It's almost Christmas!!!

I cannot believe that it has been nearly a month since I have posted anything. I must do better. Why have a blog if you are not going to post your thoughts on it? Beats me! I guess I think I really don't have anything to say, but I can put down my prayers and poems and random thoughts according to my good purposes and I really should do so. How many places can you write a run on sentence and no one in particular really cares??? HAHHAHHAHA I think it is a little dangerous when you begin to laugh at yourself or on the flipside it could be really inexpensive therapy!

I love Christmas!!! I love the wonder, excitement and mystery of it. It seems that things to quiet down in some ways but Heaven exploded with sound on that night so long ago when a virgin brought forth her firstborn son. What a night!!! How wonderful that God first went to the shepherds to declare peace on earth and good will to men. Since God came in peace toward us, why are we so hostile toward Him? God says that He has plans for us, not plans to harm us but to give us a hope and a future. Who else gives such wonderful promises? What about I will be with you always even until the end of the age??? Who can promise they will never leave you? Not one human being can promise that because in reality we have no control over the length of our days. People can tell me not to fear and to be honest it doesn't do me much good, but when God says "Fear Not", well I can take that to the bank. I can trust Him, He knows what is best for me even when circumstances are painful. Jesus died in excruciating pain. Who am I to live without pain? I don't seek out pain, but I should allow the Lord to walk me through it. I need to trust Him and surrender all that I am to Him and allow Him to be glorified through this broken clay vessel. Amen

Thanksgiving Eve

I cannot help but remember
the days long gone by
and how God has blessed me and mine
through darkness and light
His might
has carried us through heartache,
when there was never enough
money to get us through the end of the month--
but He was always there.
When my womb was bare
and I felt the cold stare from a loved one
who could not understand the awful things I'd done
to satisfy my wicked heart's desires.
But God changed the fire
to the glory of knowing
His One and Only---the One
who would set me free from those things
that called out to me promising
things that could only result in temporary
pleasantries, but the vacuum was still there.
But He came and He repaired
the broken me and now I am whole!
It is as though I see with different eyes
because the sky is a new shade of blue
and the grass a shade greener than I thought
I had seen just yesterday
and flowers were magnificent and I slowed my pace
to inhale their fragrance instead of just passing by.
So today I give thanks especially
because I realize that I am blessed eternally
and not just because I have enough food
or clothes to wear--and shelter from the rain--
but because Jesus will never forsake me
nor leave me, nor keep His Word from me
because He imparted His Holy Spirit that I might
be transformed, renewed, refereshed each and
every day upon this earth because of His precious
shed blood upon an old Roman tree--He gave Himself
lovingly, selflessly, a gift of pleasing aroma to His Father
an amazing grace among our persona
that we might truly live
and breathe and have our being
in Him alone; unashamedly telling others
that He has made them a home
where they never say goodbye
or shed tears
but remain with Him
face to face
forever and a day.
Amen and Amen!

God is Good

God is so good
and I am not!
and so, therefore, I praise Him
because through the precious
shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ,
His only beloved Son,
imparted His righteousness to me
and made me acceptable unto Him
for eternity.

Amen.

Birthday Musings

My darling husband turned 50 yesterday. I think he is a bit stunned and more than a little worried about it. We have been married for 28 years and I am sure there are times when he probably thinks he could do more with his life or could have done something differently but the demands of family come before personal pursuits.

I am very blessed to be his wife. He is forgiving, loving, affectionate, kind, yet in charge and I really like that. I used to resent it. But God has made me see his wisdom, his judgement is fair and true no matter how I may argue. I try to keep him fed and in plenty of socks and underwear. Although right now he does need new shorts in which to lounge. My guy is an indoor kind of guy who loves gadgets and computers, did I mention he is brilliant?

He is a great dad. He keeps the children entertained with stories from his childhood and with plenty of video games. He wrestles with the boys and tenderly plays with our girl, who thinks he rules the world. I love to see youngest son jump on his daddy's head and grunt and growl and make all sorts of beastly noises; acting tough and hubby pretending to be weak and overtaken! I thank God for our family and for birthdays, no matter how we age, family times make it worthwhile. God has showered His blessings not with material possessions so much, but with LOVE and faith and joy!

I thank God for my husband who has matured rather gracefully into a man who takes care of us, loves us and plays with us.

Thank You, Lord!!!!!

Thursday's Tidings

Cloudy days
rainy nights--
calming fears
deep inside
and I can go
forward
because God
is in control
and I know
that I can trust Him
and not be
concerned with
my self-esteem
but can dream
in peace
because my mind is
staid on Him.
The Author
and the Completion
of my faith
today,
tomorrow
forever. Amen 9/4/08

Scripture of the Day

"But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
Mark 8:29 (Read all of Mark 8)New International Version

Daily Scripture Reading

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:11-14 (Read all of Ephesians 5)New International Version

Scripture of the Day

Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
Hebrews 3:4 (Read all of Hebrews 3)New American Standard Bible

Scripture of the Day

http://www.christnotes.org/dbv.php

But godliness [actually] is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (Read all of 1 Timothy 6)

I thank God

For day spas!!!! Oh my goodness, I rise up and call my husband blessed because he is the one who purchased a gift certificate for me. It was completely relaxing and soothing. I feel soft from head to toe. It is so nice to have someone else scrub my feet. I had a couple of pimples that are now gone!!!!!! Hallelujah!!!!

Well, since I was so close to the most divine bbq eatery in the universe, I also swung by and got some dinner.

Tomorrow my beloved Arkansas Razorbacks open their season and I am looking forward to listening to it on the radio and then watching other games on TV. I love college football!!!!

Lord, I thank You for the gift of life, for the little celebrations we experience, for the trials, for the joy that was set before You, You endured the cross for us. Thank You for strength and health and breath! Thank you for eyes!!!!

I love You, Lord! You have made my life to overflow with blessings. I am grateful for Your steadfast, unfailing love and I thank You for causing me to look up and be watchful for my redemption is drawing nigh!

I thank You for the Holy Spirit who knows what to pray for on my behalf because I am selfish and needy and weak and whiny; but am ecstatic that I can cry out and You are there, I can rejoice because You are there and I can lay down in peace and sleep because my mind is staid on Thee!!! You are God and there is no other! Besides You there is no other god. You will not share Your glory with another! To You be all the glory and honor and power and praise forever and ever! AMEN!!!

I thank God

For allowing sicknesses to pass. I thank Him for the time He gave me to ponder many things. I thank Him for the time to rest and not be pulled by this desire or that! I am so grateful that God remembers that I am nothing but dust and has mercy upon me. I am so grateful that He hears the voice of my supplications even when no words are formed upon my lips. He hears the cries of my heart and keeps me for Himself, for His good pleasure.

Father, the sun shines today
and peace fills me
with Your ever present goodness
and I thank You for
remembering me when I was
not at my best
when You graciously
gave me rest
from the demands of the day.
Thank You for holding me
in the palm of Your hand
and casting Your shadow
over me, protecting me
from the blows
that so often follow
a time of weakness
and indecision
and doubt.
Thank You, Father
for loving me
unconditionally
and giving me strength
to face those things
that come my way
by trial and testing
causing my faith to rise
and my eyes to
rest on Thee
continually. Amen.
8/28/08

I give thanks to my God and Father today
for allowing me to be born this day
and breathe the breath of life
He gives, rejoicing in my
worldly birth
planting both feet firmly
on this earth--
my mama waited none too patiently
and daddy who wanted a male
like he!
So he taught me to play ball
and fish and all
and so in spite of my dresses and dolls
I could heartily kick a ball
and run bases as fast as any
boy---only better!
However I found myself torn between the two
never really achieving all I thought I could do!
But God in His quiet remembrance
did shine, His light of eternal life
on mine and I did reach gladly out
for Him, to save me from a life
of besetting sin.
He gave me Jesus in place of
all worldly pursuits
enjoying being a woman
and a wife and mother
a joy unlike any other
and I teach my sons and daughters
to fish and play ball
but most of all -- to pray
and seek His face
allowing themselves to be
embraced by the grace
only He can give.
What more could I ask for
on the day that I was born?
Amen.
8/27/08

Just another day......

We are trying to get well from a viral infection. I have sprayed down my home with Lysol, and am washing sheets and doing all sorts of preventive maintenance within my home to get rid of these vile germs besetting us and keeping us from having FUN!

We missed Bible Study today and a picnic and I am just fighting mad about that. If the Lord is willing, there will be other days, but it doesn't make the disappointment any sweeter to swallow.

We have been entertaining ourselves with Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean and for me alone--Persuasion by Jane Austen. I love Netflix. I can get all of the Jane Austen novels that are on DVD from them and I love it when I have no strength except to gaze at the TV and enjoy a heart warming movie. Being a homeschooling mom and full time homemaker as well as wife to my sweetie, moments alone are rare; like soaking in a steaming bath with a good book and candlelight. Now we all know that candlelight and bookreading do not go together, but come one let's set the seen and enjoy a little fantasy. Of course, I cannot see a word without my bifocals but a woman can dream a little dream, can't she?

But in spite of sickness, laziness, moodiness, there is still a terrible hunger for the presence of the Living God, the one true God, the One who makes me to wake up with joy unspeakable and to lie down in peace because my mind is staid on Him. I have forgotten to be grateful in the midst of being ill. So today, I say it out loud, "Thank You, Father, for this sickness that has me home bound. Father, I thank You for the blessing of a home where I am able to lay my head down and rest. Forgive me for whining and complaining. Thank You for over the counter medicines that do help ease the pains and make it easier to breathe. You are an awesome and wonderful, personal and loving God, the One True God, Maker of heaven and earth and I am grateful to be able to pray in the sweet and holy and precious name of Jesus. To Him be glory forever! Amen!"

And that's all I have to say about that!

It's been a while

Since I have posted anything. I have been busy being a wife, mother, homeschooler and Bible student. I have perused the web and found many interesting sites to read and ponder. I will begin posting poetry as inspired, books I have read, and great links to encourage you along the way as we walk by faith and not by sight.

Good news, I am eating healthier, though not much of a weight loss, but I am not going to focus on that right now. My focus is growing closer to Christ, keeping my eyes on Him and walking in His shadow.

I will try to post as often as this busy woman can! I love cooking and taking care of my children and meeting new people and listening!!! I love music and the written word and I love to write. Hopefully I will mature in this area. Oh, I have a great sense of humor, but no dirty jokes, thank you very much.

Preparing for the storm I hear rumbling around!!!