Text Message Ministry

This morning I sent an email to my Ya Ya's & Lauren (an honorary member) about a type of mission that I feel is important.


Lauren asked me to share it to the blog world so here was my email.


I feel a need to share with you a sort of "mission field" that we as adults can be doing to encourage kids today.
> Often times I will text my kids a verse for them to read. Today I sent one then I followed it up with a text that said. "No matter how hated you feel at school or how many kids make fun of you for standing up for your God WE LOVE you & are very proud of you. I sent that to my 2 kids plus 2 more girls at school.
>
> How would u feel about joining me in this? I have several kids numbers & feel we as adults could encourage them because I can't even imagine being a teenager in todays world.
>
> Or if you know of any kids who need encouragement I would love to know who.
>
> Thanks & Love You,
> Christy


I received great feedback (of course I knew my Ya Ya's would). I feel that our kids are fighting such a tough battle & often times they feel alone. You know how hard it can be as adults not to fall into things of this world but can you imagine just how hard it is for teenagers???


Please pray about this & see where God leads you. Let me know if you have any questions on how I go about it.


Love You all!!

Some people....

Have you ever known those certain people who just seem to be able to read you... I mean REALLY read you.


Well, today around 2:00 as my relief arrived at work it was a guy I think the world of. I wish I knew him better but he is one the most sincere, kind of old fashioned chivalry kind of men.


Anyway, he says to me "Girl, you look nervous and anxious, are you ok?" I just looked at him and with tears in my eyes quietly say "I am fine". He persists, "Are you sure?"


By now I am trying not to look at him because I am a strong person (or at least I always thought I was) and I hate to be seen in a weak state (once again as I view weak anyway) I said "Yes, I am sure I will live." He says "What's going on?" to which I said "Just life in general but tomorrow is a new day, thanks for asking".


With that I left him hanging, I will try to find him tomorrow to explain a little better.


Pruning, my friends, can be painful at times.......

Ash Wednesday service & Appalachian Mountains

Last night we attended the Ash Wednesday service at church. It was a great service, to steal from my friend Leslie's blog; There is a reason why we have our heads marked with a cross of ashes on this day. In the bible, a mark on the forehead is a symbol of a person's ownership. By having our foreheads marked with the sign of the cross, it's a symbol that we belong to Jesus Christ, who died on a cross.It is also an imitation of the spiritual mark that is put on a Christian at baptism.The reason that ashes are used is because they are a biblical symbol of mourning and penance. They also symbolize death and remind us of our mortality. In fact, when the priest crosses our foreheads with ashes, he says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return."

I think this a great reminder that we are a chosen people. I LOVE Easter, it is by far my favorite holiday!!!

Few people know this but Ed has a passion for the Appalachian people. He has felt a strong calling to minister in that area (which I think is AWESOME, as I have a passion for missions). Anyway, we are taking the kids in 2 weeks & going to the Appalachian Mountains to visit Red Bird Mission. I cannot wait. We want to see what we can do to serve & help out. I pray that God leads us where he feels we are needed.

Please keep this trip in your prayers. Thanks!!

This was my Upper Room devotional for today, it was too good not to use.



Today's Scripture

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
-1 John 4:78 (NIV)


AFTER a mediocre football season, I heard a quarterback say about his team, "We are better than our record." I thought about how that phrase applies to my life.

I realized that if God looked only at my record, God would see the hurtful things I said, the wrong decisions I made, and the sins I committed. I would be condemned. However, "God is love" and doesn't keep a ledger of my performance.

It comforts me to know that God loves me and sent Jesus into the world to die and to be raised for me. As we believe in Jesus Christ and repent of our wrongdoing, God forgives us and transforms us into something better than our record. We become heirs to all God's blessings.
Kenneth Decker (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
God, thank you for giving us a savior, Jesus Christ, and for loving us in spite of our transgressions. As Jesus taught us we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*


Thought for the Day

In God's eyes, each one of us is better than our record.

Prayer Focus

Those overwhelmed by guilt

Pruning

Prune

1. To cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of (a plant, for example) to improve shape or growth.
2. To remove or cut out as superfluous.
3. To reduce: prune a budget.
To remove what is superfluous or undesirable.


Pruning can be painful, humiliating, and degrading at times but when talking about being pruned by God.... the end product turns out beautiful.



Hang on this could be a bumpy ride!

Praying Wednesday

There is so much going on right now with people needing prayer that I wanted to take some time to name a few. If you have any to add PLEASE leave a comment with your request. Take some time as you read this list to say a prayer.


* My Mom, Becki was put back on a heart monitor after having surgery last year to "fix" the issue. There has been some episodes lately.


* Susan Tedrow & her Dad with the loss of Bonnie.


* Mark VanMeter & family as they deal with his illness.


* Micky Collins, another surgery this week after just having had surgery 3 weeks ago.


* A dear friend of mine who needs to put their health as a high priority (& quit being so stubborn) =)


* Those dealing with Cancer. It seems to effect so many today.


* Pray for our Preachers, especially on Saturdays as that seems to be the day the ole' scum dog wants to attack the most.


* Lost souls, especially family members.


* Andrew Maze & family as they battle his illness. What a sweet family.


* Those dealing with the loss of a child.


* Pray for our Government leaders, & those in position of influence.


I just know I am forgetting some. If you have any to add please do.

Love You all!

Tuesday Tunes

Eloquent- Sanctus Real


I'm as eloquent as an elephant
I'm as headstrong as the Mighty King Kong
On a rampage throwing airplanes
I can't believe you haven't gone away


I am difficult, argumentative
I'm as thick skulled as the dinosaur bones on a display in a glass case
I can't believe you haven't run away


[Chorus:]
It must be different through your eyes
Because you look at me like it's the first time
That you've ever seen my face


I'm preoccupied with a crowded mind
I get off track like a train rolling back to the future
Never too sure who'll be here when I come back around
But I'm finding out


[Chorus:]
It must be different through your eyes
Because you look at me like it's the first time
That you've ever seen my face

The dreaded hair bow

What if we....

Well the weekend seemed to speed by. We went to Dayton for the Softball tournament. I had to laugh because before the first game they handed out hair bows. Aimee is not a hair bow wearing type of girl. She looked at it like it had the plague! They made her wear it, I took a picture that I will post when I get home today. They also said they buy bows for every tournament. She was less than thrilled.



We did have a productive weekend though. We bought a Prom dress! It is burnt Orange, about the color of her car. John thinks he is getting a Camo Tux. Talk about redneck!!!



On the way home last night we stopped at Starbucks in Martinsville (a treat Aim & I always do). While there I thought about Lauren's challenge. If you haven't read about it, go to her blog on my sidebar & read it (That Girl)! Anyway, after we got our order I told the cashier I would like to buy the car behind ours order. She said oh do you know them? I said no but tell them God loves them. She said awwww. Aimee said oh my what a great idea. It wasn't much but as Laur said an epidemic of niceness spreading it awesome. I hope they do the same for someone as well.



The kids & I have a plan to do this on our Spring Break trip to Florida! Can't wait!! Cole will love this because he has such a servants heart.



Try it yourself, you will be blessed. Even though it was just a few bucks I hope it had an impact on them.

Challenge

Take some time to read "The Journey" blog today. It will challenge you. After you read it come back here & leave a comment on what you plan to do with the it. This post will really challenge you & make you think.

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/


I plan to share this with my family & then challenge them to do with less & put what we save toward a worthy cause that we as a family decide on.

A little behind......

So, yea I got online and just noticed I still had a Valentine's theme on my blog.... does that tell you where my mind is lately?!?!?!



However, the red on it did remind me of something. I am now a red head.... of course not natural! I am that gal that goes to the beauty salon and says "Do whatever". So, Amy, my hair stylist always has something new in mind. She got the color on and as after it set she was rinsing it and said oh no (NOT something you want to ever hear in that position). I said what and she said I think it's Pink. I said again?? (That is another story....) But, it was not pink.... just red. It must be a big change cause everyone has said something about it. Oh well, I don't much care, it's just hair!



I picked up my loaner car today. It's a Rendezvous (just like my mom's AND not a little old lady car like Andrea was wishing on me)!!! Aim & I will head out tomorrow morning for Dayton, Ohio or a softball tournament. Girl trip!!! The best thing is, I am a little weird (I know you already know this) but I like to drive with no talking....just me, the road and the radio. Mind you we can sing, but I like to just cruise. Aimee is usually pretty quiet unless we are at home so we will get along just fine. Cole on the other hand is NEVER quiet! He will be at his dad's this weekend though!


Anyway, I'm off to change my background!!

How do you view your Giants??

Have you ever wondered how little ole David was able to slay Goliath?


Now we all know it was with God's help but have you ever really thought about it??


How do you view your "Giants"? Do you stress & fret about them? Do you hide away, trying to run from them? Or do you face them head on & deal with them?


I'd dare say we have handled different situations differently, but have you noticed when we take our eyes off the "giant" & put them on the Lord how much easier they are to deal with?


Why is it then do we have to keep re-learning this. I mean it's not rocket science?!?!


When we put our trust in the Lord & keep striving to do "good" He will make our ways easier & more peaceful.


As my friend Lauren said to me the other day "when we screw up God says, I know she will do better next time".

Wednesday already??

Well, I cannot believe it is Wednesday already!


We are in a break time for school activities until softball starts in April for Aimee & Track for Cole. You would think that would make us less busy... Think again!


My Durango still isn't in the shop. They can't get to it until Monday the 23rd & it will take a week to fix. Ugh!


Tomorrow night I am going with the evil princess a.k.a Pam Tedrow to Shiloh UMC in Jasper for a presentation on Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She will be taking the youth group there this summer.


Aimee has a travel softball tournament this weekend in Dayton, Ohio. It will just be the 2 of us going. Whoo Hooo!


The Ya Ya's will be meeting again starting in March. We will be getting ready to start a new Bible Study. Maybe a Beth Moore this time. Anyone is welcome!!

Cordurory Pillows

I read a joke today sent to me via email about Corduroy Pillows.


It took me back.............


Now you are thinking huh?!?!


When I was a child I carried around a pillow..... a Corduroy Pillow! I had that thing with me all the time. I wish I had a picture to show you. I'll have to ask Mom to scan one.

Saturday we went to Hanover College to the student athlete day. Hanover is Aimee's dream college. It is considered private so the price is a little higher. However, we learned a lot about their financial aid & scholorships that made the price a little more attainable.


We got to meet the Softball coach. She asked for a schedule to come watch Aimee. That is not to say anything will come of it but I hope for Aim it does.


I was reading a friends' blog the other day & she was talking about striving to do good. I thought about that this morning after church. We all do things we aren't proud of. There was only one perfect person that walked this earth. Now that is not to diminish our short comings & mistakes. We all do things we aren't proud of but we must remember that God knows our hearts & not what is done in haste. We must know that God forgives actions & that is what we must lean on.

Treat me as I treat me neighbor

“Treat Me As I Treat My Neighbor.”by Max Lucado


Are you aware that this is what you are saying to your Father? Give me what I give them. Grant me the same peace I grant others. Let me enjoy the same tolerance I offer. God will treat you the way you treat others.


In any given Christian community there are two groups: those who are contagious in their joy and those who are cranky in their faith. They’ve accepted Christ and are seeking him, but their balloon has no helium. One is grateful, the other is grumpy. Both are saved. Both are heaven bound. But one sees the rainbow and the other sees the rain.


Could this principle explain the difference? Could it be that they are experiencing the same joy they have given their offenders? One says, “I forgive you,” and feels forgiven. The other says, “I’m ticked off,” and lives ticked off at the world.
It’s as if God sends you to the market to purchase your neighbor’s groceries saying, “Whatever you get your neighbor, get also for yourself. For whatever you give him is what you receive.”


Let’s take this a step further. Suppose your neighbor’s trash blows into your yard. You mention the mess to him, and he says he’ll get to it sometime next week. You inform him that you’ve got company coming and couldn’t he get out of that chair and do some work? He tells you not to be so picky, that the garbage fertilizes your garden. You’re just about to walk across the lawn to have a talk when God reminds you, “Time to go to the market and buy your neighbor’s groceries.” So you grumble and mumble your way to the store, and then it hits you, “I’ll get even with the old bum.” You go straight to the skim milk. Then you make a beeline to the anchovies and sardines. You march right past the double-chocolate ice cream and head toward the okra and rice. You make a final stop in the day-old bread section and pick up a crusty loaf with green spots on the edge.

Chuckling, you drive back to the house and drop the sack in the lap of your lazy, good-for-nothing neighbor. “Have a good dinner.” And you walk away.
All your brilliant scheming left you hungry, so you go to your refrigerator to fix a sandwich, but guess what you find. Your pantry is full of what you gave your enemy. All you have to eat is exactly what you just bought. We get what we give.


Some of you have been eating sardines for a long time. Your diet ain’t gonna change until you change. You look around at other Christians. They aren’t as sour as you are. They’re enjoying the delicacies of God, and you’re stuck with okra and anchovies on moldy bread. You’ve always wondered why they look so happy and you feel so cranky. Maybe now you know. Could it be God is giving you exactly what you’re giving someone else?

Pep Session

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Survey- Please respond

Ok, Garry (a guy I work with) says to me today that I am the most anal person he knows. To which I disagreed. He said yes you are. Who else eats all their food items before moving on to the next? I said I don't know. So he said do a survey on your blog.

So, for example who eats all of their peas before moving on to their mashed potatoes then on to their steak??

Please respond!! =)

Pictures

Aimee's coach's wife (Jean Sowders, a great person!!) took pictures of the girls last week. Here are a few. Aren't they great??

Here is a link to her website: https://studiocloud.net/sowderscreations

Brooke Fraser - Albertine video

This song speaks volumes. Read the lyrics... It is about a chile she met in Rwanda.


I am sitting still
I think of Angelique
her mothers voice over me
And the bullets in the wall where it fell silent
And on a thousandth hill, I think of Albertine
there in her eyes what I don't see with my own
rwanda

[CHORUS]
now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead
now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go till you are

I am on a plane across a distant sea
But I carry you in me
and the dust on, the dust on, the dust on my feet
Rwanda

[CHORUS]

[BRIGDE]
I will tell the world, I will tell them where I've been
I will keep my word
I will tell them Albertine

[CHORUS]

I am on a stage, a thousand eyes on me
I will tell them, Albertine
I will tell them, Albertine

Africa

Africa - In addition to being known for its beautiful environments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures, Africa has the dubious distinction of having some of the poorest nations, largest populations, and harshest living conditions in the world.



Despite its trove of natural resources, the yearly incomes of Africans are some of the lowest in the world. Nearly half of its people live on less than a dollar a day. Conflicts, harsh environments, and corrupt governments have devasted economies, forcing countries to borrow for goods and fuel.




Ironically, better health care in recent decades has caused further problems in Africa. The population of the continent is approximately 800 million, and these increasing numbers have endangered the environment and strained already weakened governments.









These people are among the many unchurched peoples in the world. It breaks my heart when I think about Africa. I have such a passion for this country and its people.



I have recently came across a blog http://amazima.org/blog.html . Amazima Ministries International. It speaks to my heart. The pictures touch me in such a way that few things do. Please check it out and it you feel led donate to the cause. There are some inexpensive ways to help. However, if you cannot help financially then by all means pray!



Pray for the country of Africa, pray for the people of Africa, pray for the people who risk their own comforts and many times lives to try to take Jesus to them. I know one day I will be there, it's all in God's timing.

Tuesday Tunes

Excellent Song with a good message!!!


Downhere singing "Here I Am"


Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes in 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

Chorus
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
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
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

Chorus

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

Chorus

Here I Am, all my life an offering to You, to You
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan
Here I am

Blah

I hate to disappoint my faithful readers......

But, I have nothing insightful to say. I have been on prescription cough medicine for a few days now that makes me both irritable and really out there. With my Asthma, over the counter cough syrup is like candy to me.

We have an extremely busy week this week. Tonight I have a Missions meeting plus a council meeting at church. I am the Mission Chair. Ed has both a trustee meeting and the council meeting as well. Tomorrow is Cole's Blue Chip Tournament game. Thursday I have a board meeting and Chang has a ball game. Friday is Sectional play for the girls. Saturday is supposed to be Aimee's visit with the softball team at Hanover, so we will see about that.

I hope to be a little more inspiring tomorrow but for today that's about it!

Hinds Feet on High Places

If you want a good inspirational book to read, you have to get this on and read it. I ordered it on Christianbook.com for $10.00 total including shipping.

You will not be disappointed!!

Why???

A year ago almost to the date, I hit a deer (if you remember that fiasco). Well, this morning at 4:33, I did it again. On Hwy 231 by St. Mary's road. I didn't even see the it until it hit me. I am just sick........

Poster Picture

Each year Travis Brett and Farm Bureau gets posters of the team for Sectional time. He gives them to the players and family. It is a great thing. The picture this year was awesome and I wanted to share it. Sorry about the quality, my camera battery was dead so I had to use my phone.

Aimee is #24

Where is your faith???

I have always been just baffled & amazed when reading Exodus how God continually provided for the Israelites after their escape from Egypt & what was their response???


Grumbling, complaining & unfaithfulness.


To take a look at just the beginning we have the Israelites escaping from Eqypt. He kept them from experiencing the plagues,saved their firstborns during the passover & provided a way out of Egypt. God provides a pillar of cloud by day & a pillar of fire by night to guide them to where he wanted them to go. Then as they are camped between a the Egyptians & the Red Sea what is their response??


Fear, whining, & despair!


After watching God's powerful hand deliver them from Egypt this was their only response! Where was their trust in God? They had to learn from experience that God was able to provide for them. This is the first of MANY instances of grumbling & complaining by the Israelites. Grumbling would become a major problem for these people as they traveled.

On with the story, so Moses told the people "Do not be afraid, stand firm & you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Sound familiar?? Exodus 14:14 references another well known verse. Psalms 46:10 Be still & know that I am God. I will be exaulted among the nations. I will be exaulted in all the Earth.


Be still... What a concept. Maybe we should try THAT sometime!


So, here we have the Israelites "trapped" when God tells Moses to raise his staff & stretch out his hand over the sea to divide the water so they can pass on dry land. Now, do you think Moses thought yea, right? Nope, he just obeyed & all night God drove the waters back until they were divided & there was dry land...not a drop of water left! As they were through God directed Moses to again stretch out his hand so that the waters will swallow up the Egyptians. Not one of them survived. The Israelites saw the great power of the Lord that night.


However, do you think they put their trust in God? Well they did for a little while anyway.

God has preserved these examples in the Bible so that we can learn to trust him the first time. Yet how often do we find ourselves doing the same thing-complaining over inconveniences or discomforts? I'd say more ofthen than not.


Maybe we should learn the first time to put all our trust in God!


Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him & he will make your paths straight.

Any microphone will work

We had to go pick my car up in Bedford last night. It was getting worked on since the passenger door will not open from the outside. It didn't get fixed, but I digress....


The whole crew went because Cole had to go to WalMart to get his sweetie a Valentine present. After we got the Durango the boys went with me & Aimee rode with Ed.


As most already know I do not listen to secular music..... much. Hardly at all but I have guilty pleasure moments. I have several CDs that I burnt (actually I have 2 big CD cases full of music, which Ed finds crazy but that's another story) I had Cole grab a CD from the "mixed" case (remember I have OCD).


We put that dude in & jammed. I mean up so loud your ears hurt & everything is vibrating loud. It was gooooood jammin' music. I just happened to have a tube of starburst in the car to which I grabbed and used as a microphone while quite embarrasingly sang my heart out... LOUD. Cole joined in, we even took parts on the girl/boy songs. Chang clapped after every song & laughed a lot.


I bet if anyone saw me they thought I was nuts. What they didn't know is we were making precious memories.

Tuesday Tunes

Now how can you listen to this song and not do the motions???


Lord I Lift Your Name On High


Lord, I lift Your name on high
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I'm so glad You're in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us

(Chorus)
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high

Why do we fight the battle alone??

John 6:16-21

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. 22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.


This was the context for our sermon yesterday. Pastor Dan preached and man is he good. He delivers a sermon in a way that has you on the edge of your seat just captivated. The sermon title was "Safe Haven". I will paraphrase a lot of what was said.

He put in in modern day terms talking about how we are in very troubling times as a nation. The economy is at the lowest it has been in many years, depression is on the rise, many people are losing their jobs every day, and the church is at the lowest attendance across the nation that is has ever seen. It seems like every way we turn we are buffeted from EVERY side. So why is it that we try to do it alone? We put God in a nicely wrapped box and put him on a shelf and get him down only when we cannot do it ourselves.

Can you imagine being in that boat in a terrible storm when you see from a distance something on the water and while it is still a ways off it says "It is I, do not be afraid". Now, I don't know about you but if it was me I would be more scared than ever. However, they allowed him in the boat and the storm calmed and they were to the other shore in no time. It took them 7-8 hours to get half way across an 8 mile span and as soon as Jesus got in the boat they were immediately there.

This is how it is in our lives, when we try to "go it alone" we just create more problems but when we rely on Jesus, although we may not always get what WE want, he will gives us what we need and a peace to accept it. Folks, we are that spot in the distance saying "Don't be afraid", we are Jesus' representatives to a dying world. How good a rep are you being?

We need to be thinking about saving souls and filling the church pews. In a lost world what else can give them peace like the peace of Jesus??

What are you doing to fill your pews??