This is what I want my knees to look like

Tonight I spent time with some ladies who are precious to me and one of them has had a bad mammogram. She goes to a surgeon Thursday-last week two of my precious sunday school ladies went through the same thing. We sit or stand beside them and we say I'll pray for you and we do and then we move on in our week and do we fervently remember? Do we use a list to remember every prayer we've promised? Does God bring them to our minds as we sit in quiet time with Him? I am already praying for Bible School this summer everyday. My goal is to have less prayers with I or Me in them and truly remember everyone who asks and those who don't ask for prayer. So say my name if you think about it, that I will grow in discipline and know that if you ask for prayer and even if you don't and I see your need-I'll be remembering you.
Be blessed!

Motivational Monday

Tonight will be a busy night-I'm watching the grandgirls for Mommy and Daddy to give a Cinco De Mayo Wedding Shower- how fun does that sound. So I went into my saved files and found this version of another one of my Favorite Chapters of the Bible.
Hope you like it. I did not write and don't know who to credit for it but it 's especially good.

The Lord is my Shepherd - That's Relationship!
I shall not want - That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters - That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul - That' s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That's Guidance!
For His name sake - That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's Testing!
I will fear no evil - That' s Protection!
For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over - That's Abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security!
Forever - That's Eternity!

Be blessed

ME x 9

I loved this on Dustbunny Hostage's blog-makes ya feel like Andy Warhol did ya picture!

Relay for Life and other weekend events

Friday evening found us at our High School football field for an evening of fun, food raising money and yes, tears. I had never participated before and did not know what to expect. Here is my account of the evening. I walked into the stadium to sounds of music and smells of all kinds of goodies cooking. I made my way around to find my two booths I was working with and low and behold they were side by side, how cool is that. One was our M&M group from church, our ladies ministry group and the other was the Gentle Touch, my best friend's hair salon. There was probably close to 50 booths. We received white shirts with all the sponsors, the date and the logos etc. I walk in and see some people wearing beautiful purple shirts and being the colorful woman I think I am, I walk up to a group of friends and say how did you get the purple shirt - I want one. They look at me and say you have to Be a survivor, Ouch, I will wear my white one and feel reverence, awe and respect for the survivors in the purple shirts. The M&M booth made and sold yummy strawberry shortcakes and water. Barbie's booth did head neck and shoulder massages, as well as hand massages and manicures.

Some of the most touching things about the night was when the Survivors took the first lap around and we were cheering them on. I'm even crying now as I type this and I'm remembering. I cried the whole time they were going by, as I clapped and cheered because I realize they each have a story and have been through so much. Some came by in wheelchairs, some had no hair, some with walkers. Each one a brave soul and yes, a Survivor. For everyone that walked that night, there were those who could not walk , those who did not win the battle. Another touching part of the evening was when they turned out the lights and we all walked the Luminary walk and saw the names of countless people who have passed. Thomas is holding the Luminary for Barbies Mother-in Law, Sweet Merr, who passed away last year. Before they turned the lights back on they read every name In Memory of and every name in Honor of the survivors who were there and I cried.

There was lots of food, fun, walking, things for the kids My grandgirls had alot of fun. They had tattoos, their face painted and hair painted.

My best friends Judy and Barbie and I were there for the cause with children and grandchildren, and it was a great evening with a great cause. I did not stay all night!

Saturday was a good day, spent with grandbabies from start to finish, Emma had spent the night with me and like I've said before it's heaven waking up with a little snuggler. Saturday night we went to see High School Musical on Ice - I loved it- my baby girls know every song.

Sunday is my church day, the day I love.

Tonight I went to my first Meeting of First Place, for well being and weight loss. I cried when I got on the scales. The sweet lady leading it said were all in the same boat. I said just some of us have bigger boats...Pray for me that I will be a good disciplined worker at this. Now it's time to go to bed and start the week all over again.

Be Blessed!

Thankful

Somethings I am thankful for are :

* The first night on clean sheets-the wonderful smell and the crisp feel.

* Thursdays-it's a special day at work-today was Tea and Chocolates-it works for everyone= I love to cook and fix and my sweet seniors love to eat and be waited on:o), then every Thursday is dinner-MEXICAN- with my best freinds.

* walking in your door at night and it smells like home.

* My sweet ladies of my Sunday school class.

* That I live in America where we are free.

* That Toni at Amazing Grace found anything on my blog worthy of this great award.

*That Sunday I will be joining a group of Ladies for a Bible Study and Weight Loss venture called First Place to try and make my body a Healthy body!

* That tomorrow is my day for going to the Barbies and getting my overhaul.

Look back at Friday at one of our Favorite Places.

* answering the phone and hearing one of your precious children or grandchildren at the other end.

*That I've found this outlet for writing, sharing, meeting friends and passing on a good word.

* That anyone reads my blog and leaves me a comment.

These are just a few that came to mind tonight. Oh yeah, tomorrow is Relay for Life, lets pray it doesn't rain-its such a good cause.

Be blessed everyone!

A different kind of questionaire

AS I was reading other blogs as I love to do- I got on a path that led me to a blog entitled Always in Development and a lovely lady called Shalom Seeker. This questionnaire caught my eye because I made up one similar a few years ago in email and sent it to my friends and some of their responses made me cry, because they were candid in their answers and a few said they did not know where they would go when they die-this was some of my closest friends. Boy, that can grab you and wake you up when you realize close loved ones need to hear the Good News.

Here are her questions and if you read this and feel like answering them please send me a line telling me to come see.
1. When did you come to believe in Jesus? Tell your story! (as long or as short as you like) I came to believe in Jesus when I was about 6 and I vividly remember the day I went forward and made it public and was baptized - I grew up in church and loved growing in knowledge all my young life, then I had a few years or more where I was not walking with the Lord-I turned from him -He never turned from me.
2. What difference has #1 made in your life? In my darkest days, through many trials He has carried me. I truly have felt His love when it was hard to feel love from those around me. I feel like I can tell him anything and He cares. I place the things that matter most to me at His feet and for the most part leave them there-for example my children and grandchildren. I realize that they are truly gifts from Him. I honestly feel He is my best friend- I can't think of any experience good or especially bad that I don't turn to Him now. My thoughts are Pray about it or thank God for it.
3. What is your favorite Scripture passage? Why? I love them all -but my favorite chapter is Psalms 139- It begins with "O Lord you have searched me and you know me- you know when I sit and when I rise-You perceive my thoughts from afar, you discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." So many more precious verses-one I particularly love is "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God How vast is the sum of them. Were`I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand"-Wow-God thinks about us more than the sands on all the beaches!!! It ends with "Search me o God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." That's my prayer.
4. Tell about a time God answered a specific prayer in your life. How did that affect/change you? I prayed for my children all their lives that they would desire to walk with the Lord and that He would be working on precious Christian mates for them. So far-one is married and he is a precious Christian man who loves my daughter and it was all a testimony how that happened- A God incidence that is a long story to share maybe later. This is just one that came to mind because there are so many. I've tried to teach my children to believe the power of prayer.
5. Do you remember a time that God made a Scripture passage especially clear to you? Tell!
When I found myself a single mother of 3 small children with a small income a verse God gave and made real in my life was "Once I was young but now I am old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread"Psalm 37:25 We might not always have what we wanted but we would have what we needed and we would never be hungry.
6. Who has influenced you in your spiritual walk (family, friends, mentor, pastor, authors, etc.)? In what ways? My parents raised me in a Christian loving home, that is a big influence- a woman who has been a spiritual mentor to me is Ms Inez- I love her and thank her. Ladies who I love to sit at their feet for spiritual food are Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Jan Silvous and Joyce Meyer.
7. Sometimes we get to share His story with others. Is there a particular story that you want to tell about that? A story I love to share is how He sent an angel to intervene- Let me share- it was early in 2002 and my youngest child was going through a time of rebellion (That is enough to need divine intervention-Can I get a witness?). She decided at the age of 16 she would leave my home where there were rules and curfews and I knew where she was and her friends and expected her to be in church, to go to her Fathers house where rules were looser, curfew was later, he didn't have to know her friends and Church? not at all. I being the close mother I felt I was wanted her home-it was breaking my heart- every phone call was tears and please come home ending in hurt and anger. All I knew was to pray! In the midst of this my Father had a major stroke and we almost lost him. When I finally got her on the phone she being angry with me said she wasn't even going to come to the hospital. I cried and said our fight may be our fight but all her Poppy had ever done was love her. Much later after her aunt went and talked to her and other family members had called her she came-I remember looking down the hall and seeing a little girl with a big chip on her shoulder coming toward us-she went in and was a broken little girl seeing her Poppy laying there. When it came time to leave I wanted to walk her out and she didn't want me to -she thought there would be more begging when at that time I needed her love and she needed mine. We got on the elevator and she said don't start on me- I said cant we just get along right now and the elevator door opened a floor down and a large beautiful young black lady got on, we ceased talking and rode on down. We all got off the elevator and she went to the food area and we were sitting on a bench not saying anything when she came back up and said God had told her to tell us some things. She looked at my daughter and told her everything she was doing and that God was revealing that she should go home. She said there is nothing you are doing that your Mother won't love you-she prays for you. She was very specific and said things only few people could know- she laid hands on us and prayed out loud in that lobby over us and the little girl with the big chip melted right there. We sat there and agreed it was an angel- she went home that night and told her father God had sent an angel. She came home. I left out many personal things said and and details but I hope you see the picture of God coming in human form and speaking words that we needed. I told everyone and even spoke about it publicly and to this day know that God came in the Hospital in the form of a beautiful young black lady.
8. Is there something in your history that you would change if given a chance to?
I wish I had always walked closer with him, I wish there had been more of Him and less of me.
9. What's a vice in your life? Any virtues? ;-D Probably one vice I have is I am over sensitive and sometimes have low self-esteem-are these vices or faults? Virtues are my Faith and I feel great love from my Heavenly Father so I try to show love. I believe strongly in prayer.
10. What's your favorite way to worship God? I love to worship him with music and with prayer and praise for what He's done.
11. If you could possess one (real) talent or gift that you haven't already been given, what would it be and why? I wish I was a good speaker and could play an instrument.
12. What is an important lesson you have learned? How did you learn it? Unconditional love is loving someone for who they are, and not expecting more than they can give. People need love the most when they deserve it the least.
13. What things are you really passionate about? What sets you ablaze? I am passionate about Mercy, because I have received it. I am set ablaze to see someone come to Christ or see someone grow in their relationship with God.
14. What do you love or appreciate about God? That He loves me and I don't deserve it and that He has shown me great mercy and continues to.
15. Where have you be especially effective in serving God? (This isn't prideful; if you've been effective, it's because of His Spirit in you, so really it brings glory to HIM.) I believe I am effective in loving and learning with the Ladies Sunday School class I teach, we are a close group of ladies who have been through alot together and lift each other up. Ecclesiastes 4:9and 12 says " Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who has no one to help him up. A cord of three strands is not easily broken."

I know this was long but its a look inside your self to answer these questions.Maybe a Heart Check. Be Blessed!

Consider these things...

Today as I laid on the couch I pondered the recent things going on in the World of Oprah.
First, let me say I pretty much loved her show. I got to go to her show last year in May when I was in Chicago and it was a moving show about Moments that change your life and now as I hear and see what Oprah is involved with -She has really had some moments that are changing hers and not for good. As Christians we should know where we stand as far as "NEW TEACHINGS". Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." so if we don't know where we stand we could fall to new feel good doctrines and many are. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.' First, she brought out the feel good book "The Secret" and I even found myself wanting to know more. It seemed like a new way of saying "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale . Upon further investigation I realized it was not Spiritual and biblically based. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The Secret did not prove good and sound. Now she is leading thousands weekly along with Echkart Tolle in the New Earth movement. You can find lots of videos on You tube and they are disturbing.

Lastly, when we as Christians are faced with false teachings in Matthew 7:15-23, we find Jesus gives us the guideline for determining these false prophets:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
The New Earth is not basing any of its precepts on God's word. How dangerous.
So as I stated earlier in a post- Let us pray for Oprah and the countless numbers who are seeking and will cling to this because it has the sound of something good. WE should be sharing even more The Real Truth -Jesus Christ died for us-He is The One and Only- we should live by God's Word and tell others of HIS GREAT LOVE for all of us.