THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who made my blogiversary so special! You are ALL
special in your unique ways! I praise
the Lord for each one of you!

Happy 1st Blogiversary....

Today is my one year blogiversary. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would meet and get to know such wonderful people!

I began my blogging journey to keep in touch with my family, particularily my nephew who was less prone to answer emails unless directly related to a computer question. :) My niece is the one who directed me to her brother's blog. After reading ALL of his archives I felt like I wasn't in a fog, left out of his life. He has a wonderful, sometimes quirky sense of humor.

My mind began to wander...I began to ponder...why couldn't I do this very same thing? Couldn't I begin a blog? Maybe even my niece, Claire, would begin one!

It's pretty pathetic when you ask your niece if she has heard from her brother and she tells you no, she just keeps up with him through his blog. "Blog?" I said. "What's a blog?" "Oh, Aunt Claire, it's a weB LOG." So began my timid attempt to step into the blogging world with nothing more to go on other than it was a web log.

Well, Claire did join me and between the two of us we learned how to set one up. We learned how to 'link' to another article (that was a big day)! And, I finally stepped out and learned how to post pics.

My very first comment was from the nicest gentleman in England, named Roger. He shared a few sites I might be interested in. Then gradually, I met more and more of you wonderful people. I appreciate all the comments and I love being able to pop over to your place for a cup...and a visit. Some of you I'm just beginning to meet and others of you I have known for awhile now. Whether old or new, family or friend, each of you have impacted me in such a loving and accepting way.

Thank you for making my blogging experience a great one! And, here's to my next year!

Shopping...

Yesterday afternoon Nana and I were shopping at Dill*rds. We had just finished paying for Nana's purchases. I watched as two older women (probably in their early 70's) walked toward us followed by a young woman (late teens or early 20's) with Downs. She had short dark hair, dressed nicely in slacks and a sweater, wearing glasses. As she walked by I lightly touched her shoulder and said, "Your sweater is very beautiful."

She continued on by and then turned around to come back..."Momma, did you hear that? My sweater is beautiful!" She walks back toward us with her arm outstretched toward Nana sitting in the wheelchair. "My sweater is beautiful," she says again as she grasps Nana's gnarled hand.

"Yes, it is. What is your name?" inquires Nana.

"Jennifer!" she beamed.

"What a pretty name. My very best friend when I was a little girl was named Jennifer," I said.

"She was nice?" asked Jennifer.

"Very nice," I laughed.

We part ways, Jennifer returning to her Momma and Nana and I leaving the petite department. I push Nana just a short way and notice she is crying, flooded with memories from the past.

I smile, pondering on how good the Lord is!

More Humility....

The world has yet to see what could happen if everyone lost the desire to get the glory. Wouldn't it be a marvelous place if no one cared who got the credit?
J. Oswald Sanders

A Prayer for...

This is to thank Sparrow over at Intent for her brownie recipe. My family and Bible study group have fallen in love with it and clamor for me to bring it ALL the time now! :) If you haven't visited her place before, drop in and look on her side bar for 'Recipes'. You will find there a number of tried and true recipes. So far, there hasn't been a bad recipe in the bunch!

Sparrow, I want you to know that you and your family have been prayed for today! Whenever I make a recipe I pray for the person and their family while I make that particular dish. I pray your weekend is enjoyable!

Humility...

"Make it your goal that, in every encounter, others are better off for having been in your presence."
Elizabeth George's husband in one of his sermons

Where Are You From?

I was visiting over at Mommy Life (and loving my visit!) and discovered this and it looked fun. If you go here you'll find a Frapper - a special map that shows where my readers are coming from. When I check my statistics, I can see there are some on every continent.

You just add your zip code and a simple comment in "Shout It Out" and you get mapped - you can do a picture too if you want (that really would be lovely). Please don't be shy!

Barbara goes on to relate a story about how insecure she is. I'm not going to relate a story (I'm too insecure to do that) but I will tell you that I am definitely insecure!!!! Did I mention that I. AM. INSECURE? So, if you don't want to be guilty of sending me into a deep psychologically depressed state, PLEASE fill it in!

Maybe this would be the perfect time to tell each of you how special you are to me! When you take the time to comment it allows me to 'know' you a little better every time. It's like a giant quilt spread out across the world made up of different hues...some of you are serious, some of you are extremely funny, some of you are very wise, and ALL of you are much loved! You bring a brightness to my day as you drop in for a visit or I pop over to your place. So to each one of you who have taken the time to make yourself known, thank you!!! I think blogging is wonderful because if I was to walk into a crowded room, filled with all of you, I would miss out on the richness of getting to know you because I am very shy. Now that we ARE friends I wish we could meet face to face and share a meal or two together. What a rich experience that would/will be!!! May God richly bless your day!!

Viewing Sin Correctly...

A week view of sin always leads to a weak view of salvation! If sin is minimized then the need for a Savior diminishes.

Do You Pray?

Why don't you pray? What hinders you from praying? If one looks at a person who is too busy to pray, I believe you will see a person whose life is not holy.

I know, our lives are busy. No doubt about it. But, if we have filled our lives so much that there is no room for prayer, then we are too busy. If we crowd prayer out of our lives just once, then we will always find ways to continue crowding it out. More than anything, Satan desires us to not pray! If he can accomplish that, then he has pretty much disabled us from living a productive life.

The process of hindering our prayers is very simple. If one thinks about it there are stages. First, we hurry through our prayer. So often we experience agitation and unrest. What happens? We shorten our time in prayer. Once our prayer time is shortened we find that we really are not eager to spend time in prayer. When we crowd our prayer into a corner and make it dependent upon fragmented time, its value depreciates. By this time the duty of prayer has lost its importance. It doesn't command our respect nor does it bring any benefit. It is sad when prayer is no longer in our heart because then it isn't a habit any longer, which means it is out of our life. When one ceases to pray, he ceases to live spiritually.

We must value our prayers. We must value our prayers more than prestige, wealth, leisure or even life itself. I truly believe that Satan's sneakiest tricks is to destroy the best by the good. By that I mean, the *things* of life, business, living, etc. are good, but we are so filled with these that they crowd out and destroy the best. Does that make sense?

It does take discipline because it involves the whole man. It is a union of our wills and our intellect. Think about prayer in the Old Testament. It is called wrestling. Conflict and skill and strenuous, exhaustive effort are involved. Look at the New Testament. We have words like striving, laboring fervently, effectual, agony. These all indicate an intense effort is put forth and difficulties overcome.

What a powerful force prayer is!! It helps us, it helps God and God's kingdom is advanced by it. We need to put it to the test! Come on! Let's pray!

Romans 4:7-8

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." (Romans 4:7-8)


The blessed man is not the man who has good works laid to his account but whose sins are not laid to his account.

Faith

Faith always produces good works but good works never produce faith.

Super Size...

Just remember is isn't the size of your ministry/service that counts, it is the size of the God whom you are serving!!

This and that...

Between scrap booking and Bible study I've been busy. Throw in a few shopping trips for Nana and my time is gone! I'm not complaining, it's just I can't believe it's Friday already. Now I'm trying to get ready for friends who are coming over tomorrow. We are going to the zoo to see the new Elephant Encounter. The man who who did the thatched roofs did it by hand. He's from Ireland ( I think) and learned the ancient art when he was a wee lad! Afterward, we will come back here and grill steaks. It should be in the upper 70's. It will be a wonderful day compared to what is coming on Sunday, weather wise. If you think about it tomorrow, even tonight, would you pray for our friends hearts to be soft and pliable to the Holy Spirit? They are a dear, dear couple who mean the world to us.

Other news, is that we have received word that another dear friend who has a son just three years older than James has been wounded in Afghanistan. His first tour of duty was in Iraq, then he was restationed back in Italy and now he has been in Afghanistan since February. He and his squad leader had a grenade thrown at them from a Taliban and the squad leader was killed, Nate was wounded. Pray for wisdom for the doctors as they decide what is best for his hand. He may be sent to Germany and if he is then his parents will fly over to see him.

I am eagerly waiting to hear how James' first Review Flight went today. We failed to ask him if he was flying early or late. My prayers for him have been that he will not grow weary this last week of studying. Our desire is for him to finish well. There is so much coming down the pike right now and I know that he sees the end in sight. I keep thinking of the verse in Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " James is surrounded by a "great crowd of witnesses" who have been praying faithfully for him the past year. May he throw off any hindrances so that he may study and show himself approved as he gets in that left seat and takes off!

After tomorrow I will have to bring in my flowers that are on my patio. It will be time to prepare for the colder temps. It has been such a reprieve to not have to water the plants every day! I was so tired of doing that! After my second ladies Bible study I threw away my hanging plant on the front porch. I was so sick of taking care of it. Isn't that horrible? But, with the heat from the west, which seems to triple because of the concrete and brick, the hot summer takes a toll on whatever I hang there. My geraniums are doing wonderful especially now that the weather is cooler so I may do something with them in a hanging basket next summer. They are certainly hardy enough to take the full sun.

I'm studying Ecclesiastes and it has been interesting to read how his point of view on how everything is pointless. He talks about the wind blowing, round and round, ever on its course and how the streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full....and, of course, how pointless life is. I pondered that today as I ran errands and did my chores. We do repeat so much of our life, over and over again, and I thought how easy it would be to think life is meaningless if one did not know God. But, once you put God in the equation, my, how everything changes then! When the Lord is involved then the stranger you interact with for five minutes of your day becomes important. You may be able to bless him/her with a little bit of sunshine straight from God's heart to theirs. As a Christian there isn't anything that happens to us that hasn't passed through God's hands first. To me, that brings me immense comfort.

Update: A phone call from James...it was *intense*. Tremendously intense. He will not have the second flight until Tuesday so that will give him time to prepare and review more. Pray that he will be able to have excellent recall, excellent flying ability, fabulous 'GK' (general knowledge) and a peaceful, calm demeanor, knowing that the Lord is the 'wind beneath his wings.'

Have an excellent weekend everyone! A fabulous day of worship on Sunday! May we lift our hearts all across this world, as one before our almighty God! :)

Rylee's Progress!

Today we watched RyLee walk with only minimal help. She can swallow now and is eating pureed food. The surgeon wants to do the major surgery to remove the AVM (malformation) in 3-6 weeks, wheneverRyLee feels ready. She is in the Rehabilitation Unit of U Med Center, and Nathan would appreciate evening visitors this week through 10/17 while he is off work. Call him first.

The rest is from Nate: In terms of her language comprehension, it is still hit and miss. Some things clearly get through, other times she just nods as if she understands but she's not picking up all the details of what you’re trying to communicate to her. All of her personality and intellect is in tact as far as I can tell. So my visits with her, although linguistically inhibited, always make me feel good. Last night, while visiting after work, I was able to lay in bed with her and watch an episode of 'buffy.' I am so grateful to have the company of my wife in a real way. Praise the Lord. Thank you for all of your prayers everyone. Next week I think it would be good for her for friends to start to visit. Her therapy sessions are spaced through out the day but by the evenings she is free for visitors. It wouldn't be good for alot of people to visit at once because the room is small and shared with other patients. My week off started on Tuesday so if anyone wants to visit her, give me a call and I can sort of organize her visits.

Our High Priest...part 3

Part 1 is here. Part 2 is located here.

Let's begin by looking at Matthew 26:62, "The high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do you not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?"'

Now read Matthew 26: 63, "But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."'

I found this very interesting. Jesus has basically gone through this whole thing without responding to any of the charges until Caiaphas addresses him in Matthew 26:63. Notice the phrase "I adjure" you... Let's turn to Leviticus 5:1 and see what that tells us, "Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt." What this is saying is if Christ had not answered He would have been guilty of trespass. As we know, Jesus had no sin. When the high priest called on a person to answer by the living God and that person did not respond he would be guilty. That is why Jesus answered Caiaphas at this particular time.

Then in Matthew 26:65 Caiaphas tears his clothes...he rips the blue ephod which is cause for his death. "Then the high priest toe his robes and said, "He has blasphemed!"' At this trial all the elders and all the counsel were there. It would be like having a courtroom filled with 100 attorneys who clearly understood the law. The Jewish people knew it was Passover and they needed a High Priest. Caiaphas was now in trouble. He knew the Law for he was raised as a rabbi - from the cradle. Caiaphas was well aware of what Jesus was saying and claiming to be. Note Psalm 110:1, "The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."' and Psalm 110:4, "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." (God says this seven times in Scripture.)

Caiaphas was not conscious of who Jesus was but he did say (not of himself), "...that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whle nation not perish." Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation." (John 11:50-51) Therefore, when he tore his garment, all those who saw and heard this knew they were in trouble because they needed a high priest for the morning sacrifice.

The High Priest would go into the Temple and dress. The Levites would kill the sacrifice and and then would be questioned by the High Priest to be sure the sacrifice was perfect. It was to be a burnt offering...whole and totally consumed by fire. When it was done the words (sounding like this in Hebrew) "Ne ge more," were said. So they needed a new High Priest, a Sacrifice, and an altar. So who is the High Priest? It is Christ...remember the Jordan River? When he came up out of the Jordan he was the High Priest!

Also, remember when the soldiers took Jesus garments and His coat (in Hebrew = tunic)? The tunic was woven of one piece of material and was reinforced at the neck so that it would not tear. Jesus, as the High Priest, had his garment kept intact...it was not torn, as Caiaphas' was. Can you just see the detail that God gives to His Word? Every jot and tittle will be fulfilled.

There were two sacrifices performed each day, one at 9 a.m and the other at 3 p.m. Jesus was nailed to the Cross at 9 a.m. Jesus had vinegar given to him and said "Ne ge more!" (It is finished.) It was the ninth hour (3 p.m.). Jesus knew He was the Great High Priest, He knew the sacrifice was perfect, and only He, Jesus Christ the Savior, could proclaim it!

Joel asked the nation of Israel to not tear their garments but to "rend your heart" (Joel 2:13). Jesus' heart was rent for you. When the Roman soldier stuck the spear in Jesus' side blood and water came out. This was a sign of a sacrifice. When the darkness covered the land it was due to the sin of the world. Jesus as the High Priest was doing His work as High Priest. Many say the darkness was caused by an eclipse of the moon. However, that is impossible. It was Passover and Passover starts with a full moon....when the moon is 180 degrees opposite of the sun. The darkness was a supernatural happening of God.

1 Corinthians 5: 7, "For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed."

As you ponder over what Christ has accomplished for you and for me may your thoughts be, "It is finished!" Have you let His blood be shed for you? I pray so.

Our High Priest continued....

If you are interested in reading what I've written about so far then click here.

John the Baptist, sometimes referred by the Jews as John the Immerser, said in Luke 3:16 - "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Beginning in Luke 7:24 Jesus defends John the Baptist's position and what he was doing. He goes on to say in verse 28, "...yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." Yet Jesus insists that John must baptize him. Why? Look at Matthew 3:15, '"But Jesus answering said to him, "permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."' Then John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan river.

Let's fill in with a little background information here. The Jordan River has always been a place of change. When Israel crossed the Jordan, they went into the Promised Land. At Mt. Nebo they looked down to the Jericho Valley, across the Jordan to what was lush.

Jesus had to go to John the Baptist rather than Caiaphas. Josephus, a Jewish historian at the time of Jesus, in his book Wars of Antiquity, gives an explanation of why Caiaphas was the High Priest at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. The office of the high priest was corrupted by this time. It had become a political position, so Caiaphas was appointed by the Governor of Rome. Caiaphas was High Priest but not legally according to Jewish law.

Let's look at the lineage of John the Baptist. Luke 1:5 - "In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth." John the Baptist's father was a priest of the lineage of Aaron and Elizabeth, his wife was also a descendant of Aaron.

Again, why did Jesus have to be baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River? Well, remember the Jordan signifies a place of change. John was a descendant of Aaron's and since his father, Zacharias, was the priest, John by the Jewish legal law was next in line. This explains the verse in Hebrews 7:12 which states, "For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also." The priesthood had to move from Aaron to Melchizedek. John the Baptist forbade Jesus but Jesus said in Matthew 3:15, "...for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins. John the Baptist was reared in a priestly family and knew Jesus was the Lamb of God. (John 1:29 and Luke 1:44)

Jesus, the King of the Jews, came to the Jordan to John the Baptist, who was the legal heir by genealogy, though not received by the Jews. As Jesus rises up from the waters of the Jordan, the King of the Jews becomes the King of Righteousness (remember the meaning of Melchizedek), and the Priesthood is now changed! The mantle is passed by water immersion.

Now, let's take a look at what happened at the trial of Jesus. Read Exodus 28:31-32, "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, as like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn." Now read Leviticus 10:6 which tells of Aaron's two sons putting a strange fire on the Golden Altar. God struck them dead. Moses said to Aaron and the other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "...do not tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation."

It has been the custom in the past for Jewish men to reach and tear their garments at the neck if angry or in mourning. However, with the ephod it was constructed in such a way so as not to be torn.

I'll continue this in my next post and I'll resume at the trial of Jesus with Caiaphas. Until next time....

Chicken Tortilla Soup...

Yesterday was downright cold. We never got out of the 40's and that kind of weather calls for soup. Here is one of our favorites. I always double the recipe. It's so easy to make even our son could whip this up!

2 packages (1 box) of Lipton Noodle Soup (cheaper) or Chicken Noodle Soup
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
5 Cups water
2 cans of Rotelle (I use 1 original and 1 mild) (Find it with canned tomatoes)
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup chopped onion

Combine all ingredients in stock pot and simmer. Serve with Tortilla chips crumbled up in your bowl along with grated cheddar cheese. Yum!

Our High Priest...

I'm going to try to put into some kind of written form some notes that I've been taking as I have delved into this subject. I get really excited about it and would much rather talk about it than write it. There is so much material to be covered. I may have to do it as a series of posts...I'll see.

I want to begin with Hebrews 7:11-17 which states, Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the alter. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 and this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

"After the Order of Melchizedek" is mentioned six times in three chapters of Hebrews, Hebrews 5:6, 5:10, 6:20, 7:11, 7:17, 7:21. Let's look at the Melchizedek priesthood. By the way, Melchizedek means King of Righteousness.

The Melchizedek Priesthood is the first priesthood mentioned in the Old Testament. Turn to Genesis 14:18 - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Here we see Melchizedek blessing Abram. Notice this is before the Covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17. This means that Abram wasn't a Hebrew. The Jewish nation wasn't in existence yet. Not until chapter 17 does Abraham become the father of many nations. So ask yourself who was Melchizedek a priest to? He wasn't just 'any' priest...not a 'high priest'...but he is referred to as the priest of the Most High God. If there weren't Jews yet then he was a priest over the Gentiles, the known people of the world then. I find it very interesting that Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abram. What does that sound like to you? Communion, namely the Last Supper at Passover, symbols that represent Covenant.

Now, the second Priesthood was the Levitical priesthood. Exodus 28:1 - Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me--Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. Aaron was Israel's first High Priest. He was in charge of all the priests and Levites. Not only was a priest from the tribe of Levi but he was also a descendant of Aaron.

The third Priesthood is Jesus Christ. Refer back to Hebrews 7:11 where it tells us that Christ is after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. The Aaronic Priesthood stopped because of Jesus being our High Priest. Even more so, in Hebrews 4:14 it states that Jesus is our Great High Priest.

Let's recap briefly before moving on:
"After the order of....
Hebrews 5:6 - "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
Hebrews 5:10 - "Being designated by God as a high priest...order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:20 - "Jesus...having become a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 7:11 - "Another priest after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 7:17 - "ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

Hebrews 7:21-28 - (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER'"); 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. (Emphasis in italics mine.)

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law (the Torah - the first five books of the Old Testament written by Moses) but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). To break the Law on any one point was to break the whole Law. Jesus = Whole Law.

The Old Testament leaders were King, Prophets, Priests. Jesus was King of the Jews - Luke 23:38 (a king is not a king without a kingdom) . Jesus was a Prophet - Luke 24:19 (a prophet is not a prophet without a message). Now, Jesus is not a priest of just the Jews because He is not of Levi, but of Judah. Only Levites, descended from Aaron could be priests and High Priests. Scripture is beautiful! There is importance in every word. Every Word of God (the Bible) is for us to see pictures and patterns.

I'll continue this tomorrow when I move on to John the Baptist. Much more to follow so please stay tuned!

Progress report on Rylee...

RyLee is still on the ventilator and feeding tube, but has been moved out of Intensive Care. (Please no visitors since she still sleeps a lot and cannot talk yet.) When she's not sleeping she's quite busy getting physical and occupational therapies. We still ask for God's mercy that her limitations will not be permanent, but also for patience and endurance (for her loved ones too) during the long road ahead.

Disappointment....

We are very disappointed that James will not get to do his cross country flight to Utah! :( That just means his unexpected trip here during Hurricane Rita was truly a special gift, as short as it was. No one received what they asked for as far as flight destinations. That's okay, the end is in sight! :)

Henry Ward Beecher...

Henry Ward Beecher was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, the son of Lyman Beecher, a prominent Congregational minister and educator. His sister was Harriet Beecher (Stowe), author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Beecher graduated from Amherst College in 1834 and studied at Lane Theological Seminary where his father was serving as president. In 1837 he was called to a Presbyterian ministry at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and began to develop his extraordinary preaching techniques. From 1839 to 1847 he ministered in Indianapolis.

In 1854 Beecher and his congregation were strongly opposed to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. He raised funds to buy weapons for those willing to oppose slavery in Kansas and Nebraska and the rifles bought with this money became know as "Beecher's Bibles."

Here are just a few of the many quotes attributed to him.

A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
Henry Ward Beecher

Every man should keep a fair sized cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.
Henry Ward Beecher

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.
Henry Ward Beecher

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
Henry Ward Beecher

He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward Beecher

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note--torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.
Henry Ward Beecher

If a man cannot be a Christian in the place where he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere.
Henry Ward Beecher

In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich.
Henry Ward Beecher

Of all the music that reached farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart.
Henry Ward Beecher

Our best successes often come after our greatest disappointments.
Henry Ward Beecher

Suffering is part of the divine plan.
Henry Ward Beecher

Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.
Henry Ward Beecher

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
Henry Ward Beecher

The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.
Henry Ward Beecher

The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other man, but that every man shall have liberty to be what God made him, without hindrance.
Henry Ward Beecher

The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.
Henry Ward Beecher

The test of Christian character should be that a man is a joy-bearing agent to the world.
Henry Ward Beecher

The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward Beecher

Theology is a science of mind applied to God.
Henry Ward Beecher

We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward Beecher

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.
Henry Ward Beecher

You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
Henry Ward Beecher

Election?

HeyJules over at Faith or Fiction? has had a very interesting discussion going on regarding predestination. Pop over and check it out.

Her discussion has caused me to do more thinking which in turn causes me to turn to my Bible to see exactly what God's Word has to say on the subject.

It is in the basic nature of men and women that when faced with a decision, our inclination is to take the path of least resistance. Whatever seems easier, whatever seems more pleasing; whatever satisfies the senses is the object we choose. Indeed, the actions of Adam and Eve certainly make this obvious. In Genesis 3:6 these sensual instincts are at work. The proscriptions that God gave to them were quickly swept aside as the sensual took over. It continually amazes me how we are seduced by what looks good, and may in fact be good, but may not be the appropriate thing to have at the time.

So often we increase our folly by justifying our actions intellectually. However, our discernment is perverted apart from God's will. How is it then, that man could, in any real sense and at any real time, discern between wordly enticements and the perfect will of God? A Christian who holds that men and women are completely free to choose must answer this question. Many would advocate that all we are left with then is a human race void of any will whatsoever, that we are puppets on a giant stage, and that God is playing some kind of horrible game. This simply isn't the case. Scripture is quite clear that men and women have a will that is very active, but it is active doing every kind of evil. Has man's character changed in any positive fashion since the beginning of time? God said regarding man, '...every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually'. Where then, has the change in perception and discernment occurred in the minds and hearts of men?

Many would charge then that to believe God chooses who will be saved and who will not makes a mockery of the salvation process. However, man is indeed free. I don't argue this. Man's will is very free and very active. But, this freedom is not inclined toward God. It is a freedom that desires its own satisfaction and that exalts itself above God's will. If man is left to his own devices he will never come to Christ without the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit.

I am not saying that the Holy Spirit beckons and that everyone is on an equal playing field as to believe or not to believe. This cannot be, for man will always choose darkness rather than light (John 3:19). When the Holy Spirit calls the reprobate, they will not take heed; they will categorically reject the gospel. However, in the case of the elect, they will graciously open their hearts and throw themselves upon the mercy of the cross. This will happen because God has purposed it to happen. It isn't that man will not come to Christ of his own free will, but rather that he simply cannot come. Man does not have the spiritual equipment to 'decide' for Jesus.

In the book of Romans, Paul really closes the door on the concept that man is still able to 'decide' spiritually after the fall. Read Romans 3:10-18 in particular: '"...as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS"; "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS"; THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OFPEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN." "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES."' Based on this, what decision can man make except toward his own desires and lusts?

Apart from God's divine intervention and sovereignty in all of history, man would be as bad as he possibly could be. Look at the outright refusal to follow the command of God at the tower of Babel. This entire event shows that man's will is alive and well...and quite active. Man's desire, however, is not to obey God's commands in order to be under His protection, but, in fact, to rebel against God. Indeed, man's will is to find a way to become greater than God.

If there is a theme in the New Testament that is clearer than day, it's the concept of our 'deadness' to the call of the gospel. Conversely, if there is any other theme that is just as clear, it is God's electing grace. These two concepts form the 'bookends of scripture.' They hold the thread of redemption together.

The Book of Ephesians is one of my favorites. It stands as a monument to God's election plan and the unity of His work in the church. The first chapter is chock full of His election plan. We are told that He 'chose us in Him before the foundation of the world' (v4), that 'He predestined us to adoption as sons...' (v.5), that 'He lavished upon us the riches of His grace' (v.8); and that we 'have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose...' (v. 11). What could be clearer? Within one chapter of scripture the Lord of the universe sweeps aside man's 'free will' and replaces it with His own...thankfully.

In chapter two of Ephesians, Paul meditates on the Christian's former dead state, and his newness in Christ as it relates to the church. It is evident that the whole salvation process is God toward man, not vice versa.

An excellent verse is John 1:12, 13: "But as many as have received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God...who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God' (emphasis added). Colossians 2:13 is another important verse that has almost identical language to Ephesisans 2:4-5: "And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him...' There is no mistaking that the action being taken is on behalf of the sinner by God. There is no indication that I can see that the object of this regenerative power is 'doing something.' This is not to say that man does not respond, but this response is based upon the faith that is given to him.

I must restate again and again that men and women simply are not equipped to respond in a positive way to the gospel. This is unequivocally stated in Romans 8:7, '...the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so...' (emphasis added). The words 'not even able to do so' can be translated from the Greek, 'does not/neither has the power'. The force of this statement is overwhelming: we are powerless to affect a change in our spiritual situation. It is God...and all God, that does the changing. Man claims nothing in the salvation work of Christ.

The way I see it from scripture, is man isn't a neutral entity trying to decide between good and evil. Quite the contrary, man is a slave of the devil and sin, and it is God who grants man the grace to 'come to his senses' (cf. 2 Timothy 2:25-26).

The salvation plan of God is one that is carefully and painstakingly detailed in His Word. Just like the precious gift that it is, it must be unpacked carefully lest we break off pieces or fail to see its full beauty. One of the most beautiful things about salvation is that man can claim absolutely no part in it...nothing! He can neither attain to salvation himself, nor add to the finished product. But we, as Christians, can and must do one thing....we must bask in the knowledge that a loving and sovereign Creator has chosen us to be an heir of salvation, and now holds us firmly in His benevolent grip.

Student Speech at Dartmouth...

Subject: Student speech at Dartmouth cites the example of Jesus Christ

Character education

The WashingtonTimes
September 30, 2005

On Sept. 20, Noah Riner, student body president of Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., gave a speech welcoming incoming freshmen. He emphasized the importance of character, citing the example of Jesus Christ, who "gave His life for our sin."

The next day, the Student Assembly's vice president for student life resigned, calling Mr. Riner's speech "reprehensible and an abuse of power." In the Dartmouth student newspaper, the president of a campus Jewish group wrote a column calling the speech "inappropriate," "disrespectful" and "the complete antithesis of the values that Dartmouth espouses." The student newspaper's editorial board, while noting that the Ivy League college was founded in 1769 as a Christian institution, criticized Mr. Riner for "preaching his faith from a commandeered pulpit."

The following are excerpts from Mr. Riner's speech:

You've been told that you are a special class. A quick look at the statistics confirms that claim: Quite simply, you are the smartest and most diverse group of freshmen to set foot on the Dartmouth campus. You have more potential than all of the other classes. You really are special.

But it isn't enough to be special. It isn't enough to be talented, to be beautiful, to be smart. Generations of amazing students have come before you, and have sat in your seats. Some have been good, some have been bad. All have been special.

In fact, there's quite a long list of very special, very corrupt people who have graduated from Dartmouth. William Walter Remington, class of 1939, started out as a Boy Scout and a choirboy and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He ended up as a Soviet spy, was convicted of perjury and beaten to death in prison.

Daniel Mason [a 1993 Dartmouth graduate] was just about to graduate from Boston Medical School when he shot two men, killing one, after a parking dispute.

Just a few weeks ago, I read ... about P.J. Halas, class of 1998. His great-uncle George founded the Chicago Bears, and P.J. lived up to the family name, co-captaining the basketball team his senior year at Dartmouth and coaching at a high school team following graduation. He was also a history teacher and, this summer, he was arrested [on charges of] sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student.

These stories demonstrate that it takes more than a Dartmouth degree to build character.

As former Dartmouth President John Sloan Dickey said, at Dartmouth our business is learning. ... But if all we get from this place is knowledge, we've missed something. There's one subject that you won't learn about in class, one topic that orientation didn't cover, and that your [undergraduate adviser] won't mention: character.

What is the purpose of our education? Why are we at Dartmouth?

Martin Luther King Jr. said: "But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. ... We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education."

We hear very little about character in our classrooms, yet, as Dr. King suggests, the real problem in the world is not a lack of education.

For example, in the past few weeks we've seen some pretty revealing things happening on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We've seen acts of selfless heroism, and millions around the country have united to help the refugees.

On the other hand, we've been disgusted by the looting, violence and raping that took place even in the supposed refuge areas. In a time of crisis and death, people were paddling around in rafts, stealing TVs and VCRs. How could Americans go so low?

My purpose in mentioning the horrible things done by certain people on the Gulf Coast isn't to condemn just them; rather it's to condemn all of us. Supposedly, character is what you do when no one is looking, but I'm afraid to say all the things I've done when no one was looking. Cheating, stealing, lusting, you name it -- how different are we? It's easy to say that we've never gone that far: never stolen that much; never lusted so much that we'd rape; and the people we've cheated, they were rich anyway.

Let's be honest: The differences are in degree. We have the same flaws as the individuals who pillaged New Orleans. Ours haven't been given such free range, but they exist and are part of us all the same.

The Times of London once asked readers for comments on what was wrong with the world. British author G.K. Chesterton responded simply: "Dear Sir, I am."

Not many of us have the same clarity that Chesterton had. Just days after Hurricane Katrina had ravaged the Gulf Coast, politicians and pundits were distributing more blame than aid. It's so easy to see the faults of others, but so difficult to see our own. In the words of Cassius in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," "the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves."

Character has a lot to do with sacrifice, laying our personal interests down for something bigger. The best example of this is Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." He knew the right thing to do. He knew the cost would be agonizing torture and death. He did it anyway. That's character.

Jesus is a good example of character, but He's also much more than that. He is the solution to flawed people like corrupt Dartmouth alums, looters and me.

It's so easy to focus on the defects of others and ignore my own. But I need saving as much as they do.

Jesus' message of redemption is simple. People are imperfect, and there are consequences for our actions. He gave His life for our sin so that we wouldn't have to bear the penalty of the law, so we could see love. The problem is me; the solution is God's love: Jesus on the cross, for us.

In the words of Bono: "[I]f only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. ... So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that's the question."

You want the best undergraduate education in the world, and you've come to the right place to get that. But there's more to college than achievement. With Martin Luther King, we must dream of a nation -- and a college -- where people are not judged by the superficial, "but by the content of their character."

Thus, as you begin your four years here, you've got to come to some conclusions about your own character, because you won't get it by just going to class. What is the content of your character? Who are you? And how will you become what you need to be?

Rum Cake recipe....

My friend, Gina, over at Refreshment in Refuge has posted a great recipe for her rum cake! Please stop by and have a look at it. This recipe will surely lift your spirits!

Idiosyncrasies

Idiosyncrasies

Unlike Gayla, who spent 10 minutes trying to spell the word, I just took her at face value that she spelled it correctly. Gayla has tagged me to list 5 of my idiosyncrasies. Hmm, which to choose?

1) I cannot sleep without the fan going...winter, spring, summer or fall, it makes no difference. My poor husband sleeps in a long sleeve turtle neck shirt because he is always cold due to the fan. I have a ceiling fan directly over the bed and then another one by the side of my bed that I use during the summer. That one is now getting put away for the winter.

2) I cannot begin cooking if my kitchen is messed up. If there are dirty dishes or things not put away, I have to take time to clean the mess before I begin any prep work in my kitchen.

3) I don't do spiders or any bug for that matter. My husband and son got me a 'bug zapper' for my birthday one year. I love it! I keep watch over the spider so he doesn't get away while my husband goes and gets the 'zapper' and then does the zapping. It works wonderfully! :)

4) I LOVE ice tea. I drink it with LOTS of ice and LOTS of lemon. In a restaurant I ask for "ice tea, with lots of ice and extra lemon." Their tip goes down if they don't follow through.

5) I always sit in the same spot in church on Sunday. My husband, who likes change, will talk me into moving sometimes. I still sit in the same pew... just at the opposite end.

I never really think about my having idiosyncrasies but my husband and son will vouch for the fact that I probably have many more which I haven't listed. I can hear James beginning to list them.....

This was fun, especially to read everyone else's. Like Gayla, I like having a cover...mine doesn't have to be blankets but at least a sheet. I, too, keep water by my bed. If I don't drink it, that's okay. It's there. I also love socks! My favorite time is fall and sock shopping! I can't stand to wear shoes...so you see the list does go on!

I won't name anyone but if you choose to do it please let me know!

A Recent Update on Rylee

Last night RyLee had a tracheotomy put in so the respirator could be removed. According to the head of neurology, RyLee is progressing more than expected. The doctor is “cautiously optimistic.” RyLee does have “dead spots” in her brain, but other spots are learning to compensate. The best result of this is that she is moving her right arm. Her tongue is still swollen, so language will be difficult even if she can form words correctly, which remains to be seen. As for language comprehension, she seems to understand some things (randomly) and not others. Nathan said, “Even with RyLee this way, I’d still rather be married to her than to be single.” Concerning Nathan, he is having his knee examined today (he injured it on Labor Day and hasn’t run since then). The car he was driving (RyLee’s) has broken down, so he had to repair and register his other car (the one that had been towed). As a result, he has had $600 worth of unexpected car expenses this month. He greatly appreciates the donations that have come into the Benevolence Fund at church for him. He is on an hourly wage and can leave early when he finishes his work. He’s been doing this so he can spend more time at the hospital. Of course this means less income, so he does have some financial needs now. Many of you have asked how you can help, and we still affirm that your prayers are what we need most, but Nathan also asked if people could reach out to RyLee’s parents. They are believers but do not fellowship with a church body.

Thank you, everyone, who has been faithfully praying for Rylee's recovery. Our God is a mighty God for whom nothing is impossible!

Prayer, Part 2

I believe most people would acknowledge that the Word of God is essential to our whole Christian growth experience. It is also crucial in the area of prayer. I have heard it stated that "the degree to which we believe in God's Word and apply it to prayer is the degree to which God will pour out His power during our prayer." For myself, I do not expect anyone to grow in spiritual confidence if there is little or no time in getting to know God through His Word.

"Prayer," said E. M. Bounds, "projects faith on God, and God on the world. Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God." So where does faith come from? According to Paul, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Really there isn't any other way for our faith to be strengthened as it is when we are being immersed in the Word of God. In society today there is a lot of book reading going on. One doesn't really need to look very far to find another new book out on how to live the Christian life, how to develop your Christian walk, how to know God in a deeper way, etc. Reading books does stir our hearts in a deep passion for faith, but it does not build faith. The Word alone is the source of faith.

Andrew Murray explained, "Little of the Word with little prayer is death to the spiritual life. Much of the Word with little prayer gives a sickly life. Much prayer with little of the Word gives more life, but without steadfastness. A full measure of the Word and prayer each day gives a healthy and powerful life."

No matter how intense one's prayer life is, it isn't complete without it being fed nourishment which is only available from God's Word. Just look through the Bible...it IS our prayer book. It is our foundation and our guide for any praying that will be effective. Delve into the prayers of Paul or read David's outpourings to God. When we block the lifeline to God's throne of grace when we neglect our daily, quiet, reading of His Word. Our being able to 'abide in Christ' is sustained through the Word and must never stop.

I cannot fathom going out to 'meet' my day being spiritually empty. I am opening myself up to all sorts of attacks by my enemy. However, if I am well fed by His Word, I am much more capable of overcoming in the hour of temptation.

Paul states, "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13; emphasis added). So if God's Word is effectually working in those who believe, it should carry the same impact within our prayers. When we bring His Word directly into our praying aren't we bringing His power directly into our praying? I believe so. Look at some other verses where this is confirmed. "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life" (Psalm 119:93). Also, '"Is not my word life fire," declares the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"' (Jeremiah 23:29).

So how might this be applied? As you are reading a passage of Scripture a verse or two might impress a truth upon you. Stop reading and quietly meditate what that verse is saying to you. Ponder every aspect. Evaluate how this passage may become a specific petition. Does this verse prompt you to pray for something specific? How can it be directly applied to your petition? Is it possible to use some of the words of this scripture, verbatim, as you pray? Granted some passages are not as conducive to use. However, Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels or the Epistles are great to use.

A word of caution; do not neglect intercession, listening, praise, etc. All elements are essential and our goal is to be complete and well balanced. Just give His Word its rightful place.

Prayer....

HeyJules over at Faith or Fiction? started me thinking about prayer. Prayer is such a vital area for a Christian, or it should be if it isn't. Have you considered giving God a daily gift of time? Not just a few minutes here or there, but a substantial gift? It would be time well spent alone with God in prayer and in His Word. Prayer not only changes your own life but also the world. How exciting is that? Just think, you can be involved with God, working side by side with Him! To me that is exciting!

"And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?"' (Matthew 26:40).

As one reads through the Gospels we constantly find Jesus praying. He prayed anywhere, among the crowds, on the hillsides, in the upper room, among the hypocrites and alone on the mountains outside Jerusalem. Sometimes He spent whole nights praying! In His greatest need he approached His disciples and asked them to pray with Him for just one hour. Instead, they slept while He waged His war alone. Prayer is our only answer to our daily confrontations with the enemy. If Jesus prayed, how much more should we be praying?! Prayer doesn't just happen, it is a decision.

I keep a prayer notebook. I consider it my partner. It goes with me everywhere. If someone gives me a prayer request, in person, over the phone, or by email then it gets written down in my notebook with the date of the request.

Choose a quiet place for your time with the Lord. Picture yourself in an actual appointment Him! Most importantly plan for this time. You may want to block out a set time each day, or you may need to work around someone else's schedule to assure yourself of very few interruptions. The important thing? Have an attitude of expectancy (Psalm 5:3).

Whenever possible, choose the same time of day. You may have to set your alarm a little earlier but this habit becomes a link to consistency. Determine how much time you desire to spend with the Lord. An hour may seem overwhelming to you if you have never done this before. Maybe twenty minutes would be a better time frame to start with. The commitment to the specific time frame will help to make your daily time with the Lord a success. It is always so easy to sleep in, or change your plans etc. if you have not made a committed decision. In time, it turns into a strength rather than a burden hanging over you.

If you miss a day or even a week, don't beat yourself up. Just begin again, immediately. You are trying to establish a habit which takes time. Persist! Don't give up. Remind yourself of Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

As you see the Lord begin to answer your prayers be sure to write down the date it He answered! As you look back over your year, you will see His faithfulness unfolding on the pages before you.

Every concern, hope, confession, request and thank you expressed to God has a way of etching itself into your heart and thoughts and onto the tablets of God's mind. And as we know He hears, we await His inevitable response.

Prayer really isn't optional. It is quite obligatory. Where there is an absence of prayer there will be an absence of power. Where there is frequency of prayer there will be continuing display of God's power. In prayer you are aligning yourself to the purpose and power of God enabling Him to do things through you that He may not do otherwise. I do not remember where I read this but it had a profound effect on me. "Apostasy begins in the closet. No man ever backslid from the life and power of Christianity who continued constant and fervent in private prayer. He who prays without ceasing is likely to rejoice evermore."

Won't you join me in rejoicing?!

Fall is in the air!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mountain Dell Reservoir 

Going up Emigration Canyon. 

Another Update on Rylee...

Seems like every time we send encouraging news about RyLee, something discouraging happens, and every time we share the bad news, the next update is better.Yesterday Nathan had his lowest point. The doctor said RyLee has brain damage on the left side that has put her at risk for problems with language comprehension, speaking, and use of her right hand. Then that evening she developed a fever. But this morning they are starting to wean her off the respirator, which means they cut out the sedatives and cut back on the pain meds. Her blood pressure spikes when we are with her, so we have to limit our visits, but it seems like she might be able to focus her eyes sometimes. She does not have pneumonia, but she must have infection somewhere. This morning, Nathan was composed and hopeful again.

Pilot has left the building.... 

Getting ready to leave. 

A Grand Visit!!!

Nana and Pilot

Ahhh....

IT'S WONDERFUL!!!!!

SURPRISE!! :)

The phone rang very early this morning waking me up. It was James asking me if it would be okay if a friend of his could spend the night at our home tonight. Of course, I said yes. Then he went on to ask if I could pick up his friend at the airport. Again, I said yes. James went on to apologize for not calling before he told his friend it was okay to stay at our house and then added, "...but I didn't figure it would be a problem since you gave birth to him." The "friend" is James! Corpus Christi is having to evacuate because of hurricane Rita. He will arrive tonight around 8:00. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! They are evacing (?) the planes and his roommate is getting to fly one to Hill AFB. James will fly back with him and the IP when they get the "all clear" signal. So I may be a little scarce as far as my blogging....please forgive! :)

More surgery tonight....

Dear Praying Friends,
At 7 pm this evening (Monday) RyLee will undergo surgery for a blood clot on the OTHER side of the brain. The surgery will take approximately 2-3 hours. Thank you for your continued prayers for RyLee, Nathan, and all of the family.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer andsupplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Praying for peace, skill, a miracle, and God's will...

Late night update: RyLee's surgery ended around 9 pm tonight (Monday) & was successful! There were no complications and it didn't cause any additional bleeding.

I've been tagged....

I've been tagged by Hey Jules over at Faith of Fiction.....

Getting to Know Me.....

5 things I plan to do before I die:
1) See James earn his wings
2) Travel
3) Grow in my walk with the Lord
4) Share Christ with more people
5) Enoy each day the Lord gives me!

5 things I can do:
1) Cook
2) Fold shirts really fast
3) PRAY
4) Wake someone up to kill a spider ;)
5) Fly in a small airplane but only with my son as the pilot (well, and maybe my brother-in-law could be the pilot too!)

5 things I cannot do:
1) SING...I make a joyful NOISE!
2) I cannot climb up on the roof of our house...scared of heights
3) I cannot eat brussel sprouts
4) I cannot stand bugs of any kind
5) I cannot water ski

5 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
Well, I think I'll stick with 5 things that attract me to my husband:
1) His sense of humor
2) His brown eyes
3) His compassionate heart
4) His tenderness
5) His walk with the Lord

5 things I say most often:
1) Praise the Lord
2) Jim!!!
3) I love you
4) Sure!
5) "Not!"

5 Celebrity crushes:
I don't have crushes on celebrities but I wouldn't mind meeting some interesting people...
1) President Bush
2) Laura Bush
3) The apostle Paul
4) Prime Minister Tony Blair
5) Any of my blogging friends! :)


5 People I want to do this next:
1) Sparrow
2) Claire at Psalm 127
3) Becky
4) Gina
5) Joe at Joe's Jottings

Update on Rylee...

Ken and Marcia Hornok wrote:
We have been told to expect RyLee’s recovery to be a long-term process. First, she is still critical and might not make it. Second, her brain was deprived of oxygen for an undetermined period of time, and even a few minutes causes brain damage. For this we pray for a miracle—that God in His mercy protected her from permanent damage. Third, progress will be seen by the week, rather than daily. She will be hospitalized for several weeks. When the brain swelling goes down, they will reattach the piece of skull they removed (which is frozen). When she woke up briefly yesterday, she was able to wiggle her toes on both feet, which is a good sign, but was not able to follow the commands for her hands.That’s about all we know at this point. Nathan is holding up well—evidence of God’s grace. Pray for his continued strength, comfort, faith, and endurance. He has a knee injury and can’t run right now, and his license expired on his car the end of Aug, so it got towed from the apartment complex. He only realized it was gone yesterday, because he’s been driving RyLee’s car, so he doesn’t know when it was towed or what kind of impound fees he will be charged. So these are other things to pray about. We are hanging these verses in RyLee’s hospital room: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is myRock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my Mighty Rock, my Refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O People; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge” (Psalm 62:5-8 NIV). We also remind ourselves of Luke 18:27, which was on yesterday's bulletin cover – The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. We love you all, Ken & Marcia

Prayer Request

Our pastor's daughter-in-law is fighting for her life. An earlier prayer request explains it in more detail posted here. About 2 weeks ago she went back in for another 'procedure'. She came through it relatively well. However, there were certain areas that were affected. She was having difficulty with short term memory, use of some of her limbs etc. They have kept her in the critical care unit of the ICU. Yesterday morning at 6:15 her husband Nathan called Pastor Ken and Marcia and said that Rylee had begun bleeding in the brain. They were taking her in for surgery. She was in a coma. Finally, at around 4 in the afternoon the doctores were able to stop the bleeding. It was determined that Rylee did suffer a stroke and was without oxygen to her brain. No one knows for how long. Rylee is 24 years old and she and Nathan have just been married over a year. The doctors said yesterday before the surgery that her life was hanging by a thread. Now they say it is hanging by a 'few' more threads. We would all appreciate your prayers for this young woman and her husband. Thank for approaching the throne of grace on their behalf.

John 14:21

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me" (John 14:21).
It struck me anew this morning how important it is for God's Word to be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. By bringing God's Word to bear on specific situations that arise in our lives we develop convictions. By knowing God's Word we thereby know God's will in a situation. It is through God's Word alone that our minds are reshaped and our values are renewed.

Memories....

A friend sent this pic to me and it flooded me with memories! When our son, James, was about this same age, he would climb up on his daddy's recliner by the window and watch for him to come home from work each day at 5:00. Our keeshond, Zeke, would be right next to him on the floor with his snout resting on the window sill!

The Prayer of the Saints....

Revelation 5:8, "When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Our prayers do not die. We die, at least our lips are closed in death and our heart which had felt those prayers ceases to beat. But our prayers live before almighty God and His heart is set on them. E. M. Bounds said, "Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them...outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world."

God shapes the world by prayer. The more we pray the more we can impact the evil forces in the world today. I've heard it said that prayer is a disinfectant and a preventive. It purifies the air and and destroys the contagion of evil.

There is one condition regarding prayer. That is we need to ask God. The Lord desires a praying people who are willing and obedient.

"I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord...Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware" (Psalm 2:7-9, emphasis added).

Our prayers strengthen the next generation. It is a sad day when one finds his "coffers" empty of the incense of prayer. If we have been too busy to pray or too unbelieving to pray, think of the consequences of leaving an empty heritage. Hopefully, we as parents have indeed left a rich legacy of prayer for our children for they will then not only be fortunate but wealthy besides.

Listening to God...

"Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3.

Why is it that we fail to hear what He is saying? Is it that we believe it is a totally passive experience? That we should just sit and absorb what is being said to us? I believe good listening is an active endeavor requiring both attitude and action. Shouldn't we approach God confidently and expectantly, anticipating that He will communicate with us? I believe that is an expression of faith where we demonstrate that we believe His promises.

One thing we must do is approach the Lord with an attitude of patience (Psalm 40:1). I know I am not one who is thrilled with waiting but I do know that often God doesn't tell us everything at once. Sometimes we are not ready for everything He wants to say and He withholds information until we are prepared to listen. Other times He may be s-t-r-e-c-h-i-n-g our faith.

There is another attitude which involves action...listening actively. I love what Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom..." We are to be rich, abundant, and overflowing with the truth of God's Word. This comes about by meditating on Scripture.

Listen humbly and submissively for we must understand how absolutely dependent we are upon the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. Whether God speaks through Scripture, circumstances, prayer, or other people, it is the Spirit who enables us to hear.

Impacting Lives....

I have a dear blogging friend who recently lost her aunt. She shared with me how everyone in the family thought she was a woman to be praised. Every one of her children praised this woman. When our lives are over how do you hope to be remembered? Have you ever contemplated what you will leave behind as a legacy to the people who know you? We all leave a legacy whether we desire to or not.

Too often I meet people who are more often concerned about the number of years they will live rather than how they live. Besides the people that are involved in our lives having an interest in us, God, Himself is interested in what we do with the time He has given us. What will be the message of your life?

Too often, we minimize who we are and the potential God created in us. We seem to leave God out of the equation of our life. But He has a plan for each of us which He fully intends for us to fulfill. As we move through this gift of life there will come a point where He will call us home and when that happens what kind of legacy will we leave to others? What affect will it have on them? Any at all?

What is our legacy? Some people would think it is our material possessions, our property, and our money. That isn't it at all. It's our life, the influence we have, along with our testimony that is our legacy. That testimony can be good or bad, strong or weak, rich or poor. This very minute in time each of us are building a legacy and we will continue to do so every day that we live.

"Living for today" is a common theme throughout our culture today. Sometimes people don't even need to say the words, it's lived out in their life by the choices they make. However, as Christians we need to realize that the way we live affects more than just 'today.' Our thinking, conduct, and conversation will become our legacy, impacting others when we are no longer here.

Scripture tells us that we should be involved in His work (Ephesians 2:10) and that we are to bring Him honor and glory (1 Corinthians 6:20). It really doesn't matter the number of years we live. It is much more important to think about how our lifetime is invested. What we choose to do this very day....the priorities you demonstrate through your use of time and resources, as well as the way you handle relationships...will leave a witness for either good or evil.

If you have children, hopefully, they will be able to remember their parents reading the Scriptures and talking about how God spoke to them through a passage. How will they learn to love and trust the Word unless you demonstrate how you value it. Unless you hand down to them a stalwart faith in God's Word, you leave them vulnerable to the world's empty philosophies.

Another important area is prayer. How often do your children see you crying out to the Lord during trials for His strength and perseverance? How often do they hear you praising Him for His blessings? Your visible and audible prayer life becomes a picture indelibly imprinted on their minds, an image critical to their future reliance upon God.

Also, there is the area of our Christian witness. Do you actively share your faith? Do you encourage other's efforts to share the good news? How do you react to persecution, suffering and pain? How do you treat others in time of need? Do you value every human being you come in contact? Do you view that person as another of God's creation, to be valued and respected?

Oh yes, we leave a legacy to our children but also to the 'world'....our friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors. They all are observing Christians to see if their claims are credible. Don't just think about your impact right now but view it in terms of eternity.

James' Truck

A picture of James' new Snug Top on his truck which he bought in May. He went and picked up the top in San Antonio today. It looks very nice!

Apple Tree

Our apple tree is going to have a banner year too!

Plum Tree

Our plum tree is loaded with the tastiest plums!

Nana's window

Outside of Nana's window!

Nana's Window

Marsha, these are for you! Since you saw these at the beginning when we planted for Mother's Day you can see the end of the season, too! :)