Listen...

And he said unto them, "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given" - Mark 4:24

These kids, laughing, enjoying life...they're good kids. Ones I want in my son's life.

Judge not, you might miss out on a fantastic relationship.

This weekend was the annual Resurrection weekend.

Resurrection is: Spiritual renewal weekend retreat...Closer walk with Christ...Terrific speaker with an awesome God-centered message...Fantastic worship music...Making new friends and renewing existing friendships...About 12,000 youth and adult mentors...

Theme : Overflowing
Receive Him. Reveal Him.

"He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God." -John 1:10-12

Speaker: Justin Lookadoo

Throw out the word “normal” when the subject turns to author/speaker Justin Lookadoo. From the memorable name to the 6’7” Texas size frame, to the fascinating ability he has to connect with youth through live national speaking engagements “Lookadoo” translates into one word: Original.

This is obvious in the library of successful books he’s authored--most notable among them Dateable. Just ask the thousands of readers of his witty off-the-wall-style of writing that nails reality “slab dab in the middle,” as translated in Lookadoo lingo from his native El Paso. He takes advantage of current hip and relevant cultural twists and turns in the world to show teens that biblical principals and Christian values are actually ‘cool’ rules to live by. He noted in a recent interview: “Everything I do wraps around two themes—identity and purpose. Who am I? Why am I here? These are the challenges that face young people today.”

When the subject turns to teens and young adults, his is a rare insight into what makes today’s youth “tick.” Lookadoo is, in fact, a certified specialist in the field having served as a Juvenile Probation Officer Crime & Drug Prevention Specialist for 6 years.

Justin is today an in-demand national speaker whose credibility is built on books such as The Hardest 30 Days Of Your Life, Extreme Encounters, and the Dateable franchise of books and study guides. His footprint in the field as a youth author is a size 16 in influence.

He tells me of the experience from the retreat...how he learned to "listen" to God...in that, I, too, learned a lesson...a lesson from my son, to listen...
I see a change in that boy of mine...I'm proud of him, for who he is now, and for who he will become...with God's guidance.
(see more pictures over on my journal blog)

Abundance...

"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance" -Psalm 65:11

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Do you see this year as being crowned with a bountiful harvest? Notice, God didn´t say He would crown with a "barely-get-by" harvest or a "just-let-me-survive" harvest. No, He blesses His people with an overflow harvest. Even the hard places overflow with abundance. Our attitude should be "2009 is going to be a great year. I can already sense it! Favor is coming my way. Blessings, good ideas, promotions already have my name on them!" As long as you stay faithful and keep sowing good seeds, eventually that harvest will find its way into your hands.

Do your part to make sure you are ready to receive at the right time. Make sure you aren´t holding on to negative mindsets, mediocrity, disobedience, sin, fear, or anything that would hold you back or keep you from God´s best. I encourage you today to take inventory of your thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Ask the Lord to show you any area of your life that needs adjusting. As you keep an open and humble heart before the Him and diligently follow His commands, you will receive the bountiful harvest He has in store for you.

Father in heaven, thank You for Your peace, joy, and provision. I trust You today knowing that You have good things planned for me this year. Search my heart and know me so that I can live a life that is pleasing to You. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.
(Thank you Jill...I love you)

More to come on my word for the year.

Cold...Rain...Pain...

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me."
-Psalm 23:4

I'm watching the rain, pouring, stream forms...flash flooding possible. More than 3" fell that day. As I look at the mess it left behind, I think of the pain grief leaves behind. Five of seven days last week brought me grief.

Rewind -
2008 brought many changes to our lives...not just for my family, for many. Mark lost his job, I returned to work, big adjustment being away from my boys. Cody turns 17 and has his first car accident just one week after. I begin to worry about Jesse Ray academically. He's bored, hates school. How do I make him understand? The first of these, still lingers...living on less than half of what we had before August, brings grief, worry. We manage, but there isn't enough extra for three unexpected Dr. visits for sick (no insurance)...not enough for tow bill...Cody's truck breaks down in another town, just a week after spending much on a new clutch. My car - transmission ?...letting it go to care for Cody's. New car insurance statement goes up almost $300. My boys were turned down for Tenn Care. Only a temporary necessity until Mark finds employment with benefits. The reason...we are over the income limit. Is that possible?

If I hide behind a seemingly perfect life, I pour out untruth. So I share, because life is like that sometimes. The seasons are not exactly desirable, yet I, we, are still very blessed. Like the rain, and grief, blessings are poured out heavy each day if I am willing to see, feel them. I learn that it is how I deal with theses circumstances that will make a difference.

So I have a dream, to build a home, every detail in mind...a special room for the boys, their friends. I have a home, humble as it is, it is mine, and truth is, friends probably feel quiet comfortable in our small nest. I can't forget my cabin...a dream, a wish, that is real ~ it's mine. The most important thing, we are all together, and healthy, and we are not in fear of losing everything like so many are right now. So if it never comes to pass, I will accept, I will love, praise him. Whatever it takes to bring him Glory.




Today, my wish, that you will find Joy, even if it be a small Joy...His Love, Grace, is unending. His Hope, Peace comes freely.

The path of faith takes us not around dark places but through them

God in Heaven, soften my heart in clay to be a servant . Help me find Joy, Peace when it rains in my life. Help me see clearly the path you have laid before me, and show me what you need me to do.

(photos)
flooding, Colt enjoying a drink, my cabin

Communion & Family Laughter...

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. - 1 Corinthians 11:23

After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Holy Communion is a time for me to take Him in. I like that. My church offers open communion. All are welcome. Yet I am unworthy, I go. It is then, in that moment of bowing, receiving, that I am renewed.

Sunday was the first day in awhile we had the chance to take a little trip. We bundle, and drive to Elrod Falls, in nearby Hancock Co.

Jesse-Ray finds "fun house" iceSee that, Jesse-Ray's smiling, forgotten school. This just after Cody's spill on the frozen mass.

I wonder what he thinks...



Ice crystals form on water surface...


Cody looks on...

Guard thy Heart...

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life. -Proverbs 4:23

May I suggest Karen Kingsbury...I've just found her, inspiration in these pages of "Sarah's Song". Not just for relationships, but for life lessons, seasons, whether it Spring, or Winter.

Some interesting links follow-

Karen Kingsbury

Walls - Richie McDonald

Karen's Journal

More later on Sunday communion and our family trip...

Miracle on the Hudson...

How about some good news...

Definition of miracle
* any amazing or wonderful occurrence
* a marvellous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine agent

An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God: “Miracles are spontaneous, they cannot be summoned, but come of themselves” -Katherine Anne Porter.

A discernibly supernatural event demonstrating God's controlling power over the terrestrial intended to produce faith in His word

Deena...

Please visit Deena

Spiritual Nourishment

The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
-Hebrews 4:12

Patricia B. Sawyer - Indiana,
Like many others, I have become more careful about my diet. Recently, as I watched a video on how to eat properly, I was surprised to learn that not only is what we eat important, but so too is how we eat. Our saliva contains special enzymes that aid in digestion. If we swallow before we have sufficiently chewed our food, these enzymes do not mix with our food, preventing our bodies from getting the full benefit of what we eat.

As I was reading the Bible later that day, it occurred to me that a similar process also applies to reading God's word. If we read the Bible regularly and think about its meaning for us, it can nourish us and abide in us as it was designed to do. It will reach our hearts and reveal God to us. We can then see how we measure up to God's purpose for our lives and how the events in our lives are evidence of God's work.

As we allow God's word to abide in us, we can move out to teach and encourage others. Then they too can be nourished with the spiritual food it provides.


Lord, guide us in studying your word so that we may learn from it and also teach others. Amen.

Who Are you...

Paul wrote, "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

Robert E. Boertien (Oregon, USA)
Recently I overheard my seven-year-old granddaughter Bree identify herself to someone by stating, "I'm a Christian." What a simple yet all-encompassing description! However, most of us tend to identify ourselves by occupation, hobbies, schools we attended, physical attributes, or limitations.

Through the study of scripture we learn that Christian identity is not something we put on or take off, like clothing to match the weather conditions. Identifying ourselves as Christians may not always be to our immediate advantage; yet regardless of the circumstances, we are to thank God that we bear Christ's name. (See 1 Pet. 4:16.)

Although we will not live a sin-free life as Jesus did while on earth, being a Christian means that we continually strive to be like Christ in all of our daily activities, adopting the role of humble servants who minister to the spiritual and physical needs of others. When others ask who we are, or even when we are examining ourselves, our most defining answer is, "I'm a Christian."

Dear God, help us to be like Jesus Christ in all that we do. Forgive us when we forget who we are and fail to live as your children. Amen.

Perspective from Ann

Deena...

My Deena is very sick. Unable to eat without vomiting. Can barely get around. Will you please pray for this to be released from her?
I miss her-

From Marilyn...

Flow of Life...

Inbox this morning...simple message to "you"
_____, it's within you: the answers you seek, the direction you want, and the power to be whoever you want to be. Your dreams are not yours by mere whim. They've been meticulously matched to the gifts you're now developing. Designed to lure you within, where your true power lies, and then out into the world, beyond imagined limitations and fears. Trust yourself. Listen to your heart. You have the right stuff, you know what to do, and it can all be yours.
(Thank you Ter'e)

Jesus said, "Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. ... [It] will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."
-John 4:14 NRSV

My wife wrung her hands in despair. "Not another country problem!" Our house has a 210-foot drilled well with delicious, clean water. The water pressure had become so weak we thought the underground spring had run dry or changed direction. Our neighbor suggested that it might be a minor problem that any plumber could repair. We called, and the plumber withdrew the excess water in the tank and added air, which increased the water pressure to maintain a steady flow of water throughout the house.
This experience reminded me that Jesus said that I have access to a spring of spiritual water that will never fail if I maintain contact with him. Prayer renews the Holy Spirit within me, without which I shrivel up and die. Christ within me is the wellspring of eternal life. As supplying water to our home depended on keeping the pressure adequate, my supply of life-giving water depends on keeping in daily contact with Christ through prayer.
Donald Roy Buxcey Ontario, Canada

Lord Jesus Christ, remind us daily to make room for the flow of your Holy Spirit. Amen

Trade in...

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

In the past I've resolved to lose weight, to get more excercise, to save money. I'm dedicated to start, then it soon fizzles out. This year, I resolve to trade in my sorrows, worries, self doubt. I'll be more focused on Him, His will. Be more grateful. I will lead more, follow less. Be more understanding with my Seventeen year old.

I am blessed, yet I don't thank Him enough. Will you do this with me? Look, see, feel him, holding you, beckoning, "Release your fears to me, and I will care for you."

I want to go where he leads, answer the call, without fear of failure.

Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze
You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand
I know that You will finish what You began

And these broken parts You will redeem
Become the song that I can sing

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can

God in Heaven, thank you for leading me, for all the things in my life I take for granted. Help me follow You. Give me courage to lead others...

One more thing before you begin...

How to get the important stuff in a day

Not sure...

Apparently I'm not as savvy with blog as I thought. Somehow I changed my settings to private viewing...I certainly did not want to lock you out, hide his words away so that no one could see. I won't be messing with the settings again. I'd like to thank the ones who messaged me about this "problem"...

Have a year filled with Grace, Mercy, let his Blessings fall on you..."Peace be still and know that I am God"