Isaiah is a very long Book with some familiar verses. Some people remember Isaiah 40:8 and most remember Isaiah 40:31. They are two of our favorite bible drill verses. Today I read the verses in between and found wonderful verses reminding us to praise God.
Isaiah 40:8 " The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever"
Climb up on a High Mountain and lift up your voice with all your strength. Shout louder the Good News. Behold your God is coming. Have you not heard? The Lord is the every-lasting God, The creator of all the world. He never faints or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weary and strength to the weak. Even the young grow weary and fall.
Isaiah 40:31 " But they who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary,they shall walk and not faint."
Praise the Lord
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Our Ministry
You do not have to be a minster to have a ministry. I feel like our ministry is to love God, love others and to obey his word. To be a channel of God's love daily
Paul describes ministry in 2 Corinthians chapters 2-5
1- Triumphant Ministry
Thanks be to God who causes us to triumph in Christ. For through Christ, He uses us to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume.
2- A Commended Ministry
We are confident through Christ. Not that we are competent or confident in ourselves. Nor can we claim credit. But, we are confident in God who makes us competent. We trust God to help us know what to say through His Holy Spirit.
3- A Ministry of Splendor
How could you expect the ministry of the Spirit to be anything but glorious? The Lord is that Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Since we have this hope, we can be very bold. Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being changed into His likeness and become like a mirror that brightly reflects His glory. ......Think Matthew 5:16... "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
4- An Honest Ministry
It is God himself, in His mercy, who has given us this wonderful work of telling His good news to others. So, we never give up. We know that we stand in the presence of God as we speak, so we tell the truth.
5- A Tried Ministry
We have this treasure of light and power that now shines in this earthen vessel. We go through trials for your sake so that His grace will extend to more people. The more that come know Him, the more there are to thank Him for his great kindness, the more He is glorified. That is why we never give up.
6- A Courageous Ministry
It is God who prepared for us a new body. He gives us everlasting life through Christ Jesus and has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. This gives us confidence and courage to do what He tells us to do. For we walk by faith and not sight and make our aim to please Him.
7- A Reconciling Ministry
It is because of the reverence and love for God, that we works so hard. He knows our heart is pure and His love controls us. He reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ to plead with you to receive the love He offers to everyone.
8- A Suffering Ministry
Do not toss this message of God's great grace aside in vain.
GRACE
G-ods
R-ighteousness
A-t
C-hrist
E-xpence
The suffering Servant = Christ
Paul suffered greatly during his ministry. He endured afflictions, hardships, calamities, beating, prison, turmoil, hard labor, sleepless nights, hunger, evil reports, deceivers, punishments, dishonor, bad reputation and lies told about him. He continued with a pure open heart through knowledge, long-suffering, love, kindness, the word of truth, the armor of righteousness and the help of the Holy Spirit.
He had a huge ministry as a missionary and a letter writer. Those letters makes up most of the New Testament. He considered himself the least of all of the Followers of Jesus because he started out by persecuting Christians until Christ turned him around......He finished well.
We all have things in our past that we had rather forget. But, we too, can finish well and have a ministry that will cause our Heavenly Father to say," well done,good and faithful servant."
The older I get, the more I realize:
Time is short
Today is the day
Paul describes ministry in 2 Corinthians chapters 2-5
1- Triumphant Ministry
Thanks be to God who causes us to triumph in Christ. For through Christ, He uses us to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume.
2- A Commended Ministry
We are confident through Christ. Not that we are competent or confident in ourselves. Nor can we claim credit. But, we are confident in God who makes us competent. We trust God to help us know what to say through His Holy Spirit.
3- A Ministry of Splendor
How could you expect the ministry of the Spirit to be anything but glorious? The Lord is that Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Since we have this hope, we can be very bold. Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being changed into His likeness and become like a mirror that brightly reflects His glory. ......Think Matthew 5:16... "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
4- An Honest Ministry
It is God himself, in His mercy, who has given us this wonderful work of telling His good news to others. So, we never give up. We know that we stand in the presence of God as we speak, so we tell the truth.
5- A Tried Ministry
We have this treasure of light and power that now shines in this earthen vessel. We go through trials for your sake so that His grace will extend to more people. The more that come know Him, the more there are to thank Him for his great kindness, the more He is glorified. That is why we never give up.
6- A Courageous Ministry
It is God who prepared for us a new body. He gives us everlasting life through Christ Jesus and has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. This gives us confidence and courage to do what He tells us to do. For we walk by faith and not sight and make our aim to please Him.
7- A Reconciling Ministry
It is because of the reverence and love for God, that we works so hard. He knows our heart is pure and His love controls us. He reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ to plead with you to receive the love He offers to everyone.
8- A Suffering Ministry
Do not toss this message of God's great grace aside in vain.
GRACE
G-ods
R-ighteousness
A-t
C-hrist
E-xpence
The suffering Servant = Christ
Paul suffered greatly during his ministry. He endured afflictions, hardships, calamities, beating, prison, turmoil, hard labor, sleepless nights, hunger, evil reports, deceivers, punishments, dishonor, bad reputation and lies told about him. He continued with a pure open heart through knowledge, long-suffering, love, kindness, the word of truth, the armor of righteousness and the help of the Holy Spirit.
He had a huge ministry as a missionary and a letter writer. Those letters makes up most of the New Testament. He considered himself the least of all of the Followers of Jesus because he started out by persecuting Christians until Christ turned him around......He finished well.
We all have things in our past that we had rather forget. But, we too, can finish well and have a ministry that will cause our Heavenly Father to say," well done,good and faithful servant."
The older I get, the more I realize:
Time is short
Today is the day
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Back to Sweetwater Tennessee
We left Moultrie at 11:00 and plan to travel until 7:00- 7:30 to get us close to Lafayette to set up early for our show tomorrow.
Around 5:00, we realized we were near Sweetwater Tennessee with one of our favorite hotels with nice hiking through the country, an indoor pool and a spa at a great price. Two summers ago we spent a lot of time in this area, near the longest flea market in the world and an Antique and collectible store. It was really too early to stop, so we filled up with gas and plan to keep going.
Mark heard a funny noise and had me drive slow so he could walk along side and listen. That is when he realized that we were down to 3 lugs keeping the tire in place. The good news is, we did not loose a tire and control of the suburban full of glass pulling a trailer full of tables on the interstate for six hours.
We found a place that will be able to fix our tire in the morning. So, here we are at our favorite hotel. We ate a quick supper from our freezer, took a one hour hike, to the pool for swimming and water aerobics. Changed and walked around the empty flea market area at sunset and enjoyed the view.
Tomorrow, we will deal with the tire issue and go to work. Our exercise will be unloading boxes and setting up tables. But tonight, we enjoyed our little adventure. We are also thanking God, that once again, He was looking after us as we travel.....a God Wink...
Around 5:00, we realized we were near Sweetwater Tennessee with one of our favorite hotels with nice hiking through the country, an indoor pool and a spa at a great price. Two summers ago we spent a lot of time in this area, near the longest flea market in the world and an Antique and collectible store. It was really too early to stop, so we filled up with gas and plan to keep going.
Mark heard a funny noise and had me drive slow so he could walk along side and listen. That is when he realized that we were down to 3 lugs keeping the tire in place. The good news is, we did not loose a tire and control of the suburban full of glass pulling a trailer full of tables on the interstate for six hours.
We found a place that will be able to fix our tire in the morning. So, here we are at our favorite hotel. We ate a quick supper from our freezer, took a one hour hike, to the pool for swimming and water aerobics. Changed and walked around the empty flea market area at sunset and enjoyed the view.
Tomorrow, we will deal with the tire issue and go to work. Our exercise will be unloading boxes and setting up tables. But tonight, we enjoyed our little adventure. We are also thanking God, that once again, He was looking after us as we travel.....a God Wink...
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Spring cleaning
Spring is finally in the air and I am in the mood to do some spring cleaning. I am taking one room at a time and cleaning out stuff. None of our kids are allowed to leave with out anything that they may want at any time in the future. I am even cleaning storage units out at Jimmy Allen's Antiques. We will be selling everything to make room for all of the stuff that we bought on our last trip to Tennessee, North Alabama and North Georgia. This time we found some small furniture and wicker pieces and old school desk and other things that can be used for shabby crafty projects. We will be out there all day working and selling this Saturday April 6th. Come by and check out what we found and what we are getting rid of
Thursday, March 28, 2013
manly man
I married a young manly man. He loved to hunt and fish and play golf. He jumped from the highest tree swing into the river and looked great in cut off jeans. He became a family man and worked long hours to support our growing family.The kids grew up and are on their own. All those long hours were hard on his heart and he retired. Now we have a business that allows us to travel and enjoy our new life.
Last week, we were in an antique mall looking for merchandise, discussing item and prices, A lady with a strong accent said,' Don't you love that your husband enjoys being here with you." I told her that we had an antique business together that paid for our travel, I could tell that she was jealous, I get that a lot.
Yesterday, Mark sat with me as the doctor was explaining my conditions and was really paying attention. We discussed diet changes that could help with borderline numbers, and of course will help him also. Then we ate a healthy lunch and while he took a nap, I worked on my journal and rested. When He got up, we worked for hours, cleaning up the house. Before he retired, I'm not sure he knew where the kitchen was. But now he cleans the kitchen better than I ever did. We took a late afternoon walk and ate fish, grits and veggies for supper.
This morning, we went for a hike around local farms and through the woods. Mark move the briers out of the way and check for snakes around the logs for snakes before we stepped over them. He touched my shoulder to move me to the side when a huge dog came up to investigate intruders into his territory, while he talked gently to keep the dog calm. When we got to the big road that led back home, he touched me again to lead me away from the road side of the ditch, with out saying a word. After all these years, he still protects and provides.
I heard him say manly man under his breath as he tells me that he will clean out the fridge, while I finish the rest of the house. Next, we go up town for groceries to cook for the family that are gathering for the weekend and pick up our two precious little grand girls while their mom goes to an appointment. He is holding the baby now and talking to the the three year old.
If a manly man is a man that pleases his lady, then my man is the manliest man I know and the man that I choose to grow old with. .
Last week, we were in an antique mall looking for merchandise, discussing item and prices, A lady with a strong accent said,' Don't you love that your husband enjoys being here with you." I told her that we had an antique business together that paid for our travel, I could tell that she was jealous, I get that a lot.
Yesterday, Mark sat with me as the doctor was explaining my conditions and was really paying attention. We discussed diet changes that could help with borderline numbers, and of course will help him also. Then we ate a healthy lunch and while he took a nap, I worked on my journal and rested. When He got up, we worked for hours, cleaning up the house. Before he retired, I'm not sure he knew where the kitchen was. But now he cleans the kitchen better than I ever did. We took a late afternoon walk and ate fish, grits and veggies for supper.
This morning, we went for a hike around local farms and through the woods. Mark move the briers out of the way and check for snakes around the logs for snakes before we stepped over them. He touched my shoulder to move me to the side when a huge dog came up to investigate intruders into his territory, while he talked gently to keep the dog calm. When we got to the big road that led back home, he touched me again to lead me away from the road side of the ditch, with out saying a word. After all these years, he still protects and provides.
I heard him say manly man under his breath as he tells me that he will clean out the fridge, while I finish the rest of the house. Next, we go up town for groceries to cook for the family that are gathering for the weekend and pick up our two precious little grand girls while their mom goes to an appointment. He is holding the baby now and talking to the the three year old.
If a manly man is a man that pleases his lady, then my man is the manliest man I know and the man that I choose to grow old with. .
Sunday, March 17, 2013
What I learned
I was born in 56 and I am 56 years old. An interesting fact that only happens once in a life time. My daddy died at 52 and my brother died at 57, way too young. Aging is a very strange thing indeed.
Our children are all grown and gone, with lives of their own. With busy schedules and their own agendas. That is as it should be.
My oldest is a busy wife and mother of a teen and preteen; a business lady, photographer and on more committees than I can count.
My oldest son is a business man with lots of work and over time. He is a husband and the daddy of our precious little girls. He works at his church and mentors young people.
My baby boy is 29 and manages one Restaurant while opening another one with our son-in-law and planning a new life with his beautiful fiancee.
My baby girl manages a restaurant, teaches yoga and art; does charity work and is a long distant African mom to several orphans.
I am proud of all of them.
Even if they all seem to be allergic to talking on the phone. I call and do not get a call back, but if I text, they text right back.
Mark and I are busy with our little business and Red Cross and our love of travel. Life is good.
I love these independent kids, but I do miss being a part of their lives on a daily bases. I know that they love me, but every once in a while I get this feeling... well, you know..I am no longer their first love.. I know that this is how it is suppose to be.. Healthy kids grow up to be healthy adults and leave home. But, still.. I miss...them and sometimes wonder....
Then, I remember when Mark and I were a young couple with four kids and a crazy busy schedule and did not see Mark's Mom much. But, when she needed us, during those last two years, we were there. I gave Mark back to his Mom for that time period and she became the priority and I do not regret it for a minute. Family is family, sealed together by marriage, blood, history and love.
Last week, I had a health scare. Mark was out of town for his once a year Amigo trip with retired Farm Bureau buddies.
A simple visit to the doctors turned out to be a 32 hour adventure that was not a lot of fun. But, I learned a lot about my self and my kids.
I learned that I needed to know a lot of things that I did not think that I needed to know about my body and my numbers. And, that I need to take better care of myself.
I learned that my kids will always be there when I need them,. Two of them were there before I could even get out of Thomasville ER. The other two called constantly to check up on me. Every time that I went in for another test, they had a group meeting and would tell me what they were going to do. They worked together as a team and helped each other. I learned that it is going to be great having a nurse in our family as we age to help interpret what the Doctors are saying. I also learned that they still love their mama and want me to stay around for a while.
In an interesting role reversal:
I am getting calls from my youngest, telling me that I had better not be overdoing and that she is going to come up with a diet plan for IC, IBS, high blood pressure, high tri-something and , kidney problems . Good luck baby.
My baby boy sat by my hospital bed and told me that he remembered all of the times that I was the one sitting next to his hospital bed.
My eldest son spent the night in that uncomfortable chair/bed and then cooked me a healthy welcome home supper.
Then, there is the oldest. When did she become the one who could rally the troops and organize the family and hospital staff. So capable and in control.
I'm so glad that Mark is home now. But, in his absents, the kids proved they can take care of mama.
The next few weeks are going to be interesting as I figure out how to adjust to new life style changes and change life time habits. I know that I am blessed to receive a wake up call. Sometimes God has to do things to get my attention because He knows that I am clueless. He loves me anyway.
Thanks for the prayers.
Our children are all grown and gone, with lives of their own. With busy schedules and their own agendas. That is as it should be.
My oldest is a busy wife and mother of a teen and preteen; a business lady, photographer and on more committees than I can count.
My oldest son is a business man with lots of work and over time. He is a husband and the daddy of our precious little girls. He works at his church and mentors young people.
My baby boy is 29 and manages one Restaurant while opening another one with our son-in-law and planning a new life with his beautiful fiancee.
My baby girl manages a restaurant, teaches yoga and art; does charity work and is a long distant African mom to several orphans.
I am proud of all of them.
Even if they all seem to be allergic to talking on the phone. I call and do not get a call back, but if I text, they text right back.
Mark and I are busy with our little business and Red Cross and our love of travel. Life is good.
I love these independent kids, but I do miss being a part of their lives on a daily bases. I know that they love me, but every once in a while I get this feeling... well, you know..I am no longer their first love.. I know that this is how it is suppose to be.. Healthy kids grow up to be healthy adults and leave home. But, still.. I miss...them and sometimes wonder....
Then, I remember when Mark and I were a young couple with four kids and a crazy busy schedule and did not see Mark's Mom much. But, when she needed us, during those last two years, we were there. I gave Mark back to his Mom for that time period and she became the priority and I do not regret it for a minute. Family is family, sealed together by marriage, blood, history and love.
Last week, I had a health scare. Mark was out of town for his once a year Amigo trip with retired Farm Bureau buddies.
A simple visit to the doctors turned out to be a 32 hour adventure that was not a lot of fun. But, I learned a lot about my self and my kids.
I learned that I needed to know a lot of things that I did not think that I needed to know about my body and my numbers. And, that I need to take better care of myself.
I learned that my kids will always be there when I need them,. Two of them were there before I could even get out of Thomasville ER. The other two called constantly to check up on me. Every time that I went in for another test, they had a group meeting and would tell me what they were going to do. They worked together as a team and helped each other. I learned that it is going to be great having a nurse in our family as we age to help interpret what the Doctors are saying. I also learned that they still love their mama and want me to stay around for a while.
In an interesting role reversal:
I am getting calls from my youngest, telling me that I had better not be overdoing and that she is going to come up with a diet plan for IC, IBS, high blood pressure, high tri-something and , kidney problems . Good luck baby.
My baby boy sat by my hospital bed and told me that he remembered all of the times that I was the one sitting next to his hospital bed.
My eldest son spent the night in that uncomfortable chair/bed and then cooked me a healthy welcome home supper.
Then, there is the oldest. When did she become the one who could rally the troops and organize the family and hospital staff. So capable and in control.
I'm so glad that Mark is home now. But, in his absents, the kids proved they can take care of mama.
The next few weeks are going to be interesting as I figure out how to adjust to new life style changes and change life time habits. I know that I am blessed to receive a wake up call. Sometimes God has to do things to get my attention because He knows that I am clueless. He loves me anyway.
Thanks for the prayers.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
LISTEN
At the end of chapter 5, God said a lot by using only 5 words. I made the statement that there was probably a lesson there, but being a girl that love to talk, I did not want to see it. Then, before I went to bed, I picked up my Erma Bombeck's book and this is part of the chapter that I read. She wrote it February 1977
"There were 30 whole beautiful minutes before my plane took off, time for me to be alone with my own thoughts, to open a book and let my mind wander. A voice next to me belonging to an elderly woman said, "I'll bet it's cold in Chicago."
Stone-faced, I answered,"It's likely." I haven't been to Chicago in nearly three years," she persisted. "My son lives there." "My husband's body is on the plane. We've been married for fifty-three years. I don't drive, you know, and when he died a nun drove me from the hospital. We aren't even Catholic. The funeral director let me come to the airport with him."
I don't think I ever- detested myself more than I did at that moment. Another human being was screaming to be heard and in desperation had turned to a cold stranger who was more interested in a novel that the real-life drama at her elbow. All she needed was a listener. No advice, wisdom, experience, money, assistance, expertise or even compassion, but just a minute or two to listen. It seemed rather incongruous that in a society of super-sophisticated communication , we often suffer from a shortage of listeners.
She talked steadily until we boarded the plane, then found her seat in another section. As I hung up my coat, I heard her plaintive voice say to her seat companion, "I'll bet it's cold in Chicago."
I prayed, "please God, let her listen."
Why am I telling you this? To make me fell better. It won't help though."
Amazing to me that God can use an ancient story about a dead wicked king and a chapter from my favorite humorist to show me something important. God gave us two hears and one mouth. I have heard that since I was little. Don't get me wrong, I still love to talk. But maybe, just maybe, I need to listen, really listen more and talk less.
I know that on our DR's in New York that often, listening to our clients vent seem to mean more than the food we provided. This week, as we watched the flood water rise, our clients needed to talk about the flood of 2009 as the wondered," what is going to happen tonight?". Last night, the gentlemen was shaken up after the fire and all I did was ask what happened and he needed to tell us the whole story. When we opened the door of the Erv where we had retreated for light and warmth, his family and friends were standing there. We were delighted and we left him telling his friends what had happened and they listened and promise to be there for him.
Lord, help me be a better listener.
"There were 30 whole beautiful minutes before my plane took off, time for me to be alone with my own thoughts, to open a book and let my mind wander. A voice next to me belonging to an elderly woman said, "I'll bet it's cold in Chicago."
Stone-faced, I answered,"It's likely." I haven't been to Chicago in nearly three years," she persisted. "My son lives there." "My husband's body is on the plane. We've been married for fifty-three years. I don't drive, you know, and when he died a nun drove me from the hospital. We aren't even Catholic. The funeral director let me come to the airport with him."
I don't think I ever- detested myself more than I did at that moment. Another human being was screaming to be heard and in desperation had turned to a cold stranger who was more interested in a novel that the real-life drama at her elbow. All she needed was a listener. No advice, wisdom, experience, money, assistance, expertise or even compassion, but just a minute or two to listen. It seemed rather incongruous that in a society of super-sophisticated communication , we often suffer from a shortage of listeners.
She talked steadily until we boarded the plane, then found her seat in another section. As I hung up my coat, I heard her plaintive voice say to her seat companion, "I'll bet it's cold in Chicago."
I prayed, "please God, let her listen."
Why am I telling you this? To make me fell better. It won't help though."
Amazing to me that God can use an ancient story about a dead wicked king and a chapter from my favorite humorist to show me something important. God gave us two hears and one mouth. I have heard that since I was little. Don't get me wrong, I still love to talk. But maybe, just maybe, I need to listen, really listen more and talk less.
I know that on our DR's in New York that often, listening to our clients vent seem to mean more than the food we provided. This week, as we watched the flood water rise, our clients needed to talk about the flood of 2009 as the wondered," what is going to happen tonight?". Last night, the gentlemen was shaken up after the fire and all I did was ask what happened and he needed to tell us the whole story. When we opened the door of the Erv where we had retreated for light and warmth, his family and friends were standing there. We were delighted and we left him telling his friends what had happened and they listened and promise to be there for him.
Lord, help me be a better listener.
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