Monday, September 28, 2009

Oh Death, Where is your Victory?...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 29 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 Corinthians 10-16.

These passages are so full of blog posts... it was going to be really hard to narrow down which passage or passages I wanted to share. However, with the events of early Monday Morning... I am compelled to share this.





I Corinthians 15:54- 57

When the perishable puts on the imperishable,

and the mortal puts on immortality,

then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."

"O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin,

and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God,

who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.






This morning we received news that a dear friend had passed away. She had been sick. She had been in the hospital. We had visited her several times - even just Saturday. She was released to go home on Sunday. She entered her eternal home sometime during the night.




I think I have been in a numb shock all day. Once again I have had to go about the "normal" stuff - because I have my precious grandbabies on Monday's. But I have had such a heavy heart.


Certainly not for her. She died the way that I have always said that I want. Go to sleep in your bed one night - and wake up in the presence of our King. The one who gives us the Victory - Our Lord Jesus Christ! That is glory! I can get so excited just thinking about what she is seeing and what she is doing today.



But this particular family is ALMOST family to us. Our roots go deep and long with them in multiple directions. We know and love her husband, her children, her grandchildren. As a matter of fact, her grandson and my son are best friends and are together serving our country in Afghanistan. (Which means - be praying for him too - because I do not think he will be able to come home)


But that is not all - we know and love the extended family too. We know her brothers and sisters. Her brother was our pastor when we were called into ministry. He married us - licensed and ordained Hal into the Gospel Ministry. He baptized my father. He ordained both of our dads as deacons. You get the picture here.


We are really close to her nephew and his family.... I mean really close. Some of our best friends on this earth...


I could go on and on... trying to explain... but really can just say - they are ALMOST family to us. And we love them all like family.


And no, we do not grieve as they do - but almost.




But I love these scriptures. Because we do not grieve as those who have no hope - no we do not.


Because - oh Death where is your victory - oh death - where is your sting....

We have victory through Jesus Christ Our Lord.



Oh.. she knew our Jesus as her Savior - and today she is with Him. VICTORY!

And because we know Jesus as our Savior - one day... we will be with Him. And that will be Victory!


(And we will be re-united with this precious one and the many others in our lives who have gone before us). That is good stuff!


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.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Snacks and Strokes #2

Our Women's Ministry held the second "Snacks and Strokes" at our church on Thursday night. What a wonderful time we had together. I just had to share some of the pictures with you. Now when I got home - I see that some of the pics are blurred - and some people are not on any of these pictures. They must have been hiding from the camera :)... I won't name them tonight...
But I will say that we just might have some "artists in hiding" here.

So wonderful to have sweet fellowship, good fun, and wonderful food together with Sisters in Christ...

Enjoy...



Thursday, September 24, 2009

Morning Devotion...

Psalm 84:1
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
The following is a portion from the Proverbs 31 Devotion today by Lysa Terkerst.
It is my prayer for today...and I wanted to share it with you...
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely.
So, I ask God to dwell in me richly.
I want Him to be what radiates about me.
I want Him to be my pretty today.
Not my hair.
Not my outfit.
Not my efforts.
But simply Him
and His spirit dancing invisibly about me...
shifting a wrong attitude,
guarding my words,
and whispering constant truths into my heart.
.
Amen and Amen...
You can read the entire devotion here. Enjoy...
Thank you Lysa for these words this morning.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

WFW # 19 Beach and Babies...


Psalm 78:4 (b)
"...we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
His power, and the wonders He has done.


Monday, September 21, 2009

Tuesdays Together Restart

Time to get this started back. Just to be honest I need the accountability...


So, the reading for this week is from I Corinthians 10-16. Let's get back on track together and be ready to post next Tuesday. I will be here - will you join me?


Also, if any of you want to post on some of your reading while we have taken this break - feel free. We will love to hear from you.


Love my Blogging Friends...


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Back to School?

Visiting with some of my favorite people in this world last night...

Just a small part of our conversation was about a friend of theirs who has gone back to school to get his Doctor of Missions....

Made me start thinking about going back myself....

Here are my thoughts and questions:

(1) What is the real reason why I would even want to do such?

(2) What would be the REAL benefit for my life/ministry?

(3) What degree would I even want?

(4) How in the world would I pay for it?

(5) Am I willing to make the necessary adjustments in my life to do so?

(6) What does the Godly counsel in my life think?


I would love for any and all of you to leave me a comment... your thoughts?

Seriously...




Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Nothing...

Well, after having three posts in one week - I am dry.

I just really have nothing to say.

Surely I will be back on track soon.

Going to the beach again soon - maybe that will renew my writing ability... It sure helps everything else :)

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Pictures of my Warrior on SKYPE












See my previous post.... as I share about the SKPYE technology that we LOVE!

But also... pray for my warrior ---- it is hard for him on the other side of the world too... in a completely different
way. Maybe go to his blog and leave a word of encouragement for him...
Thanks so much for your support, love and prayers :)