Go. Be. Do.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.   I Peter 1:3-4 NLT Yesterday at church...I was visiting one in Michigan with my best friend...I was inspired by a group of teens who had "Rebel" written across each of their shirts.  One young lady shared that in today's society it is acceptable to drink, smoke, do drugs, and so much more, so the youth group are declaring themselves to be rebels against it and do what's right instead. I loved their way of thinking...and the challenge put before me.  My boys are growing up in a world where right and wrong are according to one's opinion, not...

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?   My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."   Psalm 121:1-2   This week at Home Is Where You Start From the photo challenge is "The Eyes Have It".  Visit to see all the eye catching entries this week.

It has been a great beginning to my 3 in 30 goal...setting and accomplishing...challenge! I finished just as strong with my goals as I began and couldn't be happier that I am going into February with my chin up and 3 accomplished goals under my belt. As I was helping the boys with their room yesterday, doing the umpteenth load of laundry of the week, doing dishes, planning meals...the daily tasks seemed endless.  Seems everytime I turn around there's something amiss somewhere I had just been moments before.  I sigh, make a choice to ignore it or repeat the task of staightening out the clutter, and thank God for those making these tasks worthwhile.      For me the 3 in 30 goals are different than daily tasks.  My 3 in 30 goals are mine.  They are things that will not get done without my hand.  Nor will they get "messy" by someone else's hand.  My success or failure is at my own doing....

Working out at the Y last evening, I was going through the songs on my MP3 player trying to find upbeat and motivating songs to keep me going.  It was a stressful workout and I needed every little bit of encouragement I could get.  I really just wanted to give up and go home.  I found myself picking out songs from days gone by that I just absolutely love.  This event inspired me for a Wednesday's Walk theme of 80's/early 90's Christian music...if you are too young to relate, I understand, but for fun you may want to listen along.  I was a teenager when I started listening to only Christian music...a great sacrifice at the time when 80's pop music was "it".  I don't regret it, but at the time it was a big decision.   For me, music is timeless.  A song can take me right back to when I first heard it or when God used it to encourage me or draw my attention to give him  all the glory He deserves. Enjoy a few of the...

Sunday was a nice day to enjoy the outdoors again... ...and my hope for Spring grows a little with each passing day! Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

"This moment" in time was during the boys' Upward basketball game.  Visit the L.E.N.S. photo challenge  for more wonderful moments.

Well, personally, I cannot believe how fast January is going by and how busy I/we have been this month.  Keep on going, Winter...I am excited for Spring's arrival! This week my heart has been blessed in the Word through Psalm 77...especially these verses: Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Psalm 77:13-20 Just this m...

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”...tells me that no matter how difficult my burden is, without God, the yoke would be even harder and the burden heavier still. John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."...reminds me to be actively working against the tendency to be troubled. James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,"...confirms that trials will come my way.  It says when , not if . Psalm 34:12-14 "Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."...sums it up this way: doing evil comes naturally, but finding peace ...

 Join in on the photo challenge fun at Home Is Where You Start From . 

Ever wonder this...What if Jesus had a Facebook account? I have been laughing at myself for a few weeks now...well, I've been doing that for many, many years actually...but, lately concerning this very thought I had in the shower one morning during the holidays.  Now, during the season when people were thinking about family/gifts/parties/presents and singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs, why did this cross my mind?  I don't know for sure, but it was pretty comical. What profile picture would He use? Who would send the friend request...Him or me?  How many friends would He have and how many would we have in common? How many status updates would he post that said something like..."Became the personal Savior of Sally, Susie, and Joe tonight."  "Healed another cancer patient."  "Had a great time showing Janet my sense of humor today." Would He ever comment on my wall..."Well done, good and faithful servant." Viewing my pho...

Having a great month...getting things accomplished and finding myself excited that the newness of 2011 hasn't worn off yet is so awesome. Closets are all cleaned out but mine...getting to the last one of six feels great and I cannot wait to rummage through it. As for making it to the Y three times...thanks to our ice and a minor back injury , that hasn't happened, but I have a chance tomorrow and Saturday to make it there at least twice this week.  So looking forward to it, even if I walk a little funny getting there. And, there are plans in the making of a new endeavor for me to use a newly acquired skill to bless others.  Baby steps of hope in the right direction. And, I've had a chance to think ahead to next month's goals...can't wait!  Thank you, God, for a wonderful week!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.  1 Timothy 6:17-19 Lately, the desire to purposefully use my spiritual gifts has been first and foremost on my list of things to do for 2011.  As I read 1 Timothy 6 one day for my Bible time, verses 17-19 just leapt off the page at me.  I want to take hold of the life that is truly life.   I have been reminded how...it's about hoping in God and being willing to share my gifts. In case I didn't get the point in reading these verses, God used Alex to get the point across even more la...

Wintertime.  Snow.  Ice.  Sledding.  Speed.  Bailout.  Woodpile. Crash.  Ouch. Ibuprofen. Repeat. Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

A rainy day in Eagle River, Alaska... The worship that took place this day in the pavillion made you forget how wet and cold you were.  It was awesome.  Cannot wait to be back...only 193 more days. ♥ Join in on the fun of the photo challenge at Home Is Where You Start From !

My goals for January are... to get back into going to the Y at least 3 x's a week...I took a holiday vacation and miss my time there tremendously. to restore order to all the closets...this has already started with the help of my mom who's been visiting this week. and, to purposefully put to use my spiritual gifts...this one may be hard to guage, but am praying for God to open my eyes and heart to opportunities to serve others. May God help us all as we strive to make reasonable goals and fulfill them this month!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.     Isaiah 43:19 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:4-6 I remember my affliction and my wandering,  the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul...

Starting back in November, I went through my Facebook status updates of 2010 and copied/pasted those that were my boys' words/actions into a new blog post. I've been waiting on this first Wednesday's Walk to post what they've said and done over the past year. It was such a great way to wind up my year...and they even managed some great ones in December, too, that made it in just as the year wrapped up. As for pictures that I've not posted to my blog before, I found a couple of my boys in simple everyday moments that make me smile. The following conversation was overheard from the back of the car...Alex: I still can't believe I got colonge for Christmas.  Tim:  Where do you put cologne anyway?  Your armpits?  Alex: (belly laughing as hard as I was) Not in your armpits, Tim...on your neck.  Me: That would be deoderant, Tim.  Tim: Oh, yeah...deoderant.  Then not two minutes later...Alex:  Awesome!  Since I have cologne, I don't have to wash m...

July...Panama City Beach  ...and I ♥ Alaska!   August...Braves game  ...and Bible Memory Camp!  September...Hilton Head, SC ...new schoolroom  ...beginning piano lessons  ...and camping trip to Raccoon Caverns in TN.  October...climbing Stone Mountain  ...fishing @ the Reservoir ...and Key Largo, FL!  November...trip to the Keys continued to Key West  ...and a trip home to IN for Thanksgiving (our playhouse from the late 70's).  December...Atlanta Christmas parade ...hiking @ Cochran Mill ...and a very white and merry Christmas Day! 

 January...snow days  ...and Upward Basketball games!  February...MORE snow days  ...a trip to Arizona (to warm up)  ...only to then visit Canada while staying with my friends in MI.  March...trip to Pensacola, FL and a day trip to Mobile, AL (toured USS Drum and USS Alabama)  ...and T-Ball games.  April...and a field trip to Yellow River Game Ranch.  ...and a camping trip complete with fishing and swimming!    May...Tim's Kindergarten Graduation  ...and a trip to Jekyll Island, GA.  June...Road Trip out West: Colorado  ...Utah (so much to do in this state, I want to go back) ...rolling hills of Wyoming  ...Crazy Horse Memorial  ...Mount Rushmore  ...Badlands of South Dakota  ...first time to California (flying into LA to get to GA) ...and beginning Karate lessons.