Tuesdays Together (#13)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).

I am so glad that you have joined us.
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. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your "nuggets" of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.


This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Proverbs 7-8, Titus, Psalms 32-33, and Philemon. (If you are reading something else - that is perfectly fine... share with us.)


Several years ago... while preparing to speak at a Women's Conference... I decided to memorize Titus. It was a discipline that I had neglected for years. I knew that I would be using part of this book in one of my lessons/sessions. But it was much more than that. I knew that I needed to devote more of my time really "hiding" God's word in my heart. Memorizing was the best way I knew to "hide" it.


The familiar part of Titus for ladies comes from chapter 2:4-5... where we see what the older women are to teach the younger women. And it never fails to speak to me in a new and fresh way when I prepare to teach it. Never been a time that I did not have something new to work on... :) That is the reality of the Living Word making application to my heart.


But... during that season, the passage that was "new" to me was from 2:11-14:

"For the grace of God that brings
salvation has appeared to all men,

teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

we should live soberly, righteously,

and godly in the present age,

looking for the blessed hope

and glorious appearing of

our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

who gave Himself for us,

that He might redeem us from every lawless deed

and purify for Himself His own special
people, zealous for good works. "

Henrietta Mears in her book, What the Bible is All About, divides this passage into three parts for us to consider:

(1) Leave the Old Life

(2) Live the New Life

(3) Look for His Glorious Appearing




So lets think about these three point together today.


Leave the old life - deny ungodliness and worldly lusts

It is easy for us to piously say that we are not being ungodly... but really?
Look at the passage from Jude that describes the Ungodly. (verse 16 and then 19)


These (the ungodly) are grumblers... complainers... those who cause divisions....


How easy to get caught up in this... to grumble.. to complain... and in doing so to cause divisions.

Oh we need to Leave the Old life... we must not look/act like the old self ...
like those who do not know Christ.


Live the new life - live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present age.

That really explains itself. Live righteously... live Godly...
Take just a minute and think of a Godly person in your life. I can assure you that it did not just happen. God did not just open their head/heart and pour in Godliness.

No maam... I can assure you when you see/know a Godly person - they have pursued God.
They have pursued Godliness.
It is not only a life style - but a life pursuit.

We are to Live to new life. We have been bought with a price - we are to live as such!


And then...Look for His appearing...
I like to think of this in terms of a bride preparing for her wedding day. I watched both my daughters and my daughter-in-love as soon as the date was set.... the preparations began.

And my what preparations...

From the dress, the flowers, the caterers, the hair. From the music, the musicians, the aisle cloth (or not), the bridemaids, the flower girls. From the work-outs (to fit in the dress) to the nails and on and on and on ...

EVERY SINGLE DETAIL WAS FOR ONE THING...

That one precious moment when the back doors of the church would open and the bride would meet her groom.... She wanted every detail to be perfect...



Oh, it puts chills on my spine as I type this.

We are to look for His Glorious appearing... One day the skies will open and our groom will come for His bride...our preparations need to be in anticipation of that Glorious day.


Can you tell that I get excited about this passage. I could go on and on... but I guess I will stop for now...

Now, your turn.
Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

Announcing Winners!!!!

Here are the winners of the give-aways!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

27 43 52
Timestamp: 2009-03-28

So...................

#27 - Doreen at Treasured Giveaways won the Starbucks card.

#43 - Laura Lee at Wasted Textbooks won the Piper Audio Book.

#52 - Corrie at "Cents"able Momma won the Chicos Bag.

So, email me your addresses - halanddd (at) charter (dot) net -- and I will get them in the mail to you!
Congratulations Ladies....

and thank you to everyone else who stopped by...visited with me... and your sweet comments.
This has been fun! Look forward to getting to know you all better in the coming days!

2009 Scripture Memory # 5 and # 6

With all that has taken place in my life this past month, I have gotten behind in my posts for my Scripture memory. So, I am combining these two which should have been for March 1st and March 15th. Maybe I will be able to get back on track by April 1st.

Continuing on with Psalm 91...

Psalm 91:3

For he will deliver you
from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly
pestilence.

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.

Yes, these are promises that I claimed for Jonathan EVERY day of his deployment. And will do so again. But, as always, scripture is alive and active and applicable to our lives today.

This is what the Matthew Henry commentary had to say about this passage:

"He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger."

So, whatever your snares, or temptations, or attacks... We have been promised deliverance. Protection under the wings. That is comfort. And it is HIS FAITHFULNESS that is our shield.

That is good stuff!

I think I will chew on it for a while... and continue working on memorizing it. :)

Tuesdays Together (#12)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).

I am so glad that you have joined us.
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. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your "nuggets" of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.


This week our reading (posted on the side bar) was from I Timothy 6, II Timothy 1-4, Psalms 27-31.

And as much as I love reading and studying Timothy... I am coming to you again this week from the Psalms. I am sure that some of you will have some things to share from Timothy... I look forward to reading...

Psalms 31:19

"Oh, how abundant is Your goodness,

which You have stored up for those fear You

and worked for those who take refuge in You."

Psalms 31:21

"Blessed be the Lord,

for He has wondrously shown his steadfast
love to me."

Interestingly, this week's chapter for our Theology Reading Group was "The Pleasure of God in Doing Good to All Who Hope in Him." (John Piper/ The Pleasures of God). So I have just come home from discussing these thoughts.

Here is another verse to go with these two:

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord, your God,

is in your midst,

a warrior who gives victory;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will be quiet in His love;

He will exult over you
with loud singing."

WOW... Just think about what those passages have to say...

God's goodness toward us.... stored up for those who fear Him.

He shows His steadfast love to us.

He even sings over us...

I ask, as John Piper did... Can you imagine what it would be like to hear God sing?

Have you ever even thought about it? And then to take some time and read this passage again and see that He is in our midst... He rejoices over us with Gladness... He will exult (feel extreme happiness or elation) over us with singing.

I am resting with these thoughts for a while. Trying to wrap my understanding around them. But one thing I know... It is good.

Now, your turn.
Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Click Here to Take you to the Most Recent Post

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party.

I am glad that you came by for a visit.
*** I have three give-aways listed at the bottom of the post***

First, let me offer you a Dr. Pepper, Glass of Sweet Tea, Water with lemon/lime OR a starbuck latte.


And here is a little something to eat while we visit... :) (Don't we wish???)


A few things about me:


Personal:
I am a wife/mom/grandmother.
I am a Pastor's wife (for 32 years). He was my high school sweet heart - and is STILL my best friend.
I am mom to three adult/married children. They are my favorite people on this earth(Julia/Ronnie) (Jonathan/Brantley) (Jenifer/Andy)
I homeschooled my children for 12 years.
I now have 2 grandbabies... and hopefully many more to come. :)
You can read my 100th post with 100 random things about me here.

*************


Ministry:
I am the Women's Ministry Director at my church. I love my ladies. And I really do believe
that women need each other. It is my desire that we continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and be love and support for each other in our journey. I also love teaching God's Word. I have spoken at Women's Events. And my husband and I have lead several Marriage Conferences.

************



Other:
My son is a Soldier. He has served one tour in Iraq/Kuwait. Now getting ready to deploy
again. This in one reason that I/we started blogging. It was a good way to stay in touch. It was also a good "release" to write about the journey. You can read some of these deployment posts here. We all have blogs now: Hal DeeDee Julia Jonathan Jenifer

************

This year I started "Tuesdays Together in the Word." We meet together on Tuesdays and share a passage with a nugget of something that ministered to us that week in the Word. Some are using the same reading plan which is linked on my sidebar (under the TT button). But even if you do not use the same plan - we would love for you to join us. Let's meet together on Tuesdays to share a little something that we have learned or been encouraged by in the Word. Once again... we really do need each other.

************


I am sure that there is more that I need to put in here - but I decided to join the party late... and need to get the post up.

************
So, last but not least....Three gifts to give away:


(1) Starbuck gift card - $20.00



(2) Audio book - Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die by John Piper.



(3) Handbag (or could be a beach bag) from Chicos. You will have to trust me on this one... I do not have a picture (I will try to post one later - but the "grandbabies" are on the way to my house :)



Several ways to enter: You can enter 4 times....

1. Leave a comment. (and I would love for you to tell me where you are from)

2. Leave another comment and tell me that you have joined by FOLLOWING (top of my blog)

3. Leave another comment and tell me that you have added my blog button to your sidebar

4. Leave another comment and tell me that you have added the Tuesdays Together button to your sidebar (and plan to come and join with us on this journey in the Word)

I will use the Random Number Generator to pick the Winners. That is why you need to make separate comments to enter. Each comment will get a number. Since this party is from the 20th - 27th - I will draw on the 28th.


I think this is going to be fun. I have lots of blogs to go and visit this week. I am glad that you stopped by my place.

I almost forgot to list the Prizes that I am interested in...

numbers 58, 19, 21, 22, 26 and 123 ....

Happy Party week!

Click Here to take you to the most recent post

Getting to Know You

Hey My Friends...

I am participating in "Getting to Know You" with Lynnette from Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground.

You can go here... to join in on the fun.

She plans to feature one or two different bloggers on Mondays and Fridays. This way we get to know more about each other... and visit featured blogs. We will be "getting to know you."

Hope you will join us...

WFW # 18 My Sweet MOM

Psalm 25:14
"The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him..."

I wanted you to see a pic of my mom that I have blogged about so much lately. See what I wrote about this verse here.

This picture was taken two weeks before surgery... with her new great-grandson! Isn't she beautiful? And I am not the only one who will tell you that she is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. I am truly blessed!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Tuesdays Together (#11)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).

I am so glad that you have joined us.
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. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your "nuggets" of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.


This week our reading (posted on the side bar) was from Proverbs 6, Psalm 25-26, and
I Timothy 1-5.

And once again, I come to you with a couple of passages from the Psalms. There is such comfort there. There are answers when you have REAL questions. There is peace in the promises. So I beginning here this week:

Psalm 25:1, 2(a)

" To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust"

And that is just what I did. I lifted up my soul/my heavy heart. I lifted up my precious Mom and her health and her surgery. My God is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is true to His Word... always. Oh my God, in you I trust...



And I loved this verse this week too. You see, one thing Mom has said to many people this week, is that she is "God's Favorite. " And she is joking.... sorta.

Look at this passage:

Psalm 25:14

"The friendship of the LORD

is for those who fear him,

and He makes known to them his covenant."

After watching her with this surgery, I think I would have to agree. She has a true "friendship" with our Lord.

Here is the first part of this verse from the Amplified Bible:
"The secret of the sweet, satisfying companionship of the Lord have they who fear, revere and worship Him" Isn't that good?

It has been amazing. She has had NO PAIN. Not even a Aleve until Monday night - and then it was just one. She even said she was just uncomfortable - and took one before she went to bed. That is it! There is no doubt that God's hand has been on her. Lots of prayers have been prayed on her behalf and I truly believe that her recovery is a testimony of the Lord's work on her body.


So, I close thanking all of you for joining me in prayer on her behalf. You truly blessed my heart with the emails... the calls... the comments (here and on FB). That is what the Body of Christ does. The joys are multiplied together... and the sorrows are halfed. Sweet Blessings to you all!


Now, your turn.
Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

An Update on Mom

Just wanted to post a quick update...

Mom did very well .... and is now on the road to recovery. They did have to take the lymph nodes too - so it was a more extensive surgery. But she is really doing remarkable!

She is asleep - has not even had any pain medicine. I tried to get her to at least get some tylenol - but she said she really does not need any. She is a trooper! I am just amazed... and thankful...

After a couple of weeks, we will have to go and see the Oncologist... and we have never been down that road before either. So, pray with us now about those decisions that she will have to make.

I cannot express to all of you how much all of your love, concern and prayers have meant to us!
Thank you for interceding with us! God is so good!

You are blessings to me!

WFW # 17 Whiter than SNOW...

Psalms 51:7 (b)

"... wash me and I shall be whiter than snow."

I love the beauty of snow. And in those rare times that we get a good snow here in the south, I am always reminded of the price that Jesus paid for my sins...

His blood has washed me whiter than snow!

(I am still learning how to put the scripture on the picture... got it on there this week... just too small to read it LOL!)

Maybe when life slows down some - I will get one of you to tutor me :)

Sweet Blessings my friends -

and please keep my mom in your prayers this Friday.

Thanks so much!

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Welcome...(# 10)

to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

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.

This week our reading (posted on the side bar) was from Psalms 13- 15, and Acts 23- 28.

I want to focus on this passage:

"But I have trusted in Your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation."

Psalms 13:5

Years ago while going through a very tough time in ministry, I read the book, "God Works the Night Shift" by Ron Mehl. The Lord used it greatly in my life at that time, and I have been reminded of it again... this time - not ministry related. This time it is personal.

So, I say with the Psalmist... BUT I have - I AM trusting in Your steadfast love. Even when it is dark. Even when I can't see the reason. This walk this week with my mom is a road that we have not traveled. But I trust Him. Even when I can't see Him. I am also reminded of an old song - "When You Can't Trace His Hand... Trust His Heart."

I am trusting in His Steadfast Love....

Also, I thank you for the love and support that we have received. I agree with a post that my daughter wrote last week. She worded it so well. You can read the whole post here. But I want to say a special thank you to those of you have been there for us. You will never know how much it means when you reach out to us in times like these. We will forever be grateful for people that God puts in our lives who are not afraid to get close to the Pastor/Wife/Family, and who will be there with and for us when we are hurting and have needs.

I am trusting in His Steadfast Love...

Now, your turn. Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

For My Children...

"...if there is any legacy I want to leave you, it is not money or house or land; it is a vision of God--as great and glorious a God as one could ever see. But more than that, I want to leave the legacy of passion for this God. A passion far beyond what any human can produce. A passion for God flowing from the very heart of God.

Never forget that God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him.

But even more--this is my prayer for you: In God's time, may your satisfaction in him be without measure, as it becomes the very pleasure of God in God."


This is a quote from John Piper in the preface of The Pleasures of God.

But I wept as I read it... for it speaks the desire of my heart for you...
-for my three children by birth: Julia, Jonathan and Jenifer
-for my three children-in-love: Ronnie, Brantley and Andy
-for my two "grands" : Aubrey and Barrett
-for my "many more to come"...

Read it again. And again. And again.

I love you all more than you can even imagine. But more than anything in this world, I desire this legacy for you.

Welcome...(# 9)

to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

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.

I must admit to you all - I am having a hard time focusing. :) It is late Monday night...and I think there are a couple of reasons:

First of all - this past week we had the extremes that I mentioned earlier...

From glorious celebration of new life with my new grandson- to the diagnosis of Cancer with my mom - to the leaving for the first leg of deployment for my son. Extremes.

(The best part of the week for me has been the precious opportunity to help out with the new grandson. I even love the middle of the night feeding. Those precious eyes staring up at me as he takes his bottle makes my heart skip a beat. Joy - pure joy.)

Second - tonight...

I am loving the Theology Reading group that I mentioned in my last blog post... but wow - what a lesson tonight. Chapter five was on the Pleasure of God in Election. If ever there is a subject that will stretch your brain - it would have to be that one. Our finite (human) minds cannot truly grasp the truth of an infinite God or His ways. So, I am still processing alot of the truth discussed in this chapter and tonights discussion. So, my "focus" button is not working well. LOL

But how fitting to have this very familiar passage of scripture to share with you from this week's reading plan.

Psalm 23 (Amplified Bible)

1 THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not
lack.
2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me
beside the still and restful waters.
3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.
4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to
guide], they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
6 Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days
of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His
presence] shall be my dwelling place.

This is one of the first complete chapters of the Bible that I ever memorized (of course it was from the KJV). It is a passage that has been used so many times to comfort those in times of need. It is/was a passage for me this week.

The Lord is my Shepherd... he is not at all surprised by any of this. He is leading me. He is the one to restore me. He is with me - with all that is going on.

I love this part... his rod - to protect and his staff - to guide... they comfort me.

I am to be reminded that even in the presence of enemies - He still prepares a table for me. One commentator said this about this verse: God promises to bless us even though enemies may surround us. Not only will He supply our needs, but He will supply "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).

His goodness, mercy and unfailing love - will be with me all the days of my life.

Precious truths to hold on to... familiar verses... fresh application...

Laying down in a green pasture... being restored even now.

Thank you Father.

Now, your turn. Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us.

Theology Reading Group

We have started the first Theology Reading Groups at CBC.

Hal is leading a group of 11 men and I have a group of 12 women. We are discussing John Piper's book, The Pleasures of God.

I was actually a little nervous before we began. But I must say that I have really enjoyed it. We are currently reading chapter five. It is not a Bible study-We are not teaching. Hal and I are just the facilitators. We all are discussing what we have read.

Some days, the reading - and some nights, the discussions - really stretch my brain. Can that happen? Sure feels that way.

I am glad I am on this journey. I am thankful my husband encouraged me to lead this group of ladies. (Actually, now that I think about it - I don't think I had a choice :)

I will probably share more as we go along. There are definitely some quotes I want to share. Maybe I will even get your input and your thoughts. You can stretch with me.