5 Things I Know For Sure...

I have decided to make this post interactive.

I am going to "Tag" two other bloggers at the end and you are to post about "5 Things You Know For Sure" Copy this section at the top of your post and include a link to the blog of the person who tagged you. Have fun and be creative!

1) God is good all the time!

2) There must be more milk in one gallon than in two halves because we can go through two half gallons in a week, but if I buy a whole gallon - there is always left over!

3) Class held on Saturday in a real drag>especially when its Halloween!

4) I would kiss the guy who invented the BlackBerry - but maybe not on the lips!

5) Time flies when you are having fun (in life!)

I tag Nikki Christian and April Lowery!

A MUST SEE!

I got this in an email today and I just HAD to share!!!

Thank You Lord...

For the Bible!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

One of the results of the recent revival of my soul that I have experience is the renewal of my love and hunger for the Word of God. So, when I looked for a verse for today, this one was perfect!

I had an opportunity this weekend to make some wonderful pictures. I am going to share them with you before I edit them at all. So, be kind! These will be awesome one I get my computer on them!

This with a little more saturation will be awesome!

The Grand Cahaba after a season of floods.

Hanging out at the barn.

Okay he hates pictures but he loves be so maybe he will forgive me :)

I cannot wait to see this is sepia! I take his pic by this shed every fall!

Cheeze!!

Breathtaking Beauty!

Jenna is one of the most animated toddlers I know. ALWAYS thinking!

Sweet Cheeks! McKenna is a doll!

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

I first reflected on this verse a few months ago when I was reading and working through "Glory Revealed" by David Nasser. When I saw it again on a blog post, I KNEW God was bringing it before me for a reason. This verse packs a powerful punch in just a few short words.

First "The Lord your God is with you," Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel all alone in whatever you are experiencing? I can remember the moment when Carys was diagnosed and it was just me, her, and the doctor in the Ultra Sound Room. When I think of that, I remember the moment that I felt the Holy Spirit come over me and it was like really large, strong arms just gave me a big hug. I, as a child of God can rest in the fact that I am NEVER alone. If I feel that way, it is because I - not God - is distance. Just like I have to accept His free gift of salvation, I also have to make a conceious effort to accept His presence daily in my life.

"he is mighty to save."I have to remember that the most impressive thing God has ever done for me is accepting me through the blood of Jesus. The fact that He will look on me, or answer my prayers when I am so unworthy is an AWESOME part of His character. If He can/will do this, He is mighty to do ANYTHING!

"He will take great delight in you," WOW! He delights in ME? The only way I know to explain this is that once I accept the blood of Jesus as payment for my sins, God can then view the works I do in His name and delight in them becasue He views them through the blood!


"he will quiet you with his love,"Oh man. Did I need this! I bet if you ask Justin (or my kids or students) they would tell you that my biggest problem is that I am loud! The other day I bought some new lotion. Justin said, "That is kinda loud." I said, "Well, you are always telling me how loud I am!" I recently have discovered that sometimes, this loudness can be a vice. Sometimes, God wants me to speak softly to people or not speak to them at all - just pray. This is a new area of mististry that I need to explore. It is just a big part of my personality to try and talk since into people. I can sometimes see how that is a gift from God, but other times I believe He is calling me to quite prayer. How can I be transformed in to a quiet being? According to The Word - I must let HIM do it with His love!

and finally,

"he will rejoice over you with singing." If there is one thing I really want right now it si to know that God rejoices over me and my strides to serve Him. I realized that this post may be for no one but myself, but thats okay! I think in order for God to rejoice over me, I have to be willing to once again, die to self an let Him do a work in me.

Teaching The Narrow Way

^{Matthew 7:13-14
13} “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

This is a portion of scripture that the preacher used at our revival last night. This was not his message, but I heard loud and clear what God wanted me to know about this. I guess you could say I received a double-blessing because God sent me Brother Shannon's message and this one!

As you know I take the verse "pray without ceasing"(1 Thessalonians 5:17) to heart particularly in the area of parenthood. I KNOW that my biggest mission field God has given me is my children. When I think about ways to live out scripture in front of them, it is not always easy. However, I can see through God's Word how this path can lead to the greatest blessing. Consider Hannah, she devoted her parenting to God's will as she returned Samuel to the prophet for training as soon as he had stopped nursing. How proud she must have been to be his mother. her devotion to God's will was very rewarding.

So, when I reflect upon this portion of Jesus' sermon: "broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." - it makes me think. These are the things that you do NOT have to teach kids. Sin nature is born into each of us. Yes, my precious children are sinners. I do not have to teach them how to break the Ten Commandments. They are born knowing how to do that. You do not have to teach the way that leads to destruction - many will go that way on their on.

But, Jesus did not stop there. He then said," Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." This is what I have to teach my kids; the narrow way. And because I am not perfect. I cannot fully teach them this way, but can only lead them to it. I cannot take them "through the gate" that leads to Christ and eternal life - they must find it. But I CAN lead them there by my actions and making choices that please God.

Jesus goes on in Matthew 7 to talk about bearing good fruit. I believe this is the way that I can lead my children to the narrow gate. If they see my joy, happiness, and true excitement about following Jesus they will seek to find - and hopefully enter into - the narrow way.

So, I must set out to bear good fruit in my life and be excited about doing right even when it might not lead to earthly gains - because what are they anyway!

Please pray for this precious girl. Her name is Hannah Grace Harrison.

She is undergoing a second MRI today to determine the exact details of an "areas of concern" that showed up on her MRI on Wednesday.

Her parents are Marci and Jarrod. They are WONDERFUL people beacuse the serve a WONDERFUL Savior. Hannah Grace has been through a surgery, chemo, radiation, a stem cell transplant and a 40 day stay in the PICU with complications from the SC transplant.

You can see how great she looks. Please pray for peace, comfort, and guidence and they make decisions concerning her care. I really love these people and my heart is aching for them. Please pray that God provides all the things they need that we cannot provide.

Please visit her site www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgraceharrison and leave a note or prayer.

The Bond of Perfection

I am NOT perfect! (I know, BIG shock!)

I recently came across a blog called "At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2" It is a blog by Christian women who write about being godly women, wives, mothers...just women! I got today's scripture and thought from there...


But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:14-17

Like I said, I am not perfect. But God's Word says that Love is the bond of perfection. Sometimes I really struggle with all of my "roles" - what a good psychological term! Ya'll know what I mean. All this "stuff" I am supposed to do. I am painfully aware that sometimes the most important stuff - being a follower of Christ, wife and mother - take a back seat to other stuff in my life. Don't get me wrong, I BELIEVE that this path I am pursuing is in God's will for my life. However, He does still give me choices and the free will to prioritize those things that He puts in my path.

Sometimes others don't get this. Justin and I are very busy, but sometimes we just have this overwhelming desire to STAY HOME! Play games, watch movies, make crafts, playoutside (when it is not raining:) just be home! Why? Cause we love our family and our home.

Anyways...One of my biggests struggles is this: "How do I know that I am doing the BEST for my family?" Like I said, I have covered my path in prayer and feel confident that I am pursuing God's Will, but I am still aware that my duties to my family come first! So, after praying over Colossians 3:14-17 I have decided this...

Above everything I do, I must LOVE. This is the most basic premis of God's will for my life. Love of God, my family and others will produce peace in my heart which is a blessing that only God can provide to let me know He is pleased with the love I have shown. I MUST stay in God's word, hiding its truths in my heart while making His Word alive to others through my actions (Faith, Hope and you guessed it LOVE). And whatever I prayfully decided is best for my family, I must do it as though it is my MINISTRY (unto the Lord.) ALL things in my life, whether I am taking them in, or living them out MUST be to God's glory.

These words give me HOPE. Hope that God is there to guide me through my journey. He has provided everything neccesary for me to be successful - which to me means fulfilling the many calls he has placed on my life. He has given His Son, His Word, His Spirit all to help me along this journey.

So moms, do not be discouraged in this busy world we live in! Just take a moment to reflect upon the Word of life and reconnect with God about the priorities in your life. And remember. "put on love, which is the bond of perfection"
God Bless

Sawyer

Okay. so I felt really bad all day that I had posted a "no-Sawyer" post this morning. I could not wait to get out of school so that I could correct that! So here is an ALL Sawyer post :)
He is a MONKEY!

He is a HUNTER!

He is a FISH!

He's a CLOWN!

He is a LOOKER!

He is SAWYER!

And I LOVE HIM!

"D-Day"

Okay, this post is going to be interesting. I cannot promise that it will flow or even make since as I have still not quite wrapped my mind around the subject.

Today, 10/12/09 is the two year anniversary of Carys's diagnosis.

I will NEVER forget that day...the date, the events, or the outcome.

I don't want to leave the impression that this date is met every year with a sort of dread, but certainly with mixed emotions. I mean, its over, right? Who can ever really tell? But yet, I have this indescribable feeling in my gut that Carys's cancer battle has ended forever! (Praise God!)

When I look at her, it is so hard to believe where she has been. Emotionally, she dealt with this better than a lot of kids we know. Physically, she could not be more perfect. Sure, she has minor issues and we never know what is around the bend, but just look at her!Have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your entire life?!? I have not!

I guess my apprehension begins when I think about how our lives were changed on that day. Was it for the worst or the better? I also think about the friends we met along the way. The other evidences of God's Almighty hand at work in so many ways. Some of them (Like Hannah Grace Harrison, Alex Swadder, Carolyn Thompson, Carly Parker and MANY more) join Carys in the "off-treatment" catagory and are living breathing examples of God's healing power. Others (like Alexis Gilley, Jackson Leach, Trevor Moultrie, Kristyn Pruitt and MANY more) are still undergoing treatments to make SURE the beast is gone.

And then there is another group (two particularly) that I cannot get off my mind today. The Heavenly Suvivors! Most notibly in my mind *because I knew them both* Megan Brittian and Tucker Beam. Today, to remember the impact that CANCER has had on our lives, I am gonna tell you about one of these heroes.

Megan Brittian - literally, the FIRST child I ever talked to with cancer. Carys was diagnosed on Friday night, the next day the B'Ham Zoo put on a presentation in the lobby with some cool animals. I sat in the kiddie chairs with Carys to watch. A bright-eyed ball-headed girl came and sat down beside us. She looked at Carys and saw her room number on her braclet. "Is she in 4-tower(oncology floor)?" Megan asked. I knew what she wanted to know, "Yes," I replied, "She has just been diagnosed." I remember the excitment in Megan's eyes. I know this sounds kinda crazy, but I now know that it was excitement over having a "buddy." Someone to play with and teach the ropes of the hospital and such.

I learned a lot from Megan that day. She told me some stuff about clinic and 4 tower that I thought I would not need to know based on Carys' FIRST treatment plan. But, as God would have it, I did need to know that stuff and I just remember thinking, God sent her to me! Again, as God would have it Megan was a patient of Dr. Haines. So, we became Friday clinic buddies. She helped Carys learn how to charm and get stuff from the nurses of Clinic 8 - I still think of her when Carys asks for extra band-aids or such from them! We watched Megan fight her battle like a true hero. I never remember seeing her when she was not smiling or playing a pratical joke on someone! She taught us that life after diagnosis did not have to be all "doom and gloom!" If you have seen that attitutde in us, happy and upbeat, and wondered where it came from... Well, I know God sent her to us, but it was MEGAN who taught us how to Praise Him in our storm!!

Soon, I learned that Megan's mother had already moved to Heaven after fighting breast cancer for years. Today, I picture Megan and her mom, in heaven getting ready for worship! Maybe they are combing eachother's hair!!!! I bet she is beautiful there! I know God is proud of her. The most important thing God taught me was about faith. I should KNOW that this life is temperary and when you find yourself in the place where Megan and Carys were, there are only TWO options. Realize you have cancer and continue to Praise God or realize you have cancer and be sad. What is the point in the second? There are also two options of the outcome IF you are a Christiain...1) be healed on earth or 2) be healed in heaven...BOTH OF WHICH ARE GOOD! Megan, we miss you but are SO glad that you are there with Jesus and your Mom! We cannot wait to see you again!

Parenting Tip From God's Word

^{What a cool command from God's Word! Check it Out!}

^{DEUT 6:5-8
5} Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Wasted Grace...

I was listening to the Christan station WDJC the other day, and I heard a pastor say "Don't waste your Grace."

So, I began to think about what this meant. I am completely clear that I am in no danger of running out of God's grace, so there must be some other implications.

I was so inspired by this phrase, that I knew God had something for me to study and write about. This is sort of a mixture of several thoughts, so I hope it makes so since to you.

1) God's grace is not like fuel. Some make this comparison because it is what keeps us going from day-to-day. However, here is where the analogy falls short...We put a certain about of gas in our car, if we do not put more in there, we will eventually run out. This is NOT how God's grace works! His Grace is Sufficient! That means always there, always ready, always able to see us through. He does not just give us a certain amount and that is it!

2) Grace is like fuel. Think about it. If you sit in your driveway with your car idling or drive around town for no reason, what happens to your fuel??? IT IS WASTED. Therefore, we try to make the most out of the trips we make so that we can get the most out of our fuel! How do you think God feels about the grace He gives us. When looks down and sees us just idling... not really working for Him, not really going anywhere, just idling. I think He might feel like we are WASTING HIS GRACE!! He gave it to us because He loves us and wants to see us put it to good use. If you get in your car and go to the store, buy groceries, pay bills, and return home you have accomplished something with your fuel...

What does it look like to accomplish something with God's grace??? Here are a FEW things I think of... We can use God's grace to...

1) lead others to know Christ as Savior
2) make choices that honor God
3) overcome sin and satan's influence
4) grow Fruit of the Spirit
5) cultivate Fruit in others

These are just a few... take a little time during your day and ask yourself:

AM I WASTING GOD'S GRACE??

Preparing for Revival

I am so excited about our upcoming revival at church. Honestly, I believe it has already begun! What a wonderful feeling to experience God working not only in my own heart, but seeing the Spirit move in the lives of others.

So, I have been doing a lot of self-reflection and study to prepare my heart for the message God has for me and my family. I have heard a lot of talk about "blessings" recently; and it got me thinking.

How much time do we spend praying for God to bless us in some way? In Sunday School, we have been studying Psalms. In this book, God used the heart and words of David to reveal so much about Himself to us. And so this got me thinking some more (are ya'll tired of me thinking yet?:)

Would God rather I ask Him for blessings, or ask Him to use me as a blessing? I can think of some real ways God has allowed me to be part of His ministry to others. I cannot write words to describe the way this makes my heart feel!

Have you ever asked God to do something big for you? I have - and I realized that 9 times out 0f 10, it is for Him to do something good for me. Fix something, heal something, change something. Are there ever times when you ask God to just make your really uncomfortable? People still look at me weird when I tell them how truly thankful I am for Carys' illness. I mean, I am so very thankful for her healing and health now, but I am talking about the journey.

Justin and I were telling a friend last night about some symptoms Carys used to exhibit when she was on treatment. I could tell by the look on his face that he was shocked my the way we told the story. Like it happened to someone else rather than us! But I remember listening to "Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me. It was like a conversation with God. I knew He had a plan, held us in His hands, and I just wanted so badly so let others see that faith.

I have been dealing with some life issues very different from Carys' sickness lately. It seems that I had lost some of that wonderful perspective that God had blessed me with during her illness. So, I spent some time praying over these situations. I am posting the music video to "Bring the Rain" maybe it will help you see that God's greatest requirement of us is our willingness to let Him work through us...no matter what that means to our "life." I am asking God to put me in whatever situation will best bring glory to Him, despite how that might mean LISTEN TO THE WORDS!!




I have been surrounded by so many people who are so worried about themselves and their feelings. It just amazes me, what ever happend to "Do right till the stars fall" that I used to hear about on the Psalty Tapes (wonder if they still make thoses???) I am gulity of it myself! Sometimes I think, "What am gonna do if this happens?" "What if this does not work out?" Oh my, I needed remining that GOD already has all of this worked out! If I am focused on serving Him, and loving others, loving my husband, raising my kids... it will be okay.

So then I started searching for a spiritual barometer of sorts. Some scripture or thought that I could use to see if there was "fire in by bones" as Jeramiah says. Then, this song came on the radio. I love it, knew God wanted me to share it. However, my type A mind could not fingure out how to make it "fit." So, I decided when I was looking for the other video, to serach this song. There were several videos but this was "IT"! If this does not get you excited, maybe teary-eyed, and make you just want to go out and tell some one about Jesus... then something is WRONG with you!

Watch, listen, enjoy, PRAY!



God Bless You All!

Awesome Song

I Love this...

It speaks for itself....

P.S. Justin, I LOVE YOU :)