PART TWO

Being still

is difficult at times

because it makes you

stop doing

and being busy

with all that surrounds you.

This means you can observe things happening around you & within you.

You can evaluate your priorities.

You can examine yourself.

This often is (if we are honest) not a pleasant sight!

Take some time to look at the

activities,

people

&

places

you have chosen to make important in your life;

observe your attitude & thought life.

(you cannot do this if you are not still)

PART ONE

OK, so the verse I've been pondering lately is, "Be still and know that I am God".

I didn't think so many things would be revealed to me/about me through this.

I'm going to attempt to share some in short sections.

"BE STILL"

Now I've heard and read this verse before but I couldn't get past my disdain for being still or as I took it, doing nothing. I'm the type of person that goes forward & when I hit the wall (hard), then I'll change direction. Yes, I have had my teeth knock out because of this (once literally-another story) and suffered many bruises. Now let me say, I don't mean that this isn't the way the Lord answers prayers sometimes because He has guided me often this way. Yet sometimes it's not the way God leads/reveals His plan.

But how can I do nothing? Do nothing, that can't be right!!

In learning about verbs, we learn about being verbs (linking/helping verbs). So 'be' is a verb. A verb is an action. (Oh, action-I like that.) So far I'm alright with the word be, but then the next word, still. What do I do with that? Still is one of those words that is an adjective, noun, adverb, conjunction and a verb!

Let me tell you a quick story of my youngest: He has a speech teacher this year that's a bit old-school, in that she requires him to sit & not move during his lesson. This very difficult for him!! Once after speech he said he was SO TIRED! How can you be tired, I asked, you just sat for a 1/2 hour. Yea, it's hard work being still....

Hmmmmm, hard work being still...

So in the command, "Be still", there is action involved. That action is often the hardest; maybe that's why I often avoid it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRY!!!

What is God doing?

I wrote in a previous post I'm reading the Chronological Bible for my devotions this year. Right now I'm reading through the book of Job. Talk about humbling...

How often are we in a similar spot as Job?

Now I'm not talking about all his loses or physical ailments--I'm speaking of not knowing or understanding what God is doing...

In the beginning of the book it says Satan comes before God & GOD says to consider His servant. (Reminder to the fact that even Satan has to have permission-God is in COMPLETE control at all times--greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world-such reassurance!!!) But my point here is that Job doesn't realize that the situation isn't about Job being punished for sin but to show Satan, Job's wife, friends, and us many things...

There are lots of lessons to learn from this story about the character of God, Satan, giving advice to the grieving, being a true friend, how to handle hard times, how not to handle hard times, etc....

My point is we don't know at all times what God is doing, nor, at times, do we understand why. I find the story of Job to be an encouragement--On the grand scheme of things this life is not about me!!!! It's all about my Heavenly Father--we are after all, HIS creation!

I'm also thankful that God allows us in our frail humanness to ask, question, and just say, "God what are you doing?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

I am so very blessed to have my Dad! I'm so thankful for all he has taught me about God, life, relationships, work ethics, and so much more. I'm told I'm like my Dad in looks & action. (Some of that is good & some not.) My dad is a quiet man on first meeting & some may be intimidated because of his size. Kids especially at Christmas, think he's Santa. He's really a gentle giant, but remember he is/was (in younger days) a redhead. I don't normally like to stereotype, yet the redhead temper part is true. I know because I have it too. Another thing about my father is deep convictions & emotions; passion, is what I like to call it. Overwhelming passion that cannot always be controlled. He loves his family & family is very important. I thought he was a pretty good daddy but I think his role as Pop-Pop is the favorite.
I love my Dad and appreciate the many hours he worked to provide for the family. He has a wisdom that when heard is to be treasured. So Happy Birthday Dad, I love you! Thanks again for all you do...

2010

Well, 2010 is here! Not really sure if I have any BIG goals for this year. Yes, there is always room to improve & weight to lose. I have started reading The One Year Chronological Bible for my devotions this year and look forward to going through Scripture a slightly different way.
I hope to deepen my relationship with God by increasing my prayer times & setting aside times of prayer.

As far as being a wife, I hope to fall in love with Terry more each day & know how to express my love to him as an encourager. Hopefully, we can be alone together more ;)
I strive as a mom to help each child grow to be who the Lord's want them to be & learn through them as well.

WOW! I guess I do have some big goals for 2010. Only by the grace of God can I even begin to reach towards these. Hope & pray your 2010 is off to a blessed start.

GARLIC BREATH

On Saturday, December 5, our church had its women's luncheon. It was a wonderful time especially since just I got to go! Now don't get me wrong I so enjoying being wife & mother but sometimes you just gotta have time to be WOMAN. I had about a 20 minute ride alone which I listened to the silence for awhile then put on some Christmas music. Everything was perfect from the fireplace, food & decorations to the snow falling gently outside. The women at my table were great and I embraced the time to just talked 'girl-talk'. Of course the food was fabulous!!!



Now one of the dishes I had had garlic in it. Now I love garlic, but to be honest I didn't think it was that strong...until I arrived home and Terry asked what did you have with garlic.



This got me thinking that even though what I ate wasn't strong with garlic to me (but because Terry hadn't had any)-it was strong to him and very overpowering. Is this what our sin is like to God? We say this-or-that isn't really that bad, besides so-and-so does much worse. But as soon as we enter God's presence He knows we had some sin....so even our little bit stinks to Him!

Oh Lord, help me not to stink to you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
We have so much to be thankful for...
What are you most thankful for?

Well, Paul is off to camp for the 1st time!

I do miss him though...

I am a shower!?!

OK, so I'm cleaning the shower today and I'm trying to get rid of soap scum. I had this wonderful illustration come to me (thank you Lord!).
Soap is a good thing in it's self-right? We use/need it to clean our bodies-nothing wrong with that, but soap scum is not good on the shower walls. So we try to get rid of it but scrubbing with water-doesn't work; hot water & scrub brush-doesn't get it all. We need to use something stronger-right!?! and the longer it's left unclean the harder it is to remove.
Kinda like sin in our lives. The thing may not be sinful in it's self but left on the wrong place or in the wrong place it becomes ugly and gross. Pretty soon everyone sees it and we can try to clean it up ourselves but we can't-we need something stronger...
Also, if left untreated on a daily basis, we end up back to that nasty place again be it ever so slowly.
Oh Lord, clean me daily and help me not to allow good things take the place you deserve and desire in my life. Be first and help me 'sparkle' for you!

Deep Thoughts by Dee-Dee

This weekend my hubby and I went to a wedding. Now since we had never met the bride, but have known the groom for many years, I decided to watch the groom. The bride had kept everything a secret from her beloved and he had no idea what her dress would be like or how her hair would be done, etc. We saw the groom before the ceremony and he was calm , yet ready to get things over with.
He watched his bride's friends come down the isle with smiles and nods-he laughed at his tomboy sister all dress up (she looked beautiful by the way). When the back doors of the church closed a seriousness came over his face and his eyes ever so focused --waited. As the organ started playing, "Here comes the Bride", everyone rose and the doors slowly opened the groom's intensity grew. The second he saw his Bride-his breath was literal taken away and he inhaled deeply --as he exhaled his eyes filled with complete joy (tears too, I think) and the biggest smile spread across his face. He didn't or couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked down towards him. The closer she got the bigger his smile and his eyes filled with love!
It was amazing to see this man behold his woman for the first time that day!
I started thinking how we are the Bride of Christ and He waits to be with us eternally. Are His eyes filled with joy and love? Does a smile spread across His face? Am I as the Bride focused on Christ my groom; walking towards Him?
It was a day that filled both my husband and I with many warm feelings of new love and reminders of our vows to each other and to our Lord and Savior...

MAY

WOW! I can't believe this month is just about done! I'm excited because it means school is finishing in less than a week (give or take) and summer schedule will begin (not sure exactly what that means though...). I now have 2 children in the double digits as far as age and that is hard for me to swallow. Now don't get me wrong I'm so glad for a full night sleep and having no car seats and diapers. The Independence is GREAT and I'm thankful for that. Yet the struggles now seem to rip at my heart more. Why? No longer are the decisions made primarily by me or Terry. They are coming into their own and realizing how different 'we' as a family and individuals can be. They are having to stand up for their beliefs and convictions and make right , godly choices. I have been blessed greatly that they have strong, grounded convictions and they have searched scripture to see and are making the relationship with Jesus their own. They challenge me with their passion and compassion. I'm spending more time in tears and prayer over and about them than ever. I know the Lord has wonderful plans. I pray for wisdom as we enter the preteen years...

Paul at Stephen & Abby's wedding

Paul-my 10 year old!

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY PAUL!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Little Drummer Boy

-here's a composition assignment by Timothy:

MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK

My favorite day of the week is Saturday because there is no school. I can watch TV and play in my room. Daddy is home sometimes and I can sleep in.

How blessed am I!?!

Look at this picture! Four generations of Christan Women!! Talk about God's grace! What a blessing to be able to look back on a Christian heritage and look forward to leaving a Christian legacy. I'm humbled and thankful for the lessons learned, molding, and chance to pass on what God has done. I pray the Lord will continue to use and grow us all. We have come far, yet have so far to go. May I never take for granted what the Lord has given me!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!