A Father's Perspective

For those interested...
Hal's recent thoughts about our soldier/son.
I thought you might want to read.

Here We Go Again

I always liked riding roller coasters. But this is one ride that I would like to avoid - forever.

Our son-our soldier-our warrior-our Jonathan has received that call again. This time he is going to Afghanistan. March or April.

So... once again I am calling all prayer warriors. Prayers for him, for his beautiful new wife, for the rest of the family.

Oh, and by the way - today is his birthday. Even though he is not blogging much anymore - would you do this mom a favor and go over here and leave him a comment wishing him a happy birthday and assurance of your prayers. It would do my heart good. And I am sure it would bless him too.

Thanks so much - and just know - you will hear more.

TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~January 27, 2009~~~~~

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).Remember our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Tuesdays we are together in the Word!

What a week of the Word. So many passages stopped me. Familiar passages. But the one that I have come back to so many times is from Luke 18:27, "But he said, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God'".

How many times in my Christian walk I have read that verse? And I really believe it. There have been many times in my life that I have seen God do the impossible. But I must confess, that there are also many times that I view some situations or dreams or ideas as impossible without even asking God. That would be an ummmm LACK OF FAITH.

This takes me to another passage of scripture. Ephesians 1:18-20, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead." WOW. Did you see what that says? God's great power for those of us who believe- incomparably great power. AND that He applies this same power to our "whatever" that he used in raising Christ Jesus from the dead.

Makes me stop and think about those things mentioned earlier. My struggles... my situation... my dreams... my ideas... Does it take as much power to work in them - as it took to raise Jesus from the dead? Heavens no! Then come back to the first scripture - What is impossible with men is possible with God. All he is asking for is FAITH. Belief.

Even again today, God is speaking to me about specifics here. I am so thankful for the indwelling personal Holy Spirit.

Father, please give me hears to hear what the Spirit says to me. And then give me the faith to believe. Really believe. Thank you Jesus! Amen and Amen!

I am looking forward to reading your comments and your blog posts this week. Share a scripture with me that spoke to your heart.

So... your turn...leave a comment... and if you have a blog - link to us!

A Little Accountability

Ok friends -

In our family when the children were growing up - and we needed to discuss something (good or bad), we would have what I called, "round - table discussions." Hence, our kitchen table is round.

So, today, I am calling for a round-table discussion with my bloggin buds. Maybe even have some tea. (I am not drinking many latte's since my ordeal last weekend - or I would offer that too)

I have a counter on my blog. Therefore, I was able to see that on Tuesday, the 20th - I had 129 visits. That is wonderful. What I want to know is how many more of you out there are doing the New Testament read through with us and just not commenting or blogging about it?

See, only 5 joined us with a blog, and only 6 made comments.

So, a word of encouragement. Last week, with my hospital stay and such, I was behind on my reading. On Monday, I was able to read and catch up. Really with not much time involved. Now, that is not the way that I desire to do it. But just to say that when you need a catch-up, it is relatively easy to do.

I knew I was accountable to you all to have a post and a "Mister Linky" ready. :)

Here are my thoughts... to encourage. If you are reading with us, could you at least make a comment to say: I am reading - Here is one of my favorite verses from this week. And then just share with us one verse from the past week's reading? I think we would all enjoy seeing how many different verses JUMPED off the pages of God's Word to us so individually, and personally. It would also help with the whole accountablity thing for this year.

Then the ones who have more to share - can post their blog and link with us.

What do you think girls? Game?

Since I post my blog on Monday evenings - my readings are from Tuesday - Monday. Here are the passages for this week:

20-Jan - Psalms 8-9
21-Jan - Luke 15
22-Jan - Luke 16
23-Jan - Luke 17
24-Jan - Luke 18
25-Jan - Psalms 10-12
26-Jan - Luke 19

Look forward to hearing from YOU on Tuesday Together in the WORD. With a blog and comment, or just a comment. We are all in this together. For OUR good and HIS glory!

Oh... and the new button is coming!

A Precious Video

You need to take 7 minutes out of your day and see this.

My husband recommended it to our church this way:
Every pro-life person needs to watch this 7 minute presentation. (And most pro-abortion folks too.) It is not the anti-abortion graphic video, that is sometimes necessary, so don't hesitate to watch it and let your children and teens watch it also. If you don't you will hear about it from someone and wish you had.
I promise it will bless your heart and make you cry and even laugh, maybe.

P.S. He has a recommended short read on his blog too.

TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~January 20, 2009~~~~~

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).Remember our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Tuesdays we are together in the Word!

Here is the passage from this past week - that I want to share today.

Luke 12:22-32

22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.

30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

What a wonderful reminder in the light of the present economy.

We received the quarterly report from our Annuity this past week. Can I just say that it was not a pretty sight. All I could think was - if we have lost this much, just imagine what have the people who really have some money have lost in just 3 months?

So, a gentle reminder from our Lord - that he knows our needs. And if he will feed the birds and clothe the fields - how much more will he do for us?

Years ago, (in the days when I would sing a solo occasionally) I sang a song that came from part of this passage. Since I still am somewhat "foggy" headed from this past week's events - I think for today, I will just close with this.

Consider the Lilies, they don't toil nor spin, but there's not a King with more splendor than them. Consider the Sparrow, he don't plant nor sow, but he's fed by the Master who watches him grow.

We have a heavenly father above, with eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love, He really cares when your head is bowed low, Consider the lilies and then you will know.

May I introduce you to this friend of mine, who hangs out the stars and tells the sun when to shine. And kisses the flowers each morning with dew, but He's not to busy to care about you.

We have a heavenly father above, with eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love, He really cares when your head is bowed low, Consider the lilies and then you will know.

Consider the lilies and then you will know.

I am really looking forward to reading your comments and your blog posts this week.

So... your turn... sign up....leave a comment.

I Believe

Last week, at a funeral of a sweet lady from our church, my husband read a note written in the front of her Bible. I had to write it down when I got in the car. I wanted to remember her exact words.

"I believe in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the redemptive plan of salvation. There is no other way to be saved."

What a testimony. Not only of her life, but of her theology.

That preaches.

2009 Scripture Memory # 2

#2 Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

In light of my previous few days - I believe this is my verse for the next two weeks.

It was Hal's hand physically holding mine on Thursday morning. And his words that said to me, "You are not going to die." It was the Lord my God, who was there with us. And the one who helped me.

For in reality, it was out of our hands.

Not really sure why it gave me such fear. Other than referring back to Hal's words again. I know that I know that I know, when I die that I will go to heaven.

But I remember something that my dad told me when he had his first heart attack. He said that he knew he was not going to die.... because he had been given the promise that he would see his children's children. (Psalms 128:6)

Maybe that was it. Jenifer was there in the room - with baby Barrett due in a few weeks. I want to be his MommaDee like I am for Aubrey. I want to be a part of his life. And when the Lord blesses Julia and Ronnie with babies - and when the Lord blesses Jonathan and Brantley with babies - I want to be a part of their lives too. My Children's Children. I want to see them, and hold them, and sing to them, and read to them. I want to teach them songs and scriptures and truths about our Lord.

Just proves that I really do not understand about my home in heaven. For I am sure that if I really understood - that is what I would desire even more.

Regardless, I rest tonight as I hold on to this Word for me.
He is holding my right hand - no need to fear - He is helping me.

Thank you to my Hal - for being His hands, and His arms of comfort to me. Thanks for your wisdom and your words. Thank you for your love. I love you too!

F.Y.I

• I am home from the hospital.
• We still have NO diagnosis.
• The heart Cath was fine
• The Gall-bladder scan was fine
• The Liver/pancreas scan was fine
• The "scope-thingy" that they put down my throat into the stomach was fine. (sorta)
• The CTScan of the abdomen -to make sure what the "scope-thingy" did find - that it was not a tumor - and IT WAS NOT - just a spleen poking into the side of my stomach. A fine spleen I might add.
• I feel like I have been run through the wringer. Wait, I have.

So... why did I have chest pains that went to the arm and up into the neck? (and would not go away for 2 hours) I don't know.

But a couple of things that I did learn...

(1) If you need to get back to see the Dr fast... tell them you are having chest pains - and you get wheel-chaired in with a crew of 4 or 5 nurses in a split-second. Straight to the Dr.

(2) If one Nitro under the tongue relieves most of the pain, and then the second Nitro under the tongue gets the pain level down to about a #2, then you probably do not need the third Nitro... That nearly put me out. Seriously thought I was dying. The BP dropped to 80/40. I literally felt like everything was shutting down.

Hal just says that he knew I was not dying ... because I was so upset. No dying Grace. When the day comes for me to meet my Savior - I will be granted dying Grace. That is good. And he was right - It was not my day. (Here is his blog post.)

I will post again later (when all of this anesthesia has worn off - and I feel like a human again. And maybe have clear thoughts.)

But for now, thanks for those of you who knew and were praying. A special thanks to Michelle (my nurse, my friend, my sister in Christ) -it meant so much to have you taking care of me. Thanks to Lindsey, Jessica, and Melissa (also special friends, sisters-in Christ-) at the hospital - checking to make sure all was going well. And thanks to all that came to visit and called. Thanks to Anita for supper! You all are treasures! Once again, I must say - we are so blessed!

And... I know I have not posted my scripture - I was supposed to edit that before it posted. And right now, I cannot remember which one I was going to add. That too will come later. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Hal (edited 6:15 p.m.)

Today is my hubby's b-day. (edits in red)

We are having the children over for supper. (Julia and Ronnie - we will miss you.)
That is his preference. He is actually going to grill out. (Remember - I do not grill)
He would rather do that than go out to eat.??? Since it is HIS day - we will do what he wants.

*** since I went to the hospital yesterday (the 15th) with chest pains - this is all wrong.
Julia came home - so Ronnie - we miss you! Jen and Andy and Aubrey are not here either.

***No grill - Thank you so much Anita for a wonderful Lasagna supper!*(that is actually one of my favorites!)

***Sorry - Hal - we will celebrate your birthday on Monday night - and let you grill some steaks for us then! :)

So... Happy Birthday, Hal! I love you!

WFW # 14 Peaceful Rest

"For so He gives His beloved sleep."

Psalms 127:2b

Sweet Rest - with all of her friends. She calls them, "everybody". Then has roll-call to make sure she has everybody.

Sweet.
(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~January 13, 2009~~~~~

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).
Remember our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Tuesdays we are together in the Word!

Sign up on Mister Linky if you have a blog that you would like to post about your reading from the week. You can share a particular verse that spoke to you or encouraged you in your walk with the Lord, or maybe a post about something new you learned. You get the idea. Let's share with each other where we are and what God is teaching us. Let's share our victories and even our struggles. Let's pray for each other. Remember to leave a comment after you sign up on Mr. Linky.

If you are not a blogger, you can join in also by adding your comments. Visit the other blogs also that are listed for that week. We want to hear from you too.

I want to clarify – this is not to be a burden on anyone.

It is designed to encourage us to (1) be reading in the Word this year, (2) to share with each other something we learned or were inspired by during that reading. If one week, you cannot participate – that is fine – you might decide on that day to just come and read our blogs and then maybe just add comments. If you are not a blogger – then certainly, read along with us and then come and share with us on our blogs. We LOVE comments. We want to all share together on this journey!

This week I want to share from a favorite passage of mine. I can not read it and not stop to ponder this woman each time.

"And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!" But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." Luke 8:45-48

Remember the story - the woman had an illness - for 12 years. She had spent all she had on physicians and no one could help her. She knew this Jesus was coming through her town - and she just had to get to him.

Can you imagine her thoughts? "If I can just touch him."

Do you see her faith here? "Just get close enough to touch the hem of his garment."

And do you see His response? "Someone touched me. I know that Power has gone out of me."

She then came before him trembling (a reverent fear) to confess that she was the one. He said to her, "Your faith has made you well. - Go in peace."

Can you imagine what it was like as she left? She had touched the Master. And just as she knew He would - He had healed her. This woman had a need. She did not ask for anything from Him. She did not even speak a word. She just wanted to touch Him.

We all have needs. Every day. This is a lesson to be learned. The answer is to get close enough to the Master to touch the hem of His garment. He has the Power to meet every need. And He will do just that.

Touching Jesus - is all that matters...

Here is the song suggested by Mitzi: and Tricia...
It goes so well I just had to edit and add it.




Your turn...
Sign up...
Leave a Comment...

Tip for the Day: Don't Leave the Car in "D"

Good advise - trust me.

Here are the details:

I went by my daughter's house to pick her up (and the grandbaby) to take to lunch. It was cold. I decided that it would be a good idea to just leave the car running so that it would be warm when we got back in.

Bad idea.

Evidently, I just left it in "Drive." I DID put the emergency brake on. Little good that did, huh? The car did not move as I got out - or as I walked around the back of it - or even for the first few minutes that I was inside the house.

All of a sudden - there was an awful sound - like the house was falling apart. Or maybe like a car was coming THROUGH the garage. Yep. That was it. I ran out the front door to see who had hit me.

There it was. My car - IN the garage door. I think I said something like, "Oh, no...How did this happen? Did I leave it in Drive? I LEFT IT IN DRIVE! How did I do that? What in the world?"



I cried.

Then I had the thought... "Wonder if this will let me get the (freckled) hood of my car painted?" At least then, something good could come from this fiasco. Oh NO... the hood is fine. No scratches. No evidence of driving THROUGH the door. No... it just crunched their garage door.

I just looked up the definition of "fiasco" to make sure that it was the right word. This is one definition that I found: Some effort that went quite wrong. Boy is that an understatement!

Now, we have talked to our Insurance man. And we are calling our Repair man to see how much this little "lapse in whatever" is going to cost me.

Is there a lesson to be learned here? Yep.

Don't get out of a car that is still in "D". Trust me.

The Chronological Study Bible (Review)

I have received the New Chronological Study Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers. And after taking some time to browse through it... I want to share this with you.

First, the Thomas Nelson Publishing Company web site describes it this way:

The Chronological Study Bible is the only study Bible that presents the text of the New King James Version in chronological order-the order in which the events actually happened-with notes, articles, and full-color graphics that connect the reader to the history and culture of Bible times and gives the reader a dramatic, "you are there" experience. Features include translators' notes, full-color illustrations of places, artifacts and cultural phenomena, contextual articles that connect Biblical times and world history and culture, daily life notes, time panels and charts that show the flow of Biblical history and in-text and full-color maps.

Let me say, I like the style and believe that it is a very usable tool for the study of Scripture. It is not a Bible that you would take with you to church - since the Scriptures are not in the "regular" order. However, it would be a wonderful Bible for your yearly "read-through" or for your devotions. A person could read 4 pages a day and have the entire book (Scriptures and all the other notes, etc.) read in a year. I recommend it highly to anyone searching for a new devotional study Bible. Both the novice and the mature Christian would do well to make this part of their library.

Go here and see more about it and tell me what you think. I think you will agree.

Recommended Blog

I have found a blog that I thought many of you would like to visit. It is the $30 Weekly Grocery Challenge. She is sharing the coupons that she is using and where she is shopping. So, in a nutshell, she is doing the work for us - and then letting us reap the benefits with her. WOW

Sure makes couponing/sales-hunting much easier.

Go follow this blog. (And for that matter, follow mine too, if you have not :)

I thought you would want to know. You are welcome!

WFW # 13 From Generation to Generation

Psalm 79:13

"Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will recount your praise."


My Son, My Husband, My Father-in-Love

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

WW # 17 Making Cookies - sorta

TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~The Beginning~~~~~

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER in the WORD.

We are just beginning this journey together. So whether you are joining in the blogging or just coming for reading and commenting - we welcome you.

Our intention is to be accountable to read the Word together this year. And then the bloggers will blog (and comment) and the others will read and comment. Please let it be a source of encouragement and challenge and accountability.

There really are no set rules. Like I previously posted - do not let this become a burden. Our enemy would love that. Because if we view it as a burden - we will quit. Just as we saw this week in our reading (Luke 4), when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he quoted Scripture. He stood on the Word of God. We must do the same. When tempted - we do not give into the temptation. We do not quit. We dive deeper into the Word. That is our line of defense - for EVERY situation.

Enough for my intro for this week... So, now I want to share with you a couple of very familiar passages that ministered to me. It was from the very first day.



Psalms 1:1-2, "(Blessed-happy- is the man... ) his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night."

and

Psalms 2:12, "Blessed -happy- are all who take refuge in Him."

I spent some time meditating on these two verses. Happiness. We all desire it. But many times - we search in all the wrong places. These verses tell us where and how to be truly happy.

Three thoughts:

First, my "delight" must be in the Word... and that will lead to spending time there. Consistently. A priority in my life. It is vital for my Christian walk. Blessed (happy) is the man/woman who delights in the Word.

Second, I will meditate on this Word - day and night. As I meditate - it will literally fill and/or filter my thoughts.

Third, I will be happy/blessed when I run to Him for refuge. Where do I run in times of need? in times of hurt? in times of distress (STRESS)? in times of trouble? even in times of rejoicing? The answer is in Him. He is to be my refuge.

Here are a few other passages that were referenced in this scripture about refuge. I will let them speak for themselves. I pray that they will minister to you as they did to me.

Psalms 34:8, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 146:5, Proverbs 16:20, Isaiah 30:18

Let me end with a note about that last passage. (Isaiah 30:18) The Lord WAITS to be gracious to you. He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. We take our refuge in Him. We find the happiness that we so desire. And He waits to be gracious to us. He is wanting to show us His mercy.

Oh that is good.

So, now it is your turn. Sign in to Mister Linky. Remember to leave a comment. Post on your blog. Link back to here for more TUESDAYS TOGETHER. For the non-bloggers, please leave your comments. And even share your thoughts and lessons learned this week too. We want you to be a part of our journey together whether you blog or not. Then we all need to visit each other. Share in the encouragement and challenge and accountability.

the New Year

What a way to start the new year...

Not only IN THE WORD - but a new start in MEMORIZING THE WORD.

I have memorized many scriptures in my life time. Some verses, some passages, some chapters and some books. However, I have been very slack in this area of my life lately. I am excited to get back on track. Sometimes all we need is a gentle nudge. A little reminder. An inspired challenge.

That is what is happening at the LPM Blog. There are over 2600 others who are joining in this challenge. If you have not made the decision to join - I want to encourage - remind - challenge you to do so. Two verses a month. WE CAN DO THIS.

I had a verse picked out - to begin my year - until I read Beth's Blog. I decided to go with the one that she shared.

Isaiah 33:6 (ESV)
"and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure."

Now, read this again in the Amplified version - "And there shall be stability in your times, an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is your treasure and His."

In our days of unstability - how comforting to be reminded that He is our stability. And then, oh may the REVERENT fear and worship of our Lord be our TREASURE. And then think about that last part of the Amplified verse. Our reverent fear and worship of the Lord is HIS TREASURE.

That is the start of my new year.

And for another reminder - The daily Bible reading is posted on the side-bar. I began this morning in Psalm 1 and 2. I hope you are joining me there too. READING AND MEMORIZING.

Going Deeper in 2009...

Scriptures for 2009

# 8 (April 15, 2009)

Psalm 91:7

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.


# 7 (April 1, 2009)

Psalm 91:5,6

You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.


# 6 (March 15, 2009)

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.


# 5 (March 1, 2009)

Psalms 91:3
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.


# 4 (February 15, 2009)

Psalms 91:2
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."


# 3: (February 1, 2009)

Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.


#2: (January 15, 2009)

Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."


#1: (January 1, 2009)

Isaiah 33:6 (ESV)
"and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure."

Amplified version - "And there shall be stability in your times, an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is your treasure and His."