Love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him, for the Lord is your life! Deut. 30:20


Saturday, February 21, 2009

We moved to our new home in Autumn Glen 4 years ago in March. The lot next to us has sat empty - until now. They have begun building and guess who I saw outside my window??


Yep, Dave Balzer.

This morning as I sat in my bedroom having my devotions, I realized I have lost my sense of privacy. That house is really close and when they move in, they can just watch me from their deck. I sure hope I will like my new neighbors!!

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My 2 daughters and I had a girly date yesterday afternoon. After shopping at Target - one of our favorite spots to shop! - we decided to go to Cheddar's for supper. Have you ever had their honey butter croissants?? They are to die for!


My two favorite girls. My other favorite is in Arkansas. We missed you Staci!





In the evening, I went to the Little River/Berean game. Allen's sister, Julie and her husband and daughter, Susie who live in Little River came to the game. It was good to see them and catch up. I saw Joel and Jess across the way and had to go say hi to them. Good to see you guys laughing and enjoying the game. Julie told me that they only have 2 subs and last night there was only 1. A couple of them who were playing had had fevers earlier. Great. I'm sure there was much body contact out there on the floor so the flu will probably be passed around here. Actually, Kendall told me influenza is going around. I didn't get a flu shot (last year I got the shot and still got the flu so I opted out this year) so I hope I don't get it.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thankful

Ever have days like this? Everything goes to pot.

Obviously, Sophie didn't care. She thought it was fun!

"Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thess. 5:16-18

Today in Bible study we talked about thankfulness and how it is good to thank the Lord every day. Thank you, Sarah Friesen for your post listing all you are thankful for. Last night at Cubbies the children made a "thank You" paper chain. They were thankful for crayons, mommy and daddy, puppies, macaroni.... So, when the day is bad, think on the good things. God's many provisions for us.

I have begun reading "Why?" by Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter). It is a book about trusting God when you don't understand. She shares how in an 18-month period Hurricane Fran downed 102 trees in their yard, a fire consumed her husband's dental office, her 28-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery, her parents had multiple hospitalizations, they had a home remodeling project and the contractor took their money and refused to do the work (sounds similar doesn't it??), and they had 3 of their children get married. Whew!

She writes that a turkey and an eagle react differently to the threat of a storm. A turkey reacts by running under the barn, hoping the storm won't come near. (That's what I do too! I run to the basement with my precious Bible, journal and photos! while my husband runs outside to see if he can see the tornadoes!).


On the other hand, an eagle will leave its nest and spread its wing and head right into the wind, letting the air current lift it above the approaching storm. We too should spread our wings of faith, embrace the "wind" and place our trust in Jesus and Jesus alone. He has the power to lift our burdens, calm our worries and He is sufficient to carry us through!

"Soaring is so exhilarating, I find increasingly that I am no longer content to live in the barnyard of familiar comfort just for the relative security that seems to be there. I want to live by faith!...Looking back over that eighteen-month period, my thoughtful, confident conclusion is that God allowed the storms of suffering to increase and intensify in my life because He wanted me to soar higher in my relationship with Him -

to fall deeper in love with Him,

to grow stronger in my faith with Him,

to be more consistent in my walk with Him,

to bear more fruit in my service to Him,

to draw closer to His heart,

to keep my focus on His face,

to live for His glory alone!

Faith that triumphantly soars is possible only when the winds of life are contrary to personal comfort. That kind of faith is His ultimate purpose in allowing us to encounter storms of suffering. Trust Him!"

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Etsy


Cora and Sophie (my grand-daughter)

I just got to thinking that not everyone who will be reading my blog will know what the darling pink box on the side is all about. If you click on this, it will take you to the Etsy site. This is a website where crafters of all kinds sell their handmade goods. There is some really cool stuff at this neat "store"! A group of Etsy-ers has come together to create and sell items, with %100 of the proceeds going to Cora's playground (a playground at Grace Community Church being built in Cora's memory). You should check it out! It's so neat that all these people (many of whom don't even know the McClenahans) are getting together to honor Cora. There are some CUTE things! I've purchased several neat items! Can't wait for them to come! If you don't know Cora's story, check it out at: http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Monday, February 16, 2009

Launching

For the past year I have been following the blogs of friends, and especially so with the recent posts concerning sweet Cora Paige (http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/). With the encouragement of the young ladies in my Thursday morning Bible study, I have decided to launch out and begin my own blog. It has not been easy for me (since I'm over 50!), but my daughter Jill has helped me. But it isn't too user friendly I don't think! OK, Sarah Weber, you need to do it too!

This past weekend we went to Arkansas to visit my son and his family. We attended New Heights church, where Josh is worship pastor. The message was so applicable to the pain we all have been experiencing. Speaking of the Word of God, Deut. 32:47 says "They are not just idle words for you - they are your life."

God promises that He will be with us no matter what. He also promises that in this world we will face tribulation. John 16:33 The enemy is in this world. But He then says "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

When Joshua was about to enter enemy territory, although he was a general, a military leader, he must have been afraid, for he is told several times to not be afraid.
"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deut. 31

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them."
Psalm 34:7

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

"And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20

In our Bible study on Thursday morning (Beth Moore's "Daniel"), we read that when in crisis situations, we can react with panic - and do the wrong thing, or be paralyzed - and do nothing, or we can pray - and do the power thing. Often, I do the panic and paralyze thing first. We live in a lion's den and we need Him!

He is Emmanuel - God with us. May each of us be filled to the overflowing with the Spirit of the Living God, daily seeking His presence, His Word. He is our comfort, our strength in times of need.