Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday!  I have many things to be thankful for.

As I look around my house I am thankful for a husband who loves me enough to cook dinner for me.  He may not be a great cook, but he gives it his all and for that I am thankful!

I am thankful for my animals who love me and think I walk on water.  I really don't, but if I could be half the person my dog thinks I am, then I have done a good job.

I am thankful that I have a job that pays me enough to pay my electric bill.  Therefore I can live in a home that keeps me warm while watching TV or blogging on my computer.

I am thankful that God created chocolate!  I can't help but hope that when I get to Heaven, there will be chocolate at the banqueting table.  (I am speaking to my mom as I write this and she just told me her lung doctor told her to eat chocolate every day! He said it is "good" fat!  I love that doctor!)

I am thankful for life saving medication that keep my husband alive for another day.  While we continue to pray for healing, we are grateful for men and women who have dedicated their lives to creating medication that saves lives.    I am also thankful that these wise people have created medical aids such as insulin pumps and cochlear implants.

I am thankful that I can have the very Word of God sitting next to me on my chair.  I know in some countries Christians could be arrested for having a Bible in their home.

I am thankful for the lovely flowers that are still in bloom outside my door.  These flowers have been blooming since early spring and they continue to grow bigger and bigger.  I know they won't survive the winter, but I am thankful for each day they are still in bloom.

Shortly after being planted

My garden statues are almost covered up!

 
  I am also thankful for my small group and the love they have shown me and my husband.  They are so much more than a small group.  They are family and they lift us up in prayer and love us unconditionally.

I am thankful for my family.  God has blessed me with wonderful children who make my heart glad.  They have all grown up into awesome adults and parents.  My quiver is indeed full!

Front to back L-R: Adam, Jack, Sandy Michelle, Kerry, Connie, Angie, Jack, Me

There are so many things I am thankful for, but I will save them for another time.  God is indeed good and I praise Him for every thing He has done for me and my family.

Now, before I end this, I want to tell you about my bloggy friend Lynette.  She is having a  drawing to win a $100 Gift Certificate for CSN Stores!  Just visit Lynnette at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground!  Visit: http://www.lynnettekraft.com/

Be blessed,

Sue

Wednesday's Walk - Adam

Last week I shared about my daughters Kerry and Connie.  They were my first and second born children.  I want to do a walk down on each of my children that I gave birth to, but I also want to do my memories of my three that I inherited when I married their dad.  So rather than do this by their ages, I am going to do my four and then my husband's three. 

So today, meet my son Adam.

Around 3 months

Total cuteness!

Adam was always a happy baby.  He hated loud noises and any type of yelling.  When he would get fussy, all I would have to do is take him into the bedroom, shut the door and just hold him close and sing to him.  He would stop crying and just snuggle right into my arms. 

When Adam was old enough to talk, he made it very clear that he didn't like any type of arguing or fighting.  If I was yelling at one of the girls, or having a disagreement with my husband, Adam would tell us, "You're hurting my heart!  Please stop."  Now in my defense, I have to say that we weren't always arguing.  If we were just having a lively conversation, he didn't like our voices to be raised.  He always wanted us to talk in a soft spoken tone of voice.  He was such a cute kid, who could argue with him!

I love the look on his face!

I know, I know...he was so stinkin' cute!  This was a kid who used to come up to me and say "Mommy, I need a huggle!"  It was his own made up word and it meant he needed a hug and wanted to cuddle at the same time.  Adam was the kind of kid who didn't get into a lot of trouble when he was little.  If he was doing something wrong, all you needed to do was get down to his level, make him look at your face, and explain to him what he was doing wrong and why he needed to stop.  He was pretty good about listening and obeying. 

When he was five years old, he was running in the house and tripped over his sister's baby stroller.  He hit his nose on the corner of the coffee table and it began to bleed profusely.  It was literally gushing out blood.  We called 911 and the paramedics came.  They told us to take him to the ER and he would have to get stitches.  At the time, the doctor thought he might need plastic surgery, but we prayed and God healed his nose just fine. 

Kindergarten

As you can see, he still had the cute little nose!  He also hit his mouth on the back of the seat in our station wagon because he kept going back and forth from the seat to the back.  That is not a missing tooth in the picture, but a dead tooth.  When he hit his mouth, he killed the root.  Because it was a baby tooth the dentist chose to let it fall out on it's own.

So Adam grew up into a handsome young man.  All the girls loved him.  He was more interested in sports though.  He loved baseball and basket ball.  We had him on city leagues and he did pretty good.

In his Freshman year of high school, he got into football.  I can honestly say that I was always happy when the coach kept Adam on the bench.  (Sorry son, but it's true!)  I was always a wreck that he'd get hurt because he wasn't as big as the other guys.  Thankfully, he finished the season with all his body parts in tact!

After the football season was over, he got on the soccer team.  I thought, "Great!  This is so much safer!  What could possibly go wrong?" 

Well, nothing, if you don't count the time he hyper extended his leg, thus blowing out his knee and damaging his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).  His coach didnt' believe he was hurt and made him walk off the field!  The poor kid ended up having to have surgery to rebuild his knee cap and he was bedridden for weeks with his leg hooked up to some sort of contraption that made it move up and down.  To say my son was miserable is a total understatement!  But the kid still managed to keep his smile!

He missed a lot of school and it put him behind his class.  But we moved him to an accelerated school and he was able to catch up.  Both he and his brother graduated together.  I was so proud of them. 

Adam and Jack

Proof he is a graduate!

My son has never been one to care how others think he should look.  He has always followed after his own drum.  He had some crazy hair days too!

Read the shirt, it explains it all!

Adam, Samanth and Jack

Rock star!

We had fun this day when we did his hair like this.  We used the Knox Gelatin to do his hair and it took two of us to do it.  He had special permission to go to school like this, but when we tried to get him in the van, his hair was too tall!  He ended up riding to school while laying down in the van!  (Good times!)

Adam taught me that we should never judge a book by the cover, but by what is inside.  Because of him I have been able to walk up to strangers and have a conversation with them without fear.  I realize now that most of these people are not thugs or gangsters, but just people who have their own idea of how they want to look or dress.  I have found out that they are pretty cool people!  They have the same wants and needs that regular folks have.  They are equally loved by God and when willing, can be used to reach a whole generation of lost souls. 

The pictures below are of my son today.  While I can honestly say I miss his untattooed, piercless person, I love him just as he is, and I am just as proud of him today as I was the day he was born.

Um, that last picture...don't ask!  I'm not sure I could give you an answer anyway!

Bottom line is, my son has been my joy his entire life!  He makes me laugh in ways nobody else can.  He has a heart of gold, and when he is ready, God is going to use him to radically change the world.

I love you, my son, and I miss you!  Don't stay away too long.  Your momma needs you!

Well, that's my memory for today!  Hope you enjoyed.

Be blessed,

Sue

Bible Study blog is moving

Until I can figure it out with a button or whatever I need to do, I just want to let you know I've moved my Galations Bible Study to here. Please hop on over and visit.


Be blessed,


Sue

Galatians 2

Paul states that his trip to Jerusalem was not because the elders called for him, but because God told him to go.  Paul wanted to make sure that what he was teaching was in agreement with the leaders of the church because he didn't want to be running his race in vain.


He also brings Titus along with him, who is uncircumcised.  One of the issues Paul had been dealing with was a group of "false brothers" who said  Gentiles who converted to Christianity had to be circumcised.  Most likely, the false leaders where Pharisees.  So it wasn't really surprising that they wanted Titus to be circumcised.  I'm sure they wanted to do anything they could to throw a monkey wrench in Christianity.

If we are saved by grace, then circumcision is not necessary.  Paul does not want to put that added burden on new converts. He also wants to make it know that God's salvation is for everyone, not just the Jews.
 
The leaders of the church agree with Paul and the only stipulation that was stated was in verse 10 where he is told to keep on helping the poor, which he was eager to do. 
 
I feel strongly that if Christians today would be as willing to help the poor as Christians were in Paul's day, our welfare system would not be in the shape it is in.  Sadly, many Christians today don't even tithe, much less help the poor.
 
Another part of this chapter is when Paul talks about Peter.  Peter knew Jesus personally.  He was one of the original 12.  Peter is probably one of my favorite people in the Bible.  Peter is the one who walked on water.  He also cut off the soldiers ear when they came to get Christ. He went on to deny Him three times.  He was also the one Christ commissioned to "feed my sheep."  He blew it several times, yet he went on to write Peter 1 and 2 and become a strong leader in the church.  That in itself gives me great hope.  It tells me that even if I make mistakes, God can still use me.
 
Anyway, when he was with Paul, he was hanging out with the Gentiles, eating with them, being friendly with them, etc.  But then when some of the leaders of the church came to town, Peter stopped eating with them.  Paul boldly confronts Peter to his face on this issue.  Paul was willing to rebuke Peter for the sake of the Gospel.  He wasn't worried about what Peter or the leaders would think of him.  He knew he answered to God only.
 
Paul makes it clear that they are not saved because they are Jewish and obey the law.  But rather they are saved by faith through Christ Jesus.  He states that the law condemned him.  He died to the law so that he might live for Christ.  A great verse is verse 20 where he says "It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me." 
 
I love that verse.  I want to have that same attitude. 
 
I came away from this chapter with a better attitude about my walk with the Lord.  I realize I do not need to look for man's approval, but for God's approval.  I'm going to make mistakes, no doubt about that.  But I know if I confess my sin, He is faithful to forgive them.

I did have a hard time writing on this chapter.  I had a dozen things going on around me at once and have had to put this on hold and come back to it several times.  I think I have conveyed pretty much what I wanted to say.  It was difficult with a two month old colicky baby girl who just wanted to be held.    Tomorrow should be better.  I am also going to try to separate this blog from my regular blog so I'm not posting so much on the main one.

Be blessed,

Sue

Vote!

Make sure you get out there and vote today.  It is one of our fundemental rights!  If we don't use it, we lose the opportunity to make our voices heard.  So vote!  I did!  Did you?

Be blessed,

Sue

Amazing Grace

This morning when I was getting ready for work, the song "Amazing Grace" was on my mind. I've known this song since I was a young girl. I always love singing it and if I am really paying attention to the verses, it can bring a tear or two to my eye. Sometimes I will sing the original version of the song, other times I'll sing
Todd Agnew's "Grace Like Rain" version.  There is another version on KLOVE but being deaf with cochlear implants, I'm not sure how the tune goes so I don't really sing that one (unless I sing along to the radio).  Truthfully, it's probably a good thing no one but God hears me sing...because I'm sure I'm off key no matter what version I sing!

Anyway.....

This morning the one verse that hit me right between the eyes was the third verse.  "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun." 

This got me to thinking about when you first fall in love.  Think back to when that special someone first came into your life and you began to realize this was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.  Remember the butterflies in your tummy?  Remember how your heart leaped into your throat at the sound of their voice?  You would talk on the phone late at night and fall asleep listening to each other breathing because neither one  of you wanted to hang up.  You found yourself finding all sorts of reasons to call each other and you went out of your way to spend time together.  Eventually you reached a point where you were sure that you couldn't go another day without that person.  And that's when you began to think about marriage and spending the rest of your life with them.

You always made sure your hair was fixed a certain way, and if you are a woman, you probably had your make-up done and wore something that you knew he'd like.  You most likely wore perfume or cologne so you would have a pleasing aroma.

You had a lot more patience with him/her than you did with other people.  You found yourself giving in to that person's wishes more than your own.  You took great joy in seeing them happy.  You became "otherly" with that person, putting them and their needs before your own.

It's a wonderful thing, falling in love.  In fact, it's so wonderful that musicians make a fortune writing songs about it.  Film makers make millions creating movies about it.  Authors have best sellers writing about it.  And little girls dream about it when they are, well, little! 

Fast forward now to being married for 5, 10, 20 years or more.  The butterfly feelings are probably gone.  Your heart doesn't jump into your throat any more when they walk into the room.  And who has time to talk on the phone?  The kids are hungry, diapers need changing, and forget about perfume!  If you still have babies, spit-up has become the newest fragrance you wear! 

Patience went out the window with sleeping through the night!  And if you are past the baby stage, you are either in the toddler stage, the tween stage, the teen (I know everything stage), or your babies are leaving home and you are starting the empty nest stage.  Perhaps you are beyond all of that and now are grandparents and get to experience all those stages from the distance.  What ever stage of life you are in, it probably isn't one filled with all those emotions you first felt when you fell in love.

And your spouse no longer looks like they did when you first fell in love.  Smooth skin has been replaced by wrinkles.  Politeness at the dinner table has been replaced by burps and talking with your mouth full.  Bodily noises now escape your spouse while watching TV and if you are lucky, they will say "excuse me."  (Of course, this one is referring to the husbands only...we wives would NEVER do that!  Right?)

Dressing up now means putting on a clean pair of sweats and t-shirt.  Doing your hair means running a brush through it and putting it up in a pony tail.  Yep, that gray haired balding man looks nothing like the guy you married.  (And maybe he is a lot bigger than he was all those years ago too!) 

So what does all that have to do with verse three of Amazing Grace?  Well I'm glad  you asked that!

There will never be a time when praising God will get old.  We will always, for eternity, feel those feelings like we did when we first fell in love.  Every time we go before God's throne, we will get excited! We will have our heart doing flip flops.  Going before his presence will be like the first time, every time!  For eternity!  It's like falling in love was God's way of preparing our hearts for what it will be like when we spend eternity with Him!  For eternity!  For ever and ever!  That, my friends, is amazing grace!

"Grace Like Rain"

 by Todd Agnew

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see so clearly

Chorus:

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me

Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Chorus

When we've been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We've no less days to sing Your praise

Than when we first begun

Be blessed,

Sue

I'm joining an online Bible Study

Join me in doing an online Bible Study.  Just click on the link above and it will take you to Jenilee's webpage.

We are starting with Galatians.  Today was chapter one.

I love how Paul makes it very clear that he was called to be an Apostle by Jesus, himself.   He makes it very clear that it was not by human authority.  He then goes on in chapter 6 by stating that he was shocked at how quickly the Galatians turned away from the gospel he taught them and began listening to others who were teaching a different way.  Paul does not step lightly when he disciplines the Galatians. He says it at he sees it.  (I love the way Paul teaches!)  He doesn't care if he offends some people because it is Christ he answers to, not people.

In verse 11, Paul makes it clear that Jesus Christ himself gave Paul the Good News of salvation.  Even though Christ has been crucified and ascended to Heaven by the time Paul was saved, Paul still had an encounter with Him personally.

I think one of the things that really sticks with me is verse 16 and 17.  He says..., "When all this happened to me, I did not rush out to consult with anyone else; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was."  Paul knew that he knew that he knew that he had been called to be an apostle by Christ.  He didn't have to go get confirmation from others.  He had that kind of faith.  Oh that I would have faith like that!

So, there we have it.  Chapter one.  If anyone out in blog land reads my blog, I do hope you connect with  Jennilee at My Awake Journey and Christina at Get Joy to follow along.

Be blessed,

Sue