2009 Scripture Memory # 7 and # 8

Continuing with Psalm 91...here are the next verses:

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."

Psalm 91:7

"A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you."

When we went to the Family Readiness Group Meeting last month, we were given a free book. The title is "Psalm 91 -God's Shield of Protection." How neat is that? I am sure that I will have thoughts to share with you from it in the days ahead as I continue to memorize this chapter.

I am still catching up on these posts. Maybe in May I will get back on track. (even though I already have a post for tomorrow... oh well... I will try for the 2nd)

Regardless, I covet your prayers for the coming days. They will be hard. I know that God gives comfort. I am counting on it... I honestly do not know how those who do not know our Savior face such days. I do not.

I am Listening...

Following my previous post I just had to update you today.

I have laryngitis. "No More Words."

I think I will listen today, like I ended my post yesterday.

"Speak Lord, for your servant listens."

I really think our Lord has a wonderful sense of humor.

Tuesdays Together (#17)

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 thoughts 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 I Peter 2-5; Psalm 38; 2 Peter 1.

II Peter 1:16-18

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we
told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

This account is also recorded in Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, and Luke 9:35. In each of these passages, we are told God said, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM!"

Listen to Him.

I can only imagine what it would have been like to be there on the Mount with Christ... Eye witnesses of His Majesty. And what happens? Peter starts talking... planning... (imagine that????)

The Voice of God is heard... Do you know who this is? It is my Son. I love Him and I am pleased with Him. Will you just quit talking and Listen to HIM?

Maybe it is often the same way with us in our prayer/study times. We get so busy talking that we do not take the time to listen. Often we even try to tell God how to handle situations. Like He needs our ideas. I wonder how often He speaks to us and says, "Will you just quit talking for a while and listen?"

A few days ago, while keeping our almost 3 year old granddaughter, it was getting late and she really needed to go to bed. I have learned to give a little warning that her play time is almost up and that soon we will be going upstairs.

I was telling her, "Aubrey, it is almost time to go and put our pajamas on and read our books and sing our songs and go to bed."

"Ok?"

"Aubrey, did you hear MommaDee?"

"Aubrey, you have just a few more minutes...."

She turned around from playing... walked halfway across the room, put her little hands up (like to motion stop) and very politely but firmly said to me, "No More Words".

What?

I think she just told me to hush - it was polite but the message was there. Hush. No. More. Words. She then returned to her play...

NO MORE WORDS....

I have been thinking about this alot lately when I have sat to read the Word of God and pray. I really believe I need to quit talking so much... and listen. Realize that I am in the presence of the Great I AM... Maybe I just need some time with NO MORE WORDS.

...Oh....from the mouth of babes...

"Speak Lord, for your servant listens."

Now, your turn.

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

Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

WW # 19 Joyful Noise

(the little one in the purple is our Aubrey... with her friends, Piper and Ainslee)

I love the house being filled with praise... and joyful noise :)

Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands...

Cardboard Ministry Video

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 thoughts 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 Mark 12-16. Psalm 37, I Peter 1.

(If you are reading something else - that is perfectly fine... just share with us.)

Actually, today I am coming from a totally different passage. I have read all of the reading for this week. But as I was praying about what passage/verse that I was to share about... I received word that the video from our Sunday Service was now posted on you -tube. I immediately watched it and wept again. I knew that this was what I was to share with you today. The song that is being sung comes from Revelation 12:11.

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb

and the word of their testimony...

Our enemy would love for us to continue to be beaten down, trapped, discouraged, defeated, powerless, afraid, guilt-ridden, full of shame, sick, disheartened... unuseful for Kingdom Work.

But Praise be to God... By the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of our Testimony... We can be overcomers. We can be healed. We can be restored. We can be forgiven.

Cardboard Ministry.

Merely a visual of God's healing, redemptive work in the individual lives of this particular body of believers.

And already we have received word from many others, who have shared that they could have/should have been up there too.

It is almost 10 minutes in length... but I promise you will be blessed as you see real people give real testimony of what our Lord has done in their lives.

I just keep thinking about a verse that we claimed for our son during his "yuk-years" as he calls them...

Joel 2:25

"I will restore or replace for you

the years that the locust has eaten..."

It has happened in our lives...

It has happened in each of these lives...

I am sure it has happened in a lot of your lives too....

Leave a comment and let me know how... (you can comment anonymous if you would like).

Let's have a sharing time...

And of course, if you have a blog - link with us... we would love to visit with you today too.

Cardboard Ministry

We had a Disciple Now weekend at our church this weekend. It was good for our teens... and expect to hear even more in the days and weeks ahead.


It was good for me too... in that my Julia and Ronnie came here from VA to help with it - so this mom was able to have all the fam in the same city for this weekend. We did not get to spend much time with them - because they were with the kids... but that is completely ok. Loved seeing them for a short while - and also loved knowing that they were ministering to our kids. That is a "No Greater Joy Moment".


But mainly this post is about the end of the service today at our church. We finished the service with a song by the Youth Praise Team (which was AWESOME)... and any who wanted to participate in the Cardboard Ministry.


It is a visual of where you have been - and what God has done in your life.


It was amazing....


I am going to share a few pics today... and when we get the video, I plan to show it to you too. But just to be honest... I did not want to wait on it. I WILL share it with you when I get it.


You can go to You Tube and see examples of others who have done so... but I must say it was so moving to have OUR people... share. I dare say there was not a dry eye in the house. People broke out in applause... and tears.


In the audience... and on the stage. Tears of Joy. Tears of relief. Tears of Praise. Probably tears of relating... Applause of support and love and acceptance!


I praise the Lord for His Sweet Spirit and the freedom in our church for Him to move.


Praise the Lord for people willing to share by the word of their testimony.


Overcomers.... by the Blood of the Lamb!!!


























P.S. Just found out that Michelle and Tricia have posted blogs about today also. Visit with them too! I will add links to others if more are posted. You can tell we all were blessed!

WW # 18 Egg Hunt

I know there is one here somewhere :)

Tuesdays Together (#15)

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 thoughts 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 9, Psalm 36, Mark 7-11. (If you are reading something else - that is perfectly fine... just share with us.)



As I mentioned in this blog post from our Helping Homes Blog a few months ago... I am also reading in a Bible that will one day be my granddaughter's. I purposely bought a wide margin Bible so that I could write notes to her along with prayers that I am praying for her. I plan to do so with all of my grandchildren. This is another reading plan other than the one for our Tuesday's Together. How interesting that this week, part of my reading was the same in both plans.

So, I share with you the verse that has jumped off the page to me... twice.

It is the passage from Mark 10 about the rich young ruler. Specifically from verse 21.

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,

"You lack one thing:

go, sell all that you have and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven;

and come follow me."

This is the part that I am not sure I have ever thought about before... Jesus looking at him.... LOVED him.

And this is the note that I have written in the margin of Aubrey's bible:

"Look at this Aubrey, isn't it precious that when our Savior looks at us - He loves us - even when he knows the condition of our heart. Always remember that. How much HE loves you - and also, how much I love you."

And that is my thought for you today too.... Even though Jesus knew that this young man would walk away and not follow him (because of his great wealth)... He loved him. His love was not conditional... And the same is true for us.
He looks at us and He loves us.
He loves us.
He loves us.

Really it can be hard for our earthly minds and hearts to completely understand such love, huh?

But how wonderful.

I have had several songs posted from u tube lately.. and that really is unusual for me - but I have been singing this song... and wanted to share it with any of you have time to listen to it today. Maybe you will be singing it along with me all day.




Now, your turn.


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

That's MY KING!

What a wonderful Easter Celebration we had...

We had two services this morning at our church. This was the first time for us. Our choir and praise team were real ministers through music today. The praise team had to be there at 6:45, and the choir came at 7:30. Ready to lead the body in worship at the 8:00 service, and then again at the 10:15 service.

Good music, Sweet Spirit, Wonderful Message from God's Word... and then the most precious part... four people made decisions for salvation and following the Lord in Believer's Baptism.

Can I just say GLORY? !!!

It just doesn't get much better than that.

And then....
The family gathers at our home for a wonderful meal together...
Of course we have to take family photos in the front yard...
And then this year we added the fun of hiding eggs with Aubrey ( a very short session I might add). She really liked making bubbles and chasing them much more than finding eggs. :)

And after they all go to their homes - or to other family gatherings...
I was able to take a "God Ordained" Sunday afternoon nap.

Blessed... Beyond Measure...



So following the video about Good Friday...

I just had to add this one .... I hope you enjoy :)

IT'S FRIDAY.... BUT SUNDAY IS COMING!

Like I posted last year we always had a Galilean Meal on Friday morning...
I miss it. Maybe when the Grandbabies get old enough... they can spend the night with me on Thursday ...... and we can have fish on Friday morning. (unless they have it at their house).

Regardless.... I think it is good for us to reflect on the sacrifice that Christ Jesus made for us. He paid the price for our sin. It is Friday....

Oh... but we know the rest of the story. SUNDAY IS COMING!!!




Have a blessed Easter...celebrating our Risen Lord!

Plans for My Blogs

During our time away, I decided to make some divisions in the way that I handle my blogs. This "No Greater Joy" Blog will be for our personal lives. I will post pictures – I will let you in on the lives of Hal and DeeDee and our families: Our walk/Our joys/Our struggles/Our daily life.

I am saying “our” – but in reality, I guess I really mean - mine. I am the writer. It will be from my perspective. Hal has his own blog - you can read from him at Gripped by Grace. Also, since I know how life can be - this will be my primary blog... where you will find me the most.

I have been working on new layouts for these next two... make sure you check them out and tell me what you think :) The wonderful part - is they were FREE.

Together we will work on the "Helping Homes" Blog. This will be from both of us. We have a burden for the family in general today. This is a small way that we hope we can be of help/support/encouragement for you and your family. By doing so together, we can address different issues from both perspectives. Husbands and wives. Fathers and Mothers (and grandparents too). Men and Women. We hope that you will join us on some discussions. Let us know if you have questions. Let us know how you feel about what we are addressing. We are trying to decide if/when we will start the chats again.


Then there is the "Holding On" devotional Blog. This began as a blog for several ladies to do together. But with life being as busy as it is – this has been hard to maintain. They all have their own blogs and you will be able to see what God is doing in their lives from their particular blogs. I have decided to use this blog as my own devotional blog. I plan to use it as a means to share with you what I am learning from God’s word. (They may still send me a post along the way – maybe…hopefully) I am no theologian. There are many means where you can go to get theological discussions and teaching. But I will share with you as I learn or should I say... try to learn from God’s Word. And now with Jonathan's coming deployment... I am sure that I will be "holding on" during this journey AGAIN.

I desire to hold to the truth of God’s Word in all of my life. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus… Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Phillippians 3:12, 14, 16.) I hope to be able to share this part of my journey with you. I am HOLDING ON.

So, join me
As I have “NO GREATER JOY”
As we “HELP HOMES" to Survive and Thrive in this world”
As I “HOLD ON” to the truth of God’s Word.

Tuesdays Together (#14)

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 thoughts 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 Psalm 34-35, Mark 1-6. (If you are reading something else - that is perfectly fine... share with us.)

Psalm 34:1-3

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

That is how we are to LIVE. at. all. times.

What a wonderful reminder to us. It makes me think of two other verses also.....

"In EVERY THING give thanks for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you."

I Thessalonians 5:18

and

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song."

Psalm 28:7

So, let's apply these verses to our hearts and our tongue this week together. Let's bless the Lord, let's praise him continually... let us boast in him (sorta takes the eyes off of the SELF huh?) Let us magnify Him and exalt Him together.

If we do so... it will be apparent to all who come in contact with us. And what a wonderful week for His praise to be on our lips continually... We have so much to be thankful for and to Praise His Name!

Now, your turn.

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

Family Readiness Group AGAIN

Well, whether I like it or not, the journey begins again.

Today is the first meeting with our Family Readiness Group for Jonathan's Deployment to Afghanistan.

When we did this in the spring of 2007, Rhonda (the leader of that FRG) had tears in her eyes as she talked to us. It was going to be her husband's third deployment. I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY.

I have tears in my eyes as I type this.

Oh, don't get me wrong - I know that God is faithful. I know that he is in God's hands. I know that God will give grace for the journey... for Jonathan, for Brantley, for us... I know all of that.

But like I said before... I just do not want to walk this road again. I just do not.

Pray that I will not "fall apart" today at the meeting. Pray that I will be able to be a witness of the grace of our Lord for the other wives/mothers/sisters/friends of the guys that are going on this assignment.

But it will be ok if I have tears in my eyes...

ABC Bible Verses

I am working on my verses for this year. And right now I am in Psalms 91 - working on the whole chapter. But I will have that post up before the weekend is over...

Today, I want to tell you about my "precious Aubrey". She is memorizing verses too. I bought the book by Susan Hunt, My ABC Bible Verses . I wish you could hear her.

A - "A soft answer turns away wrath." Proverbs 15:1
B - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matt. 5:9
C - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
D - we are working on this one....

So, in reality - I should know my 26 verses for 2009... and then I should know 26 more, as I teach Aubrey.

I pray that this will be a practice that she will continue all the days of her life.

And I will have good review as I start all over again in a couple of years with Barrett...and then on and on and on...

Loving my babies...
Loving hiding God's Word in my heart... and helping to hide some in theirs too.