My Christmas

I have really been a bad blog friend lately. With working, shopping and family gatherings I have neglected my blog. Since I am off tomorrow I will be catching up on reading all your post tonight. I can't wait to see what all I have missed. Here are just a few pictures of our Christmas:Kaylin and Eli finding their Santa gifts at my house Christmas morning.

Kaylin and Kerrie Christmas Eve at Kerrie's.
Eli and Jeff, I'm not sure which one liked the work bench and tools better??

Well, I'm off to read all about you now!

The Wise Men Visit Jesus-Part 2

A military escort would undoubtedly have met his sizable caravan of visitors at the outskirts of the city and brought them to Herod. Herod was extremely paranoid about losing his position and authority. As rumors fly, he is fearful that the birth of a baby said to be the long awaited king is a direct threat to him. His inquiries about the baby's location are thinly disguised attempts to launch a concerted campaign to kill the baby Jesus just as he had done with several wives and sons whom he believed threatened his throne.

The trip from Babylon to Jerusalem and on to Bethlehem, some 1700 miles could have taken several months. A day's travel in antiquity would have been about 17 miles. When Herod calculates the age of the Child based on the time when the Magi first saw the star, he orders the death of every male child 2 years old.

Two warnings from God find their mark: The Magi are warned to return home by an alternate route than the one first planned, and Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt and stay there until the death of Herod.

Two teenagers and a new born infant are forced to flee to a strange land without the means to support their family. Was the gold brought to them by the Magi simply a happy coincidence or was an all knowing God aware 600 years prior, a financial need would be critical for the young couple as they fled abroad?

The Magi bring gifts for the Christ Child. Gold signifying royalty (the means for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus' flight to Egypt. They stayed up to two years until Herod's death). Frankincense signifying deity. Myrrh signifying death (used myrrh for embalming). (From:When the Good News Gets Even Better)

Hope you all have had a very Merry Christmas. I was going to post a Thursday Thankful when I remembered I had not posted part 2 of the wise men. For some reason I just felt this was the thing to do. Not that I don't have a million things to be thankful for - I do. I'm trying to follow my heart a little more than my head (for me those two fight all the time). Well, the heart won tonight.

What's on my tree Wednesday

It's 11:26pm therefore it's still Wednesday..... I'm a little late posting about my tree but it's better late than not at all. I don't know about you guys but I've been running around like a crazy person ( yes, even more crazy than usual). I love me some Holiday's but I'm missing my blog friends. Well, let's visit the ole tree now: I brought this back from Disney during the 25th anniversary trip. My little helper Kaylin is holding it for me.
This angel was made by my friend Lanelle. Is she not precious?
These are just a few of my other tree angels.

This is from our trip to Nashville two years ago. We went to see the pretty little dancers, Ice (it's really cool - no really really cold) and stayed at the Opryland Hotel. If you have not treated yourself to a night there save your money and spend at least one night. It is really beautiful at Christmas.Well my friends that's about all I can show tonight. I'm hoping you all have the best Christmas ever! God Bless!

Catch Up

It has been three days since my last post so I thought I would catch you up:
Friday-My sweet generous boss surprised us by giving us $250.00 each and sent us shopping. The twist was that we were to spend it on another employee. He gave us each a name and paired us in a group of two. We were to all meet him and his sweet family at 6:00 to eat Mexican (my favorite) and give our gifts. We all did a great job picking out the right presents. Everyone loved what they received, the food was great, and on top of that he gave each of us a Starbucks gift card (also my favorite) and a bonus check. What a blessing he is!
Saturday-Shop, shop, and shop. Visit with my parents. The bad part of the day was that my friend Lilah's father passed away. She just lost her mother three weeks and one day ago.
Sunday-Christmas with Bob's family.
Monday-Work - we are two girls short. Mandy and I had a pretty good day still. Patients were all kind and phones were not that bad. Sweet boss picked up and payed for our lunch. It's our late day so it's about 7:30 now and I'm getting ready to leave. Not sure how well I'll post this week since we will be short handed tomorrow as well. Until next time, God bless!

Thursday Thankfuls 12/18

Today I am so very thankful for my wonderful friends. Old, new and those yet to come! I'm not sure how well you can see this, under my tree there is a gift with a gold bow on top. My friend Lanelle (Granny Nelle to Kaylin and Eli) made this for me. It is clear and filled with Christmas lights. It looks like a shinny present under my tree just for me! It really is beautiful, the picture just does not do justice.

I love and need all my friends and have hopes of meeting even more! God Bless you my FRIENDS!

What's on my tree Wednesday

It's that time of the week for some of my favorite ornament pictures so here goes.....I love ornaments made by my baby girl (she is 27 and still my baby). Kaylin made this one for me. It won't be long until little Eli will be old enough to make one.Another favorite are the pictures of my grand-children. I have one for their Christmas pictures from every year. These are just a few. (If you look right above you can also see a little of another one of my Elvis ornaments)

Hope you have enjoyed this tour. Visit again next Wednesday for the final show of more ornaments. Until then, God Bless!

And the Award goes to...

My sweet friend Lorie was kind enough to pass the award to me.
The meaning of this award... This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
The 8 I’d like to give it to are:
Katie (This crazy life)
Amanda (Clay in his hands)
Amy ( The greatest joy I've ever Known is loving you)
Rebecca (China Baby) (Sorry Rebecca, I know how much you love these)
Jill (forever n ever n always)
Sandy Toes (Shell in your pocket)
Jennifer (My life with four kids)
Leah (These are the days of our lives)

Please visit these beautiful ladies, you will be glad you did!

The Wise Men Visit Jesus-Part 1

In Babylon, some astrologers (Magi) see a hovering star. Who were these people and why would they travel 1,700 miles to pay homage to a Jewish baby? There are many myths surrounding the Magi. They were not Kings. They were astrologers, men of wisdom who were well versed in medicine and natural science. They served as advisers to the king not unlike a presidential special council would do today. The fact that there were three gifts brought to Jesus has led us to generally accept the notion that there were three wise men. In fact, some scholars speculate that several hundred may have traveled in the caravan. People were safer traveling in large groups and never traveled at night, as robbers and thieves were abundant. What would cause them to leave home and family and make a journey of this magnitude? How did they know to follow the star and where it would lead? The answer is found in the Old Testament.

The role of Daniel: One night the king had a dream that caused him great distress. He called together his advisers who were astrologers (wise men) and demanded that they interpret his dream. But the king was smart. He also demanded that they tell him what the dream was about so that he would not be tricked with a false answer. If these wise counselors could not deliver, they were to be killed. One night God speaks to Daniel a vision concerning the dream. He tells the king both the content and meaning of the dream. Daniels action saves all of the astrologers from death and he becomes a kind of folk hero among generations of grateful "wise men" and their families. Because of their admiration for Daniel and because most of the book of Daniel was written in Aramaic (the common language of Babylon). The wise men would have been able to calculate the number of years until the star would indicate the coming of the Messiah. So these people, because of their gratitude to Daniel for saving their ancestors and their deep interest in his writings, would have spent much time looking into the skies as the appointed time approaches. (From:When The Good News Gets Even Better)

The Birth Announcement To The Shepherds-Part 2

Many scholars believe that the "cloths" were actually burial cloths used for wrapping the body of the deceased in preparation for burial. The uniqueness of the sign would have been the burial cloths, not the manger. In those days there were no Inns as we know them today. Many homes were built over caves where the animals stayed under the house at night and during bad weather. The house was called a Kataluma, which would have contained one or two guest rooms. Apparently, the guest rooms were occupied, so the owner allowed Mary and Joseph to stay in the cave under the house. The angel goes on to say, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those with whom he is pleased (or finds favor)."
Even as one who loves and walks with Christ, our tendency is to always see ourselves through the avenue of what we do or don't do. "I'm a doctor, I'm a teacher, I'm a banker." None of these define who we are, they simply tell how we earn a living. When asked if God is please with you, most have been trained to immediately think of what we have done lately. "I've had lustful thoughts, I lied to my spouse, I haven't had a quiet time this week, etc." We think of our behavior, but that was not the question. Is God pleased with you....your person, the heart and essence of who you are from God's point of view?
From the moment we receive Christ into our lives, this is our identify before God. He never defines us by our behavior, but sees us just as we were the day we were completely cleansed by His blood. God always sees you as a holy, blameless, forgiven saint, regardless of how awful your behavior my be or have been. Does behavior matter? You bet it does! Sin is serious business to God. He hates sin our independence, disobedience, and rotten behavior, but He is never displeased with who we are. It's true that we were sinners before we met Christ and we were also saved by grace, but as a new creation we no longer can be defined as a sinner even though we still sin. Why? Because that is what you do, not who you are. Who you are is a saint that sometimes messes up. To see yourself as a saint is more humble because it has nothing to do with anything you achieved or earned. You didn't make yourself a saint or even come up with the title. God did!
Why is understanding what the angel said to the shepherds so critical? If you do not believe that God is pleased with you as a person, you will spend the rest of your life trying to make yourself pleasing to Him. There are not enough verses you can memorize, Bible studies you can attend, or sins that you can avoid for you to ever feel deserving of God's favor. You will become disillusioned, cynical, and dissatisfied with everything about your life and will never understand or experience peace. How can a believer be at peace if he or she can't ever do enough to achieve God's favor. It's impossible!
The Glory of God returned to earth as the shepherds stood in awe. During His time on earth, the Glory resided in Jesus Christ. When he ascended into heaven the Glory of God left with Him, but the Glory later returned at Pentecost (Acts 2). Where does the Glory of God now dwell? In you(Col. 1:27). If the glory of God is now present in the life of the believer, how can we ever again think of ourselves as worthless? (From: When the Good News Get Even Better)

The Birth Announcement To The Shepherds-Part 1

After telling us where the shepherds were and what they are doing, Luke says that "an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the Glory of God shone around them; and they were terribly frightened." Have you ever considered what the Glory of God was? Was it just an extremely bright light and some sort of mystical presence? The Old Testament really makes this passage come alive.
The Glory of God had not been seen by anyone on the earth in almost 600 years. During the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness it always disclosed itself as a cloud by day to shelter the Hebrews from the sun, and fire by night to keep them warm. The "Glory" had last been seen by Ezekiel in a vision as he is held captive in Babylon. Solomon's Temple, where the "Glory" was then residing, was burned to the ground by the Babylonians in 586 BC. God allows Ezekiel to see the "Glory" depart from the Temple, move to the threshold of the Temple, then move to the Eastern gate of the city, then hover over the Mount of Olives, and go back to heaven. The Glory of God had not been seen by any human being for almost 600 years. Is it any wonder that the shepherds were so frightened?
Shepherds made up the bottom rung of the social ladder. They were considered untrustworthy and their testimony was not valid in a court of law. How interesting that God chose these men to be the first Jews to see the Messiah. Why would anyone try to fabricate something like this?
After telling the shepherds the amazing news of the Savior's birth, the angel gives them what sign which will help them identify the baby?
That He would be laying in a manger and that He would be wrapped in cloths.
(From: When the Good News Gets Even Better)

Thankful Thursday 12/11

Today I am so very thankful for my little man Eli (Hey, I have to do something special for him. After all, I did leave him off my ornament post yesterday). Have I told you how sweet and loving he is? When I walk through the door he greets me with a hug and most of the time says " I wanta hose you" which of course means he wants me to hold him (just in case you don't know two year old language). The best Nanny in the world (me) bought him a new bed for my house... want to see it? Okay, here it is...

He loves it, I miss him snuggling up with me.... he stayed with me last night and I was kind of glad when he woke up during the night and came to my bed....I got to snuggle with him then. Be safe and God Bless you all!

What's on my tree Wednesday 12/10

I borrowed this thought from my friend Katie. If you don't visit her already please go on over there and see what's on her tree. Now every tree should have at least one Alabama ornament. I have several however, this one is special because Connie gave it to me.The little sleeping baby is the first ornament I bought after I had Kerrie in 1981. It has her name and date of birth on the bottom. The little boot just below is the first one for Kaylin. Kerrie just called and ask why I did not show Eli's first ornament. I really only meant to show Kerrie's it just happen that Kaylin's was right under hers so I thought I'd mention it. It's not that I love one more than the other (she was just giving me a hard time). You will see next week what I started doing after my little man came along.
Another thing every tree should have is an Elvis ornament. I also have several of those (you might be a red neck if....). If you don't happen to own one you really should visit Graceland at Christmas time and pick yourself up a gift.

Please visit next Wednesday and we will see what else I can find on my tree.

Today is my momma's birthday - Happy Birthday Momma! I love you!!!

The Birth Of Jesus

It would have been a painful time for Mary and Joseph after she returns from her 3 month visit with Elizabeth. Joseph is confused and believes he should end the engagement quietly until an angel intercedes and explains that the Holy Spirit had planted the seed in her womb and that she will bear a son named Immanuel (God with us). As descendants of David, Joseph and Mary were required to return to Bethlehem. Since Mary was also of the House of David, she too, was probably required to enroll. In Syria, the Roman Province in which the Holy Land was located, girls 12 years and over were required to pay a poll tax. When viewed from a human perspective, the couple came to Bethlehem because it was required by the law. From the divine perspective, however, God was acting providentially to bring them to the place where Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be born. (From:When The Good News Gets Even Better)

My Gifts

I love this time of year, actually I love from Thanksgiving Day through December. The Christmas music has started, the lights are up, and the tree is decorated. I even have a few wrapped gifts underneath. Kerrie and I took the kids for Christmas pictures so of course I need to show them off. Here is my sweet little Kaylin:

My handsome little man Eli:

And both my little sweeties together:

Merry Merry Christmas to all of you and may God Bless you and yours.

John

Eight days after John's birth, according to Jewish law, he was taken to the Temple to be circumcised and dedicated. It was Jewish custom for the father to name the child after a relative, living or dead. Finally, after nine months, Zacharias speech returns to him and he firmly says that the child's name shall be John, although no relative on either side of the family bore that name. The name "John means "Grace" indicating that God is now planning to do a whole new thing. From now on, God's faithful will no longer follow Him out of duty and obligation, but our of desire, which is the essence of grace. On a 1-10 scale, how much of your spiritual walk is out of obligation_______? John will spend much of his life in the wilderness preparing for his great calling. Though obviously instructed by godly parents, they were very old by the time of his bar mitzvah at age 13. Luke says he lived in the wilderness until he began his ministry at age 30. Why? Probably to be kept apart from the erroneous teaching of Pharisaic Judaism. There, in the wilderness, he was probably being privately instructed by God in a similar manner as Jesus. John will not merely be a forerunner, but he will have the office of a prophet. The Hebrew word for prophet is "Navi", and it signifies a spokesman, or one who speaks for a divine power to human beings. The idea of prophecy is based on a belief in a God on whom the destiny and the well being of man depends. (From: When the Good News Gets even Better)

Thursday Thankfuls 12/04

My sweet niece Amanda tagged me with a "Gratitude Tag". The rules, list 10 things you are thankful for. Since it goes with my normal Thursday Thankfuls I thought I would respond today. Here goes in no order except for number 1:


1. I am thankful for God's unbelievable love for me and you. That He gave His precious life so that our sins would be forgiven. All we have to do is ask.


2. I am thankful for my friends. Off line and on. There are people in this world that are alone with no earthly person in their life.


3. I am thankful for my job. With all the closings and lay offs there are many without work.


4. I am thankful for my home. There are many that sleep under bridges or any place they can find, with no permanent place of their own.


5. I am thankful for my health. I can see my beautiful grand children, hold them in my arms, smell their sweet scent and walk and talk with them.


6. I am thankful for each day I wake up and get another chance.


7. I am thankful for my family. Though some have gone on to be with our Lord, the memories are still with me.


8. I am thankful for memories. Old ones and new ones still coming.

9. I am thankful for forgiveness. I have to remind myself at times that I need to let go of hurt feelings and forgive so that I can be forgiven.

10. I am thankful for hugs. Can't you just feel that big ole bear hug from someone? I tell my sweet Kaylin every morning as she gets out of the car at school "feel God's hug then feel mine today". The few days I may not say it she now says "I'll feel your hug today and God's".



Okay I could go on and on. I'll save some for my future Thursday's. I won't tag anyone however, if you feel like sharing just go right ahead and blog it. God bless you all.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Six months after his appearance to Zacharias, the angel Gabriel tells a young Jewish virgin, presently engaged to a man named Joseph, that she is pregnant with the long awaited Messiah. It is interesting to contrast the reaction of Zacharias, an elderly man and religious leader, and Mary, a 14-16 year old teenager when they are both confronted with Gabriel's news. Mary questions the angel, as does Zacharias. However, there was an obvious difference in that Zacharias was punished by losing his speech until the birth of his son and Mary was not. Zacharias wanted proof, Mary trusted. Stand in Mary's sandals: you are a young teenage girl. In the months to come, your condition will become obvious public knowledge. You must learn a new level of trust that God will protect you in at least three basis relationships. You will have to entrust yourself to God for your relationship with your fiance. You will have to trust God to protect you from slander within your community. You will have to trust God for your personal safety. Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, now six months pregnant. As Mary arrives John jumps within Elizabeth's womb at the presence of the unborn Savior within Mary's womb. She stays with Elizabeth almost three months until just prior to John's birth. (From:When the Good News Gets even Better)

The Jewish Mind

The Angel Gabriel is highly regarded in Jewish theology as a messenger from God. For Gabriel to be sent specifically to Zacharias implies that he was major topic of discussion in the "board room" in heaven, an incredible honor for him. Throughout the gospels, we will observe in the Jewish mind, a cause and effect mentality. Consider the fact that Elizabeth is childless. Her barrenness would have been considered a great shame in the first century Jewish culture. This cause and effect mentality would foster the natural assumption that she and her husband has secretly sinned against God and were paying the price. Imagine being saddled with this kind of guilt all of your life. Consider for a moment what God is doing here. This faithful couple painfully accepted their plight of childlessness. At the point where that had finally given up the dream of having children, God comes through against all odds. What does this say to you about learning to give up? We are taught always to persevere and to persist, however, it is often when we finally give up our desires and dreams that God comes through in miraculous ways. (From:When the God News Gets Even Better)

Catch Up

Where has the time gone? My last blog was almost a week old - shame on me! Let me catch you up really fast:
Thursday-Went to my moma's for Thanksgiving. It was kind of lonely since Kerrie, Jeff and Eli went to visit his grandparents. That's the bad part of having a small family. My brother did not come (long story and trust me you don't want to get me started). It was just my parents, me, Bob and Kaylin (she wanted to stay here and go shopping with me instead of going with Kerrie - can you say bribe?). It was still a very nice day and the food was yummy. Sweet Ashley made the best pies for me to take, they were a hit with everyone.
Friday-Yes...I'm one of the crazy people out shopping. Kaylin and I pulled into the parking lot at 5am (I woke up late or we would have been earlier). We stayed until 3pm and made several trips to the car. I was smart enough to take Eli's stroller and use it to hold my packages. One of my friends Lanelle caught up with us about 9am so we had a really great time. Kaylin and I decorated my tree after we got home.
Saturday-Connie and I did a little more shopping.
Sunday-One of my friends moma passed away Friday evening so I went to the visitation at 5pm.
Monday- well that's today so I guess you know what I'm doing now. Getting ready to read your blogs and catch up with you! Until tomorrow - God Bless you all.

Zacharias And Elizabeth

Zacharias and Elizabeth were a godly couple, advanced in years and childless. Zacharias was a member of one of 24 priestly divisions who rotated serving in the Temple for a week at a time. By the casting of lots, Zacharias was chosen to enter the Temple and offer the sacrifice at the altar. Because no one but the Priest may enter into the Holy of Holies, a rope was tied around his waist in order to pull him out in the event that he died performing his duties. While the priest was inside, the people gathered outside to pray that the offering would be acceptable to God. As Zacharias enters the Temple, he immediately became fearful. Why? An angel was standing by the altar, but even that did not fully explain his great fear.

Entering the Holy place always carried with it a sense of fear and anguish. Jewish tradition stated that if the priest entered the Holy Place and an angel appeared at the right side of the altar, God was displeased with the offering and the priest would die. On the other hand, a feast would immediately follow his exit to celebrate his safe return.

The angel tells Zacharias that he and Elizabeth will have a son who will be great in the sight of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit, even while in his mother's womb. He will prepare the way for the Messiah. This declaration was too much for Zacharias to process; his faith had never been tested at this level. Because of his unbelief, the angel Gabriel removes Zacharias' ability to speak. He emerges from the Temple deeply shaken and remains mute for the next nine months.

(From:When the Good News Gets even Better)

The Gospel Writers- Matthew, Mark & John

Matthew was a converted customs agent and one of the original twelve apostles. He writes a detailed account of Jesus' life. Matthew shows that the events of Jesus' life were powerfully foretold by the Prophets hundreds of years prior to His coming. Writing to Greek speaking Jews, Matthew shows them that Jesus is the fulfillment of their dreams and their history. Matthew's theme is Jesus, The King of the Jews.

Mark: Though he was not among the original apostles, Mark gained much personal insight and information from Peter, with whom he shared a special closeness. Mark writes to Romans with an unflinching sense of immediacy. He uses the work "immediately" at least forty times in his account, stressing the urgency Jesus felt, knowing that this would appeal to Roman thinking. Mark's them is Jesus the Messiah, The Servant of Jehovah.

John writes more concerning the things Jesus said rather than what he did. As the eldest of the four writers, John probably read the other accounts many times and therefore became more intent on communicating the heart of Jesus than His works. Ninety percent of the content in John's gospel is not found in the parallel accounts. John's gospel is the only book in the Bible written primarily for the non-believer. John's theme is Jesus, The Son of God. John wants his readers to know that Jesus Christ is unlike anyone who ever walked on the planet.

Genealogies listed by Matthew and Luke: Matthew lists Joseph's family line to make a strategic point that Joseph was not Jesus' father. The Jew have always stressed the importance of understanding their uniqueness, of knowing where and from whom they have come. Critical to know here, is that Matthew and Luke are showing, in different ways, that Jesus was the stepson of Joseph, not a biological son. They both seem to be saying to their readers, "whatever else you may be thinking, let's agree on this as a beginning thesis: Jesus is fully qualified to be the Messiah. He fits every standard proclaimed by God through the voice of the Prophets. He is the legitimate candidate. (From:When the Good News get even Better)

The Gospel Writers - Luke

Some thirty years after the crucifixion, a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, took pen in hand and wrote a biography about the Savior. Luke apparently wanted to make certain that an orderly and historically accurate account was rendered. He was the only gospel writer who was not a Jew. He wants his Gentile readers to see that Jesus' great message of truth and liberation is now wide open to Gentiles and Jews alike. He sees the need to record the events of Jesus life in chronological order. Luke's theme is simply, Jesus, the Son of Man. He writes specifically to a man named Theophilus, also a Gentile, who was probably a Roman official and a new believer. Based on his meticulous research, Luke wants to reassure Theophilus, and us, that the "exact truth" is available to all with "ears to hear." (From:When the Good News Gets even Better)

Hello, I feel like I've been out of the country for months! Kerrie is doing great from her surgery and went back to work part time today. Thanks again for all the nice comments and mostly for your prayers. I am going to be sharing from a Bible Study we are currently doing since I finished sharing my Mary/ Martha book. I hope you enjoy and learn a little something from it. Have a great day and God bless!

Thursday Thankfuls 11/20

Today I am thankful for my wonderful employer. I have worked for many doctors and trust me some are very self centered control freaks (may God bless them). Lee McDaris is not one of those people. He is kind hearted and truly cares about his patients. He uses his gift and knowledge of our Lord in his everyday practice. I often wonder why anyone would wait hours at a doctors office (he is always behind schedule). I think they see the good in him as well and so they wait. Every Wednesday night he takes time from his precious family and leads a Bible Study for us. We are treated as family instead of employees. He and I are more like brother and sister (he loves to pick on me). I know he does it out of love although at times I want to slug him (hey, I'm just trying to be honest).
Another little thing I'm thankful for are school pictures. Remember those school pictures of years past? Come on... we all have them (I'm just hoping mine stay hidden away). Wow, have they come a long way. This is my sweet little Kaylin's second grade picture. I just had to share this with you today, I'm so proud of her. Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Judas by Max Lucado

If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don't have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected.
Each of us has our place at the table.
Except one. There was one at Martha's house who didn't find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. "The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor," he said. But Jesus knew Judas's heart, and Jesus defended Mary's worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas's heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.
What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.
And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?
Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.

As Eli says....

I miss you. I have been trying to read and leave a few comments - if you have seen me on your blog and I didn't leave you a comment - sorry - I have just not had enough time. I hope to be back on my regular routine next week. Still taking care of the little ones for Kerrie, she is doing really good - thank you all for your prayers. Until then... take care and God bless.

Update From Kerrie's Surg.

All went very well. She is in recovery right now so I'm just waiting. Thank you for your prayers! Love, Debbie

I Surrender All

This is the last I will be sharing of "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World". Even though I read the book before going back and re-reading to share with you my blog family, it has been a wonderful journey. From your comments I feel it has touched and reminded many of us just how much God loves us and how little he ask of us. I will be doing the same sort of sharing with a book I am using now as a Bible Study. I think you will enjoy it also. Until then, here is the last part:



Perhaps you're already living in that place of perpetual ease before the Lord, simply serving him and loving him one day at a time. But if you aren't, if you are a struggler like me, take heart! God has a better way. When we come to the end of ourselves and our abilities, when we relinquish our lives, Jesus promises to use them. Little is much when God is in it. Especially if that little something is you and me. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we release the Lord of the Process to do his work. For it is in our weakness that Christ is strong. It is in our inadequacy that we find him more than sufficient. And it is in our willingness to be broken that he brings wholeness-more wholeness and completeness than we ever dreamed possible. But in order for that to happen, I need to persevere and be patient-because it takes a process to produce a product, and a process takes time. But never forget, Christ's beloved, this process is divine. God is right beside you! He is the one who's in charge. All he asks is that you partner with him and surrender to what he is doing in your life. So don't worry that you haven't arrived, my dear sister. Just don't give up on the process. Don't miss the journey. For it will be glorious! It will be worth it all.



A Prayer For The Journey



O Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers,

but give me powers equal to my tasks,

for I want to be stretched by things too great for me.

I want to grow through the greatness of my task,

but I shall need your help for the growing.



E. Stanley Jones

Mary Heart-Martha World

I love the last picture we see of Mary and Martha in the Bible. At rest with their Savior. At rest with themselves. Martha is still serving, but she does it with an attentive heart. The busy servant has become a focused student as Martha drinks in his every word. Mary my have started the evening sitting at the feet of Jesus, but rather than passively listening, she gives all that she has. The contemplative student has become an effective servant as Mary shows her love through extravagant deed. I, too, have learned surprising lessons about what it means to have a Mary heart in a Martha world. It hasn't been a comfortable process. He decided to use life to teach me. He spoke peace and direction, though I can't explain how he did it. Some how his grace helped me live one day at a time-not in fear of the future or in regret of the past. In my once-divided heart, the two had become one. I no longer had to worry about my motives, whether I was acting out of duty or devotion. God had knocked down the wall and made the Living Room and Kitchen all one. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Prayer Request

My daughter Kerrie has for a while now been suffering with female issues. After trying several different medicines her physician has decided it would be best for her to have a hysterectomy. She has two beautiful children and was not planning on having others so she is okay with this decision. Her surgery will be this Thursday. Please keep her and her physician in your thoughts and prayers. I will update you all as soon as I can. Thank you all and may God bless each of you.
Love, Debbie

Giveaway

Check out Memoirs of a Southern Domestic Goddess for another great giveaway. It's easy to enter, just leave her a comment and post about it on your blog - that's it! Good Luck!

The Glorious Result

When it comes to our spiritual lives a lot of us are all-or-nothing people. If we aren't automatically perfect, we just give up. When Christlike virtues like patience and kindness seem hard to come by, we abandon our character development and decide holiness is for those better equipped. But when we give up, we're giving up on our part of the partnership. Perseverance is one of our responsibilities in this process of being changed. And what a change it will be! God uses the pressure of trials to perfect our lives. He fashions facets in humble stone to reflect his glory. Of course, there will still be areas in our lives where we struggle. There will still be battles, and we'll lose a few now and then. But if we're willing to persevere in the process, one day-with Christ beside us-we'll win the war. That why I can tell you: Persevere, my friend! Persevere. Do you want more of God? Then don't settle for anything less. Do you want to be more like Jesus? Then persevere-press in, press on, press through! And as you do, I promise you, you will be changed. Changed as Mary and Martha were changed. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

The Lord Is My Pace Setter

The Lord is my pace setter.....I shall not rush

He makes me stop for quiet intervals

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance is peace

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for his presence is here

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with his oils of tranquillity

My cup of joyous energy overflows

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk in the Pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.

(A version of the Twenty-Third Psalm from Japan)

From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Lazarus by Max Lucado

Marys need to remember that service is worship.
Marthas need to remember that worship is service.
And Lazarus? He needs to remember that not everyone can play the trumpet.
You see, as far as we know, Lazarus did nothing at the dinner. He saved his actions for outside the house. Read carefully John 12:9:
"A large crowd of Jews heard that Jesus was in Bethany. So they went there to see not only Jesus, but Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus, too. Because of Lazarus many Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus."
Wow! Because of Lazarus many Jews were "believing in Jesus." Lazarus has been given a trumpet. He has a testimony to give--and what a testimony he has!
"I was always a good fellow," he would say. "I paid my bills. I loved my sisters. I even enjoyed being around Jesus. But I wasn't one of the followers. I didn't get as close as Peter and James and those guys. I kept my distance. Nothing personal. I just didn't want to get carried away.
"But then I got sick. And then I died. I mean, I died dead.
"Nothing left. Stone-cold. No life. No breath. Nothing. I died to everything. I saw life from the tomb. And then Jesus called me from the grave. When he spoke, my heart beat and my soul stirred, and I was alive again. And I want you to know he can do the same for you."
God gave Martha a bass drum of service. God gave Mary a flute for praise. And God gave Lazarus a trumpet. And he stood on center stage and played it.
God still gives trumpets. God still calls people from the pits. God still gives pinch-me-I'm-dreaming, too-good-to-be-true testimonies. But not everyone has a dramatic testimony. Who wants a band full of trumpets?
Some convert the lost. Some encourage the saved. And some keep the movement in step. All are needed.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected.

Partners With Christ

This process of staying surrendered and letting Christ work in you is not as passive as that might sound. Yes, the Lord has gone out of his way to make us his own. Yes, he died and rose again. He sent the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. He's invested his own life to make us holy, and he'll take what we offer him and make it into something good. But we're still expected to partner in the process. The Savior reassures me, " Yes, your salvation is my work. It is finished. I did it on the cross. But now I want to partner with you in living it out." (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Thursday Thankfuls

On this beautiful Thursday I am thankful for my daughter and two beautiful grandchildren. They love taking self portraits - can you tell?

Lord Of The Process

It takes a process to get a product. The same is true of our Christian walk. Becoming like Jesus requires a process as well. It is a journey, not a destination. If we want to be like Jesus, we won't be able to escape the refining process. It takes a process for me to become the kind of Christian I want to be-but Jesus Christ is Lord of the Process, and the process is divine. That doesn't mean we'll always understand his methods. It is a mystery to me how God can take something as imperfect as my life and turn it into an agent for his glory. Instead of waiting for us to arrive, God shines the Light of Christ through the fragments we place in his hands, transforming "the disorder into beauty and symmetry," splashing the colors of our brokenness like fireworks across the sky. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Guess Who??

Only one person would actually put this on then drive their kids to daycare and school, visit my office and then wear it to work ----the one and only CONNIE! If you don't have the pleasure of personally knowing my wonderful niece, she is one of a kind.

Below The Water Line

So how do we balance work and worship? All of the things we've talked about-keeping an attitude of yes, finding a rhythm, leaning toward our weaknesses-can help keep out teeter totters balance. The secret of balancing worship and work, devotion and service, love of God and love of people is maintaining our connection to Jesus Christ. And the deeper that relationship goes, the more stable the balance will be. "It all begins at the water line." As we spend time in the Living Room, waking and talking with him, we fill the hulls of our lives with the rich things of God. We'll be loving God and loving our neighbor. Spending time in the Lord's Prayer and playing the Good Samaritan. Keeping the Sabbath. Practicing hospitality. We'll be living in rhythm, but with a deep, solid anchor. Work will become worshipful. Worship will be a delight. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Mary by Max Lucado

Max Lucado had a story about Martha that I posted on 10/24. If you missed it look it up and read, he does a great job.

Mary by Max Lucado
Marys are gifted with praise. They don't just sing; they worship. They don't simply attend church; they go to offer praise. They don't just talk about Christ; they radiate Christ.
Marys have one foot in heaven and the other on a cloud. It's not easy for them to come to earth, but sometimes they need to. Sometimes they need to be reminded that there are bills to be paid and classes to be taught. But don't remind them too harshly. Flutes are fragile. Marys are precious souls with tender hearts. If they have found a place at the foot of Jesus, don't ask them to leave. Much better to ask them to pray for you.
That's what I do. When I find a Mary (or a Michael), I'm quick to ask, "How do I get on your prayer list?"
Every church desperately needs some Marys.We need them to pray for our children.We need them to put passion in our worship.We need them to write songs of praise and sing songs of glory.We need them to kneel and weep and lift their hands and pray.
We need them because we tend to forget how much God loves worship. Marys don't forget. They know that God wants to be known as a father. They know that a father likes nothing more than to have his children sit as his feet and spend time with him.
Marys are good at that.
They, too, must be careful. They must meditate often on Luke 6:46. "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I say?" Marys need to remember that service is also worship.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don't have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.

Leaning Into Our Weakness

In my struggle with hospitality, I've discovered yet another thing about balance that's important to understand. In order to live the balanced life God desires, we may need to give more weight to the side we feel weakest in. There are times when we have to make a concentrated effort to lean into our area of weakness, to give more weight to the area of intimacy or service that doesn't come easily for us. That's what Martha did. She leaned away from the comfort of her Kitchen and shifted the weight of her attention toward the Living Room. Mary did the same thing when she left her place at the Lord's feet and leaned toward the active service of anointing her Lord. And I, too am trying to learn this lesson of corrective measures, building up the weak sides of my life. But I don't need to do it alone. If hospitality is my weakness, he'll help me scoot toward that kind of service. When I need a little more weight on the side of Sabbath rest, he's faithful to help me lean in that direction, making me "lie down in green pastures." As I keep my eyes focused on the Lord, I'll have a passion for God and compassion for people-and the kind of balance the Lord intended for me all along.(From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

My Treats

My little grand ones:Miss High School Musical Cheerleader

Mr. Buzz Lightyear

God's Gift Of Hospitality

The practice of keeping the Sabbath is not the only God-ordained balancing principle that seems to be lost these days. Another one, which tilts back to the service side of the teeter tooter, is the practice of hospitality. Scripture tells us that in the last day, people will be lovers of themselves. We're called to be givers instead. Over and over in the Bible, we're encouraged to show hospitality by reaching out and giving of ourselves to other, welcoming them into our lives. Peter adds the injunction to do it "without grumbling". OUCH. That last one hits home for me. Paul's exhortation to "practice" hospitality offers me hope that I may one day improve. It's something I struggle with personally-partly because I'm not a very talented housekeeper, but mostly because I'm just so busy. How easy it is to get caught up in our busy lives that we forget the reason Jesus came and the purpose for which we were called. Our lives should be a refuge for the hurting, not a country club for the comfortable. Hospitality isn't an option for anyone who wants to say yes to Christ. It's part of his call to us, though it may be hard to work into our busy lives.(From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Giveaway

Visit Sandi Lou's Musings for a great giveaway. This beautiful painting! Go check her site out you just may be the winner!

The Gift Of Sabbath Rest

Letting your soul catch up. I can get to running so fast that I leave everything behind. Not just God. Not just people. I can lose my own soul as well. I think that's why God instructed us to observe a regular period of extended rest in the middle of our busy lives. That's why he gave us a Sabbath. We Christians set aside Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection, for our Sabbath. But the chosen day is not as important as the chosen purpose-to bring balance and perspective to our work-weary lives on a weekly basis. The Sabbath needs to be different, set apart; it has to contrast noticeably with the other six days. The Sabbath should be a day of devotion. It's meant to be spent in the Living Room. Kitchen duties can wait. This is a time to focus our hearts and our minds on God alone. The Sabbath should be at least partially a family day-a time spent not only with our biological families, but also with the family of faith gathered for corporate worship and fellowship. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Thursday Thankfuls

While I was blog visiting this morning I read a beautiful post at Sandy Toes. She was sharing a story of her son and the blessings her family had received (you will need to visit her and read the complete post). I decided to borrow her icon below and post my on Thankful Thursday post. Over at Valarie's blog she has a post requesting prayer for her mom (go visit and read, I'm sure she will appreciate all support and prayers from you).

Today I am especially thankful for the blessings of having both my parents still here with me. My mom is the strongest, nicest, most kind hearted person you will meet. She took such good loving care of my grandma until God called her home. My grandma had Dementia and could do nothing for herself. She gave up so much of her life to make sure grandma stayed with her and never went to a Nursing Home. There is nothing wrong with having to use a Home, my grandma had just been so worried about having to go my mom wanted her home with her. Now she is taking care of my dad that was diagnosed with Dementia a year ago last month. She never complains and never ask anything for herself. I also would like to thank God for blessing us with my Dad's health. He is doing so much better than ever expected (by the doctors, not by us). So on this Thursday I am extremely thankful for my wonderful parents and the love of our Lord!

The Rhythm Of A Balanced Life

Being balanced is not so much a matter of staying in perfect equilibrium as it is a matter of finding the right rhythm for our lives. One day I may spend several hours in Bible study and prayer, settling softly on the side of intimacy with God, while the next day is given over to volunteering in my daughter's classroom, teetering over toward the service side. If you were to gauge those two days individually, they would appear totally out of balance. But not when you consider them together. As long as my heart is set toward both service and worship, I don't have to feel guilty when my life seems to settle longer on the one side because I know I'll eventually push off from that spot and spend some time on the other. Our lives are meant to be dynamic, not static. The truth is, we thrive on a life that is rhythmically balanced, not standing still. Up and down. Work and worship. Love the Lord and love other people. It's the dynamic rhythm that drives a meaningful, yes-centered, balanced life. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Pumpkin Night

I had both grand kiddos last night and big plans to carve a pumpkin for each of them. I had small ones for them to paint - sounds like fun humm??? Let me give you some free advice, one adult with a seven year old, a two year old, four pumpkins, paint, knives, NOT a good mixture! We ended up with only one (Eli's) carved. They did have fun painting the small ones and playing in the "guts" of the one we finished. Kaylin and I will work on hers tonight without brothers help. Okay Katie, I feel your pain over the picture - all I wanted was one picture of both kids with the finished "Mickey" pumpkin. NOOOO, Eli would have no part in getting his picture taken. I just gave up and took Kaylin's by it. Oh well, it was a fun night. Did I mention they spent the night? I had to come to work so I could get some rest! Have a great day!!

Disney Memories

On this cold day what better way to warm my heart than with these pictures!

All of us on our first day there! We look like some country pumpkins don't we?? It's hard to believe this was just three short weeks ago - seems like a lifetime. Have a wonderful day and as my friend Lorie would say "be blessed" cause I sure am!

Practice Saying Yes

We were created to say an enthusiastic yes to the call of God in our lives-both his call to devotion and his call to service. Saying yes to him releases his power and his joy to our souls. It's what gives us the strength and the energy to do what he wants us to do. At the same time, it's important to remember that saying yes to God doesn't mean saying yes to everything! When our lives are overbooked, it's easy for us to become spiritually dry and undernourished. We can barely hear God's voice above the busy noise, let alone say yes to what he is asking. In this case, we do need to learn how to say no, but only so we are able to say yes to God when he wants to give us an assignment. Go ahead! Practice saying it: "Y-y-y..." Same tongue, same roof of mouth, but instead of pointing the tongue up and inward, the tongue points up and outward-y-eh-ss! Yes, I think I can help. Yes, I think it might be arranged-let me pray about it. The effect can be absolutely euphoric! Especially when we make a conscious point of saying that yes to God. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Corrective Measures

Love the Lord your God....and love your neighbor as yourself. Love God? No problem! some of us think. And so there we stay, sitting on one side of our teeter totter, happy to be worshiping in the Lord's presence. But there is more- more to this balance Christian walk than only worship. Love people? Sure I do! others of us say to ourselves as we sit on the other end of the teeter totter. But there is more to this balanced Christian walk than only serving. He directs us-if I might put it this way-to get off our religious duffs and do the hard but rewarding work of balancing our Christianity, spending adequate amounts of our lives both in the Living Room and the Kitchen, worshiping and serving, loving God and loving people. While I have been justified by faith alone- saved not by my works but because of Christ's sacrifice- I must partner with the Lord in the process of being sanctified, that is, being made more like him. God provides the holy, and I provide the sweat. That's part of what it means to balance work and worship. Though we were created for worship, first and foremost, we were also "created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". We were created for the intimate fellowship of the Lord's Prayer but also entrusted with the ministry of the Good Samaritan. Created to say yes to the call of both duty and devotion. (From: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Fourth of Fourth Tag

This tag is from Sandy Toes. The rules are to take the fourth picture from your fourth picture folder and write about it. Then you are to tag four people to do the same. I like this since you never know what picture you might find. Okay, so now here is my fourth picture:This is Jeff, Kaylin, Eli and Kerrie. We took this after bringing Eli home from the hospital so this would be the first week of May 2006. Oh my, how he has grown!
Now my four people to tag will be from:
These are the days of our lives
This crazy life
Boyett blog
Strive fitness

Help bring Owen home

You may have noticed that I added a button to my sidebar..."To China For Owen." Click on the button to go directly to the site where you can enter to win some wonderful prizes in a fundraiser designed to help this family bring their son, Owen home from China! Go check it out!

Martha by Max Lucado

Each week I receive Upwords with Max Lucado, the one below was from today. Since you have been sharing the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World with me I had to let you read this :

Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Martha's. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Martha's, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don't appreciate Martha's until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazarus's are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors.
Martha's are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don't seek the spotlight, they don't live off the applause. That's not to say they don't need it. They just aren't addicted to it.
Martha's have a mission. In fact, if Martha's have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples.
The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me" (Luke 10:40).
All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks.
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41--42).
Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again.
"Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:2--3 NIV).
Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn't object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary's part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus' feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church.
An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise.

Our Supreme Example

Jesus was the most balanced individual the world has ever known. In fact, that is part of why he came-to show us how to manage the tricky balance between work and worship, between what we do and what we are. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself". You see, loving the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself was and is the very thing God has always wanted us to do-it's a perfect picture of the perfectly balanced life. These two verses sum up all of the Old Testament and the New Testament combined. God wants us to love him. Really love him. And he wants us to love each other. Really love each other. That's how we can know we belong to him-if we have love one for another. Love for God. Love for others. Worship and service. These are the two ends of our teeter totter. Through love for God comes first, the two can't be separated. One flows from the other-and back again. That's what it means to live a balance life, a Christlike life. (From: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

I Love Your Blog Award

Thank you Katie for this very nice award! I love your blog and the opportunity to know you better with each blog you write.
The rules say for me to post this on my blog. Thank the person who sent it to me. Nominate 7 blogs. So without further ado, I hereby give this award to...
1. Sandy Toes
2. Valarie
3. Lorie
4. Dana
5. Amy
6. Brandi
7. Amanda

Weird Things - About Me?

I was tagged by Amy so here is my list of (just) seven weird things about me:

1. I will NOT eat or drink anything after the expiration date. I know milk and other food items are good for a few days after that date - I just can't eat or drink it!! I don't like old food, I need fresh!
2. When going on a trip with the grand kiddos I like to pack for them. I'm obsessive compulsive and my daughter is total opposite. I have a packing list so I won't forget anything!
3. I love Cheetos and ice cream. What's weird about that you may ask, well I eat them for dinner several nights per week. Now remind me why can't I lose weight??
4. I can't work without a task list. I can't shop without a list. I'm list crazy! Not just any old list, a color coded list!
5. The second it turns cold outside I get shocked by touching anything! I'm full of electricity! I've tried static guard and tons of fabric softener sheets in the dryer. Any tips on how to avoid those shocks??
6. I hate pedicures! Most people love to get them, I don't like people touching my feet! Same goes for my finger nails.
7. The last weird thing about me is that I can't think of anything else! I guess I'll have to get some comments from Kerrie, Connie and other "friends" on what they think is weird about me!?

I'm going to have to pass this tag along to: Connie (because she is not blogging like she should), Lorie (because I'm not sure she has any weirdness about her), Brandi and Dana (because I'm getting to know you better).

Balancing Teetertotters

I wonder if God had teetertootters in mind when he placed Luke's story of Mary and Martha between two famous passages: the story of the Good Samaritan and Christ's teaching on the Lord's Prayer. One deals with our relationship with people. The other deals with our relationship with God. One teaches us how to serve. The other teaches us how to pray. One breaks down the wall that divides cultures. The other breaks down the wall that divides God and humanity. Perhaps that is why this tiny section of Scripture we first looked at is so important. I have to admit I struggle to keep that balance. We hosted a church banquet just a few months ago, and I found myself in the kitchen rather than in the worship service. Jesus had showed up in our midst, and I had been so busy washing dishes, I'd missed the opportunity to sit at his feet. I'd totally forgotten everything I'd been learning about balancing work and worship. Ouch. Bumpsies again! (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Holy Kisses

Judas offered Jesus a single kiss. The kiss of betrayal. How that must have hurt the heart of God. All the time they'd spent together, all the teaching, all the love-and then to be rejected that way. Jesus knew it was coming, of course, but even he seemed surprised by the chosen signal that night in Gethsemane. Can't you hear the pain in Luke 22:48 when Jesus asks, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Unlike Judas's stingy, mocking gesture, the loving attention Mary lavished upon the Savior's fee had nothing to do with manipulation or control. "I tell you the truth, " Jesus said in Mark 147:9, "wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." And still the story is told-the story of a woman who loved so much she gave up just about everything. The sweet scent of Mary's extravagant sacrifice still lingers today. We sense the precious aroma of extravagant love rising once more to heaven each time one of God's children gives his or her everything to the One who gave his all. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Ever Had One Of Those Days?

It's almost midnight Monday night. Why are you still up you may be wondering..umm..let me tell you how my day went. Let's start late morning with four girls deciding on what to have at a luncheon tomorrow(Tuesday) for an ex-rep we invited (she is a wonderful person we all love and miss). Two of us wanted to buy lunch(me being one of those two) and two wanted to cook. Well....the two that wanted to buy let the other two win so... cook it will be. I am to make a red velvet cake and chicken and dressing. I tell myself "self you are leaving at 5:00, stopping at Griners and getting home to get this over with". Now don't get me wrong, I love to cook just not on a work night! Okay, all is going well - until I get in the car and it won't start. So what does a girl do? I call my hero Willie (Connie's hubby) and he is there in a Jiffy with a smile on his face! Now you may ask, why did she not call her own hubby - well that will be a story for another day. While he is jumping my car off I head to the drug store to pick up a Rx for Eli (he has a bad cough). Then off we go to the auto store for a new battery (I'm still okay, after all my car is a 2004 with the original battery in it). After "forever" there (they did give me a 10% discount because we got NO help replacing it - poor Willie had to do it in the parking lot). I just kept telling myself, this is happening for a reason. Could be that the guy at the Auto place was going to get fired if he didn't have enough sells, I don't know but it sounded good at the time. I head to Kerrie's to drop off Eli's medicine and pick up my cake stuff she had bought for me earlier that day. I start to leave her house and Eli is clinging to me saying "I miss you" wanting to come home with me. Oh yes I did bring him...who could leave him saying that?? I get home and guess what? It's late and I forgot my cake stuff! I guess they felt sorry for me so they brought it to me. In the meantime, I gave Eli some juice and didn't get the top on right so when he turned it up all of it came out on his PJ' s and his bed. I strip him and the bed washed, dried and made his bed back up, baked a cake, made the icing, baked cornbread, made my dressing and just took it out of the oven at midnight. I really hope the two (Amanda and Lilah) that wanted to cook enjoy it! I'm not questioning why it all happened, I know the reason is good. I just hope it was real good for someone else! Thanks for reading my venting - I'm feeling better now that all is done so I am just going to go snuggle with my little man Eli! Good Night!

First Place

My sweet little Kaylin won first place for second grade in the poster contest at Hazel Green Elem. School! We are so excited for her - she will receive a check for thirty dollars and a ribbon this Thursday. Ms. Gordon was nice enough to take this picture for us when she turned it in - WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

You have to check out this site for a beautiful little girl dress giveaway: Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Leaping Into Love

Do you ever feel yourself holding back parts of your life, wondering how much you can give and still have something left? Like Mary, you feel the call to total abandonment, but surrender like that makes you afraid. If you've felt that way, you're not alone. I think every one of us comes to a crossroads in our relationship with God where we're faced with the dilemma of total or partial surrender. I think I know a little bit of what Mary must have felt that day she stood at Jesus' feet. As she held her precious ointment, she must have trembled inside. For no one gives her everything without a struggle. No one gives her all without somehow wanting to keep part of it back. Perhaps Mary had wrestled with the thought of surrender as I did. Perhaps she'd stared at the alabaster bottle in the night. Can I? Should I? Will I? until she said, "Yes, Lord. I'll give my all." The extravagance might be misunderstood by the others, but not by the one that she loved. "She has done a beautiful thing for me," Jesus said in the face of his disciples' disapproval. Leave her alone. She belongs to me. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Lavish Love

The apostle John writes in 1 John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" What a wonderful picture- the lavish love of God. Love so wonderfully extravagant that, like a thick, rich hand cream, it must be spread around. So much love that the simple and the ordinary aren't enough. That's what set Mary's love apart that day in Bethany. She not only loved Jesus; she did something about it. And what she did and how she did it point toward the secret for more fully loving God and loving people. Mary loved with her whole heart. She didn't hold anything back. Instead, in sweet abandon, she poured everything she had into showing her love for Jesus. (From:Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)

Birthday at Disney

While we were on our trip my sweet Connie had a Birthday! As you get older those birthdays seem to come and go a little faster each year. She is such a precious person and deserves every happy moment life as to offer!

Does it look like Eli is having fun???

After one of the many "wet" rides Kerrie and Heather decide to do a little shopping for dry clothes. This is what they came back with... oh how I wish this body would fit into something like that!!

Kaylin having some fun at Universal Studios.