Diary Of A Bible

Diary Of A Bible

JANUARY:

A busy time for me.
Most of the family decided to read me through this year.
They kept me busy for the first two weeks, but they have forgotten me now.

FEBRUARY:

Cleanup time.
I was dusted yesterday and put in my place.
My owner did use me for a few minutes last week.
He had been in an argument and was looking up some references to prove he was right.

MARCH:

Had a busy day first of the month.
My owner was elected president of the PTA and used me to prepare a speech.

APRIL:

Grandpa visited us this month.
He kept me on his lap for an hour reading Cor 1:13.
He seems to think more of me than do some people in my own household.

MAY:

I have a few green stains on my pages.
Some spring flowers were pressed in my pages.

JUNE:

I look like a scrapbook.
They have stuffed me full of newspaper clippings - one of the girls got married.

JULY:

They put me in a suitcase today.
I guess we are off on vacation.
I wish I could stay home.
I know I'll be closed up in this thing for at least two weeks.

AUGUST:

Still in the suitcase.

SEPTEMBER:

Back home at last and in my old familiar place.
I have a lot of company.
Two women's magazines and four comic books are stacked on top of me.
I wish I could be read as much as they are.

OCTOBER:

They read me a little bit today.
One of them is very sick.
Right now I am sitting in the center of the coffee table.
I think the Pastor is coming by for a visit.

NOVEMBER:

Back in my old place.
Somebody asked today if I were a scrapbook.

DECEMBER:

The family is busy getting ready for the holidays.
I guess I'll be covered up under wrapping paper & packages again ...just as I am every Christmas.


Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Something To Think About

WELCOME TO THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Press 1 for English.


Press 2 to disconnect until you learn to speak English.




And remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, JESUS CHRIST. And the AMERICAN SOLDIER.


One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.













Have a wonderfully blessed day!

The Cows, The Constitution and The Ten Commandments

I received this email and I thought it was "right on the mark", funny but so true.

Think about this:
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

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COWS
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington ?

And they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering aroundour country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE CONSTITUTION
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq .... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse or Congress is this --you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of politicians .... it creates a hostile work environment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, think about this ... if you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone --
YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

It is time for America to speak up!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Added A Couple of Pictures~

I wanted to let you know that I added a couple of more pictures of my birthday boys from the earlier years. I added them to the post below...the first one for day.

The one where Roger is holding Brandon was the 1st birthday that they shared together. They are pointing at the other ones shirt...they had matching shirts.

The other one is of them after Roger took Brandon on his first dove hunt.

**Please be patient with me...my posting and comment have been few and far between but this week "hopefully" will be the end of two major projects and I will have more free time. I promise...I will be back. Thank each of you for continuing to stop by, even though, I might not have gotten by to see you lately. I MISS YOU GUYS!**

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

The "U" In Jesus

THE U IN JESUS


Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

'Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U.'

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.


Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~The Winner Is...~

Good Morning!

I am running way behind, overwhelmed, overloaded and desperately need to clone myself...more on that later!!!

I wanted to quickly post the winner of the drawing that I just did in celebration of my son, Brandon's life and how God spared his life a year ago when he was in a terrible car wreck in Atlanta, GA. If you missed this post and its pictures...check it out here.

I used a great site to draw my number for me...Random.org. I listed all of my bloggy sisters who asked to have their name put into this drawing...in the order that they posted their comments. I then numbered their name and entered the minimun number as 1 and the maximum number as 7 and let it select my winner.

So...the winner is #3...Tammy at Not My Story, But God's Story. Congratulations, Tammy!!!

Tammy...email me your mailing address and I will get this in the mail to you on Friday.

Thank you all for the wonderful, sweet and encouraging comments that you left for me...we, all...will give God all the praise and glory for His hand of protection on on our families.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Beautiful Sight This Morning~

Where we are located in Arkansas...we very seldom get the snow that is predicted. So, when the weather forecast calls for snow, we laugh and say "yeah, right!". Well, Friday night, they started calling for snow after it had been in the 70's all week...no one expected it or much less, believed it would happen .

You can see that we got snow from the pictures I posted yesterday afternoon. The kids had a blast outside having snowball fights, tackling each other in the snow and getting soaking wet.

They were calling for more snow last night and we were certainly hoping so, but when I went to bed, it had stopped. Tyler woke me up at 12:30 AM to tell me that it was snowing harder than it had all day. I said "yeah!" and went back to sleep.

This is what we woke up to this morning!

It is so beautiful but they say that it will be melting today with temps expected in the upper 30's. What doesn't melt today will tomorrow with temps in the 40's. The rest of the week is crazy too...50's on Tuesday, 60 on Wednesday and back to short sleeves on Thursday in the 70's! Too crazy!!!

The only problem with snow is...my baby girl can't find any place to go "potty"! Her legs are so short and she buries up to her little belly in the snow. It took her about 10 minutes with lots of encouragement to get out there and find a place to go. She paced back and forth on the patio before finally figuring out that she could cut through the flowerbed, walking along the snow covered paver border and along the fence line to an area that wasn't covered in snow. Good girl! She's so smart! :-)

From the warmth of our home and hearts to yours~have a wonderful day!

~Crazy Weather~

We are experiencing the craziest weather this year in Arkansas!

Two days ago, I could have been wearing shorts and flip flops with temperatures in the high 70's and today...it is snowing.

We had gone to my mom's today and while we were there, it started snowing. This is a picture of what it looked like when we drove back home.

This is my yard just two hours later.

Tyler is now outside with his friends looking like the abominable snow man :-0

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Amazing Testimony

Don't forget to leave me a comment until February 20th when I celebrate my 1st year blogging.

I am giving away two beautiful wall crosses to two randomly drawn names of anyone who leaves a comment on my blog.

I posted a picture in my sidebar of the crosses.

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

I have been struggling all day with what to post today...many times today, I wanted to post what was on my mind but I knew it was not what was laid on my heart. Yet...nothing feels really right or especially laid on my heart until now.

This has nothing to do with me but I want to encourage each of you to visit this amazing lady and an extraordinary testimony of God's grace and mercy. I just visited her and once again, my heart is so encouraged...I just had to encourage you to check it out.

Let me introduce to you...Roberta at For HIS Glory. Please visit her and read her testimony from the beginning. She is on part 12 but they are short, easy reading and will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat longing for more. For those of you who don't know...she is Kim at Homesteaders Heart's mother.

Each post that she writes blesses my heart and encourages me so much. Go and get your encouragement today...it is well worth the time to visit her.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Work of the Hands~Pay It Forward Challenge

I was visiting with Tricia over at It's All About Him a few weeks ago and found out about this pay it forward challenge...

It involves blessing 3 someones with a handmade gift! Hand-made gifts represent an investment of two valuable things...love & time.

I do love to make things, but I'm not sure how crafty I would be. I have ideas but the finished product doesn't always turn out like I want them to. So, I hadn't posted this to my blog yet because I was trying to figure out what I could make....I'VE GOT IT! NOW!!! But, I'm not telling you what it is...it will be good though!

I was at a friend's birthday party the other night and she received one of these...it was home made. It looked really easy and I am handy with power tools plus my daddy had a wood working shop...all of it is still in the shop out back.

So I have decided to take part in Tricia's challenge and I was one of the first 3 to comment on her entry. It will made with love!

So here are the rules if you want to take part in this challenge... I think it will be so much fun!

The first 3 bloggers to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand-made item from me. Those 3 bloggers promise to post this challenge on their blog (meaning they too will ‘pay-it-forward’, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers that leave a comment on their blog!!) That's a lot of hand-made love being passed around! ; )

Here's the part I got really excited about...the gift can be anything you choose and any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. Are you up for it? What do you say?

If you are up for the challenge...be one of the first 3 to comment...hurry!!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

~Refining Fire~

I've had this email in my arsenal of inspiring email and wanted to share it with you today. It fits perfectly with all that I have blogged about this week. Enjoy!

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment.

Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once."

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

One Word Answers...About Me

Just To Have A Little Fun on Friday! (Ok...I made a couple one words that weren't)

• Where is your cell phone? Kitchen
• Martial status? Married
• Number of years married? 17.5
• Spouse's name? Roger
• Month of anniversary? February
• Day of anniversary? 23rd
• Your hair color? Brown
• Your mother? Greatest
• Your father? Deceased
• Your favorite thing? Family
• Number of birthdays celebrated? 45
• Month of birth? October
• Day of birth? 20th
• How many children do I have? 4
• What type of family do I have? Blended
• How many boys do I have? 2
• How many girls do I have? 2
• My oldest child's name? Sommer
• My 2nd child's name? Ryan
• My 3rd child's name? Brandon
• My 4th child's name? Tyler
• My oldest child's age? 30
• My youngest child's age? 14
• Any grandchildren? Yes
• Is grandchild a boy or girl? Boy
• How old is he? 7
• His name? Mason
• Favorite past-time? Camping
• Church affiliation? Assembly
• Favorite type food? Mexican
• Favorite restaurant? Margaritas
• Favorite season? Summer
• Favorite article of clothing? Shorts
• Political party? Republican
• Are you employed? Yes
• Furthest place ever traveled to? Quito (Ecuador)
• Favorite vacation spot? Beach
• Desired vacation destination? Grand Canyon (ok, 2)
• Your dream last night? None
• Your favorite drink? Diet Dr. Pepper (ok, 3)
• Your dream/goal? Travel
• The room you're in? Den
• Your fear? Loss
• Where will you be in 6 years? Childless:(
• Where were you last night? Gym
• What you're not? Laidback
• Muffins? Blueberry
• One of your wish list items? Debtless
• Where you grew up? Earle
• Your TV? On
• Your pet? Biscuit
• Breed? Maltese
• Age? 5
• Your computer? MINE
• Your life? Wonderful
• Your mood? Happy
• Missing someone? YES
• Car you drive? Malibu
• Year model? '08
• Color of Car? Gray
• Something you're not wearing? Shoes
• Favorite Store? Kohl's
• Your summer? Relaxing
• Your favorite color? Brown
• When is the last time you laughed? Tonight
• Last time you cried? Week

NOW YOU KNOW :0)

Where Are You?

Are you having doubts today that Jesus is hearing your cries? Are you feeling defeated? Are you sinking and you feel like no one cares? Are you starting to have doubts? Are you feeling discouraged today?

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions...just remember this:

Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

We all know the answer to this question regardless of your circumstance today. The answer yesterday, today and forever will always be "NO"...there is nothing to difficult for God.

Here are just a few of the miracles that Jesus performed when He walked on the earth. Read them, study them and let Jesus speak to you today.

Jesus performed all these miracles just by speaking to the situation that was at hand. If He could do it then, don't you think that He can still do it today.

• Cloud by day & pillar of fire by night (To Guide You)...Exodus 13:17-22 (vs. 21,22)
• Parting of the Red Sea...(Way of Escape)...Exodus 14:13-31 (vs. 21,22)
• Manna and Quail...(His Provision...Food)...Exodus 16:1-34 (vs. 14,15)
• Drinking water from a rock...(Meeting Your Needs)...Exodus 17:1-9 (vs. 6)
• Jesus walks on the water and bids Peter to come to Him...(Faith in Him)...Matthew 14:22-33 (vs. 28-31)
• Jesus heals the leper...(Healing)...Mark 1:40-42
• Jesus calms the storm...(Peace & Faith)...Mark 4:35-41 (vs. 39), Luke 8:22-25 (vs. 24,25)
• Feeding the 5,000...(Meeting Your Needs)...Mark 6:32-44 (vs. 42-44) and John 6:1-14 (vs. 11-13)
• Healing of the deaf-mute...(Healing)...Mark 7:31-37 (vs. 35)
• Drives out evil spirit...(Deliverance)...Luke 4:31-36 (vs. 35)
• Woman with an issue of blood...(Healing & Faith)...Luke 8:43-48 (vs. 48)
• Raising up a dead girl...(Faith)...Luke 8: 49-56 (vs. 52-54)
• Water to wine...(Provision)...John 2:1-10 (vs. 9,10)
• Blind to see...(Healing)...John 9:1-7 (vs. 11)
• Death of Lazarus...(Faith)...John 11:1-44 (vs. 41-44)
• Resurrection of Jesus Christ...(NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE)...Matthew 28:1-10

There is not a single thing that is going on in your life that God cannot change in an instant!

But, we have to pray, give it to Him, leave it there and let Him take control of the situation.

When we give it to Him, it is not our battle to fight anymore but it is His.

Let Him do what He is longing to do today...help you, lead you, guide you, provide for your every need, make a way for you, take your pain away, lift up your head, put joy back in your heart...BE LORD OF YOUR LIFE!

Hebrews 13: 8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:5

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you"Whatever is troubling you today that is out of your control, take it to the Lord in prayer...make your request known to Him.

Philippians 4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition (definite request), with thanksgiving, present your request to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed and restful weekend.

Jennifer

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful today that I have a wonderful husband who loves me in spite of all my faults.

I prayed over 20 years ago that God would send me a wonderful man who:

• Loved Me Completely
• Loved My Son As His Own
• Was A Christian, Godly Man
• Was A Family Man and Wanted To Spend Time With His Family
• Had A Good Job With Steady Income
• Financially Stable

I had so many people to tell me things like..."you don't want much do you?", "you will never find anyone like that these days!" and "keep dreaming, girl!"

Well, I did keep dreaming and praying!

God cares about the "specifics" in our lives and in our families. I was told many, many years ago to pray specifically for what you want from God, even though, He already knows your needs and wants.

I did and He did.

On September 4th, 1990...God brought the most amazing man into my life. He met my criteria and so much more. I married this wonderful man 5 months later. We will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary on February 23rd, 2009!

My wonderful husband, Roger has lived up to what God has commanded him to be and to do...I am so thankful for my Godly husband.

Ephesians 5:22-33

(22) Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. (24) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (26) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, (27) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (28) In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29) after all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - (30) for we are members of his body. (31) "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." (32) This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church. (33) However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

If you want to read about our amazing "Love Story"...go to my archives under "My Love Story" or start in February '08...it has been an amazing, rocky, wonderful and turbulent road...but we are still together and very much in love still.

I love you, Roger!!!

Going Home and The Legacy Left Behind

Yesterday morning all of heaven was rejoicing at one of God's children coming home and this earth felt sorrow at the loss of one of it's most Godly men, Commander Frank.

The caliber of this man is quickly becoming a rarity! He reminds me of someone that I love dearly, who I lost 19 years ago...my daddy. The warmth of his smile, the pat on the back when he spoke to you, called you by name, the gentleness of his spirit and always appeared to be happy regardless of whatever might have been going on in his life...you would never have known. In the 17 years that I knew this wonderful man...I never saw him with anything on his face...except a smile!

He was a man who adored his beautiful wife, Mrs. Peggy...oh, what a precious couple. I could only hope that Roger and I "grow up" to be like them. You could just tell from his affection, behavior and attention that he paid his wife, he was very protective of her. It was obvious that he was devoted to her, cherished her and loved her with everything within him.

His daughters...K and S, he was so proud of his girls and would beam when he spoke their names...the gleam in his eye said it all...he was so proud of them and the young ladies that they had become. His family was his life.

But, when he became "Papa"...now, they were "Papa's pride and joy". The smile on his face when he talked about his three grandchildren was priceless...K, Z and MC...he loved them with all his heart and was very, very proud of each one of them.

The gentleness of his spirit was so profound. His love for his Lord and Savior shone on his face and in the words that he spoke...everyday...not just on Sundays and Wednesdays. He was in church with his family everytime the doors were open.

As the generation of Godly leaders, spiritual head of the household and geniune Christian men (in church and out) seems to be fading away...where their are fewer men, husbands and fathers in church to a growing number of women, wives and mothers taking their families to church...we could all learn from Commander Frank. He truly led by example...a Godly example.

I met him, got to know him and will always refer to him as Commander Frank. You see, when we started going to WM A/G, our oldest son was in Royal Rangers and Commander Frank was the leader of the group. He invested so much into the little lives of all the boys who went through the program and what an impact he had on each of them.

Roger became one of the Royal Ranger leaders and nearly every Wednesday night when he was late coming out...after all the kids had left...I knew where to find him. He was in Commander Frank's office soaking in all the wisdom and knowlege that he was saying about whatever the subject was. When I would appear in the doorway, Commander Frank would just smile from ear to ear and tell Roger...you better get going...we've been caught again. They would share a laugh together because they knew that I would come looking for Roger...ready to take my child home to bed. It didn't stop them because the next week...it was the same thing.

Roger couldn't get enough of Commander Frank then or in the years to come. Every chance he got, especially when he worked in same area as Commander Frank's shop, he was talking to him. He had such an impact of my husband over the years. I believe he invested a lot of time, wisdom and knowlege without ever knowing it. He shared things from his life that will always be so valuable to my husband and he will carry with him through the rest of his life. It's hard for me to believe that anyone could make Roger a better person because he is already totally amazing but I know that Commander Frank did.

Roger said that he always simplified life and what a Christian should be...he led by example. If a person never had a Bible to read about how a Christian should live...all they would have to do is pattern themselves after Commander Frank...a shining example of a Godly man, husband, father and grandfather.

Commander Frank...you will be greatly missed by all who knew you.

You are rejoicing around the throne of your Lord and Savior right now and we will see you again. I hope your mansion is next door to my "hero"...my daddy! You two are one of a kind...get to know each other...so much alike, so much in common.

II Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord

FYI

Just a little FYI...if you want to scroll down and skip the "Gamecock" songs on my playlist after...I Go To The Rock...please feel free.

Just a little football rivalry between the University of South Carolina Gamecocks vs. University of Akansas Razorbacks.

I will remove those two from my playlist later this week:)

Living Deep In The Enemy Territory

Have you ever felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole? Have you lived somewhere since birth but yet you still don't feel like you really belong here? Have you ever felt like you are the only one who believes in something or someone? Were you raised in a home (as you remember it, at least) that was different than most? Did you live in an area but yet, you really didn't support the one thing that seemed to unite most people in your area?

If this seems to sum you up as it does me...

WELCOME TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!

They're back!

Yes, I have lived in Arkansas all my life and as I remember it...no one in my house were Arkansas Razorback fans...that is, not until my brother attended the University of Arkansas. He is a die hard fan now. I could have cared less about any football growing up except for my high school team...all others, well, they were a waste of my precious time. My dad might have watched football on television but I don't remember it running like it does in my house now.

It has started again already....Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays...at least. If that's not bad enough...but try this....

Try living in Arkansas and being married to the University of South Carolina Gamecock #1 fan! No, this is an inadequate statement...Roger is a University of South Carolina graduate, former Gamecock Letterman, former Gamecock defensive end, former Gamecock football captain, son of a former Gamecock offensive and defensive end, as well as a former football captain plus is a brother to a former Gamecock offensive end and football captain....think the Gamecock blood doesn't run deep!

When you marry a Gamecock...you become a Gamecock!!! You take the good, the bad and the ugly...stand by your Gamecocks regardless of their record.

Then, add a little more to that with...we attend WM 1st A/G...home of the most dedicated Arkansas Razorback die hard fan/pastor in history, along with a few Tennessee Vols fans as members too.

Do you think we are outnumbered?

It just keeps getting better....we are surrounded by Razorback fans in our town, in our subdivision and they ALL know we are Gamecock fans. We proudly fly the Gamecock flag outside our house, have had the Gamecock license plates and bumper stickers plus we proudly wear the University of South Carolina Gamecock official football apparel.

Of course, we have been the target of all the SEC jokes in the past, the jabs from the pulpit, the poking fun remarks and we even, had our flag stolen last year after we lost to Arkansas...as a joke! All in good fun.

Hey, but when we win or lose...we always show up for church on Sunday unlike some Tennessee Vols fans...when they lose to the Gamecocks or Razorbacks...they don't come to church.

Yes, Roger is a gracious winner (ok, when we win) and is never obnoxious...he just wears his Gamecock polo to church! I know...it might not be often but it has happened.

Roger just said that is Steve Spurrier can pull it off this year and win...he will be obnoxious...in a nice way, though!

WELCOME TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL....ALL FANS....GAMECOCKS, RAZORBACK AND VOLS:)


Yea...That's my man! Roger #85...in the 1st picture...making the tackle and almost stripping the football away. Picture #2...He is being mobbed by his teammates after picking off a pass in the last seconds of the game against Kentucky...resulting in a 14-14 tie!

Sorry, nothing spiritual on this post...the rivalry has begun again for another season of football.

We love you, Pastor Rusty and friends! Sorry, but that might be the only jab of this season I get to make:) Go Gamecocks!!!!!!!

This Is Powerful!

A friend sent this to me yesterday and the timing couldn't have been better. I was overwhelmed with a very heavy heart for someone very, very dear to me that is not living for the Lord. The choices that they are making and the life that they are living is breaking my heart. I will never stop praying for them to return to the Lord where they belong and I know that God hears every pray that I pray for this person.

This video reminded me that God can take the "BIGGEST MESSES" that we make of our lives and use them for HIS GLORY! For that...I thank you, Heavenly Father that you loved us so much that you sent your only Son that we might have eternal life. I thank you that you are patiently waiting for us to repent and come or return to you. Your Word said that "You will never leave us nor forsake us"...therefore, we are the ones who turn our back on you. You are still standing right where we left you...longing and waiting for us to return to you.

****Scroll down and pause my music...turn your speakers up loud...watch, be blessed and enjoy.

Friends:)

Ok...on a much lighter note today...nothing spiritual or religious...just some humor! A friend sent this to me and I loved it...too good not to share especially since the subject of "FRIENDS" has been heavy on my heart over the past few months and I will be blogging more on the subject later.

BUT, this is a good way to view friendship and your friends...I hope my friends feel the same way about me! I just thought I was share this humor with you guys! Laughter and smiling is good for the soul:)

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. No, cute little smiley faces or dancing flowers...just the stone cold truth of a great friendship.

• When You Are Sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• When You Are Blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
• When You Smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
• When You're Scared -- We will high tail it out of here.
• When You Are Worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
• When You Are Confused -- I will use little words.
• When You Are Sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
• When You Fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off.

This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND! Friendship is like peeing in your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

What Kind of Friend Are You?

Have you ever needed someone to talk to because something was bothering you? You needed someone to confide in? Have you ever needed someone that you could trust to listen, offer good, sound advice but most of all...keep your secret? I would think that we all have from time to time in our lives.

Just as I am sure that we all have been "burned" by a "friend" who went and blabbed our "secret" to someone else. We were hurt, humiliated, angry, left feeling vulnerable, violated and lonely.

As I have been reading and studying God's Word...God holds us to a very high standard. One that tells us to keep our mouths shut, watch what we say and to whom we say it to, keep our confidences and be people of integrity, choose our words carefully and to realize the power of the tongue...we can either help and heal or destroy and kill...JUST WITH OUR MOUTHS AND THE WORDS THAT WE ALLOW TO COME OUT OF IT! Wow...can we say....SELF CONTROL?

Proverbs 18:21
What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. (Good News)

The Bible is full of scriptures on our mouths, tongue, words...what to speak and what not to speak. God felt it was a very important lesson for us to learn...have we? Let's look at a few more verses.

Proverbs 11:2,3
(2)People who are proud will soon be disgraced. It is wiser to be modest. (3) If you are good, you are guided by honesty. People who can't be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty. (Good News)

Proverbs 11:12,13
(12)It is foolish to speak scornfully of others. If you are smart, you will keep quiet. (13) No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy. (Good News)

Proverbs 12:18
Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. (Good News)

Psalms 39: 1
I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." (New Revised Standard)

James 1:26
Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. (Good News)

We need to constantly be thinking about what is going to come out of our mouths BEFORE it comes out! I am a guilty as the next person of opening my mouth and inserting my foot...all the way up to my hip...but I have become more and more aware of my thoughts that I allow to become formed into words before they exit my mouth. I don't want to be guilty of my words cutting or to maim another person, a family member, my spouse, my child, my friend or someone who needed me to be there for them and to help them by encouraging them or lifting them up...not tearing them down. This can be done directly in our words we speak to them or by what we say behind their back...gossip, betrayal of their trust...

I looked up "maim" in my thesaurus and these are some other words that might bring a newer, more visual meaning to that word:

• batter
• cripple
• deface
• disable
• disfigure
• injure
• lacerate
• mangle
• maul
• massacre
• mutilate

Do you want to be guilty of doing this to another person? I certainly don't. Let's all make a commitment today to watch our words carefully BEFORE they come out of our mouths. Put your brain in gear before you put your mouth in gear! Also, to be a trustworthy friend to someone to confides in you. Your betrayal can do as much damage if not more to that person when you break that confidence than if you were to speak nasty, mean words directly to their face. You might cause more damage because you will have destroyed their trust in you and possibly others they would have confided in...in the future. Sometimes, we will never know the damage that our words and actions have on the other person because they may never let you know...but the damage is still very much alive and real to them...it runs very deep too.

I have to say that God has blessed me with a number of awesome, trustworthy friends that I can go to in a time of need...some just listen and let me talk, others offer advice, some just give you a hug and tell you that they love you and are praying for you. Each one is unique and I am tremendously blessed to have each one of you in my life....thanks for being the type of friend that God has called you to be.