Was God's Creation Always Good?

The other day Tim Kaine said God saw what He created and it was good. Tim, yes, at one time God saw His creation was good. But, that was before sin entered in. And, He didn't always think what He created was good.

Posting Twice

I don't usually post twice on my Facebook page in one day but I wanted to share this before the news media begins bringing in the results of the voting.

" I feel sure there will be a lot of fraud going on in this election", I said to myself a bit ago " and there will be a lot of disappointed and angry people no matter who wins." Then, I had an ah-ha moment..........

No matter how many predictions in the hours after the polls close; no matter how much fraud; no matter how many hanging chads; no matter how many ballots are lost or how many people voted multiple times....... It doesn't even matter how many people vote illegally because the person that God has chosen to serve as our next POTUS was chosen even before the earth was formed. God has a purpose for ALL things including this election.

Yes, God knew when you and I would be born. He chose who our parents would be. He knew the exact minute we would take our first breath and when we would take our last. And, he knew when the next POTUS would breath their first and last............

I just pray that we can all accept the choice God has made.
Never forget............God is in control of all things.

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
that’s what I had in mind for you.” Jeremiah 1:5 (The Message)

In This Month of Thankfulness

In this month of thankfulness, I'm thankful the election is finally over...... I pray that all of us will try to accept the outcome even though many of our friends and family are not fans of the new President. So, I'm going to put the ugliness and name calling of the election behind me and be thankful for the blessings that I have. I hope others will do the same.

First of all, I'm thankful God gave me the best husband in the world 58 years ago ! Not only a wonderful and godly husband but he is a wonderful father and grandfather. If I could grant wishes, I'd wish that everyone of my friends could have a spouse like mine.

I'm thankful for our home. I'm thankful that, with my husband, we established a Christian home for ourselves and our children. I'm thankful that God has always provided a home for us from our first apartment, to our home in town for 21 years, to our home in Pleasant Valley , where we have lived for nearly 30 years. I believe with all my heart that so goes the home, so goes the nation. I pray that everyone will consider the importance of providing a Christian home for their families. It's never to late................

God blessed us with beautiful daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law who love them unconditionally. Our grandchildren are the loves of our lives. God has blessed us with five wonderful, talented grandchildren, three grandchildren-in-law and all of them are Believers . John Clark (and Ashley), Catelyn Elizabeth (and Luke), Christen Elyse and (Malachi), Joel Cameron and Genna Grace we couldn't be more proud of the people you are. And, most recently, we are thankful for a new g-grandson, now almost four months old. We know God has a wonderful life in store for each of you. And, we pray He will allow your Granddad and I to watch it all unfold.

I am thankful for our friends. We have so many lifelong friends; friends we grew up with and still keep in touch. Friends we have developed through our churches over the years; all the wonderful friends we have made through our children and grandchildren's friends, and finally through the friends I have found on social media;especially through Facebook, where so many of you have been so supportive of my feeble attempts at writing.

I'm thankful for our pastor. He does not compromise the truth of God's word. I'm thankful for his family and for our church family. A person can be a Believer and not be involved in a church. But, we all need the encouragement and fellowship of other believers. And, we need to honor God by following His command of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. I encourage all of you who do not have a church home to visit Grandview Baptist Church. There is a place of service there for you.

Yes, God has been very, very good to me. He has blessed me far more than I deserve and I continue to be thankful to Him every day for His faithfulness.

"You’re my God, and I thank you.
O my God, I lift high your praise.
Thank God—he’s so good.
His love never quits!" Psalm 118:29 (The Message)

Please, God, Unite Us

My prayer is that God can bring about a uniting of the division that is now rampant across our country. Both of the top two candidates who were in this race, along with those of the lesser known parties, are all sinners, as are we. The finger pointing; condemnation; hate; ingratitude; disregard for the things that our country was founded on , has brought us where we are today as a nation. We are entering into another "unknown path" just as we did eight years ago with the first black president. 

Now, we are entering an era with a president , who is not a politician, but a businessman. Today, none of us know where the "unknown path" will lead us but I just pray that it leads us back to God.

So, where do we go from here? I think it's up to us as Believers to show forth what we believe to those who are angry, hurt, upset, etc.. at the outcome. Bashing shouldn't be an option of a Believer but it is.........I'm one of those who is guilty of that. We need to all remember it could be the Trump supporters who were on the losing side of the election. It could be the Trump supporters who are angry, hurt, upset, etc. As I have said in some of my postings, God knew before the world was formed who would sit at the desk in the Oval Office in January of 2017. He has a purpose for that person just as He has a purpose of all of us. How 'bout we set out to find what our purpose is now and try to make this world a better place so that unbelievers will see that the heart we profess to have for God and our country are the real thing.

One morning after Jesus spent the night on a mountainside praying to his Father, He came down the next day and chose his twelve disciples. Then He began to teach them,along with a great number of people from Jerusalem. If you read the 6th chapter of Luke, you will find a lot of things we should be doing. One of the things He taught them is something we need to be mindful of today and everyday no matter who or what we are dealing with.

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31

Hatred in Our World

There is still so much hatred in our world. Thousands of people using their distaste for our president elect to burn, riot and destroy. Are they protesting against the man himself or against the millions who put him in office? I pray that the destruction will cease and those who are protesting will realize that we, the taxpayers, will have to pay for the destruction they are causing.

I am thankful that today we can turn our thoughts away from the election for a while and consider those who are responsible for our freedom.

I see the faces of loved ones on your pages; some returned to join their families and some were lost to a cruel war. I'm thankful for the many years my husband served during peace time with the 142nd Field Artillery. I am thankful he didn't have to see combat on a foreign field but I know he would have gladly gone should the need have arisen.

War is a horrible thing. It's something that has been waged since early times. Genesis 14:14-16 tells that Abram heard a relative had been taken captive, he called 318 men to pursue and attack. They were successful and returned the relative.

What should we do during wartime? First of all, we must pray for our government leaders as well as our military leaders that they will look to God for answers. We need to pray for the safety of our military and for the families they leave behind. We need to pray for those men and women who have returned; some so shattered physically and mentally, they have to live on the streets. And, more than anything, we need to pray for the return of the Lord when there will be no more war.
In God's word, we find the Lord talking to Isaiah about Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord gave Isaiah a promise.

"The Lord will settle international disputes; all the nations will convert their weapons of war into implements of peace. Then at the last all wars will stop and all military training will end." Isaiah 2:4 (TLB)
Let's continue to pray for peace....................
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-home-release2.html

Our friend, Sandy..........

Myammar Gaddafi died 5 years ago yesterday.

Libya's former justice minister has told a Swedish newspaper that Colonel Gaddafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing of the jumbo jet that carried 258 people to their death in December of 1988.

Sandy Phillips was our families friend; an intelligent, funny, talented and loyal college friend of both our daughters, Cathy, Cheryl and our son-in-law, Clark. Sandy was a student at the U of A at the time Cheryl and Clark were students. Sandy was a young man who loved playing the guitar and singing. He was a talented writer of poems. He loved playing golf and camping and loved to ski.

After attending the U of A, Sandy enrolled at Syracuse University and at 27 years of age, he was a victim of Pam Am 103. As news came of the death of Muammar Gaddaffi, I remember feeling relief that the accused mastermind of the Pan Am bombing was dead and that Sandy's family and friends could finally rest in that fact twenty-three years after the loss of their son.

I wrote this poem for Sandy's dad, step-mom and mother after Sandy's death.

May God who knows and cares enough,
To send His only Son.
Be with you as you face each day
With the prayer "Thy will be done."
For it's only letting go of trials,
And, placing them in His hand.
That He will give you perfect peace
And, give you strength to stand.
I know this time is very hard,
You're burdened and distressed.
But God who knows each of our cares,
Would have you be at rest.
Jo Ann
Dec. 23, 1988

Why would God allow the death of so many young people who were just embarking on life? Why would an evil man want to see the death of so many? It's been said that Gaddaffi hated America because we were friends of Israel. Could that have been the reason or was he just so evil, he was bent on killing innocents?

It is so easy to become angry when we feel an injustice has been committed.

And, yet, as evil as this man was, he was still one of God's creations. God loved him just as He loves you and me. Those thoughts are a battle I will have to fight in my own mind as I think of Sandy and the other innocent victims of Flight 103 as well as those lives that have been lost due to Osama Bin Laden, who was responsible for the loss of almost 3,000 lives on September 11th, 2001 attacks.
There are many questions none of us will have the answer to until we reach our Heavenly rest.

"In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (TLB)

The picture below is Sandy and Cheryl at Cheryl and Clark's wedding. He rode his motorcycle from Little Rock to Berryville just to attend. He was a true friend............

My Mother's Journals

My mother kept journals and now that she has been gone for fifteen years, there is nothing of hers that I cherish more. She was so faithful to write almost everyday for years. I tried several times to keep a journal but it just seemed that I wasn't as committed to it as my mother.

I picked up one this morning; opened it and a leaf fell out. The date was Monday, June 24th, 1991. Mother was 85 years old and this is what she wrote: " Another date I can remember only Lark remembered it first. We sat in the porch swing at my home one evening he asked me to go steady with him he said. Years after we were man and wife he asked me if I remembered the date or my promise. Then he said he did. It was June 24, 1924. So from that date until June 1, 1927, I didn't date another boy for he was the one for me. I wanted to finish school and get that diploma. Also, it was depression time and we had no money to begin a life together."

"Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator." Ecclesiastes 12:1a(TLB)

My mother never forgot about her Creator. Even in her 90's when there were Sunday's she couldn't make it to Sunday School and church, she would ask us or one of her friends to stop on the way to church and pick up her offering. She was always faithful to give her tithe whether she could be at church or not. And, my mother was a prayer warrior. She often posted about praying for this one or that one who needed prayer. Mother loved getting cards and was so faithful to send cards to those who had birthdays, or were ill or who had lost a loved one.

I wonder if we all kept journals how would they read? Would we remember things that happened many, many years ago as my mother had? Would our journals be filled with the blessings of life or would we post about how bad off we are?

One thing for sure, reading my mother's journals leaves no doubt in my mind where her treasures were laid up.

Although the bible tells us there are no marriages in Heaven, I still like to picture my mother and daddy swinging in a heavenly swing and talking about the good life they had on this earth.
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived
the things God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

Dr. John

^" Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:31 (NIV)

There were quite a few children on tree lined Springfield Street when I was growing up.  Most of the time we got along well but, as children are known to do, occasionally there was a ruckus among us; particularly if there were three playing together.

Johnny and I always got along great.  He was not quite a year younger than me but our personalities just seemed to mesh well and arguments were for the other kids to have.

I remember well the morning we were playing jacks on the breeze way of my house.  The telephone rang and in a few moments, my mother came to the screen door.

"That was your dad calling.  Your mom is home now with your new baby sister so if you want to go see her, I'll watch while you cross the street."

Johnny, never looking up from the jacks, said,

"Nah, I'll dis stay here."

We rode bicycles together around the block racing each other and laughing. His bicycle was maroon and mine was blue. Both bicycles had horns and we'd honk our horns as we passed each other.

Many years later, Johnny was Dr. John and I was his patient.  I hoped and prayed the first time I sat down in his dentist chair that he would remember the good times we had growing up and be easy on me.

......and he always was.

I read some of the hateful things on the media; people bashing people for just little things. As my daddy use to say, "makin' a mountain out of a mole hill." There are people who just seem to rub people the wrong way and incite a word bashing incident.  Or, there are those who just seem to look for someone to bash. I wonder if those people have ever thought that the person they are bashing may be the very one that could save their life one day......they might just be the EMT who came to the overturned car you were trapped in.  Or the fireman whose job it was to rescue you from a burning house.

I was very glad when Dr. John was filling a tooth that he and I hadn't had cross words and I hadn't bashed him while we were growing up.........

How are the sandpaper people in your life doing? Have you prayed for them lately? Remember, you can't control their actions but you can control your actions toward them. " Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." Ephesians 4:32

A Clean Heart

I've been told that my Grandmother was a very good housekeeper. She would "unmake" the beds every morning then remake them with the same bedding until, of course, wash day when she would wash them and hang them out to whip in the wind until dry. A flipped coin would bounce on the beds she made and she had seven children.

I wish I could say I'm that meticulous with just one bed to make in our empty nest. While I do make our bed everyday and change it at least once a week, I certainly don't unmake it beforehand.
 

I love our kitchen; I love the window over the sink that looks over our big front yard. From that window I enjoy watching the birds flit about in the birdbath under the maple tree. Or the red squirrel scurrying about looking for goodies to bury until the cold winds blow. I do have one complaint about our kitchen; it's the white cabinets. I love them! I have always loved them and I think I always will, however, they do show splatters in the worst way. No matter how often I scrub them, I never seem to get them completely clean.

The wood floors in our kitchen along with the floors in the rest of the house could be swept every day and still need sweeping. How can two people and a cat be so messy?

It's funny that I feel like my house should sparkle and shine if company is coming. Funny, because when I go to someone's home, I don't notice if they have crumbs in the corners or dust bunnies under their chairs.

Perhaps I should be more concerned about the dirt and clutter in my heart than I am about the dirt and clutter in our home............

"Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires." Psalm 51:10 (TLB)

World Events Are Under God's Control

"World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence."Daniel 2:21 (TLB)

I have decided I would be much better off refraining from voicing my opinion about our presidential candidates via social media. We each have to examine our hearts and vote our own convictions. Minds have pretty much been made up by everyone; all of the media has been discussed; all of the faults and good points have been hashed over and it's doubtful that anyone has changed their minds. The candidates will say what they choose and the media will publish the stories the way they choose.

Does it really matter what I think of these people? What matters is what God thinks.

You know, God has a way of handling things that will accomplish His desires. His desires may be a far cry from ours because He sees the big picture; He knows what is best for all, not just what is best for you or me. God hasn't consulted me concerning my desire in the upcoming election. Has He consulted you?

God alone has the supreme role of the control of nations.
"The angels announce this decree,
the holy watchmen bring this sentence,
"So that everyone living will know
that the High God rules human kingdoms.
He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes,
and makes leaders out of losers." Daniel 4:17b (MSG)

The candidates in the presidential contest have made promises. Their promises sound wonderful to most of us even though we wonder if they can actually be carried out. Proverbs tells us that the promises they have made will be carried out only if God desires.

"Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God;
he directs it to whatever ends he chooses."Proverbs 21:1 (MSG)

We hear how each candidate plans to defeat ISIS; how each one plans to control the influx of people from other countries. God may have a completely different plan in dealing with this. And, His plan will be carried out without consulting whomever is seated at the presidential desk.

"And with a breath he can scatter the plans of all the nations who oppose him, but his own plan stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation."Psalm 33:10-11 (TLB)

I really believe the time I would spend posting my political ideas could be much better spent praying that I will accept His will whatever it may be.
Let's come together as Believers and pray for our leaders and while we're at it, let's pray that God will forgive our own sins no matter how big or how small.

"I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’ " Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)

Pray for our leaders

Are you ashamed of the things that were said by Donald Trump eleven years ago? I am......... I'm embarrassed at some of the things he says now. I'm very ashamed of the things Bill Clinton admitted to doing while President of the United States. I'm ashamed of some of the things a lot of our Presidents did while in office actually. I'm equally ashamed of the FBI finding Hillary guilty in the email scandal, yet doing nothing. I'm brokenhearted because of her part in Benghazi. And, yes, I will admit like most of the rest of you, I wish there was a better choice to be the leader of our country than one of the two individuals that will eventually become our President.

But, because I haven't committed any of the sins mentioned above am I less guilty? From the human perspective, perhaps my sins and your sins aren't nearly as bad as those because a lot of our sins don't affect other people. It's easy to make judgement about which sin is worse. But, what about sin in God's eyes?

King David was a man of contrasts. He was a follower of God, yet guilty of some of the most serious sins recorded in the bible and yet God used him in a mighty way to accomplish His will. So, can God use a sinner to accomplish what He wants accomplished? If God can speak through Balaam's donkey as He did in Numbers 22:29-30, then God can speak through anyone to carry out His will whether it be His will for you and I or to lead our country.

Does it really matter what I think of these people? What matters is what God thinks. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter which sin is worse than another. What matters more is "what are you doing about salvation through Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of your own sin?

"But now God has shown us a different way to heaven—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal" Romans 8:22-23

Let's come together as Believers and pray for our leaders and while we're at it, let's pray that God will forgive our own sins no matter how big or how small.

Have We Gotten Soft?

I believe that God is a God of second chances. If people will turn to Him, He won't destroy them even though they deserve it. God knows who the next POTUS will be. He has laid out all the plans for the future.

I read about Jehoiakim. He was a godless king; a tyrant who committed atrocious sins and crimes. He is portrayed as living in incestuous relations with his mother, daughter-in-law, and stepmother, and was in the habit of murdering men, whose wives he then violated and whose property he seized.

Jeremiah tried to get Jehoiakim to turn from his wicked ways. God intended to destroy these people if they didn't turn from their wicked ways.

"For perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways, and then I can withhold all the punishment I am ready to pour out upon them because of their evil deeds. Tell them the Lord says: If you will not listen to me and obey the laws I have given you, and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them." Jeremiah 3:3-5 (TLB)

Although they are terrible things he said, perhaps the things that Trump said will bring about an awakening of the sleeping people of America. Why? Because through the media we are seeing many more people admitting the atrocities that have happened to them. We are being forced to see just how much evil there is in our country. Even though the media isn't always 100% correct, if it wasn't for the media, we wouldn't have heard and seen those other famous words, "What difference, at this point, does it make?" spoken by a candidate. Maybe God is using the different medias to wake us up to how really godless our country is. Until we realize this and accept it, then and only then, is there hope that it will somehow return to God.

Lance Wallnau, a business consultant said, Trump challenged the large group of ministers who met with him recently at Trump Towers with is : "If you don't mind me saying so, I think you guys have gotten soft." Have pastors and we as Christians "gotten soft"? Are we afraid to share the fact that Heaven is real and Hell is hot?

When praying for the upcoming election, we need to first pray that God will cleanse our hearts of the sins we have committed and perhaps..............just perhaps, He will withhold His judgement and heal our land.

Love Your Friends and Hate Your Enemies

Yesterday as I woke up to a hard rain, God reminded of these verses:

“There is a saying, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies. But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matt.5:43-48 TLB

God blesses the whole earth with rain, not just the faithful. Isn’t this an example of how we as Christians should behave? It’s very easy to love those who love us; difficult to love those who don’t.

And, yet, Our Father in Heaven, not only loves those who love Him but He loves all of His creation whether they are deserving of that love or not.

If we want to be more like the Father, then we must look around us; discover those who need our love and compassion and love them as though they were our friends. That’s easy to say but very difficult to do. Our Father didn’t promise us that the Christian life would be easy, did He? However, He did promise us a reward; a Heavenly Home with Him.

World Teacher Day

As I think about my upcoming class reunion, I remember all the teachers I had in my 12 years at BHS. And, believe it or not, I can remember all of them from 1946 through my graduation in 1958. Each of them is remembered for something different.

I remember my first grade teachers (yes, we had two during the year) I remember the scraped knees that were doctored by Mrs. Brammer and Mrs. Newman when those of us in the 3rd and 4th grade would fall off the merry-go-round or slide.

 I remember dissecting frogs with Mr. McClelland. And, who can forget all of the class snickering as Mrs. Walbourn pulled down all the shades and read "The Raven" in her scary, scary voice. There was Mrs. Layne, who had been my mother's teacher years before; Mrs Layne, who was the mother of one of my classmates and friends. She was always such a lady and she demanded respect in a very kind and gentle way.

I remember all through school we began our day in the classroom with our teacher leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Most of the teachers either began the day by reading from the bible or there would be a bible verse written on the blackboard.

In Proverbs 22:6 (NIV), the Bible says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." This verse was probably directed to parents but I think it should apply to our teachers because a lot of kids don't get this kind of instruction at home.

Only when our world turns back to our Creator; the one and only God, will our nation be strong again.

Today is World Teacher Day. I'm posting this in honor of our daughter, Cathy, who has been a wonderful teacher for a quarter of a century and dedicates a lot of her time to her students, both in the classroom and out. And, to other teacher friends out there who also dedicate a lot of time to their students, not for a pay check, but because they love their students and love to teach .

Our teachers deserve to be honored and rewarded for the difficult job they do each day.

Remember...........if it wasn't for our teachers, there would be no doctors, lawyers, scientists and a myriad of other careers that make our world what it is today.

heartofateachermovie.com

 

 

Web Worms

"Daddy, Daddy, don't do that! You're gonna burn that tree down!" I screamed.

"No, Sis, I'm not gonna burn that tree down. But, I'm gonna get rid of those web worms. See how they're crawlin' around in that web they've woven?"

"But, Daddy, that'll hurt those little worms and 'sides that, you're gonna burn that rope on my swing and I won't be able to swing anymore."

" We have to get rid of these nasty webworms 'cause they're gonna eat all the leaves off this walnut tree and it might just die and then you sure enough wouldn't have a swing. Now, you go stand over on the breezeway so one of these webs won't fall on you, okay?"

I was in tears as I watched my daddy tie a big old rag around a long metal pole; pour some kerosene on it; climb up on a ladder and then light the rag and begin setting the webs on fire. I could just see that tree going up in flames.....my swing and all.

Seeing the myriad amount of web worms enveloping so many trees this fall brought to mind that time when I was about seven years old and I watched my daddy try to rid our walnut tree of those nasty worms.

Who knew that those ugly, fuzzy, wiggly worms were actually the larva of a beautiful white moth.......certainly not I. That beautiful, white moth lays her eggs on the underside of leaves in 'hair'-covered clusters of a few hundred. When they mature in about a week, they begin to devour the leaves.

I'm reminded of Genesis 3:1(TLB) :" The serpent was the craftiest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. So the serpent came to the woman. “Really?” he asked. “None of the fruit in the garden? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?”

I don't believe that the serpent appeared to Eva as a slimy snake crawling on his belly because it was only after Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit that God put a curse on the serpent saying he would forever crawl on his belly. I believe the serpent was possibly walking upright and appeared to them as a very nice looking being because, after all, he was a fallen angel.

Satan can appear beautiful just as that white moth. Yet, the destruction that follows can destroy mankind just as the moth's larva can destroy the beauty of a tree.

"Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart." 1 Peter 5:8(TLB)

The Decisions We Make

I read posts on Facebook about all of the problems people have; some brought on by the kind of lifestyles they have chosen and it breaks my heart.

When it comes to temptations, for some reason, they give in when they don't have to. And, too many times they don't realize the decisions they make, when faced with temptation. will be felt by others. It's like throwing the pebble in the stream. The waves flow out in all directions and the lives of others can be changed for the worse because of your decision to follow temptation.

What is so tragic about the lives of people all around us that are suffering because of strife and struggles in their lives is that they don’t realize there is an out for them. They don’t have to live in despair because God has made a way for them to gain peace in their lives through His death on the cross for the sins of the world. If you are being bombarded by the temptations of Satan, there is hope so don’t give in.

There is a story in Matthew about Satan coming to Christ while He was on earth and tempting him. If Satan was bold enough to tempt Christ, he is certainly bold enough to tempt us. But, if Christ lives within us, we, too, have the strength to stand against Satan. It’s not an easy thing to do but we can do it with God’s help.

Is it worth it to give in to those temptations only to realize the tragedies that come from them?
Are you struggling today? If so, God is the answer. Your tomorrows may not be perfect but you can live without regret.

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

 

Olympic Gold

As the Olympic games of 2016 came to a close, there was jubilation on the part of a lot of the men and women and heartache for a lot of others. And, we are still hearing repercussions from some of the things that went on there. After all of the preparation that went into their competition, many felt the gratification of the gold, silver or bronze metals while others must have wondered if it was really worth the blood, sweat and tears plus the money it took to get them to Rio.

Many athletes dream of standing atop a podium during an awards ceremony with gold medals around their necks. But there is an ornament even more valuable than a gold medal.

Proverbs 3:21-23 reveals: "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble."

How many of us as Christians put forth the effort to be the best we can be in our Christian walk. True, there will be no metals presented us when we leave this earth for our eternal home. However, the award of an eternal life in our Heavenly home is far more valuable than all of the gold on this earth.

Life is Filled with Highs and Lows

"Life is filled with highs and lows, and God is there during them all. At times His will for our lives is very clear and at other times I think He wants us to seek Him and wait for Him to make it clear. It's during the seeking and waiting that we must hold on to our hope in Christ and claim the peace He offers us." Melissa Taylor

Why is everyone so negative today? Is there nothing to be positive about in our world? I suspect if we were to take an inventory of the average person's thoughts, the majority of them would be negative.
I recall hearing about a single mother who had four children to raise on her own. Someone ask how she managed to do it. Her reply went something like this,

"The day I found myself in this situation I told the Lord I had four young ones to raise so I didn't have time to worry. Then, I told Him, "I'll just raise 'em and let You do the worryin' for me".

Take an emotional inventory. What negative emotion has become a hindrance in your life? Why?

Think about the way you begin each day. Are you afraid of what the day holds?

Colossians 3:2 (NIV) "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Malachi's birthday-2016

He was the cutest little fellow with big bright eyes and a dimply smile. Sundays found him running around the Worship Center after services, up and down the long flight of stairs as fast as he could go. Usually, there were a couple or three little girls his age giving chase. What a great time they had that year down in the lower level of the church while the congregation was upstairs worshiping. They were listening to bible stories, singing little children's songs, looking at picture books, playing with the little play kitchen and other toys that were there. Meanwhile, a little baby girl sat on the teacher's lap, intrigued with the bigger kids play.

I see the Christmas play the little ones put on at Thorncrown. I hear them singing their sweet Christmas songs and I see that little fellow running back up the aisle at the end of the play; tripping on his shepherd's robe and falling flat on his face in the aisle only to jump up and continue running.
That little boy is now a grown man married to our granddaughter, Christen, who was that little baby girl that sat on the teachers lap while he and the others played all around her.

Who knew what was in God's plan when He first brought them together almost 24 years ago?

Happy 27th birthday, Malachi Million ! We are so glad God brought you into our family ! We can't wait to see what the next years hold for you and Christen.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Publishers Clearing House

"Do you remember mailing a card to Publishers Clearing House, Ma'am?

"No........."

Pause........

" Well, you have won $ 3.5 million and a new car from Publisher's Clearing House. Will you be home this afternoon? Your car will be coming from Washington. But, in order for us to get your money prize to you we will need to deposit it directly to your bank account.........."

"This is a scam and I have received this call numerous times. Please don't call our UNLISTED number again."

Just think............I could have been a millionaire times over had this not been a scam.

How many of us believe everything we are told? The media has a way of twisting the truth in such a way that we don't know what to believe or who to believe; particularly during this election year.
I am so glad there is one thing we can believe and that's God's Word. I am glad when we have been burdened down with the cares of life; the loss of a loved one; trials of many kinds that we can lean on our Savior..........

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

And, I'm glad that when we have almost given up on humanity itself and the woes of an election year overwhelm us, God gives us a promise.

"Let him have all your worries and cares for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." 1 Peter 5:7 (TLB)

And, most of all, I'm glad that He has made a way for those who believe in Him and trust Him fully to one day live with Him in those Heavenly places where the burdens of this world will be remembered no more..........

" For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)

"There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly." John 14:3 (NIV)

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I have a confession or two to make.........I don't like loading or unloading our dishwasher. With just two people eating, it takes a couple of days to get a full load. So, lately I have been washing dishes by hand. Our water is hot enough to scald the hair off a cat, so I wear gloves and I feel sure the dishes are clean.

I also confess that I am compelled to make the bed every day. I hate getting into bed at night if it hasn't been made that day. And, I have been known to change the bed more than once a week simply because I love the smell of freshly washed sheets.

I'm also a neat freak of sorts. I like the clothes in my closet to be hung with same colors together. I confess, they don't stay that way so ever so often I have to rearrange them. My husband can spot a picture or mirror on the wall if it's the least bit crooked and he has to straighten it. Perhaps my neat freak ways have gotten to him, too.

I also confess that I can't just sit and watch TV. I have to be doing something while it's on. Sometimes, I have my laptop in front of me or I'm reading a book. And, speaking of books, I kinda hate to confess this but I'm addicted to them. I read 3-4 at a time. The story lines are usually different enough that I don't get them mixed up. I can also get lost in a book store and loose all track of time.
I'm also gonna confess that I'm claustrophobic. I hate being in a small room with no windows when it's full of people. And, don't ever put a pillow case over my head if you don't want a fight on your hands.

I find it difficult to sit down to a meal at home without getting up a time or two to get something for myself or someone else. My family has been known to call me a jack in the box. I must confess that I inherited that trait from my mother.

I confess that I hate shopping. I particularly hate shopping for groceries especially when everything seems to be shelved in a different location every time you go. And, I hate shoe shopping. When you wear a size 8, triple A width with a 5A heel, you don't just walk in and pick up a pair at just any shoe store. So, my shoe wardrobe is pretty limited.

I confess that I hate robo calls; prerecorded, unsolicited annoyances that are invading homes every day, so badly that I'm willing to pay $5.00 a month for an unlisted number. But, even that hasn't completely stopped the robo calls only cut them back in number.

I confess that I'm not a morning person but the first thing I see when I awaken in the mornings is my husband. The second thing would be pictures of our family and that makes getting up all worth while.
My main confession is that I'm a Believer in Christ. And, I'm so glad that all of my sins and shortcomings; past, present and future, are covered in the blood He shed for me on the cross
.
"For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation. For the Scriptures tell us that no one who believes in Christ will ever be disappointed." Romans 10:9-11 (TLB)

The Telephone Booth

"If you don't believe me just ask that lady over there in that telephone booth. Now laugh, Silly! " I said as I pointed to the lady laying in the hospital bed across from mine.

" Quit talking to me and get out of here. Just go home.....now!"

I was just coming out from under anesthetic and my husband was asking me questions then laughing hysterically at my answers. I knew the answer to the questions yet I knew when I opened my mouth, something entirely different was going to come out. Had I been thinking straight, I would never have talked to my husband like that.

How many times do we as Believers allow Satan to control our minds and our tongues and say things that we never would have said normally?

"Beasts, birds, reptiles and all kinds of sea-creatures can be, and in fact are, tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. We use the tongue to bless our Father, God, and we use the same tongue to curse our fellow-men, who are all created in God’s likeness. Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth—surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen!" James 3:7-10 Phillips translation

The Days of Habakkuk

"This is the message that came to the prophet Habakkuk in a vision from God: O Lord, how long must I call for help before you will listen? I shout to you in vain; there is no answer. “Help! Murder!” I cry, but no one comes to save. Must I forever see this sin and sadness all around me? Wherever I look I see oppression and bribery and men who love to argue and to fight. The law is not enforced, and there is no justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and bribes and trickery prevail. The Lord replied: “Look, and be amazed! You will be astounded at what I am about to do! For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe. Habakkuk 1:1-5 (TLB)

Ah, yes, the political scene is revving up! Each candidate is touting their own reasons why they would make the best next leader of our country. And, it matters not whether what they are saying is true as long as it sounds good and will convince the voting public they are the best person for the job. The candidates don't need the money or the perks that come from sitting in the Oval office so why would they want the position? Could it be prestige or fame? It doesn't seem that justice prevails in many instances. We the voters are tossed about by the things we see and hear on the news about each candidate. And, we wonder how long the Lord will put up with the way our country is going. Hopefully, as in the days of Habakkuk, we will eventually be amazed at what the Lord is going to do.

Before we become too critical, what is the reason we do what we do in life? Are we after the almighty dollar? Are we striving to attain prestige so we will be considered "Somebody"? Do we choose a career based on what we think we will enjoy? Or could it be we consider a career where we will be helping others regardless of the financial benefits?

It matters not if we are the President of the United States, the Queen of England or a ditch digger, we are placed here for the purpose of serving God and our fellow man.

"Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God." Philippians 2:3-6 (TLB)

If You Could Have Anything You Want Right Now........

If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?

What would it take to satisfy the desires of your heart? Do you think the desires of your heart are God’s desires for you? I have heard it said sometimes we have to “trust and adjust”. There are times when the desires of our heart are things that would only harm us. However, if we give those desires over to God and trust Him, somehow He will help us adjust our desires so they are in line with what God knows is best for our lives. We are on this earth to fulfill the plans God has for us.
 

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 TLB You notice in this verse, God says “the plans I have for you”, not “the plans YOU have for yourself”.

God has promised us if we look to Him for our happiness rather than things of this earth, He will give us our heart’s desire. Because, only then will our desires be His desire for us.

If we can bring ourselves to forgo the desire that is in our heart, and just allow God to take complete control of us, He will not only give us what He has promised but it will be something that will be far beyond what we could have imagined.

Sometimes we may feel that nothing is going as we planned. We might feel it’s because we aren’t in God’s will. Sometimes, God is allowing those difficult times to happen to grow our faith and to bring about His purpose for us. These are the times that we just have to “trust and adjust” and continue to walk through those doors that you feel He is opening.

"Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go." Corrie Ten Boom

God has a purpose for placing us on this earth. And, because He is a loving God, He will give us the desires of our heart; things we Love to do as long as they are in accordance with His will for us. God has given us the Ability to do things with our gifts and talents, and God desires that we do these things for Him Now.

“Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desire. Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 GNT

Jeffie and the Playpen

"Jeffie was in his playpen and he was crying. Tears were rolling down his little cheeks, his face was red as it could be. He was crying, and he looked pitiful in his little baseball T-shirt and a diaper.
Then Jeffie's Grandpa entered the room; Jeffie's little face lit up when he saw his Grandpa! He immediately reached out his little arms in supplication and said "Out Pa Pa out."

What is a Grandpa to do? How can someone resist that?

So Grandpa went over to the playpen, he bent over. He reached down to lift his little buddy from captivity and distress . . .

Just then "Law and Order" walked into the room.

Momma said "Jeffie, you stay right there! I'm punishing you because you have been naughty! Dad, leave Jeffie alone!"

What is a Grandpa to do?

Grandpa backs off and is thinking, "I can't just pick up a book and read it with Jeffie here. He would think I was uncaring and distant. I can't leave the room because he would feel like I have abandoned him."

What is a Grandpa to do?

But you know what? Love always finds a way.

Since Grandpa couldn't take Jeffie out of the playpen, Grandpa climbed in with Jeffie!

Grandpa said "If you are in the playpen buddy, I'm in the playpen too. What are you in for? What is your sentence?"

Having Grandpa join him in his "prison cell" brought Jeffie great comfort and joy. In the midst of his captivity, Jeffie no longer felt so alone.

What Jeffie's Grandpa did is also a picture of what Jesus Christ did for us when He came to Earth as a baby. God the Father yearned to reach down into our "playpen of captivity" and pull us out. He could not . . . because of our disobedience . . . because of our sin. What did God do?

God climbed into our "playpen" with us!

When Jesus Christ entered into our "playpen of captivity," He took the sin and disobedience that should have been ours alone, releasing us from our captivity . . . allowing us the opportunity to experience the fullness of life God has for us!

The message is simple, clear and personal: God with us . . . He loves you so much He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of
God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18 (NIV)"
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Wringin' That Chicken's Neck

My Mother was a mere 5'2 or so but she was a mighty woman in more ways than one. If you read my post about church camp and her counselor experience with some teenage girls, you will know that she was kind, but firm and had a grip on things.

My Mother also had a grip on other things. Take for instance when the day rolled around that she decided fried chicken would be our supper. My Mother didn't run to the store and buy a chicken that was all dressed out, my Mother killed a chicken then undressed that old, Mrs. Hen a handful of feathers at a time.

I remember the first time I observed how a chicken got from the coop to the table. I couldn't have been more than five years old. Mother went to the chicken coop; chose one of the nicest hens there and carried Mrs. Hen to the middle of our big back yard. With Mrs. Hen squalking as loudly as she could, Mother tucked Mrs. Hen's backside under her left arm; quickly grabbed Mrs. Hen's neck; released Mrs. Hen's body and began to swing. There Mother stood with her left hand on her hip and with her right hand, she swung Mrs. Hen around and around as hard as she could. After about a dozen swings, Mother brought Mrs. Hen down toward the ground and with all the force she could muster, Mother popped Mrs. Hen's head right off her body! I couldn't believe my eyes ! Poor headless Mrs. Hen jumped up and began to run around the yard in dizzying circles. As Mrs. Hen headed my way, I screamed; ran around the corner of our smoke house; grabbed the back porch screen door and raced inside as fast as I could.

I suppose Mrs. Hen finally gave up and fell over because when I went outside to see if my Mother was okay, Mrs. Hen was hanging upside down from the clothesline via a cord tied around her feet and Mother was plucking the feathers off Mrs. Hen.

  Mother fried Mrs. Hen for our supper. She had all the trimmings; mashed potatoes, gravy and corn on the cob. It really did smell wonderful but I asked Mother if it would be okay if I just had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I still wonder why my dear, sweet , kind Mother allowed me to witness that slaughter. But, back in those days, that wasn't considered bad; it was considered providing food for the table. It was a fact of life. And, it didn't scar me for life because I can eat chicken with the best of 'em now.

How many of us are like Mrs. Hen? We run around day after day like a chicken with it's head cut off. We have so many things to accomplish yet we seem unable to get the things done we feel we need to do. How many of those things are necessary? How many of those things are truly satisfying? How many of those things will really matter 10 or 20 years or even 50 years from now? How many of those things will matter in Eternity?

"These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.
'Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!' What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content." Ecclesiastes 1:1-8 NLT

Our Last Grandchild

Now that I have written about the births of all five of our grandchildren, I shall move on to a different subject tomorrow. Thank you to those who have indulged me as I walked down memory lane.

Two little girls, ten and seven had begged for a sibling for a long time and finally mother told them a baby was on the way. They could hardly wait.

Daughter #2 had taught school that day but I could tell she was tired when she came by our home after school. There wasn't any sign of beginning labor although I could tell she wished there was. When our phone rang about 4:00 a.m., I knew who was on the other end of the line.

"It's time. If dad can come and stay with the girls, we'll meet you at the hospital. I don't think it will be long because my contractions are pretty regular."

"Okay, I'll call your sister and tell her. Granddad will head to your house in just a bit and I'll meet you at the hospital.

I was prepared; really prepared. I had a bag packed with a couple of books; some unread magazines, a bottle of water; a couple of packages of peanut butter crackers; a little pillow in case I wanted to nap while I waited and, of course, my sweater because hospital waiting rooms are always cold.
The waiting room was empty when we arrived. The soon to be parents checked in while I made myself comfortable. I dug out a magazine and flipped through it. I had my ears on standby waiting for the cry of a newborn.

I grabbed a packet of crackers; propped my feet up on a nearby chair, leaned back with the little pillow under my head and threw my sweater over me thinking I might catch a wink or two. But, a nap was not to be........was that a baby crying or was I dreaming? I sat up and listened again. Sure enough, it was the cry of a new born. I threw things aside and ran down the hall only to see my son-in-law come out of the room with a smile on his face.

"It's a girl and the nurse just took her to the nursery. She is beautiful and Mama is doing great. Sure didn't take long , did it?" he said. We glanced through the glass into the nursery and then the proud daddy went back inside to see about Mama while I called the girls
.
In no time, another set of grandparents arrived and a granddad with two very excited little girls who were jumping up and down with excitement. Within minutes, daddy came out carrying that tiny bundle and the girls gathered around; touching her gently and gazing at her in awe.

Within a couple or three hours, Daughter #1 and her family arrived, thankful this was real labor and not Braxton-Hicks again. There we were; altogether again as a family oohing and cooing over that sweet face wrapped tight in a little blanket with a little knit cap on her head.

Families are brought together to celebrate the good times.............Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. They are brought together in the bad times; serious illnesses and funerals. But, the most exciting time of all is when God sends a new life into a family.

As I think about our grandchildren, I realize how blessed we are. Each of them has a relationship with God and the knowledge they are secure in Him throughout eternity.

I recall hearing this statement: "The family unit points us to another establishment God has ordained—the church. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He is the authority. The church as a whole is His bride. We as individuals in the church are His children and siblings one with another."
Yes, God established the earthly family in the beginning. And, He gave us His direction for families through His word. I am so thankful for my physical family and I'm thankful for my spiritual family in our church; those fellow believers who have professed Christ as their Lord and Savior. And, we are to love them just as we love our physical family.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Our Miracle Grandson

"It's me ..........uh........we're on the way to the hospital. My water broke and the contractions are three minutes apart."

It was Daughter # 1 calling. This is the daughter who apparently is destined to just carry her babies for 37 weeks instead of 40. Yes, the daughter who had our first grandson in the middle of a snow storm 11 years before. The baby she was carrying was our miracle grandson. Daughter #1 and her husband had been told by their doctor they had a five percent chance of having another child.......... ten months before. Now, our Five Percent Chance Grandson was on his way and so were we.........

Did we have our suitcases packed? Of course not but that didn't matter. We decided the idea of expecting her to call, as her pregnancy neared the last month, might be in order where Daughter # 1's pregnancies were concerned.

Thank goodness it was the beginning of August and not the middle of December for this trip to Tulsa. We got there just after this beautiful 6 lb 8 oz perfect little baby boy arrived. Holding him in my arms was just as exciting as holding his brother those many years before.

When I thought about this, I realized that most of us aren't really prepared for the things that come along in our lives. We are never prepared for the accidents that happen; never prepared for the sudden passing of a loved one. And, how many of us are prepared for the return of our Lord? Have we made preparations for the second He bursts forth from the Eastern Sky with trumpets sounding and the archangel accompanying Him?

The earth is pulsating.........contracting in fact with sin and evil and all manner of destruction in every corner. Let's pray that this is the preparation for the returning of our Lord.

Are you ready?

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)

Our Second Granddaughter

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you" Jeremiah 5:1A (The Message)

"Dad, I think it's time," the voice on the phone was Daughter #2 in the wee hours of the morning.

Her Dad had been designated to drive her from her apartment on the grounds of Thorncrown Chapel, to Fayetteville, where delivery was scheduled. And, this grandmother was given the job of looking after three year old Granddaughter until the baby arrived. Then we would make the drive to see her newborn sister.

So, I called Daughter #1 in Tulsa.
"Your dad just left here. He's headed to take your sister to Fayetteville. Her labor pains are pretty regular. So, if you're still planning on being there, thought I'd give you a heads up. I'll bring Little Sister over after she wakes up so I'll see you there sometime today."

" Well, I hope it's not Braxton-Hicks this time like it was last time and I make a trip over for nothing," muttered Daughter #1.

From all reports, the ride of father and daughter from Eureka Springs to Washington General was a pretty scary one. Dad was straightening out the corners and daughter was promising not to deliver in the vehicle.

Daughter #2 made it from Tulsa to the hospital on a wing and a prayer and went in to be the labor coach. The doctor, after checking the patient, thought it would be a while so she went to tend to other duties.

"I've gotta push !"

"NO, YOU DON'T GOTTA PUSH!" yelled Daughter #1, "Don't you dare push. The doctor's not back here yet !" she said as she hurried to the door.

"Dad, go get me a coke, please, things are happening here !"

So, dad returned with the requested coke. And, yes, things were happening. The doctor raced down the hall ; through the door to the labor room and within minutes the sound of a newborn's cry was heard.

Another beautiful little 7 lb 1.9 oz , 20 " long baby girl had made her way into the world at 11:30 that September morning. She immediately captured the hearts of all of us who were there, including her sister. And, by 6:00 that evening, Mother and baby were back home and settling in.

Now, some almost 24 years later, that September baby is still capturing hearts. She captured the heart of one particular young man and they were married at Thorncrown Chapel two years ago, where they first knew each other when they were both small. And, as a Family Advocate, she is helping families with little ones get the needed help to ensure a better life for their children.

Isn't it amazing how even though we can't see God's hand ahead of us, we can look back and see His hand in things that we experience; even in circumstances that occur in our lives that may be painful at the time? God knew us before we were conceived; He knew the circumstances and experiences that make us the people we are today.

Wouldn't it be wonderful, knowing all of that, if we could trust God completely with our lives and the lives of our children and the circumstances we may find ourselves in?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Showers of Blessings- Grandchildren

Our second grandchild was born in our local hospital so we made it before she was born. I suppose with the birth of our first g-grandson, memories of the births of our grandchildren are brought to mind...........

" Shhhh.......shhhhh, I think I heard a baby crying......listen." And, sure enough it was.

"IT'S A GIRL !!" her dad shouted, as he flung open the double doors to the delivery room, and smiled from ear to ear. "She's here and they are cleaning her up and weighing her now. She is beautiful and she and her mother are doing great.

We were standing outside those doors; the five of us; Daughter# 1, her husband and #1 son along with this new little baby girl's granddad and me..........Grandparents to a wonderful little boy and now the arrival of a precious little girl.

This wasn't Daughter# 2's first trip to the hospital. Being her first child, apparently she thought Braxton-Hicks pains were the beginning of labor. So, Daughter #1 and her family had driven all the way from Tulsa in order not to miss the event only to find out it was a false alarm. Thank goodness, their second trip over wasn't in vane because that baby girl was here.

Later we gathered in Daughter #2's hospital room and each one of us took turns holding that little bundle of joy. And, my heart was filled to overflowing again with the goodness of our God. Yes, God had blessed us once again with a precious life.
 
This past week, our Daughter #2, who had given birth to her first child 26 years before, became a first time grandmother. And, that beautiful granddaughter, the one whom our family was waiting outside the delivery room for the sound of a first cry, gave birth to an 8 lb 6oz beautiful baby boy that she and her husband named Oliver James Devlin.

Yes, time moves on.............So many happy moments in our lives and very few disappointments. God has showered us with so many blessings and we thank Him every day.

Have you taken time to thank God for the showers of blessings He has given you?

"I will make my people and their homes around my hill a blessing. And, there shall be showers, showers of blessings for I will not shut off the rains but send them in their season" Ezekiel 34:26 Living Bible (TLB)

Those First Grandsons

"Dad, I hate to wake you up but my water just broke and we are on the way to the hospital". Daughter # 1 said when my sleepy husband answered the phone about 3:00 a.m.

"Who was that at this time of night," I said as I roused up from a deep sleep.

"That was the mother-to-be. Her water just broke and they are on their way to the hospital. So, we best drag ourselves out of bed; call Daughter #2 and tell her we'll be there in a couple of hours to pick them up."

Not expecting to get that call for another three weeks, I hadn't packed a thing. I was going to stay a few days so I would have to take a few clothes. We threw things together and hurried out the door.
The drive that mid December night was quite an experience. We were certainly not expecting to drive to Tulsa in the middle of the night in a bad snow storm three weeks before the expected arrival of our first grandchild; a grandson. But, our Jeep Grand Cherokee held the road and the closer we got to Tulsa, the heavier my husband's foot got on the gas pedal.

Until you have experienced the birth of your first grandchild, you can't possibly know the excitement I felt when he was placed in my arms for the first time. I gazed at his sweet little face and I couldn't keep the tears from flowing.

Now almost 31 years later, I'm a great-grandmother of a beautiful little baby boy. I have yet to hold him in my arms but as I think back to that early morning in Tulsa, I can imagine the feeling our Daughter # 2 had when, this past week, she held her first grandchild; a beautiful and oh so perfect grandson.

And, just as I prayed for that first grandchild, I pray for this great-grandchild. I pray that he will grow up in the knowledge of His creator and follow Him all the days of his life.

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day." Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)