Jody (Post #3)
Julie (Post #9)
Dawn (Post #13)

Congratulations!! Now...it's decision time! I'll need to know which journal you've decided on - and remember, you have your choice of one of Jennifer's original Prayer Journals or one of her new Journal Prayer Combo designs! Also...Jennifer will be personalizing your journal, so please let me know what name you'd like on yours. And lastly, I'll need your mailing address! Thanks!

You can get this information to me via an email through my profile! I look forward to hearing from you!

Strength in weakness

2011-04-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

Stress, pain, disappointment, sorrow...

Life.

Sometimes it can seem like the hardships come one after the other, without respite, no time to even catch your breath. I think at one time or another, we've all been there and know what that feels like. I know I have.

Right now, tonight, I have someone specific in mind that I am lifting up in prayer. Perhaps you do too. Maybe it's a co-worker, or a friend or family member...maybe it's you.

What I want my friend to know, what I'm praying that they will realize, is that they're NOT alone - though it can often feel that way when you're in the depths. And the enemy sure wants us to feel all alone...he delights in our separation from our Creator, even if it's only imagined or self-inflicted on our part.

So tonight, I'm claiming 2 Corinthians 12:9, one of my favorite verses, for my friend. I have been praying it for her all day today. I am standing faithfully upon the Truth that is His Word...He IS everything she needs. His grace IS sufficient. His power IS made perfect in weakness.

We were created BY Him to NEED Him. How I pray tonight that she will yearn for Him.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

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Still a few more days left to my Prayerful Giveaway! You won't want to miss an opportunity to own one of Jennifer's beautiful prayer journals from IntegrityGraphics, I promise you! Check them out here to see what I'm so excited about!!

In the meantime, if you have anything that I can pray with you about, please let me know. I can be reached either through comments or via my profile. *God Bless*

How You love me!

2011-04-11T09:08:00.006-04:00

They're one of my favorite groups and JJ and I had the opportunity to see them once again at WinterJam this year!

Sidewalk Prophets...and they're well named! They truly do take God's Word to the streets.

Being as today is Music Monday, I'd love to share their latest release and video with you!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

Their lyrics...so powerful...so true.

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway
See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
Lyrics from sidewalkprophets.com

Thank you, Jesus - you endured all that FOR ME...and still you love me! He loves US! Is that not the greatest gift you have ever received?

He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
Isaiah 53:3 NLT

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NLT

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**Don't forget! You have all week to enter my Prayerful giveaway! For details, click here!

Prayerful

2011-04-09T05:45:00.021-04:00

I hadn't planned on a post for today...but I received news last night that had me reaching for this, yet again:

And I knew that the time was long overdue for this post. You see, I had planned on writing up something special at least a week ago. And then this happened:

Yes, that's my Mom (with Baylor keeping her company!), sporting some of the evidence on her face of the fall she took two weeks ago. So I've been a little busy, running back and forth daily taking care of the wounds that you don't see in the picture (which are healing nicely, by the way!). Because of that, I'm a bit tardy with this, but better late than never, right?!

I've posted before about the fact that I use a prayer journal. It helps me stay focused and most importantly - it helps me remember! It's a rare day when I'm not called on to pray for someone, or that I don't think of a petition that I need to bring before the Lord or a praise for answered prayer and if I don't write it down - well, it's as good as gone from one moment to the next!

Typically, I've purchased a nice journal at the beginning of every year and it's served me fine. Until...

Around a month ago, I was at my church's Wednesday night service. I had arrived a little early and decided to spend a few minutes in the bookstore. I turned a corner and spotted these pretty covers and wandered over for a closer look and discovered that they were prayer journals! I chose two different designs - one for me and one for my friend, JJ, who had a birthday coming up several weeks later! I got to talking with the lady tending the bookstore that evening and learned that the person who designed and created the journals was a member of our church and had designed them after a Refuel class on prayer left her wanting a more streamlined approach for her own prayer journaling needs. Love that!! (Jennifer, if any of this is incorrect, blame me!)

I transitioned from my "standard" journal to my new one right away and loved it so much that I went looking for contact information...and found it: (go ahead and click...I'll wait for you to get back!!)

Integrity Graphics

Goodness! Did you just get lost in all that prayerful beauty?! I know I do every time I look at her site! And here's the best part...she's a real sweetheart! When I emailed her about how much I loved my journal and asked if I could blog about it and link to her Etsy site, I got the nicest reply!

Now, remember I mentioned sometime earlier (this week? last week? I barely remember my name at this point!) that I might have something up my sleeve? Well, you know there's no "might" with me!!

So if you'd like to have one of Jennifer's beautiful prayer journals - and c'mon, who wouldn't?! - here's how to enter my giveaway:

Between now and next Friday, April 15, 2011 just leave me a comment as to which of her gorgeous journals you would choose for your very own! That's one entry.

If you have a prayer request you'd like to share, please leave it as a separate comment and that will be an extra entry...and NO LIMIT on prayer requests. I'm honored to pray for you, always.

Share a link to this post on YOUR blog and come back and leave me a separate comment that you did so and that's an extra entry.

Leave me a separate comment and let me know if you're new to prayer journaling or if you're an old hand at it! That'll be another entry.

Oh...I mentioned that Jennifer is a sweetheart, right? What I didn't tell you is that she offered to gift one of you with a journal out of the kindness of her heart. I love that. But please know that I will be making this purchase. In fact - I am giving away 3 journals in this giveaway, and as my disclosure, I am hereby stating that these journals are being purchased by me with my own funds. And they will each be beautifully personalized however you'd like - so you might want to be thinking about that (i.e., is it for you or will you be gifting it?)!

Speaking of gifting...JJ loved hers! I chose the cover specifically with her in mind. I think it was perfect.

I can't think of a better gift for a graduate heading off to college, a new Mom, a newlywed...the possibilities are endless. And of course, YOU need one too, right?! Ladies, did you notice that she also has designs for men? Remember - Father's Day is right around the corner and wouldn't a prayer journal be a treasured gift from the children to their Daddy? And men - the same for Mother's Day!

What's that you say? You've never used a prayer journal before? Perhaps now would be the perfect opportunity to get started! I can promise you this - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! The only cost to you is the time it takes to post a comment or two (or three)!

And Jennifer now has a brand new design - the Journal Prayer Combo in addition to her standard Prayer Journal. If you win one, choose your preference! (Jennifer, I know we talked about this concept on the phone; I think it's fabulous and I'm so glad you did it!!)

Sometime before midnight on April 15th, I'll use this to draw 3 numbers. The posts/posters that correspond to those numbers will be the winners of the journals. Please be sure to leave me some way to contact you in your comment(s). I'll post the winning names on Monday, April 18th...God willing and the creek don't rise!

Thank you, Jennifer, for such a beautiful creation! I'm still so excited over mine...it keeps me pinpoint focused and has truly blessed my prayer life!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV

What if?

2011-04-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

Food for thought...

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

The greatest teacher

2011-04-06T05:57:00.002-04:00

My church has a double sided sign on the street...you can see it in the picture below:

And by the way, the building directly behind the sign houses our Sunday school classrooms...our worship center is way off in the distance - see it?! But they're all connected...it's a large church!

Anyway, today as I was driving by, I looked at the sign, as I always do. One of our church members lovingly changes the quotes - front and back - each week. The quote on the side I saw this afternoon was this:

"The greatest teacher is not experience, but example."

I thought how true that is and how true it is especially for us Christians trying to set a godly example for others so that they might be drawn to Christ as a hummingbird to sweet nectar!

Then I heard what song was playing on the radio and it all just came together. I LOVE when the Lord writes my blog posts for me!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

My Will by dc Talk
*Lyrics*
I'm setting the stage for the things I love
And I'm now the man I once couldn't be
And nothing on earth could now ever move me
I now have the will and the strength a man needs

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

Complexity haunts me for I am two men
Entrenched in a battle that I'll never win
My discipline fails me, my knowledge it fools me
But You are my shelter, all the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

I'm learning to give up the rights to myself
The bits and the pieces I've gathered as wealth
Could never compare to the joy that You bring me
The peace that You show me is the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

We've got to be children of peace
Don't you know we've got to be children of peace

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

It's Your will, it's Your will, not mine.
It's Your will, it's Your will
It's Your will, it's Your will, not mine.
It's Your will, it's Your will

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 AKJV

Oh Glorious Day!

2011-04-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Can you believe? April already!! I'm not even going to say 'where has the time gone' because, really, what's the point?! It's gone!

Holy Week is fast approaching and I know we're all giving more thought to the final days of our Savior as He finished His work here on earth before returning to His rightful place and all He had given up for us. It's a time of such mixed feelings - incredible profound sadness at the suffering He endured on my behalf and yet indescribable JOY at His resurrection and ascension and the promise of what that holds for you and me! Oh!! Think of it!! I mean, sit for a moment and REALLY think of it!! It just takes my breath away!!

So I dare you, yes - I dare you (!) to listen to this song and not be smiling from ear to ear by the time it's finished! My hands go in the air in praise of our King when I hear the words of this song! Tell me I'm not alone!! (Come on - tell me!!)

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT

Be sure to check back with me in the next few days! I want to share an exciting "find" with you...and I just may have something up my sleeve! ;) Have a blessed week!

The angel by my side

2011-03-21T12:02:00.013-04:00

And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.
Matthew 18:20 MSG

This is where I was last night - along with my good friend, JJ! Tell me...does it get much better this side of Heaven than to be praising and worshiping along with 10,000 brothers and sisters in Christ??!!

And through it all, I had an angel by my side. My friend JJ. She has always been a blessing in my life, but especially so since I lost my Sweet Hubby. Boy, oh boy, has she shown what she's made of! There will never be enough words in my vocabulary to tell her how grateful I am that she's in my life.

One of the artists last night was Francesca Battistelli. When she sang this song, all I could think of was how thankful I was for the "angels" in my life. And most especially the one sitting right next to me. (Who also happened to be celebrating her birthday!!) So, since it is Music Monday - I wanted to share the song with you and also put it up to thank JJ for her company last night, for her friendship all these many years and for all the ways that she has actively lived out Proverbs 17:17 in my life.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*
(just a note: some of the spelling/lyrics in this video are incorrect, but...oh well!)

Happy Birthday plus one, JJ! It was a wonderful night - even better than last year's WinterJam! And God willing, I'm already looking ahead to WJ2012 with you by my side!!

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 AMP

Just You and me

2011-03-17T01:49:00.011-04:00

It's almost 2 a.m. and like a lot of nights - most nights - I'm awake. Praying. Tonight (this morning?) I did something a bit different. I turned on Pandora radio on my phone...just a little soft music in the background while I gathered my thoughts. Of course, as happens so often, the music became a beautiful conduit for my conversation with our Creator.

These past few days have been filled with prayer requests. Illnesses, impending death of a friend of a friend, financial struggles...and with each day I add to my journal and take these concerns to the Throne Room - seeking His grace, mercy, peace, healing - on behalf of others. Many times I just ask Him to help me know what to say (and sometimes what NOT to say as well!).

Tonight, as I was lying there just...listening...a song came on. It was perfect. A prayer unto itself. I love that. And I wanted you to know - to share it with you.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video.*

Goodnight. Sweet dreams. Know that you are always in my prayers.

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
Psalm 62:1 NLT

Unchanged **updated 3/13/11

2011-03-11T17:04:00.017-05:00

As we lift up and prayerfully surround all those impacted by today's horrific earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant radioactivity issue in Japan, as well as those affected by the subsequent tsunami in the Pacific region, let's remember that the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow is still on His throne. He is unchanged! Amen! May we see His glory shine through the dark days ahead!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

The Red Cross has set up a website to help aid in connecting loved ones. That address is www.redcross.org./safeandwell

Are you able to do a little bit to help financially? Here are just a few suggestions:

Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross or visit their website at www.redcross.org

Text the letters JAPAN to 50555 to make a $10 donation to Global Living.

Text the letters JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army.

Text the letters TSUNAMI to 50555 to make a $10 donation to Convoy of Hope.

Text the letters WAVE to 50555 to make a $10 donation to World Relief Corp.

***I had a representative of Hope Letters make me aware of their effort to bring *HOPE* to the school children and relief workers in Japan*** Please read the following excerpt from their website:

Hope Letters is a voluntary online initiative to collect words and letters of hope aimed at a community (i.e., school children, emergency workers, or the public at large) and deliver them in their local language in a practical method. Hope Letters aims to rely on volunteers to translate messages into the language of the recipient and then use local organizations to deliver the electronic or paper messages, because Internet and computer access may not be available.

Hope Letters started on March 11, 2011 in response to the 8.9 earthquake that hit Japan and the ensuing massive devastation. from hopeletters.wordpress.com 2011

I *hope* we can ALL take a few minutes to visit their website to send messages to the children and aid workers in Japan. Amidst the devastation, think how much words of HOPE could mean to someone who may have none, or be running on close to empty...

Here is their website: http://hopeletters.wordpress.com/

And my thanks to the person who left me the comment letting me know about this wonderful work! God bless you and the volunteers making this possible!

Facebook has a Disaster Relief Page which has some suggestions as well...check it out, if you Facebook.

Let's all do *something* - we are the Body of Christ!!

There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
Luke 21:11 NLT

Where's the sin?

2011-03-07T05:19:00.000-05:00

Isn't it interesting how we're all so different? We're all born with our own personalities and go on to be further shaped by our upbringing and life experiences...

If we're Christian and in active fellowship with other Christians, then we're further influenced by them as well. Hopefully, the influence is sound and of a good, kind and godly nature. But...what if it isn't?

I was in this position yesterday. Listening to someone cry out about issues within their church that they knew were not biblical...knew were far from how Christ would want the Body to act on His behalf. It's painful to listen to. I'm absolutely sure it's painful to have to wrestle with. I am praying for this couple. I know that the Lord will put them where they're supposed to be - whether they're already there and will effect change from within or be it someplace else. Can I ask that you pray for them too? Names aren't important...we know that! And besides - I'm sure there are (unfortunately) more people just like them would could use prayer about this very thing. So, maybe we should just lift them all up...

And while we pray for them...I chose this song for today's Music Monday selection. This was one of the issues raised during our conversation. It's no sin to be poor. Or homeless. Or hungry. We are all called to help. We ARE His Body.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
Matthew 25:34-46 NLT

A smidge early

2011-03-05T21:46:00.004-05:00

Okay, I know it's not Spring...yet! I'm just sooo tired of Winter - and I know I'm not the only one! But Spring will be here in just a few more weeks, my friends!

And the bees sure do make me smile! How about you?

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

I'm still here! No, really...I am!

2011-02-18T19:28:00.004-05:00

And I haven't forgotten about my poor neglected blog OR my poor neglected blogging friends!

I've just been taking some time away to - well - just be. I hope you understand. I think you do.

I promise I'll be around to see you all soon. And I'll be back to posting soon as well... :)

In the meantime, how about a little "brotherly love?"

Matthew and Baylor

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Again

2011-02-11T12:09:00.007-05:00

I wasn't going to do it. Honestly.

Even though friends and family were encouraging me to, I wasn't going to do it.

Too much loss. Too much pain. Too many tears. Too many goodbyes.

And then I saw this face online.

Those eyes...I had to meet him. Just had to.

So meet him I did. And just like the day I met my Lulu, he sat absolutely silent amidst all the barking and howling dogs watching me approach. His eyes never leaving mine. And I knew. Just as I knew with Lulu.

His name is Baylor and he is 2 years old. He'll be 3 in September. He is a Blue Pit mix...just as Lulu was. But where Lulu was mixed with Schnauzer, Baylor is part Boxer. He is a big, strong boy - weighing in at 60 pounds. A gentle giant, though...a big teddy bear.

Here he is meeting my vet of 22+ years the day after I adopted him...

Yep, he's a people lover alright! And people love him! He was the shelter "favorite" and everyone was sad, yet happy to see him leave. Bittersweet!

He has settled in nicely...seems to be loving his new home and the freedom he has in his very own backyard! And as you can see, he had no trouble adjusting to bedtime!

I've found that he's a good listener...when I talk (and cry) about my Sweet Hubby and Lulu, this big boy climbs in my lap - all 60 pounds of him. Help!!

So, thank you all...dear friends, for your wonderful comments about my girlie, Lulu. They warmed my heart, they truly did. She was, and is, so very loved. And missed. But I know where she is and who she's with and I am very much at peace. Lucky girl.

Please welcome Baylor into your hearts through my blog!

God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:25 NLT

Goodbye Sweet Friend

2011-01-25T10:15:00.009-05:00

You weren't mine from the very beginning...but you came into my life at a time when your presence was most needed. It was almost a fairy tale beginning - our eyes met and that was that. You were 6 years old when you came home to live with me two days after I buried the love of my life, my Sweet Hubby. I remember so well what you looked like...you with your "crazy hair!"

That didn't last long though...I think you liked your "new look!"

Having you here meant never coming home to an empty house. You were my constant companion. My "Velcro girl" from the very beginning. You loved everyone, but you and I were "connected" in a special way. You were my sweet girlie and you knew it!

Six months ago yesterday, you took ill suddenly. Ultimately, you were diagnosed with Lyme disease, Poly arthritis and Lyme Nephritis. We were fortunate to find a wonderful veterinary internal medicine specialist here who took you on as a patient these past six months and enabled you to enjoy the quality of life that I had only hoped for when you first got sick...something that the vets at the emergency hospital didn't hold out much hope for.

With the help of Dr. Kremer, I got to watch you chase grasshoppers all summer long. You got to lay on the deck in the summer sun - one of your favorite things to do! We got to take trips to visit Matthew, your favorite person in the world (beside me, of course!). Yes, you had quality of life.

But last week, things started falling apart. Your labs were grim...the worst they'd ever been. It looked like we were entering the end stages of renal failure. This past weekend was very hard. It broke my heart for you.

We had an appointment with Dr. Kremer scheduled for yesterday at 2 p.m. I called them and let them know it would be our "last appointment." They were ready for us when we got there.

I have known all along that I made the right decision by choosing to take you to Dr. Kremer, but yesterday proved it once again to me. At 2:25, while I told you how much I loved you and to say hello to Daddy for me, you peacefully slipped away.

How do you say goodbye to someone you love? How do you say "thank you" for all that they did for you? I hope you know. I like to think you do. And last night, when I managed to get a bit of sleep, I dreamt that my Sweet Hubby sent me flowers. In my dream, I knew they were because I had lost you. I woke up feeling that you had "arrived" safely and I am at peace.

But I will miss you forever, my sweet girlie...my Lulu.

My Lulu
11/14/08-1/24/11

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
Revelation 21:4 NLT

My Christmas wish

2010-12-17T19:50:00.006-05:00

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever!
Psalm 106:1 NKJV

Celebrating Him

2010-12-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

Jesus came into the world so we could know, once and for all, that God is concerned about the way we live, and the way we believe, and the way we die.
Billy Graham

For the Son of Man has come to save the lost.
Matthew 18:11

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us."
John MacArthur

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:11

Begin to know him now, and finish never.
Oswald Chambers

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

So Jesus came, stripping himself of everything as he came--omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence--everything except love. "He emptied himself" (Philippians 2:7), emptied himself of everything except love. Love--his only protection, his only weapon, his only method.
E. Stanley Jones

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Christmas is about a baby, born in a stable, who changed the world forever.
John Maxwell

Choose for yourselves today who you will worship... As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.
Joshua 24:15

The star of Bethlehem was a star of joy. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy." All true joy comes from Him.
D. James Kennedy

"And they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

All quotes from the book Celebrate His Birth, Freeman-Smith, LLC, 2010

Did you enjoy these quotes? This is a sweet little book - perfect to flip through this time of year. I have a few extras that I'd love to share. Leave me a comment now through Thursday and I'll draw names in the usual fashion and get them out to you in time for Christmas.

Have a blessed week...
Let us not forget to take time to reflect on the why and the Who of the season.

I love pretzels...

2010-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Or is it dogs just shaped like pretzels that I love? I get confused sometimes...

May you find something to laugh about today...even if it's my dog!

He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21 NLT

What's in a Name?

2010-12-03T18:58:00.015-05:00

I read a number of blogs on a daily basis. Some can be found on my side bar...others I come across in the course of conversation or find mentioned in an article I may be reading. The majority are Christian-themed, others are just about life in general and some are topic specific.

The one thing that always fascinates me is the name of the blog. Some are quite ingenious and clever...maybe even a little word play going on! Some are tongue-in-cheek or a bit whimsical. And others are downright funny! I love it! There are times when I see a blog name and say, "Man, I wish I'd thought of that!" And just as quickly I think, "No..."

Because the truth of the matter is I'm quite happy with the name of my blog. Now, understand - I had NO big dream of writing a blog, no intention of starting one. But here I am...going on two and a half years later. And that day that I sat down and this blog came into being? I knew in an instant what it was going to be called. Here's how it happened...

You see, my Sweet Hubby and I had just recently begun The Truth Project at our church. It was to be our church-wide Wednesday nights Refuel summer project and would span 10 weeks. We had been seeing promos for weeks during every Sunday service and we were so excited to get started! Finally! Week one arrived and we entered our church's Sanctuary and the air was alive with voices filled with just as much excitement as we were feeling! The lights dimmed...

And then - it seemed the first lesson was over just as quickly as it had begun...oh my friends - it was fabulous! If you have the opportunity to participate in this wonderful series, I strongly encourage you to do so. Your life will be richly blessed for it!

But there was something at the very end that Dr. Tackett said that first Wednesday night that stuck with me...has stuck with me to this very day. And you'll find it in the video below. I'm going to apologize for the quality right now! I had to play the CD on my laptop and video record with my cell phone and then upload it to YouTube (I won't tell you about the blood, sweat and tears that took!). So it's not the best, but here it is:

*Please scroll down and pause player before viewing video*

Did you catch it? That image he spoke of was so powerful for me that I couldn't get it out of my head...still can't. In fact, when I pray now that is exactly the picture I have in my mind. Oh how much more personal my prayer life became that very moment! What a great gift I received that night!

And now you know the origin of my blog's name!

If you have a blog, how did you come up with the name? If you don't have a blog, but were to start one today - what would you name it? Leave me a comment...I'd love to know!

Oh - speaking of names! The winning numbers/names for the Counting My Blessings Giveaway were:

13 - About Nancy

10 - Janice

Thanks so much to everyone for the comments...I wish I had enough books for everyone who entered! I loved reading how God has blessed you - I felt blessed through you, so thank you!

About Nancy and Janice, if you'll contact me through my profile email and let me know where to mail your book, I'll get it out to you this week...I pray that you will be blessed by them!

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the middle of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it on my mouth, and said, See, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah 6:5-8 AKJV

Holiday Blues

2010-11-29T18:19:00.006-05:00

I got 'em. No matter how hard I try to fight them off. Then I hear this song...

And I feel better.

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video

Word of God speak...

What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
Matthew 10:27 NLT

**Still a few days left to enter ItTR's Counting My Blessings Giveaway!

Counting my blessings

2010-11-23T13:13:00.018-05:00

I have been richly blessed in my life. Abundantly so. Starting from my very beginning. But maybe not in the way you might be thinking...

You see...I'm adopted. By these two right here...they chose me! ME!!

My Mom and Dad. My first blessings.

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Then there's that special, wonderful man that I shared my life with. I know the Lord hand-picked him just for me! And what a blessing he was...each and every moment of our life together. And while it is my life's greatest sorrow that he is no longer here, I treasure what we shared and I await the day when I'll see that precious face once more and hear the words, "Hi Sweetheart..." Oh...

My Sweet Hubby...My Prince.

++++++++++

Our children! Nothing is ever the same once you add children to the mix - it's like even the quality of the air is different somehow! Days are more magical and the mundane is once again fresh and new! And grandchildren? Well, don't even get me started!! I well remember the day each of our grandsons entered the world and how my Sweet Hubby and I could not stop smiling with sheer joy!

Blessing upon Blessing!

++++++++++

My Lulu. It's no secret to those who know me that I love dogs. I love them. Dare I confess it here? There are some days I even like them more than people! Why? Gosh, just look at the news headlines! Because they don't lie, they don't hurt. They are pure, devoted and loyal. Yeah. I love dogs. And I love this one in particular!

My girlie...

++++++++++

My friends. I can't count them in the hundreds like maybe some can, but the ones I have are tried and true. They have seen me at my worst. I hope they have also seen me at my best. I won't be posting any pictures because I'm afraid if I do, I'll have to take a recount! But you know who you are and I hope you know how very much you're loved, appreciated and prayed for every single day!

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My faith. I don't have words for this, so I'm not even going to try. Just suffice it to say that without it, I'm nothing at all. Nothing. With it, I'm still standing. Thank you, Jesus - to you be all the glory - always and forever! By the way, if you don't know my Jesus...drop me an email (you can contact me through my profile) - I'd love to introduce you to Him - He's been waiting your whole life to get to know you!

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**In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd like to have a little giveaway.
Won't you indulge me, please?!**

++++++++++

Remember a while back, I attended an Extraordinary Women conference with my friend JJ? Well, as always, you - my bloggy friends - are never far from my mind!

These are for you!

The Power of Praying Through the Bible by Stormie Omartian signed by Stormie, just for you.

And yes...I truly bought it with "you" in mind. And I will be praying over this book until it leaves my home for yours. I hope it richly blesses you as you find power, strength and the love of our Savior as you read through His Word.

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As well as A Woman's Path to Emotional Freedom by Julie Clinton, also signed by Julie.

Julie is the President of Extraordinary Women and the host of the conferences. She is so soft spoken yet uplifting and absolutely charming! I love the question on the back cover of this book: "Do your emotions sometimes control your life?" HA! Well, I don't know about you, but I can sure raise my hand! This book was not available at the conference - it hadn't come out quite yet...but I ordered copies soon after. Again, I ordered an extra copy with one of you in mind. And just like with Stormie's book, I will be praying that the recipient of this book will find, as it says on the cover, "God's Promise of Hope and Healing."

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Here's how to enter:

1) Simply leave me a comment about how you've been blessed in your life.
2) One blessing per comment please, but no limit on comments! Let the blessings flow!
3) Wanna link to your blog? Great, be sure to leave a comment telling me you did so!
4) The same goes for Facebook...just be sure to leave me a comment that you linked my blog!
5) Just started following my blog? Be sure and leave me a comment!

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Comments will remain open through December 1st and I'll select two winners sometime Thursday, December 2, 2010. As always, I'll be using this.

**Note: I would like the books to go to separate people, so should the same name be drawn twice, I will use this to draw again until I get a different name for the second book. :)

++++++++++

May God richly bless each and every one of you and yours this Thanksgiving. If you're traveling, I pray His mercies over you both going and coming. Don't forget to offer up an extra prayer of thanks for the men and women of our Armed Forces who are away from their families taking care of our Nation's business and keeping us free.

Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world: It is not he who prays most or fasts most, it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.
~ William Law

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
Galations 6:9 NLT

He's brings me great joy!

2010-11-20T06:00:00.005-05:00

Our youngest son, Matthew, just returned from attending this conference in San Diego. If you've been reading here for a while, you know that Matthew is finishing up his Ph.D. (May 2011!!) and neuroscience is his thing!

I love how he honors his Dad, always...he's wearing the "Purple Ribbon" pin because November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

His Dad used to sit for hours and question him about this...or that...hanging on every word, listening intently. And would then ask for more. What always surprised me was that "science" was so not his thing (my Sweet Hubby was a "numbers" guy!) but where this child of ours was concerned - you'd have thought "science" was all that mattered because his Dad could not get enough! Those were special times, for both of them, and I know those conversations are deeply treasured and sadly missed by Matthew every day.

I, too, love to listen to him talk about his research (because science is my thing!) and even though I don't understand the application of all the science, what I do understand is very exciting! But I'm not Dad, you know? I listen differently - I know that. It'll never be the same...and I feel inept and like I'm failing him in some way that I can't "fix." Oh - how a mother's heart hurts for her children.

Anyway. Sorry. Where was I?

Today, we were having a chit chat about San Diego and his experiences at the conference. Specifically, the presentation of his research data on the last day of the conference. It's always a nerve wracking time for him, even though he always does really, really well! (Hey, I'm his Mom - I'm allowed to brag! Expected to, even! After all, our Heavenly Father set the precedent of a proud parent, remember?)

And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."
Matthew 3:17 NLT

This trip, just as in the past, he made some excellent connections. In fact, he was approached by someone in particular and had a conversation with this individual that I have been thinking about a great deal. Now this was no one that you or I would know by name (unless you're in that field of research too - and then, wow - what a coincidence!), but someone that left Matthew with a LOT to think about. Important things. If there's one thing I know about my son - those wheels won't stop turning! Oh talk about Jeremiah 29:11...Matthew - He has such plans for you - 0f this I am sure!

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

As I drove home in the waning sunlight from running my errands, I couldn't help but think back to 26 years ago, to that tiny little baby that I snuggled so tightly. Let me tell you - I was overcome with thanks to my God Who saw fit to bless me with such an amazing son! Because he has, each and every day since the day he was born, been an incredible blessing! Oh, and after what I heard today...I have a feeling that one day, perhaps not that far off in the future, he's going to be a blessing to many. And I am already in tearful thanksgiving for that.

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.
Hebrews 13:15 NLT

Reflections on clarity

2010-11-16T15:23:00.008-05:00

This morning, one of my devotional readings was about clarity. I have now been thinking about it all day. I love when written words resonate so profoundly that they clatter around in your mind - like an object you can't get enough of, turning it over and over in your hands to look at it from every angle! Just as a kaleidoscope is different with every turn, so have my thoughts been...yeah - it's been that kind of day.

God's Word does that for me.

Here's one of verses that was attached to my devotional today. I typically read in the New Living Translation, although I have many translations here at home and an app on my phone that gives me instant access to them all. This passage moved me to read it in multiple translations...I offer it to you here in the two that made me close my eyes and breathe in deeply.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
1 Corinthians 13:12 The Message

Looking forward to clarity. But in the meantime, enjoying my walk with Him in the mist.

For my Dad...

2010-11-09T23:03:00.010-05:00

Well, my Mom’s graciously allowed me to hijack her blog to share some words about my Dad on this very difficult day. Although today has been filled predominantly with feelings of sadness and emptiness, I’d like to focus my attention now recalling some happier times…

My Dad was a remarkably selfless person who defined his happiness not by what he owned, but by the love he shared with his family. He found great joy in some of life’s simplest treasures. Believe it or not, some of the biggest smiles I ever saw light up his face were precipitated by placing a large (we’re talking dinner saucer large) stack of pancakes in front of him. Combine that with bacon and fried eggs, plenty of butter and piping hot maple syrup and you had yourself one very happy man. And I do mean combine as in layering eggs and bacon in between discus-sized pancakes served to him hot off the griddle by his adoring wife. I never quite understood it, as I only ate eggs scrambled and preferred some separation on my breakfast plate. But to each their own, right?!?

Well, in honor of my Dad’s birthday this year, I decided to remember him in a way that was uniquely his. Above is a picture of my first “Dad’s breakfast” at Cracker Barrel. Although not nearly the same size as the beloved hotcakes my Mom regularly churned out for her Prince on weekends, CB features some rather tasty buttermilk pancakes that come out slightly crispy on the outside while remaining light and fluffy on the inside. They were his favorite pancakes away from home, so coupled with my recently found love for a great fried egg, I was eager to take part in something that was so special to him.

When the food arrived, I slathered the crispy pancakes in butter, carefully tucked my eggs and bacon in between, then finished it off with steamy syrup. I carved a wedge out with my fork as creamy golden yolk spilled out around the sides. The first bite was simply magical, a wicked amalgamation of sweet syrup, savory bacon, crispy, tangy pancakes and rich, buttery egg. The connection I felt at that moment between he and I was palpable. I fought back swelling tears as I worked on that bite, savoring the physical sensations hitting my palate as well as the countless fond memories of sharing breakfast together as a family. I was hooked.

The overwhelming emotion of today has left me with little in the way of an appetite. However, I managed to put away “Dad’s breakfast” for dinner, along with several cups of black coffee (his standard, opposed to my cream and Splenda). I ate every bite. I had to. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Dad, I desperately miss this and everything else that made you so uniquely you. The void left by your departure from this world to the next, and final, adventure is simply unbearable most days. Until the sweet day when we’re reunited again, I’ll cling to all the indelible memories you’ve left behind.

Love Always,

Your baby boy,

Matthew

My Prince

2010-11-09T06:00:00.004-05:00

~ In loving memory ~
9/3/48 - 11/9/08

No words will ever describe the emptiness; no ocean could contain the tears.
I love you. I miss you. Always.
Forever...then Rome

Focus

2010-11-08T11:58:00.006-05:00

2010 is rapidly coming to an end (can you believe it?!) and my thoughts have begun creeping into 2011...

You may remember that I chose a "focus word" for 2010.

H O P E

What a wonderful word...and oh how I have clung to it this past year! I have read Scriptures over and over and over again...especially this well-known one:

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

And this one:

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 NLT

And this:

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 NLT

And here:

Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
Job 11:18 NLT

And oh yes:

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 NLT

You see, God's Word is full of HOPE...and I have turned to it again and again, over and over, day after day this past year to help me through some pretty dark days. Days that I have not shared here.

So. A new year is coming and I have been thinking about a new focus word. Did I even want one? I really liked having one this year...I like having that - well, focus! I decided that yes, I did want a new word for the New Year. And so...

I have come to a decision. I have a new word in mind. I've kind of been "living with it" in my head for the last week to see how it feels. So far, it feels pretty good! I think I like it...

I believe that words have power, don't you? After all - God spoke everything into existence!

I already know that there are plenty of Scriptural references for my potential focus word...I can hear them rattling around in my brain as I type! And my hope (ha! no pun intended, but I like how that happened!) is that by having my focus be on this new word and the Word of God surrounding it, that it will be made manifest in my life. Yes...I'm liking this word more and more!

How about you? Do you or will you choose a focus word for the upcoming year?

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.
Mark 11:24 NLT

Unexpected jewel

2010-11-06T09:09:00.010-04:00

In April of this year, I went down to Savannah to visit the friend I spoke about in this post. We always have the best time together - the days pass much too quickly - and I wish she lived closer so that we could see each other more often...sigh...

Where was I?

Oh yes! My visit! Anyway...one afternoon while I was there, we spent hours (literally hours) in her local Lifeway store. We were specifically looking for a Beth Moore study that we could do together via IM/phone (we chose this one!) and that took the longest time because you know how I love Beth Moore...how do you pick just one?!

We finally decided that we had been in the store an embarrassingly long amount of time and that we should probably haul our purchases up to the register and check out.

And that's when we found this waiting for us:

This beautiful little devotional was being offered for $5.00. Yep, you read that right...$5.00

We each grabbed one. I mean - for $5.00, why not, right? I love a good devotional and the sales clerk said this was an excellent devotional! I figured that was high praise coming from someone who deals with hundreds of devotionals!

So how come I got home and this excellent devotional was forgotten until recently? I don't know...maybe I wasn't ready for it. Or maybe the entries that I missed are better suited for next year for me...whatever! I believe everything happens for a reason.

What I do know is that what I'm reading now is ah-mazing. Truly. I'm thinking this is maybe the best devotional I've ever used. Just maybe. What I can say for sure is that the sales clerk was right...this is an excellent devotional! And for $5.00! Truly an unexpected jewel!

Want a sample? Here was my reading for yesterday, November 5th:

YOU CAN LIVE AS CLOSE TO ME as you choose. I set up no barriers between us; neither do I tear down barriers that you erect.

People tend to think their circumstances determine the quality of their lives. So they pour their energy into trying to control those situations. They feel happy when things are going well, and sad or frustrated when things don't turn out as they'd hoped. They rarely question this correlation between their circumstances and feelings. Yet it is possible to be content in any and every situation.

Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence. Don't let your well-being depend on your circumstances. Instead, connect your joy to My precious promises:

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
I will meet all your needs according to My glorious riches.
Nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from My Love.

Philippians 4:12; Genesis 28:15;
Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:38-39
from Jesus Calling Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

I needed that yesterday. In fact...it was good to read it again today as I typed it. Such treasure.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow -- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Have a blessed weekend, my friends...I pray that we'll remember to connect our joy to His precious promises!

Guess who's back?!

2010-11-05T18:17:00.004-04:00

It's BabyMac!!!!

Guess I should have titled this post Fabulous Friday!

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:2 NLT

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-04T05:39:00.001-04:00

Today I am thankful for

my Sweet Hubby's iMac since my MacBook is in the Apple hospital...hopefully, I'll have her back by the end of the week (that's what I was told on Monday during my appointment at the Genius Bar anyway).

Until then, I'm thankful I've got DaddyMac to see me through!

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

Fall

2010-11-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

I love this season...the air that seems cleaner somehow, the bright blue of the sky, the smell of wood fires burning, the color of the leaves turning on the trees, the sound of leaves falling and then rustling in the breeze, that chill in the early morning air! I love it all!

The days are getting shorter (don't forget - next Sunday, 11/7, we "fall" back and get an extra hour of sleep before church!) and soon we'll be turning lights on in the late afternoon to push back the shadows...Okay - I have to admit - I don't like this part so much...but ya gotta take the bad with the good, right?!

It's time for stews and soups and chilis and warm comfort foods! I don't cook much anymore, so I sure appreciate this product - shake/open/heat/eat/yum!

I will say though - I make a mean crockpot chili! My Sweet Hubby loved it! Who doesn't love chili?

Pot after pot of hot tea becomes my companion. I especially love using this teapot...a gift from a dear friend. That's my favorite mug for tea - so pretty and delicate (I love it so much I have a spare in case I break this one! Yep, I'm paranoid like that.). And that's a tea cozy in the background, in toile-esque fashion, my favorite! I bought it here a number of years ago. In fact, my Sweet Hubby and I were there visiting the friend who gave me the teapot! Well, not "there" in that spot specifically, but in Savannah (although we did enjoy several pots of tea there "in that spot" as well as a light snack if I remember correctly)! It was a wonderful time...memories...

How do you celebrate Fall? Do you rotate your closet, packing away summer-wear and exchanging it for heavier (and warmer) togs? Do you rake and rake and rake mountains of leaves to be bagged and hauled away? Do you perfume the air by baking breads filled with the spices of the season - cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger? Do you look forward to that first cup of hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick stirrer? Do you decorate the house or yard for the season? Share in the comments...I'd love to know!

While you're gathering your thoughts I'll go put on a pot of tea...and in case you're wondering - it's this and yes, it's from there!

For everything there is a
season,
a time for every activity
under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

A little Beyonce and a mystery revealed

2010-10-30T13:15:00.009-04:00

How's that for a title?! Just a warning before you get started: today's post is l-o-n-g and full of videos...I hope you'll watch them all! If you only have time for one right now, please make it the last one. But promise you'll come back and watch the rest - you won't want to miss them! Seriously!

If you've been reading here this past week, you know that last Saturday evening my friend JJ and I went to a praise and worship event led by Jeremy Camp. Well...he brought some friends along!

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing videos*

One was the man featured in this video - you may have seen it as it "went viral" on YouTube awhile ago. I love the looks on his daughters' faces! Dad, you are soooo busted!

And no...he didn't sing any Beyonce songs!! But he did sing this one and it was great!

So...are you ready to learn about this man?

Well, his name is John Mark McMillan and I really, really loved his music that night! It was different from the praise and worship music I normally listen to...but in a good way! Here's a song I particularly liked:

We want your blood to flow inside our body and
We want your wind inside our lungs...
We just want to love you
We just want to love you..yeah
lyrics excerpted from Skeleton Bones by John Mark McMillan 2010

I don't know...something about those lyrics just moves me to tears. Isn't that crazy? But I really like that song!

And this next one. He prefaced this next song by telling us how it came about.

It seems he was in a hotel in Los Angeles...unable to sleep and decided to get up and see if he could be productive. He said he got to thinking about King David and his friendship with Jonathan...and how the King one day inquired if Jonathan had left any children behind. Which, as we know, is how he found out about Mephibosheth. Now, remember - Mephibosheth had been dropped by his nurse when he was little and as a result, was left crippled in both legs. So, this crippled man is summoned to the King's table. He said that this Bible story reminds him of how we today - as Christians, through a fall we were not responsible for - have been left crippled. And that one day, we too, shall be summoned to the King's table. AMEN!!!!!

While John Mark was performing, I looked over at JJ and said, "He reminds me so much of David Crowder..." They do share something in common! I'm sure many of you are familiar with the following song. And now you know the sad story and "the mystery man" behind it (if you watch the video, that is). If you watch no other video on this blog post, I do hope you'll watch this one...

I remember hearing David Crowder talk about the first time he heard this song. He said he was on a flight and listening to a CD someone had sent him. Maybe of possible songs to record? Who knows...Anyway, he said that this song had him in tears...crying on the airplane. He made the rest of his band listen to it because he knew if it had that kind of effect on him he knew it would be meaningful to others as well. Yeah, I think he "got it." And as we know, he and his band did, in fact, record that song. So maybe that's why I said John Mark reminded me of David Crowder!

Mystery solved!

You have shown me the
way of life,
and you will fill me with the
joy of your presence.
Acts 2:28 NLT

Two it is...

2010-10-29T17:15:00.005-04:00

The giveaway is now closed - and no need to use this! Dawn and Nancy...thanks for sharing some of your favorite praise and worship music!

Please email me via my profile and let me know how I can get your Jeremy Camp We Cry Out CD to you.

Still to come...

His perfect timing

2010-10-29T12:16:00.002-04:00

The LORD says, "I will guide
you along the best pathway
for your life.
I will advise you and watch
over you."
Psalm 32:6 NLT

Exactly what I needed. Exactly.

Pick one, any one (or two)!

2010-10-28T16:01:00.007-04:00

Just a reminder that there's still time to enter the giveaway going on here at In the Throne Room...all you have to do is leave a comment here sharing the name of your favorite worship song. It can be a contemporary song, traditional hymn, gospel song...whatever (note: it does NOT have to be a song by Jeremy Camp)! And if you can't pick just one - no problem - there's no limit on entries...so leave as many comments as you like! I'll be using this to pick the winners sometime later this week. What's up for grabs? One of these:

So come on...please share!!

In the meantime, here's one of my favorites! And (in my opinion!) no one sings it better than this man...it puts me away every. single. time.

*Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video*

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 NLT

My Lulu

2010-10-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

I love this girl...and I just want to say thank you, Jesus, for letting her remain with me just a bit longer! Every day is a blessing...yep - even when she stares holes in my head!

Just a few short (long) months ago, we spent a week here, at the Veterinary Emergency Center, where Lulu was ultimately diagnosed with Lyme Disease as well as not one, but two rare complications of the disease: an autoimmune disorder which attacks the joints known as Polyarthritis and Lyme Nephritis which attacks the kidneys. Lyme Nephritis. Those two words have caused me a lot of anguish over the last 3 months. I'll tell you what you won't find if you google it: hope. You won't find hope. And I certainly didn't hear "hope" from the vets at the hospital* during her week-long stay...but I looked in those eyes and I saw hope! And here we are, 3 months later! *But let me codify that statement by saying that I truly believe Lulu is here today because she spent that week at VEC where she had 24/7 around the clock specialist care! They were fabulous in their treatment...it's just that Lyme Nephritis is a very bad diagnosis with a very poor prognosis. sigh...

About a month and a half ago...she was at her lowest weight - 38 pounds, down from about 54 when she first got sick. You could count every rib, every vertebrae, every cranial bone and she has a bald spot on her bony bottom because she favors her left side when she sits and the pressure from her tailbone rubbed the hair away. I worry about her skin integrity there - but so far, so good! These next two photos show the effects of the Polyarthritis (see her front right "elbow" or hock as it's properly called)? Pretty misshapen and at times, very painful for her...

The bandage on her right rear leg in this next photo is where she actually did develop a pressure ulcer from where her bony legs rested atop one another when she slept...wound care healed it up and since she's put a little meat back on her bones (up to 42 lbs at the last vet visit!) it's no longer as big an issue. For now.

My sweet hubby and I have used the same amazing veterinary practice here for more years than I care to count - they are a fantastic group that have provided our pets with wonderful, quality care throughout the years. But I knew when I brought Lulu home from the hospital in Richmond (yep, we were out of town when she got sick!) that she was going to need critical care. And so while she was still in the hospital, I did my homework and found the Internal Medicine veterinary specialist that has been seeing her weekly (we've just *graduated* to every two weeks!!) since I brought her home. This vet only sees sick animals...no routine visits here and that's good, because there's been nothing "routine" about her care! There is attention to detail at every visit. Many is the time that Lulu and I have been there for hours (literally)...and she is being attended to for every minute of that time. I am so thankful this man has been a faithful advocate for my girl! She surprises him (and delights him!) and perplexes him all at the same time! When he calls to give me lab results, he always prefaces it by saying, "Well, this is Lulu we're talking about...!" That's because it's always a mixture of good/bad news. Usually more bad than good. Ugh. The long and short of it is that Lulu is in kidney failure. Unfortunately, dogs don't have the availability of dialysis. Trust me - I've asked. It's only provided at some veterinary schools on a limited basis...

And meds? Don't even get me started on meds! But I will say two things: Lulu is on dramatically fewer medications now than she was. Thank you, Jesus! And a big shout out to the makers of these: They have made med time a real pleasure for both Lulu and I. Seriously. You have no idea.

In fact, they will have to pry Greenies Pill Pockets (or "Chicken Pills" as we call them around here - long story!) away from me if for some crazy reason they ever decide to recall them!! If you have a pet on medication - dog or cat - I can't recommend them enough! Lulu's vet approved of them and I buy them (in bulk!) from this site. Thanks to my friend, Christa, for passing on that tip! I was paying over $8 a bag in the local pet megamart...now I pay $5.19 a bag! Amazing!! When you go through them at the rate we do - well, at the rate Lulu does - that $3.00 a bag savings really adds up fast!

So, in a nutshell, that's how things have been going with my girlie. I'm grateful to all of you who have remembered her in your prayers - please don't stop! As I tell people when they ask about her: on paper (lab wise) she looks a mess! But to see her "in person" - well, that my friends, is a dog of a different color altogether! She's back to sunbathing in the backyard, running up and down the stairs, not coming in when she's called (this does not earn cookies, by the way you naughty girl), and the aforementioned staring holes in my head. Usually when I'm trying to blog. Like now.

And I'm thankful and grateful and oh-so-blessed to have her. Each and every day. But I'd really like it if you'd stop staring at me...umm, now would be good.

God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us -- an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
Romans: 8:14-21 The Message

Worship

2010-10-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday evening, my friend JJ and I worshipped together.
And we had a very special worship leader...

Why yes...that IS Jeremy Camp! Sharing from the Book of Colossians...

It was a night of praise and worship!
You know how I love praise and worship music!

It was wonderful and it was exactly what I needed.

After this past week, I found the theme "We Cry Out" very comforting.
Okay...and a little ironic.

Would you take the place of this Man?
Would you take the nails from His Hands?

And like I said on my blog a few weeks back:

Just give me Jesus.

Oh, it was wonderful. But I've already said that, right?! I wish you ALL could have been there with us. Really! But since I'm always thinking about you (it's true...ask JJ!), I just may have a few of these to give away:

If you'd be interested in one, leave me a comment and tell me what YOUR favorite praise song is. Contemporary, traditional hymn, gospel...whatever! How do you like to praise our Lord in song? I'm going to be relaxed about this one...comments will close (without notice) sometime this week and as always, I'll be using this to select the winners. Be sure to provide me with some way to contact you in your comment, okay?

Can't choose just one song? No problem...there's no limit on entries! After all - it's Music Monday here on In the Throne Room!

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.
Colossians 1:13-20 NLT

Oh...and coming up this week I'm going to tell you about this mystery man:

Holding on

2010-10-22T10:00:00.005-04:00

Ever find yourself weary and just needing to be held up? Ever feel like maybe it's just too much effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other? I have. It's been that kind of week...sadness and overwhelming grief have been my constant companions. I know it will pass - but it's sure hard to live through.

I learned through my bereavement group (just yesterday, in fact) that there is a name for what I've been experiencing. It's called a "grief burst." And just like mine, it comes at you from left field and may or may not have a trigger. Call it a grief "sucker punch" if you will...

I hope (I love that word!) I'm coming up for air now...I had the nicest visit from my Sweet Hubby last night in my dreams. I was leaving a store in the pouring rain and I saw him coming to meet me with an umbrella. So like him - even though he knows I hate umbrellas! I think that was his message that it's time to come out of the rain of this grief (cloud)burst. I'm trying, honey...

But you know, there is always comfort, hope, promise and solace in God's Word. Always. And today, for me, it was here:

The Lord says, "I will rescue those
who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16 NLT

I have a great day planned tomorrow...I'll tell you about it next week sometime! JJ, are you ready?

Don't bother me

2010-10-19T12:59:00.007-04:00

Someone shared this song with me recently and I wanted to share it with you here. I hope we never stop caring enough about our lost brothers and sisters that we stop "bothering them."

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing video*

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT

Wisdom Wednesday

2010-10-06T10:08:00.003-04:00

My Wisdom Wednesday selection is not from Proverbs today, but from the book of Colossians. We don't need The Secret, or The Laws of Attraction or The Power of Now...we just need Jesus. In Him, we are complete.

Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers* of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Colossians 2:8-10 NLT

* or the spiritual principles

I'm thinking about this today...

2010-10-05T11:09:00.003-04:00

In my quiet time early the other morning, I came across this passage in the book of Colossians:

Christ is the visible image of the
invisible God.
He existed before anything
was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created
everything
in the heavenly realms and
on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see--
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers,
and authorities in the
unseen world.
Everything was created through
him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Colossians 1:15-17 NLT

It's a beautiful passage of Scripture, isn't it?

But I just haven't been able to get that first line out of my mind since reading it the other day.

Christ is the visible image of the
invisible God.

It keeps whirling and whirling around as I think of more and more instances of Jesus as He walked the earth, the living embodiment of GOD. Visible, touchable, breathing, feeling, speaking, eating, drinking, sleeping, weeping...

And then inevitably I get to the part where He died an unspeakable human death. For me. Because His Word says this:

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-29 NLT

His glory. His son. Jesus.

Yep, it's a lot to think about. Wondrous, glorious things. And I feel so...loved.

I just can't stop thinking about it!

I get down...

2010-10-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

*Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video*

When you're crying
He's your comfort
When you're all alone,
He's carrying you...

This valley is so deep
I can barely see the sun.
I cry out for mercy Lord,
and You lift me up again...

Every time I'm down
the Lord lifts me up...
Yeah!!!!!

Lyrics excerpted from Get Down by Audio Adrenaline

But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain. I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again -- rested, tall and steady,
Psalm 3:3-5 The Message

Mine forever!

2010-10-01T08:52:00.003-04:00

From my reading this morning...

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything
on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit
may grow weak,
but God remains the strength
of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NLT

May we all desire Him more than anything on this earth! Wishing you a wonderful Friday and fun-filled weekend...Remember - He is ours forever!! How blessed are we?!

Fall...Virginia style!

2010-09-27T12:51:00.013-04:00

Can you guess what I did this weekend? I won't keep you in suspense...(although I've been known to do that on occasion, haven't I?)

It involved these people...

These views...

And ended with these rewards...

Fresh Apple Cider Donuts...mmmmm!

And.....the star of the show!

Thanks~God willing, see ya next Fall!

God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was.
Genesis 1:11 The Message

Wisdom Wednesday

2010-09-21T17:11:00.007-04:00

Recently I heard about a restaurant in North Carolina that posted this sign:

Here's a little video with the owner and some "would have been" diners:

The news story (yeah, this made the news here!) made me think about all the times lately that my lunch or dinner conversations with friends have been interrupted by unhappy children. Is it just my imagination or is it happening more often?

Here's what I think...

We, as a society, eat out a LOT more now than we ever did! When I was growing up, going out to eat was the exception to the rule - saved for special occasions. Although I must say, my Dad usually did treat us to Sunday breakfast out after Church...good times! But I can assure you, we all knew how to act at the table too! We were seated and seated we stayed. We used proper table manners and "inside voices." I don't think my folks expected any other behavior and for the most part, they never got any. However...should one or the other had a...umm...'moment' that a *look* or a quiet word failed to nip in the bud - well, a quick trip to the Men's or Ladies room for a little 'discussion' soon set that to rights!

Nowadays, many meals are on the go. We're sooooo busy!! And whereas "back in the day" you maybe wouldn't take your young children (infants/toddlers) out to a restaurant regularly, now it's the rule rather than the exception.

Babies cry. And toddlers get restless. That's reality.

But those without children want to eat in relative peace and quiet. That's their reality.

So...quite the conundrum, no? Thoughts?

Personally, I do think if your child is being disruptive to others, you should do the right thing and remove your child. I've only had to do it once and it was my own fault. ("Waiter, may we have this 'to go' please?!") But no way would I have remained in that nice restaurant and subjected all the other diners to my screaming infant. (Thanks, Matthew!)

I think what gets me most of all are the parents that choose to purposely ignore the bad behavior of their children that's going on right next to them! Hello...you don't see that your child is rolling around on the floor?? You don't hear them shrieking just for the sake of hearing themselves?? As if ignoring it will make it go away! Attention to those parents: it doesn't work!

As the Mom of three grown children and Grammy of two grandsons, may I be so bold as to say this:

The good Lord entrusted those precious children to you for a reason and for a season.
I know you probably don't believe it now, but the years will pass in the blink of an eye!
You are to guide and teach them, give them boundaries and parameters.
Correct them when they're wrong and praise them when they're right!
It will be from you (hopefully!) that they learn how to be successful and
productive members of our society!
They will have many friends in their lives but only one mother and father.
Please take your responsibility seriously.
And here's the bonus:
After all is said and done and they get to the age
when your "hands on parenting" days are over ~
that relationship is heavenly and a true blessing!!

Don't fail to discipline your children. They won't die if you spank them.
Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT

What's it to ya?

2010-09-20T06:00:00.006-04:00

Church. What exactly does that word mean to you? Is it a place you go on Sunday (or maybe twice on Sunday) and possibly once during the week as well? Is it how you refer to a group of people, a "community?" Is it a feeling? What is it exactly, to you?

I was thinking yesterday about "church." And what exactly it means to me. Is it person, place or thing? Noun, verb...or both? And I thought of this song. And I thought of you. And I thought I'd put the two together...so here you have it. *Music Monday* and a question for you!

What is *CHURCH* to you?

This artist was one that my Sweet Hubby and I enjoyed tremendously...an artist uncomfortable with the attention of fans; he just wants to sing for the Lord. And if you've ever listened to his music, you know he thinks deep thoughts!

*Please scroll down and pause player before watching video*

'Cause we are all broken here
We're are all ashamed
I couldn't fool you if I wanted to
Our stories are too much the same

And what about this Jesus?
They say He drank with the poor and the blind and the lame
Do you think He'd like the songs that we sing?
Or would He feel the same as I do?

What if Sunday School was on Saturday night?

What if their heart-breaking cries of pain

Are the first hymns of tomorrow's saints?
Lyrics excerpted from On a Corner in Memphis by Todd Agnew

As an aside, if you've never listened to Todd Agnew's Better Questions CD, I highly recommend it. I plum wore that disc out - not to mention the speakers in my Beetle bug - when it came out. I still think if I were stranded on a desert island and by some miracle could take one CD (and have the means to listen to it!), this would be it! I never get tired of it!!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT

A most helpful Psalm!

2010-09-16T11:15:00.003-04:00

I'll admit it...sometimes I have a bit of trouble praying for those charged with running things.

Are you running a company into the ground...arrrgghhhhh!!! Yes, I struggle with praying for you! Do I feel that you're taking a good thing and undoing it piece by piece? You're making it hard for me!!

Here's another that I wrestle with: our elected officials. Whew. Some I voted for, some I did not. But, man oh man...if you're part of the parade (whether it be on a local, state or national level) taking our country down the path to you-know-where? I just don't seem to be able to find the words that truly convey what I want to say to the Lord about the situation.

Today, I discovered that the words I have been looking for already exist. Right in God's Word. And here they are:

May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.
Psalm 109:8 NIV

Perfect. May your days (in whatever role you're fulfilling) be few and may another come along to replace you. Short, sweet and to the point - why didn't I think of that?!

Many paths

2010-09-14T08:12:00.004-04:00

I read it again just the other day...this time on 9/11:

May we all stand together in peace and harmony with all people and nations and know that there is only one Power that we know by so many names - God, Allah, Mohammad, Buddha, Higher Power, Spirit. These are many wells that all tap into the same river of God.

I cried - out of frustration and sadness. So many are lost on what they consider the "Path of Enlightenment." The one thing I know for certain in this life is that all paths do NOT lead to God. Many of these paths lead straight to destruction and damnation. For eternity. So many lost souls...How many are friends of mine? Of yours? That's why I cry. And pray. And continue to talk to them about the One True Way.

Jesus said: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV) He didn't say, "Pick a road - any road...they all lead to the Father." He said HE is the ONLY WAY. And that NO ONE gets to the Father that doesn't go through Him FIRST.

This morning in my Bible study, I read this:

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
Galations 1:3-9 NLT

I know we are living in a culture (especially in this country) of acceptance, "political correctness" and live and let live...and I personally believe that Oprah is responsible for leading more people - especially women - astray with her promotion of so much New Age...*stuff* - for lack of a better word!

*Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video*

Oh how I wish Oprah (and the many others like her) would spend as much time in God's Word as they do in the hundreds of New Age books that are out there...I guarantee they'd find the answers to all their many questions. Every. Single. One.

How do you handle this in your life? I'm certainly open to suggestions!

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14 NLT

A Psalm for 9/12

2010-09-12T07:43:00.003-04:00

This was my Psalm reading for today. I felt it very fitting for the day after 9/11...

O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
I am constantly hounded by those
who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has
promised.
I trust in God, so why should
I be afraid?
What can mere mortals
do to me?

They are always twisting what I say;
they spend their days plotting to
harm me.
They come together to spy
on me--
watching my every step, eager
to kill me.
Don't let them get away with their
wickedness;
in your anger, O God, bring
them down.

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in
your bottle.
You have recorded each one in
your book.

My enemies will retreat when I call
to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
I praise God for what he has
promised;
yes, I praise the LORD for what
he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be
afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

I will fulfill my vows to you,
O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks
for your help.
For you have rescued me from
death;
you have kept my feet from
slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence,
O God,
in your life-giving light.
Psalm 56:1-13 NLT

Lord, our Nation needs you like never before. I pray for Revival, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Remembering...

2010-09-11T08:28:00.003-04:00

9/11/01.............................9/11/10

Remembering......praying

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Psalm 91:4-6 NLT

Yes please...

2010-09-08T06:00:00.003-04:00

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing*

You can have all this world...just give me Jesus.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NIV

The Waiting Room

2010-09-06T08:46:00.004-04:00

Have you ever heard a song and had it immediately transport you to another place, another time? Yeah, me too. It happened just the other day, in fact, with this song...

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing*

In an instant, I was taken back - a little over two years ago now - to the waiting room where I sat while they performed My Sweet Hubby's liver biopsy. He was the last case of the day and the department was deserted, the room was dark and I was alone. Boy, did I feel all alone! And then my friend JJ called asking what she could do...I remember asking her to "just pray."

Waiting rooms can be filled to the brim or absolutely empty - like the one I was in that day - but every person there is still alone with their thoughts...will their loved one be okay?

Maybe your "waiting room" isn't literal...but you're waiting all the same.

It would be my honor to pray for you. Please let me know how...either by comment or by email through my profile.

I don't know what answer the Lord has for you and I don't know if that answer will come today, tomorrow or next year. But I'll stand with you in prayer while you wait.

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV

Journaling

2010-09-04T12:28:00.004-04:00

I'm getting ready to start a new prayer journal and it got me to thinking...

How many of you keep a prayer journal?

Do you have a particular style or do you just make random notations as thoughts strike or you are presented with requests and petitions (my general style)?

Thanks for sharing!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV

Sixty-two

2010-09-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Were he still here, we would be celebrating my Sweet Hubby's 62nd birthday today. Hard to believe two years have passed since this:

and this

and especially this...we were all wishing for the very same thing...

So even though I know there are no birthday celebrations needed in Heaven (why bother when you have all of Eternity with your Savior?!), today I will be remembering birthdays past with a grateful heart. And yes, I'll be singing Happy Birthday...because I know he hears me and it'll make me feel better.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart....I love you and I miss you. Oh so very much...

It's Alive!!

2010-09-02T09:49:00.004-04:00

I love when life and Scripture align, don't you? It just makes God's Word feel even more alive - if that's possible!

Here was my Psalm reading for today:

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times
of trouble.
So we will not fear when
earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble
into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble
as the waters surge! Interlude

A river brings joy to the city
of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot
be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God
will protect it.
The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God's voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
The LORD of Heaven's Armies is
here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Come, see the glorious works
of the LORD:
See how he brings destruction
upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout
the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps
the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world."

The LORD of Heaven's Armies
is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
Psalm 46:1-11 NLT

And even though Hurricane Earl's not near our shores yet (predicted for late today/tonight/early tomorrow), our beaches are feeling his effects. But all is according to His plan and though the oceans roar and foam, He is our refuge and our strength and we are to be still before Him. Amen!! Thank you, Father, for your Living Word!

Choices

2010-09-01T09:52:00.005-04:00

How about a little more from the book Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would? by Pete Wilson...

Yep, I'm still reading this fabulous book and am still absolutely enthralled by what I am learning. I can't recommend this one enough. Really.

Here's what I read this morning:

I've noticed before that people often don't feel like they have any choices when they're going through a Plan B. They feel as if all of their options have been taken away. And that's true to a certain extent -- but only to a certain extent.

You may not have had a choice on whether you could have kids or whether your loved one passed away or whether you got fired or your husband had an affair.

But you do get to choose how you respond.

And in that choice lies an amazing amount of hope.

That choice is what makes the journey of transformation possible.

Don't you just love the word HOPE? I know I do...

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:5 NIV

The dented, rusty pail

2010-08-31T13:20:00.012-04:00

I received this today from a church friend and after I finished crying over it (ugh) I thought it was well worth passing on. If you haven't read it, I hope you enjoy it. If you have, I hope you enjoy reading it again...

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out patients at the clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the
door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my 8-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw.

Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see
if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning
from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning."

He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face .... I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments ..."

For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could
sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning."

I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch.. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No, thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with
him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her 5 children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence
was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I
got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch.

He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind.

I told him he was welcome to come again. And, on his next trip, he arrived a little after 7 in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen! He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. And I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us, there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk 3 miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.

When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning.

"Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away!
You can lose roomers by putting up such people!" Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But, oh!, if only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear.

I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him
we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed
me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden
chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was
growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!"

My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden." She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven.

"Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body." All this happened long ago - and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b

More with Beth

2010-08-30T11:29:00.016-04:00

Beth Moore, that is...

In case you missed my last post...I attended a Beth Moore conference this past weekend with my good friend, JJ. Now, if you've read my blog for any period of time, you know how I feel about Beth Moore! So I was anticipating this weekend with great joy knowing that I (we!) were in for some serious Scripture teaching, a LOT of laughter and much praise and worship! We got all of that and then some!

For this conference, Beth spoke on John 1. What I love SO MUCH about her is that not only is she an encourager and a lover of God's people, but she truly wants you to know and understand His Word.

In this post, I'd like to share just a few things about the Gospel of John that Beth shared with us...

Did you know that the Gospel of John is unique to the other Gospels? (I didn't!) In fact, it is 90% (big WOW!) unique to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, which are called the "Synoptic Gospels."

The word "believe" is used 98 times in the Gospel of John. It is used 11 times in Mark, 14 times in Matthew and 19 times in Luke. (Hmmm...it would appear that John has a message for us!)

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are centered around Jesus' public life, while the Gospel of John seems to be more about his private life and private conversations.

There are 8 titles for Jesus within the Gospel of John and they are found within the first 51 verses of the first chapter. They are: (v1) the Word, (v4) the life, (v9) the true light, (v18) the only begotten Son, (v29) the Lamb, (v41) the Messiah, (v49) the King, (v51) Son of Man.

After verse 17 in chapter 1, the word "grace" is never again mentioned in the Gospel of John; yet John goes on to expound on it throughout the remainder of his accounting.

Grace...5 short letters but a word so full of meaning for those who believe on His name.

I could go on and on. I could have listened to her for a solid month. Beth.........why did you have to leave so soon????????? I still had room for more notes!!!!!!!

Oh...and JJ? Because I know how much you enjoyed the praise and worship music, this one's for you!!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
John 1:16 NIV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 NIV

Pondering

2010-08-29T09:43:00.011-04:00

This past Friday and Saturday, I had the privilege to sit under the Bible teaching of someone I consider to be one of finest women in ministry today. I could listen to her for days and days and days....well - every day, if you want to know the truth! She is wise, she is funny, she has a heart for God and she sure does loves His people - oh so much!

One sentence she spoke the first evening resonated so resoundingly in me that I knew it WAS for me. In fact, it didn't even make it into the body of my notes but was pulled to the top of the page and starred - see:

(Sorry for my chicken scratch! Oh - that "c" with the line over it is medical shorthand for the word "with.")

In case you can't read it (entirely possible!), I wrote: *My new beginning begins with the Word of God.*

Can I tell you how I felt when I heard those words? Two things: first, comforted! Yes...a deep sense of comfort that He is so WITH me, so FOR me, so in LOVE with me that that message should move me to my core and that I know it was absolutely meant for me! And second, almost a sense of urgency...that I'm slipping a bit. I have let other "things" displace His Word in my life. Oh man, this day to day life just has a way of moving in and crowding Him out unless I take control and make Him (and keep Him) my number one priority. Amen? So yes - that message was a reminder from my Father. And I heard it loud and clear!

But as I look back on the words I have just written (typed!), I am again amazed (although I don't know why I should be!) by this God I love so much...did you notice that the first feelings I wrote about were comfort and love?

"I love you, My child...I'm here for you, tonight and always."

Which were then followed by:

"Now, about the amount of time we've been spending together lately..."

My prayer time hasn't suffered - at least I don't think it has. But the time I spend in His Word, well, that definitely has. So Father, I thank you for the message. And I thank you for the messenger!

In closing, I thought it so appropriate that my daily verse for today was the following:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Isaiah 52:7

In the Throne Room

Are you ready??!!

My little helper!

Believe!!

A perfect start!

12.26.11

Emmanuel...God with us!!

Tap, tap, tap...is this thing on??

For now, anyway...

Where WOULD we be?

The journey

Bittersweet

Just one word

I will exalt thee!!

More than enough

Happy Birthday America

~*~For my Dad~*~

A girl's first best friend

Let us never forget...

For a friend

30

Mine

Worth repeating!

He's not a baby in a manger anymore, not a broken Man on a cross. He didn't stay in the grave and He's not staying in Heaven forever. He's alive!

Indeed!!!

Finally!

Chosen

Strength in weakness

How You love me!

Prayerful

What if?

The greatest teacher

Oh Glorious Day!

The angel by my side

Just You and me

Unchanged **updated 3/13/11

Where's the sin?

A smidge early

I'm still here! No, really...I am!

Again

Goodbye Sweet Friend

My Christmas wish

Celebrating Him

I love pretzels...

What's in a Name?

Holiday Blues

Counting my blessings

He's brings me great joy!

Reflections on clarity

For my Dad...

My Prince

Focus

Unexpected jewel

Guess who's back?!

Thankful Thursday

Fall

A little Beyonce and a mystery revealed

Two it is...

His perfect timing

Pick one, any one (or two)!

My Lulu

Worship

Holding on

Don't bother me

Wisdom Wednesday

I'm thinking about this today...

I get down...

Mine forever!

Fall...Virginia style!

Wisdom Wednesday

What's it to ya?

A most helpful Psalm!

Many paths

May we all stand together in peace and harmony with all people and nations and know that there is only one Power that we know by so many names - God, Allah, Mohammad, Buddha, Higher Power, Spirit. These are many wells that all tap into the same river of God.

A Psalm for 9/12

Remembering...

Yes please...

The Waiting Room

Journaling

Sixty-two

~~For my Dad~~