Well Jesus order my day order my weekend
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sitting here waiting for Stephnette and Tam to get here to head to Retreat. Wondering what the Lord has for me this year at the Ladies Retreat. Will I be reproved, will I be exhorted, will I be encouraged, will I get to be a blessing, will I be blessed. Seems to me I'm a bit overly obsessed with "WILL I" - good grief I"m not even out the door yet and I'm corrected.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Duties of a Shephard
I recieved this via email from a dear friend and new it was worth a blog post.
Dear Friends,Many months ago in our Sunday school class, a question arose: What are the duties of a shepherd? Most of the adults quickly flipped to favorite passages concerning shepherds; a slapdash discussion ensued both as to why the shepherd does what he does, as well as to the application of each of the shepherd's duties in our lives today.Both because we have previously owned sheep and because the discussion seemed to be heading down a somewhat predictable path, my mind ambled merrily away on its own. But instead of wandering toward thoughts of lunch and my Sunday afternoon novel, that day my mind stayed somewhat on topic as I considered what the ultimate duty of a shepherd is. Why does he work so hard to feed, water, shelter, and protect? In many cases, his goal is not merely to keep the sheep safe and contented; it is to prepare them to die.We do our church and families a disservice when we end the discussion of a shepherd's duties at his kindly provisions, with no mention of this additional objective. Much of what the shepherd does is in the end focused on a sheep being fully prepared to die. How much richer will our experience be, in those moments that we feel called by God to shepherd another, if we see beyond the temporal need for protection or nourishment and seize each occasion as an opportunity to prepare that child or adult for death, for eternity. If each moment of every day were considered in terms of how it is preparing us for eternity, instead of what fleeting pleasure it will allow us, would we use our time differently?Jesus is not only our Good Shepherd; He was also the sacrificial Lamb. He knew, like we will never know, how to live in such a way that when death came He was wholly ready. This week, as we prepare to celebrate the wonder of what He did for us, we also look forward to the day when we will be united with the One who has lovingly shepherded us to the end.
Dear Friends,Many months ago in our Sunday school class, a question arose: What are the duties of a shepherd? Most of the adults quickly flipped to favorite passages concerning shepherds; a slapdash discussion ensued both as to why the shepherd does what he does, as well as to the application of each of the shepherd's duties in our lives today.Both because we have previously owned sheep and because the discussion seemed to be heading down a somewhat predictable path, my mind ambled merrily away on its own. But instead of wandering toward thoughts of lunch and my Sunday afternoon novel, that day my mind stayed somewhat on topic as I considered what the ultimate duty of a shepherd is. Why does he work so hard to feed, water, shelter, and protect? In many cases, his goal is not merely to keep the sheep safe and contented; it is to prepare them to die.We do our church and families a disservice when we end the discussion of a shepherd's duties at his kindly provisions, with no mention of this additional objective. Much of what the shepherd does is in the end focused on a sheep being fully prepared to die. How much richer will our experience be, in those moments that we feel called by God to shepherd another, if we see beyond the temporal need for protection or nourishment and seize each occasion as an opportunity to prepare that child or adult for death, for eternity. If each moment of every day were considered in terms of how it is preparing us for eternity, instead of what fleeting pleasure it will allow us, would we use our time differently?Jesus is not only our Good Shepherd; He was also the sacrificial Lamb. He knew, like we will never know, how to live in such a way that when death came He was wholly ready. This week, as we prepare to celebrate the wonder of what He did for us, we also look forward to the day when we will be united with the One who has lovingly shepherded us to the end.
His is risen indeed!
- All of us at Timberdoodle Co
Monday, April 6, 2009
What's in your hand?
I was originally going to post this application from Exodus Chapter 3. Then I got focused elsewhere and never did it. So yesterday Pastor Bob was teaching in Matthew about the donkey and swung it around to this very thing I had as my application a few weeks back with Exodus Chapter 4. I knew God was speaking to me, how faithful He is to give me another chance to not "disregard His Word". Shareing always seems to help me be accountable.
Exodus 4 1-9
1 Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " 2 So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5 "that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 6 Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. 7 And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. 8 "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. 9 "And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. And the water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."
vs. 2 God is asking what is in your hand Moses? now am I to seriously believe that God didn't know what was in Moses hand - no way! of course he knew so why the question.
GOD CAN DO GREAT THINGS WITH WHATEVER WE HAVE IN OUR HAND. Whatever you have in your hand, however small it might be, if you will let go of it and give it to God, He can do great things with it. He wants total surrender of everything. I love how at this point Moses rod becomes God's rod. Giving God that "thing" allows God to use it greatly for His use. In asking that question one would think, 'o it must be something grand in his hand' no it's a stick! and the God of the Universe says that will do. And look at all the great miracles God did through that rod. So I ask you , I ask myself: What is in your hand? A rod? A jar of oil? A sling? A few loaves and some fish? ..... A child? A car? an extra room in your house? The ability to mow a lawn? To cook? A mind that is super organized? The love of housecleaning? A singing voice? Time on a Sunday morning to serve holding babies? 1 hour a week to bend your knee in prayer? What is in your hand?! What do you claim as yours but God wants to use it and make it His?
I read this this true story that really brings this home.
There was a little church in South Africa. The pastor challenged the people to just take what they had and to try to do something with it for world missions to raise funds to help reach the world for Christ. All one lady in the church had was a recipe. She knew how to make rusks. So she started making her rusks and selling them to some of the neighbors. Word got out that they were really good. She started having to bake more and more and more, and she sold them and collected that money for missions. It became a small business. Today you can buy those Ouma Rusks on different continents of the world, and they are amazing. I’m sure by this date millions of dollars have been poured into the gospel. It all came because somebody said, “Well, God, here is a recipe.” What is in your hand? Do not underestimate what might happen with it if you give it to God.
Exodus 4 1-9
1 Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " 2 So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5 "that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 6 Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. 7 And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. 8 "Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. 9 "And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. And the water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."
vs. 2 God is asking what is in your hand Moses? now am I to seriously believe that God didn't know what was in Moses hand - no way! of course he knew so why the question.
GOD CAN DO GREAT THINGS WITH WHATEVER WE HAVE IN OUR HAND. Whatever you have in your hand, however small it might be, if you will let go of it and give it to God, He can do great things with it. He wants total surrender of everything. I love how at this point Moses rod becomes God's rod. Giving God that "thing" allows God to use it greatly for His use. In asking that question one would think, 'o it must be something grand in his hand' no it's a stick! and the God of the Universe says that will do. And look at all the great miracles God did through that rod. So I ask you , I ask myself: What is in your hand? A rod? A jar of oil? A sling? A few loaves and some fish? ..... A child? A car? an extra room in your house? The ability to mow a lawn? To cook? A mind that is super organized? The love of housecleaning? A singing voice? Time on a Sunday morning to serve holding babies? 1 hour a week to bend your knee in prayer? What is in your hand?! What do you claim as yours but God wants to use it and make it His?
I read this this true story that really brings this home.
There was a little church in South Africa. The pastor challenged the people to just take what they had and to try to do something with it for world missions to raise funds to help reach the world for Christ. All one lady in the church had was a recipe. She knew how to make rusks. So she started making her rusks and selling them to some of the neighbors. Word got out that they were really good. She started having to bake more and more and more, and she sold them and collected that money for missions. It became a small business. Today you can buy those Ouma Rusks on different continents of the world, and they are amazing. I’m sure by this date millions of dollars have been poured into the gospel. It all came because somebody said, “Well, God, here is a recipe.” What is in your hand? Do not underestimate what might happen with it if you give it to God.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Disregard for the Word of God
Exodus 5:1-15
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.' " 2 And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." 3 So they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword." 4 Then the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor." 5 And Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!" 6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, 7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 "And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' 9 "Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words."
Observation/Application
Vs.9 let them not regard false words.
Pharaoh is so arrogant he is clearly showing his negative evaluation of the Word of God. Much like today we see that this is all to common. People put themselves in a place of high superiority and disclaim the Word of God all the time. Geez we even make laws that support the lifestyle of daily disregard of the Word of God. I had to stop and think about this more personal and close to home. Do we as a born again christian society, as Leaders in in a church body, do I? Of course we would hastily say no way~ but what about our actions? What about my actions, my life. What would others say of me? What do we think and say of each other? I think about how many times I've listened to a great message. And for me this is all the time as I am greatly blessed to be apart of a church with an exceptional anointed Pastor who is clearly called to teach the Word of God. I listen and am moved to action while listening but how often I have walked away and done nothing with it. Humbly I admit it happens. This is not not a comfortable thought process if we are honest with ourselves. Even as I sit here and write this I feel uncomfortable and slightly irritated wanting to give excuses. So I ask myself what is the root issue here because I could sit here on this and write for hours but really what is going on? How can it be that we as "solid Christian believers" live in a manner like this and have even allowed "THEM" to turn our Country away from God's Word?
Lack of Fear of God .
and we wonder why God is putting His judgment on our Nation, our stability.
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.' " 2 And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." 3 So they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days' journey into the desert and sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword." 4 Then the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor." 5 And Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!" 6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, 7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 "And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' 9 "Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words."
Observation/Application
Vs.9 let them not regard false words.
Pharaoh is so arrogant he is clearly showing his negative evaluation of the Word of God. Much like today we see that this is all to common. People put themselves in a place of high superiority and disclaim the Word of God all the time. Geez we even make laws that support the lifestyle of daily disregard of the Word of God. I had to stop and think about this more personal and close to home. Do we as a born again christian society, as Leaders in in a church body, do I? Of course we would hastily say no way~ but what about our actions? What about my actions, my life. What would others say of me? What do we think and say of each other? I think about how many times I've listened to a great message. And for me this is all the time as I am greatly blessed to be apart of a church with an exceptional anointed Pastor who is clearly called to teach the Word of God. I listen and am moved to action while listening but how often I have walked away and done nothing with it. Humbly I admit it happens. This is not not a comfortable thought process if we are honest with ourselves. Even as I sit here and write this I feel uncomfortable and slightly irritated wanting to give excuses. So I ask myself what is the root issue here because I could sit here on this and write for hours but really what is going on? How can it be that we as "solid Christian believers" live in a manner like this and have even allowed "THEM" to turn our Country away from God's Word?
Lack of Fear of God .
and we wonder why God is putting His judgment on our Nation, our stability.
2 Chron 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
In my In BOX
This was far better than anything I would have posted today.
So today I will make a list and I pray you do the same. Even if you end up with 5 names on a paper that this day only they recieve real prayer from your mouth to the Throne of Grace. That my blog visitor is VICTORY!
go live a great day of faith and allow your prayers to be for salvation today.
and remember
keep chasing righteousness!
Turning Desire into Prayer - Bayless Conley
I want to turn your attention to something I believe is very profound. It is Romans 10:1, where Paul states ,Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. It is important to pray that people be saved. In fact, I want you to notice how Paul turned his desire into a prayer. I think if I were to ask any believer, "Do you desire your family to be saved?" they would say yes. Or, "Do you desire your friends to be saved?" they would answer yes. Or, "Do you desire your coworkers to be saved?" they would reply yes. Well, that is great. That is to be commended, but it is not enough. Your desire must be turned into a prayer. It is not enough just to have a desire that they be saved. That desire has to translate into prayer. Prayer that they may be saved. It's all right to pray generally, but it is better to pray specifically. I encourage you to make a list of every unsaved person in your life. Start with the network of relationships that already exist in your life. Make a list of family members, friends, and associates who are not saved, and then do your best to pray for the people on that list every day. Most Christians genuinely desire for folks to be saved, but not all Christians pray for the salvation of people that they love. And even fewer pray for the salvation of folks that they work with. Turn your desire for the unsaved people in your life to be saved into prayer for their salvation. And start today.So today I will make a list and I pray you do the same. Even if you end up with 5 names on a paper that this day only they recieve real prayer from your mouth to the Throne of Grace. That my blog visitor is VICTORY!
go live a great day of faith and allow your prayers to be for salvation today.
and remember
keep chasing righteousness!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
various pix
I just downloaded pix from my camera and thought I'd throw some up here for you to enjoy.
Josh and Aaron always cheesing - they adore each other and drive the rest of us absolutely crazy. Right Hannie?
ok yes aaron geoffrey and i cheesing!
Joshie and his women "bettso"
Joshie and well his women's sister "lil' ms. thing" who might give "bettso" a run for her money - actually i think this 3yr. old has laid claims to aaron - i can't keep up it's a soap opera that's for sure - all i know is i'm probably gonna be related to that ginormous fambrough clan some how.
'topher', 'zeesah' and aaron doing the i'm to cool to get my picture thing
this was one day of beautiful snow at our leaders retreat - cool picture ( ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
ok this is funny aaron and 'the chad' with stickers from their food at chic fil-a
Josh and Aaron always cheesing - they adore each other and drive the rest of us absolutely crazy. Right Hannie? 
ok yes aaron geoffrey and i cheesing!wow i forgot me with blonde hair - i've got to post me with my purple hair
Joshie and his women "bettso"
Joshie and well his women's sister "lil' ms. thing" who might give "bettso" a run for her money - actually i think this 3yr. old has laid claims to aaron - i can't keep up it's a soap opera that's for sure - all i know is i'm probably gonna be related to that ginormous fambrough clan some how.
'topher', 'zeesah' and aaron doing the i'm to cool to get my picture thing
this was one day of beautiful snow at our leaders retreat - cool picture ( ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
ok this is funny aaron and 'the chad' with stickers from their food at chic fil-a i told them if they wore them they could start a cool new trend - truth is people did think it was cool -they wore them all day - so if you are ever at chic fil-a you gotta wear your stickers on your forehead
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Worship / Idolatry
I'll make this very simply - yes believe it or not I am very capable of being a women of few words - here we go.
Idolatry is what we are prone to because we were created to Worship so it's not a question of what we will worship it's only what we will choose to worship.
From my study from Tera Klena Barthal on Living The Gospel In Relationships
Idolatry is what we are prone to because we were created to Worship so it's not a question of what we will worship it's only what we will choose to worship.
From my study from Tera Klena Barthal on Living The Gospel In Relationships
Sunday, March 8, 2009
This will surrrrlly bring enemies my way - LOL
So it's no big secret that I am no fan of FACEBOOK. You see I think it's weird, self indulgent and well I just don't get it. My Sis knows how much I am grossed out by it. Yes that is the word I meant to say "grossed out", so she will often call me to read me people's 1 line comments on what they are currently doing. You see she does this to pester me to listen to me get all heated up. Yes I know it's a cruel thing but some how I play the game with her. You see many people that I love dearly do Facebook and want me to join. I did one day for a few hours only to be inundated with a ton of request. I wanted to join to see pictures of family out of state. Okay I quickly deleted that account. Bummer because I really would love to see all those pictures out there of family all over the United States. I don't have time to spend chatting with the people I want to let alone people that I really can't invest in. Here is my beef. " I'm sitting here watching my husband play with my baby" / "I'm going to bed" / "I'm going shopping with my wife" / "I'm getting ready to fold laundry" / " I'm working" ....okay you get the picture. I just don't get it. Ok yes I know that many of you do it and don't participate on that level but this girl just doesn't get get. It comes down to I really don't know how to be chit chatty. I love to have a real deep conversation. I suppose that's why many people don't care for me, because if we are going to talk well then we are really gonna talk. I need substance in conversations, it's how I'm wired......so let me tell you of my one Facebook Sweet experience so you will know that I am not completely a hater ;0) - so my son was at the hospital the other night (ER - 7 HOURS) I was texting my Sis and told her that I just wish I could have some coffee but I couldn't leave Aaron. She posted this on her Facebook ( which seems very strange to me - - however) a very dear sweet friend, Tracy Shales read it and came to the hospital with yes you guessed it coffee. Another GEM of a women Mary Dart texted me right away wanting to come sit with me at the hospital. These were a couple of the sweetest things anyone has ever done or wanted to do for me. So you may ask does this redeem Facebook in my eyes - NO WAY I'm just glad there are genuinely sweet people like Tracy and Mary that do. - - LOL!!!
One last Facebook dig - so what's with people that post all the time on Facebook with so many "friends" yet I'll see them at church and they are NEVER!!!! talking to anyone - is it just me or is that weird.
On a positive end - if just one person is ever saved into the Kingdom of Heaven through Facebook then okay fine I'm wrong. I will shout it from the mountain top.
One last Facebook dig - so what's with people that post all the time on Facebook with so many "friends" yet I'll see them at church and they are NEVER!!!! talking to anyone - is it just me or is that weird.
On a positive end - if just one person is ever saved into the Kingdom of Heaven through Facebook then okay fine I'm wrong. I will shout it from the mountain top.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Call to Pray - Are you willing to stand alone in righteousness??
I recieved this as an email this morning. If you disagree with what you are about to read then I ask you to remember this blog and in 10 years come back and read this post again. Then you will be a believer in what you about to read.
Call to PrayerToday, March 5th, one of the most significant court cases in America’s history will take place. The California Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding the overturning of the vote of the people last year to pass Proposition 8, which defines marriage between a man and a woman. If this vote is overturned, not only will it set a major precedent of the court’s power over the will of the people, but it will likely be the flash point that will determine the future of America as liberal and homosexual agendas will disseminate throughout the educational systems and into the very fiber of American culture. The California State Senate just ruled against the peoples’ vote and asked the court to overthrow the defining of marriage as between a man and a woman. Senator Leno likened the people who voted for Prop 8 to the Germans who voted for the Nazi Regime.During these past three months since President Obama’s election, the voices of rage against Judeo-Christian values and against the church have been emboldened to use inflammatory language and pass bills and laws that are anti-Christian in their very nature. When senators use such language, persecution is close at hand. We are in a desperate moment in American history. Everyone is pointing to the severe crisis of our economy, but I am convinced it is only an indicator of a massive moral decline America has slid into. It is time to pray, humble ourselves, and rid ourselves of moral compromise in the Church. If the salt loses its savor, it is only good for being thrown out and trampled under the foot of man.Today we are calling the Church across the nation to pray.Take this moment and hear His call to humility, fasting and repentance. If we do this, God can deal with kings and judges like He haunted Nebuchadnezzar with dreams and removed Herod by the angel of the Lord. This hearing today will be followed by a 90-day period in which the court must make a decision. Pray for these judges that the hand of God will influence their minds and hearts, that the fear of the Lord would fall upon them, and that dreams would invade their world, their wives, their children, and their innermost thoughts. Pray that God would restrainprincipalities and powers that have mustered their forces of demons to seize this nation through this door in California. Pray for an unprecedented outpouring of the Spirit in California and America. Pray that God would raise up righteous leaders and bring down the unrighteous ones. Pray for the cleansing of sexual compromise and divorce in the church so that she can reclaim spiritual authority. Finally, pray that the love of God would be poured out on those struggling with homosexuality across this nation. Oh that the power of God, the power of the gospel, would be released again to free the captives!This is a moment in time that calls for crisis intercession.To resign to an inevitable collapse of society is sin, for throughout history God has moved with amazing power to change the courses of nations and overthrow the wrongdoers. Just look at Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel. This could be our Elijah moment.
Call to PrayerToday, March 5th, one of the most significant court cases in America’s history will take place. The California Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding the overturning of the vote of the people last year to pass Proposition 8, which defines marriage between a man and a woman. If this vote is overturned, not only will it set a major precedent of the court’s power over the will of the people, but it will likely be the flash point that will determine the future of America as liberal and homosexual agendas will disseminate throughout the educational systems and into the very fiber of American culture. The California State Senate just ruled against the peoples’ vote and asked the court to overthrow the defining of marriage as between a man and a woman. Senator Leno likened the people who voted for Prop 8 to the Germans who voted for the Nazi Regime.During these past three months since President Obama’s election, the voices of rage against Judeo-Christian values and against the church have been emboldened to use inflammatory language and pass bills and laws that are anti-Christian in their very nature. When senators use such language, persecution is close at hand. We are in a desperate moment in American history. Everyone is pointing to the severe crisis of our economy, but I am convinced it is only an indicator of a massive moral decline America has slid into. It is time to pray, humble ourselves, and rid ourselves of moral compromise in the Church. If the salt loses its savor, it is only good for being thrown out and trampled under the foot of man.Today we are calling the Church across the nation to pray.Take this moment and hear His call to humility, fasting and repentance. If we do this, God can deal with kings and judges like He haunted Nebuchadnezzar with dreams and removed Herod by the angel of the Lord. This hearing today will be followed by a 90-day period in which the court must make a decision. Pray for these judges that the hand of God will influence their minds and hearts, that the fear of the Lord would fall upon them, and that dreams would invade their world, their wives, their children, and their innermost thoughts. Pray that God would restrainprincipalities and powers that have mustered their forces of demons to seize this nation through this door in California. Pray for an unprecedented outpouring of the Spirit in California and America. Pray that God would raise up righteous leaders and bring down the unrighteous ones. Pray for the cleansing of sexual compromise and divorce in the church so that she can reclaim spiritual authority. Finally, pray that the love of God would be poured out on those struggling with homosexuality across this nation. Oh that the power of God, the power of the gospel, would be released again to free the captives!This is a moment in time that calls for crisis intercession.To resign to an inevitable collapse of society is sin, for throughout history God has moved with amazing power to change the courses of nations and overthrow the wrongdoers. Just look at Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel. This could be our Elijah moment.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
So I decided to do one on his Daddy
If you would like to do this, copy this note, ask your child the questions and write them down exactly how they respond.
1. What is something daddy always says to you?
he loves me
2. What makes daddy happy?
when we get to do things together
3. What makes daddy sad?
when i disobey
4. How does daddy make you laugh?
when he does something - ( apparently i'm not allowed to know )
5. What was daddy like as a kid?
played sports all the time
6. How old is your daddy?
41
7. How tall is your dad?.
6'1"
8. What is his favorite thing to do?
play paintball
9. What does daddy do when you're not around?
work
10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
baseball or basketball player
11. What is daddy really good at?
work
12. What is daddy not very good at?
cooking when mom is gone he always makes me hotdogs
13. What does daddy do for her job?
he works for GE
14. What is daddy's favorite food?
In N Out
15. What makes you proud of your Daddy?
I can't think of just one thing can you help me ...NO you need to pick......but I can't think of only one thing.......then we will leave this blank
16. If your daddy was a cartoon character, who would she be? Frozone
17. What do you and Daddy do together?
play basketball and paintball
18. How are you and Daddy the same?
we like to play sports
19. How are you and Daddy different?
clothes
20. How do you know daddy loves you?
he tells me and spends time with me
21. Where is your daddy's favorite place to go?
paintball store
1. What is something daddy always says to you?
he loves me
2. What makes daddy happy?
when we get to do things together
3. What makes daddy sad?
when i disobey
4. How does daddy make you laugh?
when he does something - ( apparently i'm not allowed to know )
5. What was daddy like as a kid?
played sports all the time
6. How old is your daddy?
41
7. How tall is your dad?.
6'1"
8. What is his favorite thing to do?
play paintball
9. What does daddy do when you're not around?
work
10. If your dad becomes famous, what will it be for?
baseball or basketball player
11. What is daddy really good at?
work
12. What is daddy not very good at?
cooking when mom is gone he always makes me hotdogs
13. What does daddy do for her job?
he works for GE
14. What is daddy's favorite food?
In N Out
15. What makes you proud of your Daddy?
I can't think of just one thing can you help me ...NO you need to pick......but I can't think of only one thing.......then we will leave this blank
16. If your daddy was a cartoon character, who would she be? Frozone
17. What do you and Daddy do together?
play basketball and paintball
18. How are you and Daddy the same?
we like to play sports
19. How are you and Daddy different?
clothes
20. How do you know daddy loves you?
he tells me and spends time with me
21. Where is your daddy's favorite place to go?
paintball store
through the eyes of an 11 year old Boy
If you would like to do this, copy this note, ask your child the questions and write them down exactly how they respond.
Aaron and I laying on the couch together - here are his answers.
1. What is something mommy always says to you?
that you love me
2. What makes mommy happy?
to read the Bible
3. What makes mommy sad?
when I disobey
4. How does mommy make you laugh?
you don't - - ( i am funny him and his Dad just don't think so ;0) )
5. What was mommy like as a kid?
always outside
6. How old is your mommy?
42
7. How tall is your mom?.
5'9" - ( I wish)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
go to places with my friends
9. What does mommy do when you're not around?
probably sleep - - ( I wish!!!!!!!)
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
a worship leader
11. What is mommy really good at?
crocheting
12. What is mommy not very good at?
trying to make people laugh
13. What does mommy do for her job?
stay at home job
14. What is mommy’s favorite food?
enchiladas
15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
that you bless me - -( a bit self indulgent I can see )
16. If your mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
Dory - -( see I told you i was funny)
17. What do you and mommy do together?
Shopping, do school
18. How are you and mommy the same?
we both like to watch American Idol
19. How are you and mommy different?
I like to play sports and video games and you don't
20. How do you know mommy loves you?
you tell me, bless me, and take care of me
21. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
to Church
Aaron and I laying on the couch together - here are his answers.
1. What is something mommy always says to you?
that you love me
2. What makes mommy happy?
to read the Bible
3. What makes mommy sad?
when I disobey
4. How does mommy make you laugh?
you don't - - ( i am funny him and his Dad just don't think so ;0) )
5. What was mommy like as a kid?
always outside
6. How old is your mommy?
42
7. How tall is your mom?.
5'9" - ( I wish)
8. What is my favorite thing to do?
go to places with my friends
9. What does mommy do when you're not around?
probably sleep - - ( I wish!!!!!!!)
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
a worship leader
11. What is mommy really good at?
crocheting
12. What is mommy not very good at?
trying to make people laugh
13. What does mommy do for her job?
stay at home job
14. What is mommy’s favorite food?
enchiladas
15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
that you bless me - -( a bit self indulgent I can see )
16. If your mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
Dory - -( see I told you i was funny)
17. What do you and mommy do together?
Shopping, do school
18. How are you and mommy the same?
we both like to watch American Idol
19. How are you and mommy different?
I like to play sports and video games and you don't
20. How do you know mommy loves you?
you tell me, bless me, and take care of me
21. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
to Church
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
stuff
I wish it wasn't so hard to post these days. This season is a hard one filled with God doing some deep hard work in my heart. Apparently I prayed for that some time ago. I'd like to sit here and say how great I'm doing but the truth is it is so hard. Constantly dying to self. Never being able to defend myself when I seem to get in to the oddest most ridiculous situations that really have nothing to do with me. Realizing over and over again that I have no rights in ANYTHING and somehow that is a blessed place to be. Having to serve in ways that if it was up to me, I wouldn't. Feeling like I can't possibly do anything to make people chose the right thing. Having to watch train wrecks and I get to pray and pray some more. and then fast and pray. Then somehow when I sit with my Bible and beg God to meet me. It happens and He is there, He is here pouring His love on me and allowing me to experience Joy the real kind of joy when nothing in your circumstances have changed except your heart. Today my life is hard, challenged but I am a beloved child of "THE" God of the Universe who died on a cross for every sin that I have ever committed in my life and ever will commit. He rose from the dead just like He said He would and went to Heaven to prepare a place for ME His beloved daughter, Susan Lynn Richardson. It just doesn't get much better than that. Thank you Jesus!!!!
So today in my Study time I was re looking at my Exodus study. We ('k' group) just started the life of Moses Inductive Bible Study - it will take 2 years so you will be hearing lots about Moses over the next 2 years. Anyway, I love how you can do a study one day and the next day look at it again and still see more. I guess that's why we are to meditate on it day and night. ANYWAY -
Exodus 2:1-4
And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
So we have Moses' mom who knows that the Hebrew boy babies are to be killed, taking action and making an ark to float him down the river. Well today when I looked at this again I realized how much hope she had. She didn't just give up and wait for the inevitable to happen she had hope that she could somehow still save his life. She became proactive in her hope, which to me proved that she really had hope. I started to ask myself where my hope was in my circumstances am I moving forward DOING. That is where the proof is in our walks. Are we moving forward or staying stuck . Do we just sit around talking a good game or are we being people of our words and living it out. Encouragement from God often comes in some unusual circumstances and today seeing Moses' mothers hope broke me out of my funk. Thank you Jesus for Your Word.
I'm sure none of this made much sense to you but that's okay - go read Exodus 2 and see what you see. It will be just what you need.
keep chasing righteousness!!
So today in my Study time I was re looking at my Exodus study. We ('k' group) just started the life of Moses Inductive Bible Study - it will take 2 years so you will be hearing lots about Moses over the next 2 years. Anyway, I love how you can do a study one day and the next day look at it again and still see more. I guess that's why we are to meditate on it day and night. ANYWAY -
Exodus 2:1-4
And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
So we have Moses' mom who knows that the Hebrew boy babies are to be killed, taking action and making an ark to float him down the river. Well today when I looked at this again I realized how much hope she had. She didn't just give up and wait for the inevitable to happen she had hope that she could somehow still save his life. She became proactive in her hope, which to me proved that she really had hope. I started to ask myself where my hope was in my circumstances am I moving forward DOING. That is where the proof is in our walks. Are we moving forward or staying stuck . Do we just sit around talking a good game or are we being people of our words and living it out. Encouragement from God often comes in some unusual circumstances and today seeing Moses' mothers hope broke me out of my funk. Thank you Jesus for Your Word.
I'm sure none of this made much sense to you but that's okay - go read Exodus 2 and see what you see. It will be just what you need.
keep chasing righteousness!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Picture Tag
This was fun 4-4-4 picture tagged and this is what came up. We had rescued a Momma and her remaining 5 babies. The Daddy was killing them off. they lived with us for a couple of months. Look at those 2 cutie pies. Nice nail polish ;0) lolSaturday, February 14, 2009
catching up - i'll try to make it brief
January 30th was Bobby's 15th Birthday "Spiritual" that is. Now that's a story for the record books. One of the greatest days of my life.
January 31st was Bobby's 41st Birthday on earth. Now I'd like to tell you that we did this great wonderful Birthday bash filled with great friends and family but well the truth is Bobby wanted to go paint balling with Aaron so that is what he did. then we hooked up that night at church where he had his favorite dessert - Bread Pudding from Claim Jumper - just because you need to know this - - he ate the entire thing by himself without one drink of milk, water or anything - I didn't know whether to applaud or barf. Happy Birthday beautiful Chocolate man of mine.
So I had an Anniversary - gosh and I didn't even post for it. 14years as of January 14th. 20 years together and 14 yrs. married. I wouldn't suggest that long of a dating relationship to anyone. Ours was necessary but that's a novel for another day. I still stand by that somehow in my crazy life I did something really right that God thought I deserved one of the really good ones from that secret special "ISLAND". Yep that's right i got me one of THOSE guys. I still get butterflies when he walks in a room. I have to sit across from him at meals because I HAVE TO look at him. Bobby Ray Richardson is a great man who loves Jesus above all else and chooses the hard road in the Lord and does it with a heart of gratitude and kindness like I have never seen in all my 42yrs on Earth. I love this man.
February 6-8th Leaders Retreat - this one I am still processing. I had begun to pray daily for this retreat and all 33 ladies months prior. This is a gift that I am blessed to do. Pray. The battle is intense and often i want to throw the towel in but the blessing of seeing and knowing the things that God is doing is pure sweet joy. First let me say this was the first retreat in 5 years that i didn't go up that mountain sick. Praise You father in Heaven!!!!. This retreat was by far one of the best. The teaching delivered by our leader, Lori eggenburg was so anointed. Tough stuff but pure truth that what else could you do but allow God to do the hard stuff in your heart. The Worship was perfect. The food was insane. Well there was alot of garlic and my breath made a baby cry but if you are a garlic lover than this was a slice of heaven for you. The fellowship was exactly that true KOININIA. It's hard to know what to post about it because it seems so private in alot of ways.
I mourned my Donna
I allowed God to reprove my heart
I praised my Jesus for the really hard stuff in my life right now
I laughed so hard that well things happen to a women who has bore a child let's just say that.
I sang out loud - that is VICTORY
I prayed and prayed and prayed and SAW!
I repented
I studied the Word
I washed dishes - okay maybe just a little
I watched the girls cook and gave my 2cents - okay fine a buck fifty
I loved on my friends and got tons of love back
I found out Nidia was my Secret Sister - WOW I didn't see that one coming. She spoiled me so much. Thank you Nidia!!!!
I shared a room with Stephnette - the same room I shared with Donna last year. It was good for me to be in there.
I tried to annoy the game players but they ended up making me play.
I watched Susan Collins sit on a table ;0)
And I watch it snow - ALOT!!!!!!!!!
but most of all I watched our faithful Jesus do a really good work.
o and one more thing my word for the year is BELIEVE
January 31st was Bobby's 41st Birthday on earth. Now I'd like to tell you that we did this great wonderful Birthday bash filled with great friends and family but well the truth is Bobby wanted to go paint balling with Aaron so that is what he did. then we hooked up that night at church where he had his favorite dessert - Bread Pudding from Claim Jumper - just because you need to know this - - he ate the entire thing by himself without one drink of milk, water or anything - I didn't know whether to applaud or barf. Happy Birthday beautiful Chocolate man of mine.
So I had an Anniversary - gosh and I didn't even post for it. 14years as of January 14th. 20 years together and 14 yrs. married. I wouldn't suggest that long of a dating relationship to anyone. Ours was necessary but that's a novel for another day. I still stand by that somehow in my crazy life I did something really right that God thought I deserved one of the really good ones from that secret special "ISLAND". Yep that's right i got me one of THOSE guys. I still get butterflies when he walks in a room. I have to sit across from him at meals because I HAVE TO look at him. Bobby Ray Richardson is a great man who loves Jesus above all else and chooses the hard road in the Lord and does it with a heart of gratitude and kindness like I have never seen in all my 42yrs on Earth. I love this man.
February 6-8th Leaders Retreat - this one I am still processing. I had begun to pray daily for this retreat and all 33 ladies months prior. This is a gift that I am blessed to do. Pray. The battle is intense and often i want to throw the towel in but the blessing of seeing and knowing the things that God is doing is pure sweet joy. First let me say this was the first retreat in 5 years that i didn't go up that mountain sick. Praise You father in Heaven!!!!. This retreat was by far one of the best. The teaching delivered by our leader, Lori eggenburg was so anointed. Tough stuff but pure truth that what else could you do but allow God to do the hard stuff in your heart. The Worship was perfect. The food was insane. Well there was alot of garlic and my breath made a baby cry but if you are a garlic lover than this was a slice of heaven for you. The fellowship was exactly that true KOININIA. It's hard to know what to post about it because it seems so private in alot of ways.
I mourned my Donna
I allowed God to reprove my heart
I praised my Jesus for the really hard stuff in my life right now
I laughed so hard that well things happen to a women who has bore a child let's just say that.
I sang out loud - that is VICTORY
I prayed and prayed and prayed and SAW!
I repented
I studied the Word
I washed dishes - okay maybe just a little
I watched the girls cook and gave my 2cents - okay fine a buck fifty
I loved on my friends and got tons of love back
I found out Nidia was my Secret Sister - WOW I didn't see that one coming. She spoiled me so much. Thank you Nidia!!!!
I shared a room with Stephnette - the same room I shared with Donna last year. It was good for me to be in there.
I tried to annoy the game players but they ended up making me play.
I watched Susan Collins sit on a table ;0)
And I watch it snow - ALOT!!!!!!!!!
but most of all I watched our faithful Jesus do a really good work.
o and one more thing my word for the year is BELIEVE
Thursday, January 29, 2009
who is the help mate?????
I have about 5 or so different post that I have done over the past few weeks but non of them have actually made it on to the blog. They are saved for the time that it will be appropriate to have them be seen. My family is entering into a season that is harder than anything we have ever gone through and after the year i just had that seems doubtful. Well it's true that each trial just prepares us for the next thing we will need to endure. For privacy reason I need to wait a bit to display them.......so this leads me to this post. I read this little devotion this morning and was reproved so much. Now if you know me at all, you know that if I have to hear the truth than I'm gonna pass it on. I'm sure that's one of the things my friends complain most about me - o well ;0)
so this devotion really made me take a look at how often I expect my husband to bail me out of a tough situation with Aaron with schooling. I need my husband to..... and ......and ....... ouch this one hurt. Bobby requires so very little from me and yet somehow I think he is my helpmate. He will be getting a big apology tonight. Yes dont' worry I ask for forgiveness from God first. Please know that I'm not saying that husbands shouldn't do XYandZ but I think we all know when we have crossed the line. Well never mind my input read this for yourself, Just don't throw eggs at me when you're done.
Who is Supposed to Serve?
In the past couple of decades, there’s been a movement challenging men to love and serve their wives. Every woman I know is very encouraged when we see God turning men’s hearts toward the Lord and their families.
We need to remember that God didn’t make men to be helpers to their wives. God made the wife to be a helper to her husband. In today’s evangelical world, it’s “politically correct” to challenge men to go home and serve their wives. It’s not so popular to talk to women about their responsibility to serve their husbands.
If we as women focus on what we think we deserve—what men “ought” to do for us—we’re likely to get hurt and resentful when our expectations aren’t fulfilled.
If your husband’s learning to serve you, that’s great. But remember, you’re never more like Jesus than when you’re serving other people.
so this devotion really made me take a look at how often I expect my husband to bail me out of a tough situation with Aaron with schooling. I need my husband to..... and ......and ....... ouch this one hurt. Bobby requires so very little from me and yet somehow I think he is my helpmate. He will be getting a big apology tonight. Yes dont' worry I ask for forgiveness from God first. Please know that I'm not saying that husbands shouldn't do XYandZ but I think we all know when we have crossed the line. Well never mind my input read this for yourself, Just don't throw eggs at me when you're done.
Who is Supposed to Serve?
In the past couple of decades, there’s been a movement challenging men to love and serve their wives. Every woman I know is very encouraged when we see God turning men’s hearts toward the Lord and their families.
We need to remember that God didn’t make men to be helpers to their wives. God made the wife to be a helper to her husband. In today’s evangelical world, it’s “politically correct” to challenge men to go home and serve their wives. It’s not so popular to talk to women about their responsibility to serve their husbands.
If we as women focus on what we think we deserve—what men “ought” to do for us—we’re likely to get hurt and resentful when our expectations aren’t fulfilled.
If your husband’s learning to serve you, that’s great. But remember, you’re never more like Jesus than when you’re serving other people.
Monday, January 12, 2009
You better get one more complaint in before reading this.
I get many little devotions sent to me like so many of you. Often they are perfectly timely. I've always wondered how God does that ;0) Then I realized that we just basically struggle with the same sins, just varying degrees of them. Anyway this one came my way this morning as I was in the thralls of doing the very sin it deals with. So you can imagine how that felt. So here I am sharing my conviction with you - enjoy!
January 12, 2009
Perfect Peace
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: If there ever was a woman who had it rough, it was Hannah Whitall Smith. This author from the late 1800s was married to a preacher who proved to be emotionally unstable and was repeatedly unfaithful. Two of her five children died of scarlet fever. One daughter left a husband and ran off with an artist. Another daughter married an outspoken atheist. Hannah herself suffered from crippling arthritis.
In the midst of all these problems, here’s what she wrote:
Hannah Whitall Smith: We must choose, without any regard to the state of our emotions, what attitude we will take toward God. We must recognize that our emotions are only the servants of our will.
Nancy: Hannah Smith refused to let her life become controlled by her emotions no matter what the circumstances. Are you letting your emotions control you? Or are you letting God control your emotions?
January 12, 2009
Perfect Peace
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: If there ever was a woman who had it rough, it was Hannah Whitall Smith. This author from the late 1800s was married to a preacher who proved to be emotionally unstable and was repeatedly unfaithful. Two of her five children died of scarlet fever. One daughter left a husband and ran off with an artist. Another daughter married an outspoken atheist. Hannah herself suffered from crippling arthritis.
In the midst of all these problems, here’s what she wrote:
Hannah Whitall Smith: We must choose, without any regard to the state of our emotions, what attitude we will take toward God. We must recognize that our emotions are only the servants of our will.
Nancy: Hannah Smith refused to let her life become controlled by her emotions no matter what the circumstances. Are you letting your emotions control you? Or are you letting God control your emotions?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
one of many things I am thankful for for 2008
As I do every year I recap my 2008 in a thank you letter to Jesus. I wanted to share a small yet extraordinary story with you from my 2008 letter that will give you a glimpse of how God showed His love to me through a couple of extraordinary woman that I am so greatly blessed to call friends.
On May 28th the Lord took one of the good ones home to be with Him, Peggy Evans. Peggy and I have been friends for many years and she was my spiritual Mom mentor for about 11-12 years. Losing this pillar in my life here on Earth was a very difficult one. For my birthday this past year my dear friend Stephanie Finn bought me the most meaningful gift. I'm not a real gifty kind of gal because I find the most joy in knowing that someone is praying for me more than anything. But this gift was more from Jesus through the thoughtful hands of my friend. I opened the first Willowcreek statue and it said celebrate. I thought how sweet is that a Willowcreek to celebrate my Birthday. Then I opened the other one and it said one for "Peggy too" and it said "Remember". Now for some this might not seem significant but I couldn't believe that Steph had considered my lose and wanted to bless me with a small token of remembrance of Peggy. With joy I placed them on my mantle and everyday when I see it I think of Peggy and the blessing she was and is through her legacy to my life. Well that leads me the next picture......
So October 16th the Lord took MY GIFT, Donna Thompson home to be with Him. There was this one day right after she was gone that I was looking on my mantle at the 2 figurines that represented Peggy and I. I began to cry - the first day of real grieving that I had done up to that point. 'Jesus I don't have one for Donna" I cried over and over again. Sure it may sound silly but it was the thing that broke the flood gates and the tears wouldn't stop. I held those two figurines crying for quit awhile. Fast forward two days later......................Stacy Richards a dear friend for many years who my Jesus used during the ending days with Donna to love on me and encourage me in ways that could have only been dictated by the heart of the Lord, came by Church on Saturday and called me out side. She said i have something for you and I could see the emotion build up in her that she was being sent by God. It was one of those moments that is so overwhelming you feel like you just might combust. She went to her car and came back with this gift bag. She didn't even have to say anything as I knew what it must be. She went on telling me that she was shopping for a friend at the Bible Book store and God showed her this and told her to buy it for me. She was going to wait until Sunday but He said no to go to the Church now and give it to her. What she didn't know is I needed to feel the Lord so much that day. I felt like I was drowning in sorrow that I couldn't let out. I needed to find Jesus that's all I knew. She walked away and I still hadn't opened the gift up. I knew what it would be and I couldn't believe that the God of the Universe with all the huge things to deal with would orchestrate such an act of love to me as if I was the only thing that mattered to Him. Shaking I opened the gift and cried tears of happy tears, tears of great joy and overwhelming love. This beauty is called "Happiness" there she was my Donna standing in the presence of our King with complete Happiness - the tag said live laugh dance - o how this is Donna. 
So here they all are standing together on my mantle as a perfect remembrance of Peggy and Donna from 2 beautiful friends that allowed God to use them in such an extraordinary way - - for me!
Thank you Jesus for Your love
On May 28th the Lord took one of the good ones home to be with Him, Peggy Evans. Peggy and I have been friends for many years and she was my spiritual Mom mentor for about 11-12 years. Losing this pillar in my life here on Earth was a very difficult one. For my birthday this past year my dear friend Stephanie Finn bought me the most meaningful gift. I'm not a real gifty kind of gal because I find the most joy in knowing that someone is praying for me more than anything. But this gift was more from Jesus through the thoughtful hands of my friend. I opened the first Willowcreek statue and it said celebrate. I thought how sweet is that a Willowcreek to celebrate my Birthday. Then I opened the other one and it said one for "Peggy too" and it said "Remember". Now for some this might not seem significant but I couldn't believe that Steph had considered my lose and wanted to bless me with a small token of remembrance of Peggy. With joy I placed them on my mantle and everyday when I see it I think of Peggy and the blessing she was and is through her legacy to my life. Well that leads me the next picture......
So October 16th the Lord took MY GIFT, Donna Thompson home to be with Him. There was this one day right after she was gone that I was looking on my mantle at the 2 figurines that represented Peggy and I. I began to cry - the first day of real grieving that I had done up to that point. 'Jesus I don't have one for Donna" I cried over and over again. Sure it may sound silly but it was the thing that broke the flood gates and the tears wouldn't stop. I held those two figurines crying for quit awhile. Fast forward two days later......................Stacy Richards a dear friend for many years who my Jesus used during the ending days with Donna to love on me and encourage me in ways that could have only been dictated by the heart of the Lord, came by Church on Saturday and called me out side. She said i have something for you and I could see the emotion build up in her that she was being sent by God. It was one of those moments that is so overwhelming you feel like you just might combust. She went to her car and came back with this gift bag. She didn't even have to say anything as I knew what it must be. She went on telling me that she was shopping for a friend at the Bible Book store and God showed her this and told her to buy it for me. She was going to wait until Sunday but He said no to go to the Church now and give it to her. What she didn't know is I needed to feel the Lord so much that day. I felt like I was drowning in sorrow that I couldn't let out. I needed to find Jesus that's all I knew. She walked away and I still hadn't opened the gift up. I knew what it would be and I couldn't believe that the God of the Universe with all the huge things to deal with would orchestrate such an act of love to me as if I was the only thing that mattered to Him. Shaking I opened the gift and cried tears of happy tears, tears of great joy and overwhelming love. This beauty is called "Happiness" there she was my Donna standing in the presence of our King with complete Happiness - the tag said live laugh dance - o how this is Donna. So here they all are standing together on my mantle as a perfect remembrance of Peggy and Donna from 2 beautiful friends that allowed God to use them in such an extraordinary way - - for me! Thank you Jesus for Your loveThe Lighter Side of My resolutions for 2009
So this new year I have made some resolutions like so many others. Here is a picture of one of mine. - NO I am not gonna join this hobbie with my boys. I am gonna let my frustrations go. Find the joy in their obsession. So here are the positives that I will focus on.- They have this bond that is deep because of this hobby ( I can't even bring myself to call it a sport).
- It gives me alone time and don't we all love having that.
- My son is learning skills that will surely come in handy with the way our country is heading.
- When Bobby and Aaron sit after a long day of paintball and take their guns apart to detail clean them and put them away in a very organized manner, I realize that Aaron is learning some valuable lessons there as well.
- I always new Aaron would be a soldier for the Lord I just never thought it would be molded in this manner.
- Yesterday when this man came walking in our backyard it took Aaron 2 min. to put that gun together and stand to defend me - okay fine it was the Edison man but we didn't know that at the time - I was impressed with his desire to protect me though. I'm sure the man thought we were lunatics and it had nothing to do with the fact that I told him I didn't trust him and anyone could get a vest like that on eBay and that I might need to take his picture and get his drivers license number - poor Bobby he just shook his head - besides this man told me he was coming back with a crane to take this electrical box out of my back yard and replace it. HE WAS A VERY VERY VERY BAD MAN telling me i would have no power for 3-4 hours. Maybe I will let Aaron shoot him ( good idea) - I'll let you know how it goes - what do you think yellow or green paint?
- last but not least this makes my boys happy and why would I want to be a thorn for my husband with this argument - i love him to much
so all this to say with my head held high
YES WE ARE A PAINTBALL FAMILY!!! - clap clap clap calp calp clap calp clap.....
Friday, January 2, 2009
Arizona is a strange place
It has a head, shoulders and feet and a couple of hands - i didn't dare feed it for fear that it would multiply and if there was one thing i knew for sure was i definitely didn't want it to multiply. It was thirsty but I saw gemlins so there was no way I was gonna take a chance at something like that happening.
Arizona is sure a strange place with odd creatures.
I'm glad to be home
Pix from AZ
In Arizona for Christmas was a good time - lazy - relaxing - just what this girl needed - enjoy a few pix from our time there.
great fashion sense - for Josh it's all about shock value - whatever it takes to make someone laugh is his lifes goal ALWAYS!!!!!!!
No Comment
Hannie and Daddy (Brian) Christmas morning
cute boys
the kids stockings
Here is my girl Hannie - isn't she cute. It was so great to spend time with her. She is so smart and well spoken. She must get it from her auntie (he-he)
Now here is frick and frack - never a serious moment with these two. The one on the right is my "super star" the other is my sis'~~~ we were killing time in the parking lot of Khols taking pix with sign post - I should post the rest of them it really was funny.
Aaron and his style - it was a miracle we got him to sit for this pic - you have no idea!!!
Happy Birthday to our blessed Lord Jesus!
If you look real close you can see Joshie blowing out the candle in the back.
Now you gotta know that he thanked me for that gift but made sure I knew that the Madagascar one would have been better. This child cracks me up. He is a young Jim Cary (sp) 24/7. My poor sis.
The face is a constant - remember what I said above. Poor Hannie she just goes along for the ride. As if she has a choice. - Hang in there girl.
Bobby building the bike - I suppose the years he spent building bikes for Toys R Us came in handy - he's such a great uncle.
Most of you wont get why this is so funny but trust me it was hysterically funny. He wore it with pride!!!
Exactly what the boy wanted a white tie. Don't let the fake smile fool you , he really was so happy to get that thing.
Hannie and her first Doll that she ever really wanted. She is not a doll kind of gal but this year she wanted an American Girl doll so bad. Maybe she'll con it into cleaning her room for her.
My two sweet babies - Geoffrey and Hannie - aren't they the sweetest.
Just a typical moment in the life of Josh and Aaron - these two are trouble let me tell ya.
and it goes on and on and on and on........................
who does she look like here????
Eating at Red Robin - where else? o wait a min. we ate at like 50,000,02 restaurants while we were there. Yes Mom Tammy cooked we just ate out alot too.
great fashion sense - for Josh it's all about shock value - whatever it takes to make someone laugh is his lifes goal ALWAYS!!!!!!!
No Comment
Hannie and Daddy (Brian) Christmas morning
cute boys
the kids stockings
Here is my girl Hannie - isn't she cute. It was so great to spend time with her. She is so smart and well spoken. She must get it from her auntie (he-he)
Now here is frick and frack - never a serious moment with these two. The one on the right is my "super star" the other is my sis'~~~ we were killing time in the parking lot of Khols taking pix with sign post - I should post the rest of them it really was funny.
Aaron and his style - it was a miracle we got him to sit for this pic - you have no idea!!!
Happy Birthday to our blessed Lord Jesus!
If you look real close you can see Joshie blowing out the candle in the back.
Now you gotta know that he thanked me for that gift but made sure I knew that the Madagascar one would have been better. This child cracks me up. He is a young Jim Cary (sp) 24/7. My poor sis.
The face is a constant - remember what I said above. Poor Hannie she just goes along for the ride. As if she has a choice. - Hang in there girl.
Bobby building the bike - I suppose the years he spent building bikes for Toys R Us came in handy - he's such a great uncle.
Most of you wont get why this is so funny but trust me it was hysterically funny. He wore it with pride!!!
Exactly what the boy wanted a white tie. Don't let the fake smile fool you , he really was so happy to get that thing.
Hannie and her first Doll that she ever really wanted. She is not a doll kind of gal but this year she wanted an American Girl doll so bad. Maybe she'll con it into cleaning her room for her.
My two sweet babies - Geoffrey and Hannie - aren't they the sweetest.
Just a typical moment in the life of Josh and Aaron - these two are trouble let me tell ya.
and it goes on and on and on and on........................
who does she look like here????
Eating at Red Robin - where else? o wait a min. we ate at like 50,000,02 restaurants while we were there. Yes Mom Tammy cooked we just ate out alot too.Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas "k" group Dinner
Here are a few pix from our Christmas dinner the other night. 29 out of 32 leaders came this year for some yummie food and great fellowship. I love this ministry so much. What we all have together with Koininia group is a gift. For those of you out here in Bloggsville let me describe what exactly we are. Children's Ministry Leadership Team. The one small thing that might be different from some ministry teams is that besides all of our different areas of responsibilities in our Children's Ministry we also come together for spiritual growth and accountability. We study the Word of God together, pray together, worship together and walk a journey of transparency together. Our group meets everyother Tues. night. We believe to be called into the ministry is to be called into a place of living above reproach.Coming along side one another and assuming the good, bad and desperately in need of Jesus areas of one another lives. Encouraging, exhorting and yes at times reproving one another in the grace and love of our Jesus. In having the gift called 'k' group we often form relationships that are so deeply rooted in Jesus that we find ourselves with friendships that are invaluable to the quality of our lives. Yes I get a bit mussy over this ministry team but I love my ministry so much and love these ladies that I am so blessed to serve along side of. Soon it will be time for our Leaders retreat where we go away and hide in a cabin for an entire weekend together ( yes every single one of yes and yes it is a big cabin) to seek God, Worship, Pray, Confess, and fellowship together and last but not least EAT!!!!!!! - so there you have it my version of 'k' group. Enjoy the pictures
Jenn - smelling the center piece - don't ask
Kim and Susan - the 'other susan' - this poor group they have 2 of us and let me tell you the two of us.....well never mind i'll save that for yet another post
Shannon and Nadia - they both work in the preschool dept. and let me tell you these girls are on it!!! I love to watch them serve.
Mary, Danette and Dana - one of these girls just might be my secret sister?????
O GOOD GRIEF THESE TWO ARE TROUBLE!!!!!!
Kim and Susan - the 'other susan' - this poor group they have 2 of us and let me tell you the two of us.....well never mind i'll save that for yet another post
Shannon and Nadia - they both work in the preschool dept. and let me tell you these girls are on it!!! I love to watch them serve.
Mary, Danette and Dana - one of these girls just might be my secret sister?????here's a story for you - Danette is my cousin and i only found out about 12years ago when she started coming to the church - can you see the resemblance? see the color of her hair? it's the same color as my under hair - i'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that steph is our hair person
Lori and Jennifer - they are mostly known as the TASK MASTERS these two women can get the job of 5 of us done in half the time -with out them we would need to be a leadership team of 41 - and they're cute to boot
Linda and stephie g - love them so much - hug hug kiss kiss
these two you want on your side - they always have your spiritual back
Shelley and Heidi 'bug' - our token red heads and I do believe its natural for them both.
Joanne and Lyn - or maybe one of these two is my secret sister? - these two gals are the real deal if you are blessed to know them then you are BLESSED!!!
Jennie and Peggy - now these two are the two quietest gals ever. One of them though has the craziest sense of humor ever and the other the kindest thing ever - can you tell which one?
Lori and Jennifer - they are mostly known as the TASK MASTERS these two women can get the job of 5 of us done in half the time -with out them we would need to be a leadership team of 41 - and they're cute to boot
Linda and stephie g - love them so much - hug hug kiss kissthese two you want on your side - they always have your spiritual back
Shelley and Heidi 'bug' - our token red heads and I do believe its natural for them both.Joanne and Lyn - or maybe one of these two is my secret sister? - these two gals are the real deal if you are blessed to know them then you are BLESSED!!!Jennie and Peggy - now these two are the two quietest gals ever. One of them though has the craziest sense of humor ever and the other the kindest thing ever - can you tell which one?Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Happy Birthday Aaron~~ You're 11
so our scanner isn't working so all the pictures I wanted to put on here will have to wait until Saturday when I get them scanned else where but here are a few fun memories from the recent years past. - Your Birthday 2004
This is what I live with evry single day.............. there really isn't any words for this.........
now this is called Dreaming BIG ~ 2002
here you are today - yes all i could get out of you was a fake smile - that's ok I still think you're cute.
I love you Aaron don't ever forget that. God has such amazing plans for your life all you have to do is Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and you will walk in all the wonderful plans He has created for you.
God Bless you my perfect gift from above.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)