How Great is Our God!

Let me just say.....OH WOW!  Monday was such a wonderful day. God has opened the doors of heaven and the blessings have poured down all day. Faith has come through again. We had two awesome church services on Sunday and at both services, I whispered a prayer and today, He has delivered. I am SOOOO blessed and SOOOO happy to give the glory to God from whom all blessings flow.

I also want to take the opportunity to wish my brother, Jack, a happy birthday today. I am just 2 1/2 years older than Jack, but I remember the day he came home from the hospital. I can even describe things that their are no pictures of and Mom says I'm right. He has been my buddy, my pal growing up. We would play cars and truck and marbles. But then I'd make him play house with me and Rachel. I love him with all my heart and hope he has a very wonderful birthday.

(The picture is a little blurry, but this was taken a couple of years ago)

Happy birthday, Jack

Be happy!

Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was from Philippians, chapter 4. It was such a great message and our teacher brought out several points that really stuck with me. Verses 4-7 identified specific actions a church should take to build unity. The first and foremost was rejoice in the Lord. Paul told us "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS and again I say rejoice." It is a short verse but he takes the time to tell us TWICE in one short verse to rejoice.

Our teacher pointed out that Christians should be the happiest people in the world. We have a mentor; a plan of salvation, a greater power to help us in our time of need. But she also stated that many Christians go around with long faces, full of gloom and doom. We have more reason than anyone to have joy, yet we fail to realize it.

Paul also tells us to "be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. In other words, he urges us not to fall apart at the seams and worry ourselves to death. We can be concerned. God wants us to have an awareness of the trials we face, but He doesn't want us to let it cause us such grief that we walk around like a bunch of Oscar the grouches all the time.

In verse 11, he sums it up like this:

"Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

The Multi-Colors of Easter

Have a blessed Sunday!



The Cross

What is the number one most pivotal point in the history of time? An old rugged cross that stood on a hill. It's story is as old as the ages but never loses its meaning or its beauty. We sing a song at church that says He grew the tree, that He knew would be, used to make the old rugged cross. Such beautiful words with such a poignant meaning.

From the beginning of the first seed that was planted, that tree was destined for great things. It was going to support the body of our dear, precious Saviour as He hung there, bruised and broken to die for each one of us. His love, His grace, His mercy all wrapped up on one lonely cross. Forsaken, but not forgotten. Battered and betrayed but not bent. Our Lord hung on that old cross and cried out to His father, but He never cried the one word that would have stopped His pain and suffering. He never said "Please stop." He simply gave and gave and gave until there was nothing left but sweet release as He cried "It is finished."

But that is when it really began. That is the one moment in time that was the most precious moment every bestowed upon mankind. The moment Jesus cried "It is finished." Our lives just began. He knew the road He had traveled for our sake was completed. The job He was sent to do was over. He had succeeded. It was finished. He would rest in a cold tomb for three days and would arise for the world to see that HE LIVES! He is our Saviour, our salvation, our guiding hand. He is the rock we lean on, the shoulder we cry on and the friend we turn to. HE IS LORD.

I for one am glad that God grew that old tree. I am glad that Jesus did not give up the duty that lay before Him. It breaks my heart and makes me cry when I think of what they did to my precious Lord on that brutal day. But it fills my heart to overflowing when I realize He did it all for ME!

I'm linky to My Little Life. Thanks for the invitation!

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

That's an easy one, it would be my shape. I sometimes think my tummy sticks out as much in front as my rear does in the back.

2. Write about a time when you got lost.

My daughter and I were out in her new Dodge Shadow. We were on a road we had never traveled. I thought we had missed our turn-off, so I crossed over the median to retrace our steps. We passed a truck that kept weaving like he was drunk and I realized we had not put our seat belts back on at the gas station. Seeing him weave reminded us of the fact, so we did. We went back down the road a piece, crossed over again and started back. As we were driving back down the road, a car came speeding off an on-ramp and did not slow or yield. He plowed right into our rear end at about 60 mph. Totaled the car, but thankfully we were not hurt bad. Just a lot of bruises and stiffness. If we had not been lost, we would have missed the hit, but thanks to the weaving driver, we had our seat belts on.

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?

When the kids were younger, we did a lot of camping and it always seemed to rain. But how I loved those damp mornings, wearing hubby's flannel shirt while he made bacon, eggs and fried potatoes on that old camp stove. But now that I'm older and wiser, camping? Not so much. I do not require a 5 star hotel every time, but nowadays my idea of roughing it is when the hotel does not have at least a microwave and a refrigerator.

4. Have you donated blood?

One time. Over the years, I have found that I have low iron and am continually at a risk of becoming anemic, which has happened quite frequently, so it was recommended that I did not give blood since I never know when I am on the verge of becoming anemic again. I can usually feel when my iron is low and eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches over a period of several days can help level it back out and keeps me off any kind of medication for the deficiency.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?

We do have a budget and stick to it extremely well. In the budget, we allot me an allowance each week. Now ask me if I budget my allowance and stick to it? Well, not so much. Since I know it is my "spending money" I do just that...I spend it and enjoy every moment of it. There is no guilt attached that way, because it was already budgeted for. And if I don't spend it all, I get to keep it and add it to the next week's allowance for a bigger shopping spree. Taking an allowance was one of the best financial moves we ever made.

Too funny not to share....

With all the new cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, etc, we as a nation have developed our own language. We know that TTYL is "talk to you later" and LOL is "laughing out loud" and our teens and youth have taught us many more slang shortcuts to say what we mean by simply using letters. However, some of us old foggies are just not "hip" to the new fangled texting. A friend of mine was kind enough to share on Facebook a list of the current slang letters for us with Senior Moments to use when we are texting. I thought you could use a good laugh to start your weekend so I thought I would share.

MIDDLE AGE TEXTING CODES:

ATD: At The Doctor.

BFF: Best Friend Fell.

BTW: Bring the Wheelchair.

BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth.

FWIW: Forgot Where I Was.

GGPBL: Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low.

GHA: Got Heartburn Again.

IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?

LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out.

OMMR: On My Massage Recliner.

OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas!

 ROFLACGU: Rolling On Floor Laughing And Can't Get Up.

TTYL: Talk To You Louder

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to live well, laugh often and love much!

Who was Annie Armstrong? Each year, we honor the life and work of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the annual offering for North American missions named after her. But until last night, I did not understand the magnitude and impact that this spirit-filled individual left as her legacy.

As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman's Missionary Union (WMU).

 From http://www.anniearmstrong.com/. Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts. In 1893 alone, she wrote almost 18,000 letters! Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food and clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As we continue to unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.

Each year, during the month of Easter, Souther Baptist Missionary Churches participate in the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering^®

The offering is much more than an offering envelope and an annual missions-giving emphasis. When people give to the offering, 100 percent of their gift will be transformed into missionary salaries and ministry supplies. Those missionaries and supplies will help others hear the message of Christ and respond in faith to His offer of salvation. Time and again our missionaries relate how the offering is their lifeblood. They know that behind each penny given, there is a Southern Baptist who believes in what they do and are affirming the need to equip them to share the gospel with those who need a Savior.

Our pastor shared this with us last night at prayer meeting. We also saw a short video that you can view by visiting Dreamer in Action. In the clip, Annie states "We MUST go foward."  At the time of her passing, her pastor called her ...a woman of great faith...a dreamer in action. 

It made me very humble to imagine the hours and hours that this ONE individual lady spent to make a difference in the lives of others. With our busy lives today, it is hard for us to comprehend sitting down and writing letter after letter in an effort to spread the Gospel. We fall short so many times. In Annie's day, travel was not always easy or speedy. Yet, she managed to travel across the continent sharing the message of God, helping the needy, providing a hug and comfort to many. 

But how many times during the altar call do we stand silently, watching someone sitting close by struggle with need and we do nothing about it. Do we daily tell people about Christ and share His love? Do we dig deep in our bible and share His words, His plan of salvation? Or do we simply donate a small item here; a dollar or two there and justify it with "Well, I've done my part." Annie believed we needed to do more, pray more and give more. Not everyone has the means to give back and God understands. But how much more could we pray. When someone says pray for me or my loved one, do you say "I will" then go on and forget about your committment. Do you say "Dear Lord take care of this situation. Amen" and go on your merry way? Or do you drop to your knees and have a deep heartfelt talk with God asking for His help in the situation.

Annie Armstrong should be a reminder to woman and men everywhere. God blesses us daily. Spread His word and teach others how to be blessed as well.