HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTA CALA!!!!!!!!! HOPE YOU HAVE MANY MORE. WE LOVE YOU!!

Learning Experiences

It was about a year ago when I first ventured onto the internet by myself. Then in the spring of this year I began to blog. The more I have explored and read the better I have gotten at surfing and working with different components of blogging. I have consulted the help links. I have gone to veteran bloggers for instructions. I have attended a class on basic Word. But the applications that have really stayed with me are the ones I have learned by trial and error. I guess it is because of all the time and work invested to reach the desired result.

Learning spiritual lessons has not been any different, except I have been training since childhood. Early growth came from receiving instruction and discipline from my mother. I listened to my Sunday School teachers and my grandmothers. When I learned to read, Bible story books taught me right from wrong through accounts of the heroes of old. I even attended Bible college. But the lessons that I am reminded of most often are the ones I have learned from my trails and triumphs.

There is a group of ladies called the Chapelaires. They are a gospel singing group from my old home church. One song that captures the essence of this post is called, “That’s just His way”. It goes like this.

He lets me walk down roads of disappointment. He watches and He knows what’s best for me. My greatest strength comes through my darkest trial. And my greatest joy is knowing that He can trust in me.
Chorus: That’s just His way, of telling me He loves me. A love beyond all human understanding. I won’t question trials that bring me to my knees. That’s just His way of telling me He loves me.
If I’m successful walking through this dark valley, I know He’ll give me strength to climb the highest hill. The more I’m tried the better He can mold me. To change my life completely, to fit His perfect will.

Life lessons are not always easy but they can always be profitable. Observe the righteous. Avoid the ungodly. Make note of your mistakes and how they were remedied. Let your failures be the pavement for your road to success. Let your sins be few and your prayers be many. Always remember that God loves you and will be with you through all your ups and downs. And when you are tried, you will come forth as pure gold.

6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:6-9

What's In Your Back Yard?

Sometimes life hands you lemons...and sometimes we get them because we planted a lemon tree in our backyard and then seem to be surprised at the fruit that it bears. I've planted my share of lemon trees. Sometimes you cannot even hope for lemonade from the sour mess you've made. You know how lemon juice burns in a cut or when you've gotten it on your hands or rubbed your eyes? I do too. You can bet I will be more careful about the seeds I sow in the future. It is one thing when you live in Florida where citrus is expected and even flourishes. But when you're in cotton country, you're better off knowing how to take a flour sack and make a dress to cover your nakedness when you have shown your behind...

When Will I See You?

One evening last week, CWGIII called me. He said, "when am I going to see you?" My heart just melted. I was disappointed that I was at work and couldn't go at that very moment. I assured him that his uncle and I would be up for a visit as soon as possible.

Sunday after church we made the 60 mile trek to Paris. We even did the drive through thing for lunch. I knew my golden boy would waiting. Notice I didn't say patiently waiting. He always greets me with a list of stuff to do while I am there. I cherish the time we have together.

The first thing we did; he rode the skateboard and I watched. He likes sports but he needs to work on his balance skills. Instead of skating standing up, he rode the board sitting down. I tried to help him ride it the right way, but that was too restrictive for him. Soon we were both sweaty and winded so we went inside to cool off.

Then he showed me an effortless and painless way to skate. He had a new game for his Xbox. We designed our own skating park. We gave the skater and his board a new look. Then his hands began a frenzy of motion. His hands seem to be more coordinated than his legs. I patted his back and played with his hair all the while he worked the controls. That's how we played.

You see, it wasn't what we did that was important. It was that we did it together. I know he would love to wrestle the way we used to when he was smaller. He would be overjoyed if I lived close by and could play everyday. I would be too. But things change as we age. Quality becomes more important than quality. He may not know that now, but he will in time.

Sometimes I hear God saying, "when am I going to see you?" He knows all and sees all, but His desire is to fellowship with me. He has things He wants to tell me. He wants to hear my prayers. My time with Him is sometimes limited by circumstances. Yet I know that I find time for those who are important to me. If I only have a few minutes, they need to be quality minutes. He does not require a certain quantity of time, just my whole life. I must give Him quality time.

When will I see Him? When He comes for His bride. I want to be ready. How about you?

Updates

I have to be careful about not complaining about this job I have. It was an answer to prayer, but lately I have been working so much that the blog has been put on the back burner. I guess most of my creative energy is spent creating a life here at home. The last 2 or 3 Saturdays I've spent doing much needed chores like shampooing the carpets and cleaning out closets getting ready for fall. And that's okay. It is possible to spend too much time in the virtual world and not enough time in the here and now.

We are doing okay, though. So do not worry. For the time being, we both are working. CWGIII has an ear infection and is on antibiotics. His tubes have come out of the eardrum and are in the ear canal. We will be taking him back to his specialist at Vanderbilt when the infection clears up some. We got glowing reports from his teachers. He tested out at almost the 3rd grade level in Reading and Math. I am very thankful for this, as it makes my life easier. I try not to worry about what I might be in store for on down the road. And pray every day that he continues on the right path.

Sista Cala has a birthday coming up on the 26th, so be sure and stop by her place or post her a birthday wish here on that day. I believe she will be 44! My how time flies. I have learned a lot from her throughout the years, and I am enjoying her devotions on her blog and here on Worship Wednesday. Baby sister, Kerry, had a birthday on the 18th. She is just now getting online. Maybe I can get her to blogging someday, although my nephew, C.B. keeps her quite busy with taking the door hinges off and the hinges off his toybox. He is 3 1/2. LOL. My sisters are truly a blessing to me.

Leave me some comments and let me know how things are going your way. I think of you all often. Til next time, take care!

Worship Wednesday

Want more out of life? Keep on living for Jesus, keep on seeking His face, keep knocking, and keep on praying.


Many thanks to Source of Joy Graphics for the artwork. Check out her website for more great Christian graphics.

Rave Reviews

I have finished reading Lisa Bergren's two latest novels, The Begotten andThe Betrayed. For avid readers of Christian historical fiction, you will not be disappointed as this epic unfolds.

And when you read the last lines of the second, you will wish that the third was already in print. You will be transported to a century in which the Church as you know it did not exist, but the forces of good and evil battle to the death to bring enlightenment to the masses. "The Gifted," as they are called, are a wondeful mix of colorful characters that include a priest, a knight, a lady, a fisherman, a servant, a child, and a gifted one yet to be revealed.



I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when I began reading. I was wondering if the book was a pro-Catholic slant. However, after a few chapters, you begin to realize that Lisa's portrayal is that of the only Church that existed at the time, and that the Gifted are on the very cusp of the winds of change. The revelations and gifts that each of the Gifted are blessed with are new to even themselves, and it is a marvelous thing to watch the gifts unfold in their lives. The evil they are fighting is a very real stronghold with very real powers. I love the way Lisa has portrayed evil as a very concrete force in our lives that we must determine to conquer with God's help.

Lisa paints her scenes in vivid imagery and has the ability to hold you, dare I say "spellbound" with her plot. As a rule, I read not only for pleasure, but I read to garner lessons on writing. My inner critic emerges, but I must say there was little found, if anything, to be improved upon. Overall, I give Ms. Bergren's novels a 4-star review, and I trust you will also enjoy these works. They can be found at Amazon.com. For more reviews, go here to take the blog tour. You might find some new blogs that you enjoy and make some new friends along the way.


Quick Synopsis of The Begotten: When the Church compiled wrote the Christian canon, it is possible that they left some of Paul's letters out. Now, in Book 1 of The Gifted series, in 1339, a letter that is half a millennium old has resurfaced, telling of a group of people with special spiritual gifts called the Gifted. Now the Gifted must find each other and band together against the people who wish to destroy them out of fear, as well as the deadly Sorcerer, Satan's minion. While they struggle to stay alive, they work to uncover a secret that will determine the ultimate fate of the world. Paperback


Quick Synopsis of The Betrayed: A religious thriller. An epic historical. An award-winning author with one million books in print. Second in the breathtaking trilogy. The first book in Lisa T. Bergren's Gifted trilogy, The Begotten, was hailed by Library Journal as "a full-bodied, absorbing tale that combines authentic historical detail with a universally appealing and gripping story that will have readers cheering." Now the breathtaking quest of the spiritually empowered Gifted ones-prophesized in a long-lost illuminated letter from the apostle Paul-continues as the healer, the priest, and the knight gather together to fight a battle in a profound new war. For the enemies of the Gifted are gathering, led by an evil lord who will do anything to destroy their unwavering faith. Hardcover

Worship Wednesday

2000+ Days Later

Many folks like Jesse remember where they were on 09-11-01. They remember the emotions that surfaced as news of the towers came blazing across every channel. Barbara shares recollections of how that dreadful day affected her. One scripture she mentions in her post is Isaiah 25:4 "For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall." She said that it brought comfort to her in the days after the attack.

Shannon posts some of her memories of 9/11 and has garnered over 200 links of other bloggers who followed suit. No doubt the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 was the top subject for the whole of the blogosphere on yesterday. Most newspapers and magazines made mention of it too. Many with photographs from ground zero, then and now.

Today, I simply want you to reflect on the following questions and how you would answer them. Where were you spiritually on 09/11/01? Did the terrorist attacks cause you to seek God or lash out at Him? Where did you turn for comfort in the days that followed? Has your relationship with the Lord deepened or have you lost faith in Him?

Countless folks are plagued with recurring nightmares or post traumatic stress syndrome. Others suffer from respiratory ailments and injury related pains. Parents, spouses, children, and friends of the deceased still struggle with grief and questions. Many still labor to pay their montly bills. Fear gripped the nation that day. It still holds many in its clutches. But I will not fear what man can do to me. I have my hope in the Lord.

Only those who do not know Christ as their Savior languish without hope.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-38 NIV

Awakening


Beneath this rubble lies the spirit
Of America.
Rumbling, mumbling as she is
Suddenly stirred from her slumber.
As the one who is frightened awake by a sound
And not knowing exactly from whence
It comes, she moves to investigate.
She is Armed and ready to defend her house
For she knows it was not just the wind
Blowing through the trees...
It was evil that brought this sound
This sound of weeping
This sound of sorrow...
And The commander's cries--
Shouts of War
All from bended knees.

Cynthia H. Green
September 15, 2001

09/11 came a month after we laid my mom to rest. The grief was still so fresh, the barbs still embedded in the flesh of my heart. How could I not feel the pain of so many others...how could I not know the sorrow of their days ahead? The enemy was cancer in her case. An enemy that is fought on a daily basis in America.
But this enemy--this evil that managed to blindside us this day was not foreseen. The enemy thought they had us buried...our spirit buried beneath rubble and ash never to rise again. They thought they had put a spirit of fear in its place by bringing us to our knees...And yet, foolish enemy. They do not know that the greatest battles of life are fought and won from this simple stance-- and what they accomplished was an entire nation on its knees before God in prayer. Prayers that are still being offered up today...
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12.

The Battle is The Lord's

Good Monday morning to you all. As always, I am busy with my transcription work, not to mention that ever increasing mound of laundry next to my washing machine. As I attempt to make the pile smaller, I am reminded to be grateful for all I have, which is way more than I deserve. I've been reading a lot of posts regarding 9/11 and am also reminded to be grateful for these freedoms we have and enjoy on a regular basis. We are stormed with enemy fire in the natural sense, but we do fight a very real enemy on a daily basis. Sometimes I feel his black presence just sitting there waiting for me to stumble, to crumble, so he can gain purchase on my slippery ground. But God is faithful friends.

Sometime around 4 a.m. this morning I had trouble sleeping. I turned to the Word and read of David and his mighty military triumphs and of his legacy he left to Solomon. Then I began to read the wisdom penned in Proverbs. The plan of God was not and could not be altered by the enemy. What Satan meant for harm, God always turned to good. Oh yes, mistakes were made in the lives of David and Solomon...to be sure. And there was always a cost--a price to be paid. But time and again, God was merciful and His love kept striving with them to fulfill His purpose.

Sometimes the mistakes we make are costly and bitter. Sometimes the price is high, and we look back and say, "If only I had chosen differently..." But I am so glad today that we have a God of mercy who loves us enough to continue in his patience toward us and continues to strive with us to make us all we should be. It's a battlefield we're in, and the mines of the enemy are plentiful. We MUST remain on guard with our hearts and look to the Commander for our guidance. We have a mission we have chosen to fulfill...and with His help...WE CAN.

Have a great week, my friends!

WW A Memo From Above

To: Everyone on Earth

Please do not place orders for houses, cars, millions, vacations, and etc. without proper authorization. All unauthorized requests will be discarded. If your account with the Almighty is past due or you do not currently have an account with Him, you will need to make arrangements prior to placing your order. He still requires a genuine request to complete the contract with you. Make your request directly to Him in person, you will not be denied.

You will receive a prompt confirmation of His approval. A full disclosure of the binding agreement can be found in many locations; churches, hotel rooms, hospitals, homes, prisons, and stores throughout the world. All privileges, benefits, and liabilities will be expressed in written detail. He has representatives in your area should you need assistance. Translators and mediators will also be available. Additional services will be provided to assist the disabled and or children too young to read.

If you should violate the terms of the contract, all implied benefits will be suspended until such time as the matter is rectified. You will not need to open a new account. Simply make a personal apology to the Almighty requesting His forgiveness. Then refrain from any further breach of contract by immersing yourself in the written covenant and in fellowship with Him.

Please retain this memo for your reference. You may make additional copies as needed. Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Sincerely,
Holy Spirit
Chief Correspondent

Award Day

Drumroll please.............and the award goes to---

I'm passing my Nice Matters award on to Laurel Wreath,Lisa and Kisses of Sunshine. If you have already received this award, then consider yourself doubly blessed and pass it on. Thanks for the great reads girls!