If you have ever...you will understand why we are celebrating

If you have ever been a victim of a horrible crime....you will understand
If you have ever lost a family member to an untimely death....you will understand
If you have ever lived in fear of an evil terrorist....you will understand
If you have a son or daughter serving in the military...you will understand
If September 11th touched your life....you will understand

You will understand why most Americans are not celebrating a death....but celebrating an end to a horrible evil man who has brought a sea of death to many families across the world. A man who celebrated the deaths of many humans across the world. Tonight an evil man has met his maker...and I'm sure our Father's heart is broken.

We will always have evil and until the day of Christ's return...death will continue to touch our lives. Evil will continue to wreak havoc across the world.

In the end Jesus Christ will have the victory!

Ezekial 33:10-20
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2033:10-20&version=NKJV

Dear future Son In-Laws...

Raising girls can be a nerve racking experience. So many things to think about. So many emotions to deal with. In our home we have daughters from the age of 4 to 22...7 in all! There is no quiet in our house!

 Our oldest daughter married last year. It's only by the grace of God that we were blessed with a wonderful son in-law. His mom and our daughter's dad (my hubby) grew up in the same town. Knowing our daughter's in-laws has brought a peace to this new chapter in our lives. I thank God everyday for His blessing to our family.There was a time when I really thought she might make a wrong choice with who she would marry. Let's just say...I think parents should be allowed to arrange marriages! You know you can just tell when your kids are happy. There is a change in their countenance when "The One" comes along. When our daughter finally decided to listen to God's calling in her life...Her whole world changed! Her smile was back and our daughter became family again.

As our daughters become old enough to consider being in a serious relationship I really struggle. Part of it is control. Part of it is just plain scared. I have seen many bad marriages and relationships. Doesn't anyone stay together(married) anymore? I have been married almost 27 years...I know marriage isn't easy! But without Jesus I would be one of those statistics. Besides...I really love that man!

Where are the young men who want to be leaders in their relationships? Where are the young men who Love Jesus and aren't ashamed to show it?  I want to see the young men who are willing to do whatever we ask in order to be apart of our daughter's lives. I want to see the young men who are willing to come to our house( Yes... I know we can be very intimidating) in order to see our daughters. I want to see the young men who will treasure the greatest gifts God has given us.

To my future son in-laws....God bless you!
Since the day our daughters were born I have prayed for you. As our family awaits for God to bring you into this great big family ( If you marry one of daughters you marry our family...we are a package deal !) I pray that God will guard your heart. As He prepares you to be the Spiritual leader in your home I pray  that you grow deeply in love with your savior. When God placed your future wife into our arms, she was a gift. Please know until we get the OK from Him....we're not giving that gift away!  I pray your life becomes so in  tune with your maker that your every move is only by God's leading. I pray that by seeing that smile on my daughters face that I will have the peace that you are"The One" God has blessed her with. So...If you come into our lives (maybe you already are) you may have to jump through some hoops, tackle their two(Three)BIG brothers, come face to face with my BIG prince charming and his shot gun...their dad in order to receive the gift God has for you. Are you willing? If our daughter is worth it to you...you'll do anything! If you succeed we will embrace you as our own. We will love you with a love that only God can give. We will stand by and support you as you love our gift and treasure her for a lifetime.

Praying for you,
Your future mother in-law

Released to be a normal kid...with 911 on speed dial!

Three weeks ago our little caboose was put on limited activity due to head injuries from a fall...mind you she's four! This has been the loooooooooongest three weeks of her little life. Sitting in the doctors office Monday afternoon listening to him say she can go back to normal activity was music to my ears. She was listening so intently as her first words were...I can climb trees now! As her doctor chuckled...With your mom's permission! Her other request was running with her best friend Elena. Maybe I shouldn't have let her know about the "Back to Normal" activity?!

Upon arriving at home she couldn't wait to run,jump,play and climb trees. Yes...I have 911 programmed into my phone! Although I may be a little nervous watching her return to normal activity...seeing her happy and have fun brings joy to my heart!

Today...I am counting my blessings!

My best behavior...when others are watching!

One thing about living in a community for many years...most of my life...you just never know who you might run into. How many times have you run into someone you know and their behavior was opposite of who they portray themselves when you are around them? Maybe you have seen them from a distance and they had no idea you were watching them? How many times have people seen me from a distance...usually when my kids are misbehaving... and I never knew? It probably wasn't pretty...please don't tell me if you have!

I pray my life would portray Jesus no matter where I am or who might be watching. I am human and I am a sinner saved by God's grace! I don't always behave the way Christ would like for me to. There are days I really mess up!  There are days I don't even like me.  Days when my own self centeredness refuses to leave me alone!

Last night we were shopping at Target and I saw two people I  knew from church. So, I watched from a distance just to see if they recognized me. I had several daughters with me....large family with many blonde headed girls! How can you not recognize our family? I guess we can be intimidating at times!  As I stood in line at the register, waiting on my turn, these two women walked around and cut in line when I had my back turned. My first response ...You have got to be kidding me, as I bit my tongue!  I guess I should have said something to them? Sometimes it's just not worth the effort. People amaze me sometimes! Next time you feel like breaking in line...make sure it's not someone that knows you !

Who am I when no one is watching? When I think no one sees....God does. He sees everything I do, He hears everything I say, He knows everything I think.  He loves me just as I am in spite of it all !   Even when I break in line! God's love...it so hard to show others that same compassion sometimes. That is until I need the same compassion in return. I am learning!

So...If you see me in public and I'm not on my best behavior, please tap me on the shoulder! If my kids are with me...please come and rescue them me!

He's coming back...Where is your eternal destination?

 

  Photo credit

 

Have you ever had a crazy dream? One that just doesn't make sense? One where you are suddenly transported from one place to another? One where things are so vivid that when you awake you are still there? One so real that you sense that maybe God is speaking to you?

Last night as I slept I did have a dream. Not one of those normal crazy dreams. This one was very real and was very vivid even when I awoke. This dream made sense. This dream left me asking God many questions.

My family and I were looking outside through a set of double glass doors. We were watching the sky as the clouds looked very odd. Colors very vivid. Suddenly there in the sky a bright light and a man in the clouds. I remember saying "Jesus...you've come back!" The feeling of peace I had was nothing like I have ever known. As I stood there waiting to be caught up with him, these thoughts flooded my mind...Do I get to go? Have I done all that I should do? Did I truly surrender my life to Him? Did my life reflect Jesus?

My one fear is I or those I know and love will be left behind! Fearing an eternal life of pain and suffering...Hell! For the Christian...Earth is as bad as it will ever get. For the Non Christian...Earth is as good as it will ever get!  Which one do you choose? If the Christian is wrong....then they'll never know! If the non-Christian is wrong...then they'll never know the peace of eternal life! With all that is going on in the world today...our eternity should be the number one thing on our minds. Are you watching ? Are you waiting? Are you ready? Which do you choose? Life is fragile...it can end in an instant! Please don't be left behind ! If you're not sure...ask God to show you. He is always faithful!

As I awoke this morning my question to my Lord....You're coming back soon aren't you?

Matthew 24:29-42 (New King James Version)

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁹ “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

  ³² “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ So you also, when you see all these things, know that it^[a] is near—at the doors! ³⁴ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

³⁶ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,^[b] but My Father only. ³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸ For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴² Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour^[c] your Lord is coming.

Earthquake! Natural Disaster...Everything you own gone!

We all have heard by now of the devastating disaster in Japan. In an instant everything turned upside down...gone. Many lives lost....personal possessions destroyed ! You just never know until that very moment when we ourselves could be touched by disaster. Please keep the many people of Japan in your prayers.

I have often joked....I wish I could burn everything and start over! I guess it would be easy to accept such a disaster if I knew about it beforehand. As I listened to the news this morning and saw the devastation, my statements in the past seemed mindless. I have no clue what it is like to lose EVERYTHING! Would I really want to? If I did...How would I start over? Could I start over? We all think we have an idea. Never realising, we just don't know until faced with such trauma how we will react or how much losing would entail!

Many years ago we moved to Memphis Tennessee. Moving from a state where the only disaster I had experienced was tornadoes...living on the New Madrid fault line scared me. Needless to say we prepared and discussed what our plan would be in case of an earthquake. For three years this possibility stayed in the back of my mind. For three years our earthquake bag sat in our hall closet. Have you ever heard the saying...Prepare for the worst and expect the best? We prepared and expected the best possible outcome....NO Earthquake!

The truth is...None of us are immune from disaster. At any moment your world could turn on a dime...Life is fragile! If and when it does...Are you prepared? Where are you going to run? Where are you going to lean? Who is going to bring you comfort? Where is your eternal destination? I have had many very small "disasters" in my life. I have lost many things and many loved ones. The place I have chosen to run, hide and lean....Jesus! He is my comfort and shelter! He restores and heals...He brings life back when all seems lost.

As Japan "starts over" and rebuilds, I pray that they will find shelter under the wings of the almighty Father.

Psalm 91 (New King James Version)

Psalm 91

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

 ¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
         Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
 ² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
         My God, in Him I will trust.”
       
 ³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^[a]
         And from the perilous pestilence.
 ⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
         And under His wings you shall take refuge;
         His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
 ⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
         Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
 ⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
         Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
       
 ⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
         And ten thousand at your right hand;
         But it shall not come near you.
 ⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
         And see the reward of the wicked.
       
 ⁹ Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
         Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
 ¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
         Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
 ¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
         To keep you in all your ways.
 ¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
         Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
 ¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
         The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
       
 ¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
         I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
 ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
         I will be with him in trouble;
         I will deliver him and honor him.
 ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
         And show him My salvation.”

....Praying for those who are going to be the hands and feet to the people of Japan !

March Madness...Poor Cat!

Yesterday she was going after the cat with scissors...she said to give her a haircut! I hope our sweet cat knows that I just saved her from the mullet. All I could see was the scissors near the tail. That will teach her to not show up at home when it's time for a trip to get ...let's just say no more kittens! Today our sweet cat is being pampered with princess wands. Surrounded by books and Christmas tree branches...so she can't get out! Oh the life of a four year old who has been put on limited activity for two weeks. Poor cat! Oh no ...She's headed for the dogs! This is going to be a long two weeks!