Sharing a poem about Pride

Hello Blog World!

Been a long time since I have been here.

Would like to say that I will try to do better. But I have done that several times in the past. So, for today, I have a poem that I want to share with you.

For many years now, I have used Beth Moore's "Praying God's Word" as a tool during devotions. Not always and not consistently, but today I picked it up again. Just turned to the page marked from the last visit. It was on on the chapter, "Overcoming Pride". And I once again read the poem that she has printed. I didn't just skim it (as often happens in a re-read). I read it again. So, I share it with you today. (if anyone still reads) Maybe someone else needs to read it too. Certainly, I am reminded that pride is a tool that the enemy uses in my life to try to defeat me.

My name is Pride.  I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...

because you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...

because you are too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision...

because you had rather look out a window than in a mirror.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...

because nobody is going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...

because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's Glory...

because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride.  I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I am always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you'll stick with me,

You will never know.

My name is Pride.  I am a cheater....

Does it speak to you, as it has to me?  For the local people... goes along with the sermon series we have been hearing this summer, huh?  Pride is not "poor in Spirit"... Pride is not "mourning"... Pride is not "meek"...Pride is not "hungering and thirsting after righteousness"... Pride is not "merciful"... Pride is not "pure in heart"... Pride is not "peacemaking".

My Bible reading today was from Amos.  So, I leave with the Scripture that jumped off the page to me this morning.

(Amos 5:14)  Seek good and not evil, that you may live... 

(Amos 15:15)  Hate evil and love good... 

Pride is probably the biggest hinderance from doing so...

Thoughts to share?:  I would love to hear some...

Wanting to Write

Today, I went to a Writer's Workshop.

My mind is full. I learned at lot. And I hope that I will have the inspiration to once again be consistent here. I want to write - - Blogs, Magazine Articles and Books.

Dreaming...

and desiring to put feet to the dreams...

Hopefully more coming soon!

Happy New Year 2011!

I have a couple of thoughts that I want to share on the first day of this new year (1/1/11).

I am not one to promote or make resolutions. But I have found that there are benefits to setting goals. I do not have all of mine settled in my mind and heart as of today... but am definitely pondering a few. I plan to share more specifics soon.

I know that one will be in my Bible reading. I want to spend MORE time in the Word consistently. I will have a reading plan. I will have a specific study (or several over the course of the year). And I want devote more time to reading good books.

"I believe it's absolutely crucial that you and I slow our pace and
discipline our time in order to be in the Word of God on a daily basis.
Why? Because when we're not in the Word-- reading it through
consistently-- we forget who our God is and what He expects and requires.
We have a tendency to rationalize our humanity and and forget His
holiness." (Kay Arthur)

Good encouragement for that first goal!

Secondly, I plan to continue running. I will sign up for a race or two... because I need the commitment to make me consistent in my training. (Michael Hiatt's blog gives good reasons)

Third, I want to blog consistently again. That will mean discipline in my time (away from FB) and discipline in writing.

Just a few quick thoughts for today....

What about you? Do you set goals for yourself? Sometimes that is the push/shove/encouragement that we need to just get started. Share them with someone. Put it out there. And then -- let's get started....

Relaxing...

We are home tonight and we feel as if it is the first night in forever that we have nothing to do.

Relaxing - and yet - both seem to be struggling with the feeling that we should be doing something. That means that it has been too long.

But this is just the way that life is sometimes. Busy. Draining. Emotional. Fun. Stressful. Physical. Painful. Hurting. Joyful. And the complicated task of juggling it all.

So, for my blogging buds... I have missed visiting your blogs. And if I still have anyone reading mine after this time of such inconsistancy... I will tell you that I will once again try to be more consistant. But I make no promises. You see, I do not know what tomorrow holds.

But I do know who Holds Tomorrow. And He will give strength for the journey.

And if you will leave me a comment and let me know that you are still coming around - I promise to come and visit with you. I promise.

Is Facebook an Addiction?

I am still having trouble getting back into the routine of blogging on a consistent basis.

It is not that I do not have things to blog about. I have several going on in this head of mine.

I think the truth of the matter is that I have spent entirely too much time on Facebook.

Now, I am not saying that I am against it or that I plan to take a break from it. No, I really am so thankful for my FB connections. It has given me the opportunity to re-connect with long lost friends. It is a wonderful way to connect with those in our present day "world." ie - church family. It is such a good way to stay connected with our REAL (flesh and blood) family.

It is simply a way to know and be known. Does that make any sense?

While I might not have the time (or actually take the time) to write a letter. I may not even have/take the time to write an email. But when I sign on my Facebook page, I can quickly see an update on the people in my life. Then I have the opportunity to respond or not. It only takes a minute. The connection is made.

Today is a good example. I had just talked to my Jonathan by IM. My heart was aching. I posted about it on my status:

once again... time with my soldier this morning on IM... makes me happy and sad... I just hate it when he says "my time is up... I have to go"

I sit and stare at the screen... and pray...

And the support/connections began. Such sweet manna to this Mother's heart. Support. Love. Prayers. None of which took much time - from me or from my fb world. But it was real. And it blessed me more than can be expressed.

So, I have no intentions to give up my Facebook.

But... I may need to limit my time there.

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!

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.

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...

A Father's Perspective

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

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!

Busy... Busy... Busy

A night with boomama and Trent Monk

Tonight was the night...

Went to Sophie's house.

Met with other Birmingham Bloggers.

Had wonderful entertainment by Trent Monk...

WOW - what a musician!

Sweet fellowship. (Gayle, Sophie, and Me)

Thank you Sophie - for opening your home and inviting us in. And for letting us sit and enjoy listening to Trent.

I told you when I walked in that you were a brave soul - but I change that... you are a precious soul!

And we are blessed by having spent some time with you in your home. That is what hospitality is all about.

Sweet Blessings to you!

NEW BLOG DESIGN

I am SO excited. I feel like a little girl with a new "outfit". All complete. All matching :)

Tell me what you think?
(And don't forget to add your name to my "followers")

Thanks to Amy at Split Decisionz!

Blogging Friends Following...

Hey Friends,

Blogger has added a new feature... Look to the right sidebar.
Click on the *Follow this blog* and add your name. Then if you want it too, add the widget to your blog and leave me a comment and I will come and "follow" your blog.....

I like this idea.

I want to see your pretty faces when I sign on :) (and if you do not have a pic - at least I will have your name)

Hal's Perspective

Hal has posted on our Helping Homes Blog about his perspective of last week.

Blessings,
DeeDee

Vacation

Time Away

A whole Week

Can I say just how wonderful it was?

Hal and I took some much needed time away. We worked on a couple’s retreat that we will be leading in the winter. I worked on my fall classes. Hal worked on some of his stuff. We read lots. We relaxed in the hot tub. We ate out. He took me to the outlet malls. We always wind up at a book store. And you know that I just HAD to go by Chicos. We bought a dozen “HOT NOW” Krispy Kreme Donuts. And ate most of them (not all that night – even though I could have!)

We are rested. We are re-focused. We are energized.

Time away is good.

Getting back home is even better after a time away.

I have lots of ideas/plans for my blogs. I guess that means I am not brain-dead anymore. Rest is good for the brain. I will share more later.

Love and Blessings,
DeeDee

Helping Homes Blog

We really are re-starting the Helping Homes Blog.

I have posted a blog giving a little insight to our "planning" time away. - Day One .
www.halanddeedee.blogspot.com


:)

Blessings,
DeeDee

Writer's Block

There is a reason that I have not posted in such a long time.

I have "writer's block".

Not really sure why...
but I do.

Maybe the adrenaline that held up and kept me going through Jonathan's coming home from Iraq - and then the wedding - and then the women's banquet that quickly followed - when it (the adrenaline) was gone ... it was GONE.

Haven't really felt that tired - but just have no thoughts. Guess I am brain dead. LOL

You know - that is not so funny - because it really is so true.

Maybe more will be coming soon.

Love and Blessings,
DeeDee