Birthday and Two Give-aways!

A sweet blogging friend/preacher's wife just recently had a birthday -and offered a give-away on that day on her blog. I thought that was a WONDERFUL idea...

And then just a few days later, I received an email offering a free music CD to give away on my blog... I was SO thrilled. So, I have saved this until today.

The duo is TAL and ACACIA. I encourage you to go to this site and you can hear their music - and even download three songs for free: www.talandacacia.com/freemusic

THEN - I am also giving a $10.00 starbucks card...

So... here is the deal:

You know how we bloggers all LOVE comments - and we LOVE our followers :)...

So, this is how you enter for the give-away. (five chances) You can enter one time or you can enter 5 times...

(1). Leave a comment. Tell me if you would rather have the CD or the Starbucks card...
(2). Tell me which song you like best.
(3). Add yourself to my list of followers (and if you already follow - say so - that counts too)
(4). Add my button to your side bar.
(5). Announce this giveaway on your blog for your readers to come and enter... (make sure that you tell me that you have done so...)

So, there - you can enter this giveaway 5 times...

Happy Birthday to me! - I want you to win a prize! I will announce the winners on Monday, August 3rd.

Thank you also for your patience with me as I am having a hard time being consistent with my blog lately. Surely I will be back on track soon.

Love to you all!

Taking a Break...

For the next several weeks, I will be taking a break from the "Tuesdays Together."...

Several have let me know that this summer has been hard to participate. So, just try to keep up the reading (remember the plan is posted on the sidebar under the button). Then be ready to start back up on the first week of September...


My "mister Linky" has not been working correctly for several weeks now... I think I have found another linky... I will have it working for us all by then...

Maybe the much needed break will the remedy for my "writer's block". That, along with the trip to SHE SPEAKS... :)

This is not to say that I will not be blogging at all... just not the "Tuesdays Together" for these next weeks.

Sweet Blessings to you all!

She Speaks Conference 2009

I am excited about the opportunity to go back to the "She Speaks" Conference this year.

I am registered for the writing track this time.

I am battling the thoughts of 'WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING?"

I am asking for your prayers. Our enemy loves to try to defeat us before we even get started.

And last but certainly not least...

I am going to try and not overpack this year...

Songs of Praise...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 28

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 Matthew 4-7; Psalms 68-70; Proverbs 16.

Lately our three year old grandbaby has been singing.

Constantly.

About everything.

Sometimes she is singing songs that she knows and that we have sung together. Sometimes she is singing about what she is doing. And sometimes she is just making up words to sing.

I thought of her as I read this particular passage - and several other verses in the reading from Psalms this week.

Scripture tells us to sing songs of praise to our God. And this is just one of those verses:

Psalm 68:4

"Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;

his name is the LORD; exult before him!"

Now, I want to share a picture of her singing. Her Dad took this with his camera on his phone.

She is singing to her rabbit and dog. That is her little Bible in her lap... notice her little hands.... (oh and by the way - she is in her bathing suit)

... she is singing praises to His name. It is sweet music to my ears.

I just know that it is a sweet, sweet sound in HIS ears too.

I pray that she NEVER loses that song that is in her heart.

Makes me want to sing...





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.

Working on Change...

I am working on a new plan. I am trying to put everything together. My blog, Hal's Blog, Helping Homes, and Holding On. There is the "little" problem that I have no clue as to what I am doing... but I am trying. I will not close this one down until it is almost ready for a "go."

I just wanted you all to know why it is quiet on the home front :)

However, with that begin said - Please continue to pray for my soldier. Continuously...
And remember to wear RED on FRIDAYS in support of our troops.

A Soft Answer...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 27

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 James 5; Psalms 62-67; Proverbs 15; and Matthew 1-3.

Some time ago, I mentioned working on Bible Verses with my Grandbaby here. And the first verse is from Proverbs 15:1.

"A soft answer turns away wrath..."

So, today I start with that verse but actually, I want us to look at several verses that are in this particular chapter. We are back on the tongue again... But let's see the comparison that is given in these verses:

From the postive side...
15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath...
15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge...
15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life...
15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge...

Then look at the end of these verses...
15:1(b) but a harsh word stirs up anger (strife).
15:2(b) but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
15:4(b) but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
15:7(b) not so with the hearts of fools. (do not spread knowledge).
15:14(b) but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Because I have a lot on my heart and in my mind as I am writing this... I think will just let these verses speak for themselves. Other than, I will say that I desire to have a soft answer, to commend and spread knowledge, and for my words to be a tree of life.

Proverbs - really are words to live by...




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.

Happy Fourth of July!

Sitting here right now...

with the computer in my lap...

talking to my soldier on the other side of the world...

I am reminded once again...

that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!


But can I say how wonderful it is to have the technology of being able to "Instant Message" with him. Hal is on one couch with his computer. I am on my couch with my computer. Julia is in Virginia with her computer. Jenifer is at her house on her computer. Jon is on his Base with his computer (I suppose at an internet cafe).

So for right now... we are all "chatting" with him... the make-up can wait. The last minute trip to the grocery store can wait. The cooking can wait.

Yes, right now, the priority is sitting right here. Talking to my soldier.

Happy Fourth of July?... you bet.

Time Management

I am once again dealing in my mind and heart about my time management.

I have a lot of ideas and dreams bouncing around in this head of mine... but am having a hard time even beginning ANY of them.

I also have a few assignments that I really need to be working on... that is also not taking any form as of yet...

I am trying to figure out how to structure my day in such a way to get it all - or even any of it done.

Let's just take a couple of writing assignments for examples:
** I write a small "treasure box" for a monthly newsletter. It is due EVERY month on the first. I have been late submitting it for the last several months.
** I am going back to the She Speaks Conference again this year. I am going to be attending the writer's track this time. I have a couple of assignments to have written before I get there. I have not even started.

Then there is the Sunday School Class that I have taken:
We are studying the book of I Peter together. We have only had one lesson. I have much studying to do and much preparation to be ready to teach these college kids. I want to learn and I want them to catch the vision of really studying the Word and letting it be applicable to their lives today. I do not want to ever go to class without begin prepared. But this takes time. Much time for me.

Hal and I are already talking and thinking and praying about our ministry to families. Specifically, the opportunity to teach/lead in Marriage Conferences. We had the opportunity to lead in three last year. We are already planning on another one for the young couples at our church for January or February of 2010. We will probably will add the co-ed 3 class too. It will either be a completely different trip or we may decide to have a combination of the teaching time with different Chalets for the different age groups. We are already discussing the topics and each are beginning our study. But once again - the time issue is at hand. It takes time. (And remember the different preparation approach between us... adds an entirely different factor to be considered. You can read our different perspectives from last year - here and here and here.)

And on the note of our ministry to Couples/Families - since neither one is a professional counselor, and yet, we are "counseling" more and more couples each week... We are beginning to think that maybe God is calling us to a COACHING ministry of sort. While we are meeting with many on an on-going basis at the time, we are both sensing a burden to refine/define our approach and our goals as we help precious families to survive in this world. And then ultimately, we hope to be able to guide them into a lifestyle or homelife of THRIVING together for the Glory of God.

And then there is my ministry to the women of our church... and the studies that I teach them. And the opportunities that I have had to speak at Women's Conferences. I absolutely love my ladies... and have a heart to minister to them. Here again is an area that I have ideas and dreams in my head and heart... but need to get it refined and prepared.

Which brings me back to the issue at hand. TIME MANAGEMENT.

We all have 24 hours in our days. We have families. We have jobs. We have children (and some have grand-children). We all have lots to do. But there are those who are efficient in using their time wisely. Time invested in Eternity. That is what I desire. That is what I am seeking.

I would absolutely LOVE for you - my readers to give me some ideas. Could you tell me how you order your day. Seriously, you can comment anonymously if you would like.... just give me some ideas to chew on. (you can email me if you are not one who usually comments or if blogger is not letting you comment. That has happened alot lately - halanddd@charter.net) Share some ideas and suggestions and let me see if they will work in my world. I thank you in advance.... You are blessings to me.

(I did not even mention this ministry here on my blog - or the desire to be consistent with the family blog and the devotion blog.)

I am looking forward to hearing from you....