Jesus' Life-Birth- Mary (Rabbi Series)

Luke 26-38 Summary- Next time will look at verses 39-56

Again we are going to be in the book of Luke 1 to continue the events of Jesus' birth.

Starting in verse 26 and going too verse 39 we read about Mary. What do we learn about Mary in these verses?

Mary was a virgin and she lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. God had sent to her the angel Gabriel in order for Mary to receive a message from God. But when Mary saw the angel she became afraid. Gabriel comforted her with these words, "Don't be afraid afraid, Mary, for God has decided to bless you. You shall become pregnant and have a son and you are to name him Jesus. He is going to be very great and be known and called the Son of the Most High. And God will give him the throne of David. He will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Mary asked the angel how this would happen as she was a virgin. The angel toward her that The Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The baby born will be holy and called the Son of God.

Mary responded by saying, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants.May everything you have said come true."

Intro To Jesus Birth

Most of you who are reading my blog know the story of the birth of Jesus. It still seems like a good time to review it.

I like to start our birthday story with the birth of John the Baptist first. Please turn to Luke 1. First we see an introduction of the life of Jesus written by Luke. He is writting a letter to Theophilus. Luke wants to reassure Theophilus about the events that have taken place with the disciples and the promises that God had made. Luke has done a careful investigation of all the facts and assures Theophilus all facts given are true.

First we read the account of Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and his wife Elizabeth. We read that they both were righteous in the sight of God and now is rewarding them by allowing Elizabeth to be able to have a baby in her old age. This is told by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah as he is serving is duties in the temple. Zechariah doubts the angel. Gabriel tells him that he will not be able to talk until after the baby is born. And that is what Zechariah does. He tells the people around him that is son John is going to be a prophet of the Most High and he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will tell the people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sin.

Next time we will look at Mary's story. She also was visted by the angel Gabriel.

Heaven's Child

I was listening to a Christmas song this morning, "Heaven's Child" sung byThe Martins. As I listened to the words the thoughts going through my mind were what it was like for Mary. She knows she is holding her Savior. It's cold, they are in a stable. The shephards come. They realize who Jesus is...but will others know.

Joseph looks down in awe of this tiny baby born. He too knows who Jesus is. What a respondibility it will be to raise the Son of God.This is when his faith would carry him though.

Then there was Jesus. He left His home in heaven to come to earth and be nine months in a womb. He would become human and have a human body forever.

When He became old enough He became the Rabbi that all who believe in Him and leave everything and follow Him day and night. Jesus chose twelve men to train. We read their story in the Testament.

So in the coming year we are goinb to be looking at the life of Jesus and the men He chose.

Disciple And His :Master

Matthew 10:24 (NKJV)
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

Hearing Person's Meaning (Strong's  Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible)
Greek Word Disciple: someone who learns, understands.

Apply
As we look through the verses in the Bible that talk about being a disciple, those who are disciples themselves and how they lived, and other books that we use to show us about being a disciple ourselves, my prayer is that we will better understand and learn all that we can and put into practice what we learn.

DEAF meaning (Random House American Sign Language Dictionary
Disciple: is a follower or adherent of someone's teachings:masters's disciples.

Other Words: (The New Roget's Thesaurus In Dictionary Form)
Adhere: cleave, cling, stick
Adherence: devotion, decation, faithfulness, loyalty, obedience

Conclustion
A learner is not greater than their teacher.

Prayer

Dear Jesus for believers You are our teacher. May we not think that we are above You. Help us to learn how to be a better disciple.

In Your Name I pray this

 

Prayer

Jesus Name pray believer understand, learn more behavior disciple.



Book Review: Discovery Guide In The Dust Of The Rabbi

Since this blog is called Disciples Nook I thought I would share more on the book which I referred to in an earlier post called, Discovery Guide In The Dust Of The Rabbi by Ray Vaner Laan he tells his readers on how a person became a Rabbi (which is the teacher) and then how one becomes a disciple.

Education Of A Rabbi is first step as a disciple must follow their Rabbi which is their teacher.

• Five years old: a child was fit to for the Scriptures. This included boys and girls.  
• Ten years old: the oral Torah interpretations would be learned. 
• Thirteen: the fulfilling of the commandments was next.
• Fifteen: the Talmud (making rabbinic interpretations).
• Eighteen: the bride-chamber.
• Twenty: pursuing a vocation.
• Thirty: having the authority to be able to teach others.

All teaching by the early rabbis attempted to explain, interpret, and apply some portion of the Hebrew Bible. Those who heard the rabbi teach would recognized that he taught with authority. Jesus did become a rabbi at thirty.

A disciple would be those who did not become a rabbi, but they would follow the rabbi wherever he went. Stayed with him and learned all they could from him.

Also we read in the book by Mr. Vander Laan,  what it meant when Jesus said, "Follow Me!" (page 60-Fact File)

• To walk after was an invitation to join him wherever he went and especially to do whatever he did.
• This meant they walk hundreds of miles and face danger, difficulty, and oppostition.
• Often times the men did not know where they were going, how long it would take, or whether they could do it.
• Through everything they needed to trust their rabbi with their lives without being able to evaluate their capability to do what he asked.
• They needed to know that he knew where he was leading and that there was a purpose in doing so.
• He would never lead them into a situation that they, by God's grace, could not handle.

Thought
 Today we still have Jesus as our Rabbi through reading the Bible and learning His ways.

A Challange
Our we (including myself) willing to learn God's ways?

Question
How is the best way that you learn things? You can add your comments at the bottom of the post. Love to hear from you and maybe by sharing your way will help others.

Rewards

Today I listened to a radio program on my favorite radio station WPEL which is located on the FM dial at 96.5. Back To The Bible was the program I listened to. I don't usually get to hear this program, but I felt that today the Lord had me have the radio on at this time.

The subject of the program was rewards. God gives us rewards for doing His work. We shouldn't do His work just to receive these rewards. We should do His work out of love for God.

I had never thoght about getting rewards for doing good. But working for God can be hard work at times.

Now the rewards we receive are not always given to us here on earth. They are recorded in heaven. So when we meet Jesus He will know what rewards we will receive.

Isn't God so good to us?

Listening To Child Play

Today was a work day for me. Around 10:00 a.m. my little story-time girl game in. She came up to me and gave me a big hug. She stayed near me as I worked. Then she got some puzzles out while she was waiting for story-time to start. She would dump them on the floor then say she needed help doing them. Her mother was right there so they all got put together. Then it was story-time.

This week was on Thanksgiving. We had a turkey puppet and once the little girl saw it she wanted to have it. So everywhere we went in the library and in our library room for story-time she and the turkey were together. She got a mat out for it so the turkey could set next to her as I read the story. When we colored she would get a crayon and match it to what color was on the turkey. It was just a precious time. When we did the song "Shake Your Sillies Out" and it was time to clap she took the turkey's feet and was clapping them together.

Later on when story-time was over another child came into the library and was playing in our play area.  She was so happy. She began to sing a song. I am not sure if she was making it up as she was going along or if it was a song she might have learned in preschool. But it was a joy to listen to her sing.

I am so glad that the Lord tells us to be like children when it comes to trusting in Him. For children are so trusting. And they love so easily.

To All Those In Storm

My area was shown to be in the center of the storm. However, the Lord was good and we did not suffer any damage. We did get a little rain and small winds, but nothing real bad.

My heart, prayers, and thoughts do go out to those who were affected by the storm. May the Lord protect you and may you be able to have your area cleaned up as soon as possible and the electricity on as soon as possible.

For those who are older do you remember what you did before electricity? Maybe going back to a simpler life would be easier in some ways. But I think it is to late for most of us know. With computers, cell phones, and other electronics that are used daily for everything.

Again my prayers go out to you who have to deal with damage.

How To Vote

I was getting ready to go to church on Sunday morning and as I was getting ready I was listening to Charles Stanley. He was telling his congregation some of the things to do to get ready to vote. So if you go to http://www.intouch.org and watch the program for Sunday December 28th, I believe that it would be a wonderful help to you in how you can make good choices in voting for those who are being presented to us.

A Changed Man

                                                      My turtle getting ready for winter.


On Sunday morning for Sunday School we had a video about a man who was taught evolution and he had never heard the creation story from the Bible.  One day he was teaching his college class about evolution. Two of his students asked him to check into the Creation story and to start with looking at animals.

The professor and his students started a project with certain types of animals. Then the professor studied on his own. He decided that there was no way a spider would be made out of a big bang theory. Each animal, insect, and bird the professor looked at had so many parts to its body that it meant that a Creator had to make each one. For each creature had to have certain parts of its body in a certain place and certain things had to happen at certain times in order for that creature to survive.

So this professor went from a person who believed in the big bang theory to the Creation story found in Genesis 1 and 2.

How about you? Have you just looked at an animal lately and realized by just looking at the outside how amazing they are?

Above I have a picture of my turtle. And she knows exactly when it is Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. She does things different in each one of those seasons. Right now she is getting ready to hibernate for winter. She will sit on her tunnel and sleep most of the time and will not eat all winter.

So I hope that you believe in the creation story.

What A Week!

Last time I posted I reported that our nine-year-old grandson needed an emergency surgery for acute appendicitis. He is coming along nicely, but still in some pain. It has only been a week.

Saturday my 90 year-old mother went to the store with my brother and blacked out and fell backwards on a very hard floor. She fell so hard the floor vibrated. No injury except a big bump on her head, which we are praising the Lord for that. The thing with this is that many people were waiting for her at her church for a surprise birthday party. The people were there but my mother never got to go to the party. She had to stay int he hospital.

My cousin's father-in-law passed away on Sunday. He was also 90. But has been sick for a long time. So will be going to a funeral this week.

My seven-year-old granddaughter (sister to my grandson who had surgery) is home sick today because of a cough. She has a heart condition so my daughter has to be very careful with something like this.

So you can see this week is one of those kinds of weeks in which a lots of prayers went up to my Heavenly Father in which I am so grateful that I have someone who hears my prayers and answers them.

Surprise Surgery

My daughter and I are very close. She usually calls me around 9:00 a.m. in the morning and we talk for awhile. She calls to see how we are doing and what is going on in our lives. Well on Tuesday of this week (10/9/12) she didn't call. I thought that was a little strange, but maybe she had somewhere she had to go that she hadn't planned on. 

I went to the program on the computer that we usually listen to. If she is on she posted comments about the program. She wasn't there either. Again I thought it was strange. Then when the program was over at eleven she called.

I asked her how she was doing. And she said she was fine, but one of my grandson's wasn't doing well. So of course I started thinking all kinds of things a grandma might think about. My daughter told me that her nine-year-old son, when he got up for school wasn't feeling well. He had a sideache and then was getting sick along with it. She called the doctor and my grandson got into the office right away. Once the doctor pressed on my grandson's stomach and side he ordered a ct-scan. It turned out to be a accute appendicitis. They took him right over to the emergency room and waited for a surgeon to become available to do surgery and remove the appenicitics out. 

At 1:30 my daughter called back and they found a surgeon and he was just going down for surgery. She called me back at 3:30 and he was in the recovery room and the surgery went well. This morning she called and said that my grandson would not be going home today because he had a slight fever and they took another ct-scan and found he was very inpacted. So he was drinking a lot of prune juice today. Also his potassium was low so they put an IV in him.

I just talked to my other grandson and he said the fever is gone and the IV is out.  For the most part he is doing well. My daughter was hoping that they get him up and have him walk around a little so that maybe he could go home tomorrow. But I will know later what they have done.

As I was doing my devotional yesterday I came upon Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the LORD."  What a perfect verse for the day. 

So again I will say, we never know what is going to happen in a day. It is so good to have Scriptures and the Lord to turn to.

Sure Faith

As I was writing my devotional for the different sites that I have it on I thought that it would be a good verse to share with you. I am doing a study on faith.

Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid."

 This is truly a verse that shows us what sure faith is.

My Testimony

House Family

In 1965 I just graduated from high school. My cousin was dating a young man who did not drive but his friend did. So my cousin decided it would be nice if I meet her boyfriend's friend. I must say it was truly love at first sight. We meet around Thanksgiving time. At Christmas time my boyfriend gave me his class ring and to him that was an engagement ring. On February 14, 1966 he gave me my real engagement ring and we set the date to be married.

Before I meet Bill I was not a Christian. Bill was attending a church in which preached the Bible and so I attended his church. The Holy Spirit was working in my life as I heard the gospel message. When we went to the Pastor's home to have counseling he asked me if I had accepted the Lord. At this time I still had done so. I said, yes, and so we prayed together. That was February 18th 1966. It might seem like I just did it so that we could get married. But that was not the case. I truly wanted Jesus in my life.

So on August 20, 1966 we were married. And we just celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary.

It has taken many years to grow like I want to. Actually I am still growing in my Christian life and I believe that Jesus wants me to be a disciple and tell others about the good news of Christ and Him dying on the cross, buried, and was risen up on the third day. Then later He left earth in a cloud and His with His Father right now. He is praying for me and all those who are true believers in Him and who He is. Do you know that if Jesus didn't die on the cross that we would never be able to be with God His Father in heaven. That is because of sin that we have in our lives because of what happened in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.

So I am very happy to say that I am very glad that my cousin had her idea and that I meant Bill and also Jesus.

The other people in the picture that I have is our oldest son in the black shirt. My husband in the white sweatshirt. Myself next to my husband. Our youngest son. And the young woman in the front with the green shirt is our daughter which is the oldest of the three children. We also have a child that went home to be with Jesus in 1974.

What Is A Disciple?

A disciples is a person who has accepted Christ as their Savior and then live so that the world will know that their God is the true God.

When Jesus was here on earth He choice twelve men that would carry on the message of the kingdom of God and also the gospel message. We can find what the gospel message is by reading I Corinthians 15:1-4.  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

There are many who are believers, but few who are actually could be considered a disciple. In Bible times person would follow his teacher known as the Rabbi. Then when they got to a certain time in their training then they were able to go on and be a teacher and train others.

The most important part for us today is that we are trained by reading the Bible and seeing how Jesus lived. Then when we are ready, which we have the Holy Spirit also to help us, we too can go out and tell others our story of how we came to know Christ and what He has done in our lives.

So I hoping as I learn more about being a good disciple I can share with you more things. And we can become disciples or become better disciples as we go along.

Next time I will give you my story or testimony on how I first became a Christian and then how I believe also am a disciple.

No News Is Good News

I haven't posted lately because my daily life has been quiet for a change. This is good for me. Usually I have a very hetic life. But the Lord has been good to me and I am as healthy as I can be at this time and my family is doing good.

What I thought I share with you is what I am learning from a Bible Study I am doing with some ladies at my church. The book we are using is called Discovery Guide In The Dust Of The Rabbi. It is written by Ray Vander Laan.

Since my blog is about being a disciple, this book has shown me even more what it means to be a disciple.

So I am looking forward in sharing what I learn.

You Never Know What You Will Find In A Bottle Cap

A new health food store opened in our area. I found a very nice drink that is not found in other stores. It is called Rob's Really Good. There are a lot of favors to pick from. And being that I am diabetic there is not much sugar in them. And once I open a bottle I can get a few days before I drink it up.

Also what is different about this drink is that inside each cap is a saying. I thought the one for today was very good. here is what it said, "The greatest adventure is discovering what you can do."

Instead of thinking about what you can't do thing on the things you can do. Great thought.

A Double Message

I went to my google mail and I have a sight that gives me a chance to practice writing for fifteen minutes. Before you write there is a topic that is talked about and then you can write about the topic.

The one that I did was one on free writing. Which means I could write about anything that I wanted. I was to be forceful and write however I felt. I don't swear so I didn't want that way, but I just aired out how I felt about when writing how I get mad when I can't spell a word.  Then when I go to look it up I try all the ways I think it is spelled. This of course takes up time. So by the time I have the word or if I can't find the word I end up using something different my thought is gone.

The other complaint I had was getting a great idea then not having anything to write it down on or with. And it seems once I write it down it just doesn't sound the same as when I am thinking it.

I finished the time limit and what I wanted to say. And then I went on to read the rest of my mail. And I got to another writing page and would you believe it but the writer wrote almost the same thing I did. She too has ideas and she might be driving and can't stop to write it down. So I guess this is a common problem with writers.

I am so thankful for the Lord showing me things like this so I don't get discouraged in writing. I do again want to say I enjoy sharing things. So the Lord has directed me to the right places to get the right information to help me write the best way that I can.

If you are a writer and want to share some of the problems that you have and how you have solved them feel free to write a comment. I am new to this site so may take me a little while to realize that I have a comment. I haven't had to many so far.

Thank you also to all of you who look at my blog. There is a place to sign up if you want to be a member of the site.

Practice Makes Things Better

Practice *** Practice  *** Practice ***

Again I am going to refer to the book Wrecked by Jeff Coins. I don't want to give to much information to you from the book, but am learning so much from his writing.

Today we are continuing on the theme of commitment. The more we practice what we are commited to the better we get at it. Commitment allows you to practice what you love. Even though commitment is a hardship it is worth and much fruit can come from it.

So I am learing to write better by writting. How about you? Are you practing what you are commited to? I hope you are.

Making Commitments

I am still reading Wrecked by Jeff Goins and what I read today helped me and blessed me a great deal. I hope that it does the same for you.

Jeff is talking about not only have a plan for your life, but to cmmitting to that plan. Whether it be your marriage, job,or  a calling that you may have. Committment can teach us a lot about character, intergrity, discipline and honor.

Jeff goes on and explains how there is something about the process of giving up on other possibilities and sticking to a path that brings life in ways that other thrills do not. We may kick and scream all the way to the end of that journey, but it is worth it.

Our you committment in full on something in your life?

A Challenge

Books   Books  Books  Books  Books  

I have been reading the book Let's Write A Short Story by Joe Bunting. He threw out the challenge of telling those on my blog that I am going to write a short story. I haven't gotten to level yet of writing   1,500 words or more but there is such a thing as Flash stories which are 500 words up to 775. So I have decided to try writing this size story to begin with.

So I have looked around and found a publisher and subject and am reading a lot of Flash stories to pick up on the idea.

I have always enjoyed reading, writing, storytelling and reading to children. But have been afraid to really get into doing the writing for real. Done some small things. But I just want to write and review books for others.

That is why I like to do this blog. I haven't been feeling good lately so haven't been writing everyday but hoping to get back into it.

I am so glad that the Lord has given the gift of writing to so many people. And I enjoy reading good books and learning things as I read.

If you would like to start writing go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and buy a copy of Joe's book. I know you will enjoy it. I have written a book review on it in one of my early blogs. I am not finished with the book yet so may be hearing more about this book and author.

Fun With The Family

 

 

 

 

At The Park

Our daughter and her family and my husband and I were planning a picnic at one of our local parks. We haven't done this yet as a family and thought it would be fun. So we picked out our park and made the plans and then the night before my husband discovered that there was going to be a special race of those on bikes and runners (about 1,000) and they were going to meet at the park that we were planning on going to. Streets were going to be closed for blocks around the park. So we had to make a quick change.

So we decided to go to a park in the area in which I my husband and mother used to work. It was a sad day because the building in which my mother-in-law worked was almost a hundred years old and there had just recently been a fire in the inside of the building and many window were broken. But amazingly the building was still standing. Then the building that my husband worked in for many years was changed on  the outside and my daughter and I thought for sure it would bother him to see it. But he seemed OK but we notice that he began to look a little tired and worn out.

As we were at the park we had a wedding party come to have their pictures taken. There was a Merry-Go-Round at this park, one of six in our area, and the bride and groom had their pictures taken sitting on a bench on the Merry-Go Round. It was interesting to watch.

Everyone rode on the Merry-Go-Round except my husband. On this ride there were not only horses, but there was also a pig and a dog. My granddaughter rode on the dog and one of my grandsons rode on the pig. My son-in-law, daughter, my other grandson, and I rode on the horses. I took the one that look like it had the most energy and personality.

After lunch my husband sat on the ground under a tree and almost feel asleep. That's what some old people do (he just turned 72) and my daughter (42) and myself just turned 66 sat in a swing and talked.

It was a great day and we had a lot of fun. It is so great to be with family and that God in His great wisdom created the ability for us to have a family.

Rewards

This week I received two coupons from different stores to reward me for using their store cards. I was suprised. and I thought about the Bible.

The Lord would give a command and give rewards for doing His commands. Matthew 7:1,2 "Judge not, that ye be not judge. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

There are many other verses but the idea is that we are rewarded for be obedient.

Really Excited!-Wrecked by Jeff Goins

Sometimes it takes me a long time to understand something but when I do I am so excited!

Today is one of those days. I am reading a new book by Jeff Goins entitled Wrecked. And he talks about in order to get to know ourselves better and to know what we are to do with our lives is to find "What's broken that needs to be fixed." Then we are to do something about it.

When we become interested in a dying world and realize that our talents, gifts, and passions are not for just us to enjoy, but we are to give them away in order to help others.

By sharing our lives with others, which the Bible tells us to do also, we dye to self and we are truly alive.

So do you know someone today who is hurting and maybe a phone call, or a note, or an e-mail would cheer them up?

Get excited by giving yourself away. There is pain involved and sacrifices but all the joy and true freedom and peace you can have by sharing.

Dart Board

I have a dart board that I have it hanging on my wall in my computer room. As I look at it I have some Bible Verses typed out large enough so I can see them. And I use the darts to keep them on the board. I also have some other important papers on it.

My dart board also reminds me of missing the mark (sin) in my life. This reminds me to pray for any sins that I know I have in my life.

How Do You Smell?

Today we had a missionary at our church and his sermon for church time was the idea of how we smell to God.

He started in the Old Testament and was talking about the different sacrifices that were to be made to God. Now when the people did it right. God was pleased and the offering had a sweet smell to the Lord. Even though to the people and the priest it must have smelled bad, to the Lord it was a sweet smell because the people did it out of obedience.

But if the people gave a sacrifice of an unclean animal, or an animal that was blemished the Lord was not happy with the sacrifice and it was not a sweet smell to Him.

Then the missionary went on and asked us how we smelled to the Lord. Do we have a sweet smell to Him because of being obedient and doing all He asks with the right attitude.

How about you? How are you smelling to the Lord and those around you?

Joni Eareckson Tada-Paints With Her Mouth

It has already been 40 years since Joni had her diving accident. But she has a great testimony of what God has done in her life.

If you go to http://www.joniandfriends.org/televisionpainting-gods-pleasure/ you will hear her story and see what beautiful art that she paints.

News Article

Lincon, Neb (AP) "Thousands of fish are dying in the Midwest as the hot, dry summer dries up rivers and causes water temperatures to climb in some spots to nearly 100 degrees."

This is part of an article that I found as I was looking at the news on Yahoo. It reminded me of the verses in the Bible which tell of the end times and the things that will take place. One such place in the Bible is Matthew 24:6-8. "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrow."

We are not to be troubled about these things because the Lord is in control and these things need to take place in His plan.

Spiedies

In yesterdays post I referred to our community having a Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally. For you who may not know what a spiedie is here is a little history.

The spiedie started out with pieces of lamb meat marinated in a special sauce. Then the pieces of lamb were placed on a skewer and cooked on a grill. Once they were done then one piece of Italian bread was folded in half in one hand. Then the lamb pieces were pulled off the skewer and placed inside the fold of the bread.

Now spiedies are made with any kind of meat and sauce. Usually at the Rally there is a contest to see who can make the best spiedie. They smell so good and tastes delicious.

Well need to go for now as it is almost time for the balloons to go up again. So I am going to go outside with my camera just in case so balloons come our way again.

Hot Air Ballons

pressconnects.com Friday,  August 3,2012.

I live in an area in which each year during the first weekend in August we have a Spiedy Fest and Hot Air Balloon Rally. It starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday. If weather permit  balloons go up around 6:30 pm and 6:30 am each day.

This evening we had three balloons come our way. One year one balloon landed in the field below us. My daughter called to let me know that they were doing a life broadcast on pressconnects. I am not sure if you will be able to get it on your computer but try and see if you can. It shows how they blow up the balloons and then shows them taking off.

My husband and I took a ride in a balloon and it was great! If it did not cost so much money would like to do it again.

There is a verse in the Bible where it says people are like grasshoppers. Will I can say for sure that once you are high in the air looking down on people, baseball games, and animals running around in circles because of the noise of the balloon, everything looks very small.

I thought of how it is like God looking down from heaven. Of course He can see a lot more and a lot clearer than us. But it sure was peaceful just floating along.

August 1st Already

Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

It does not seem possible that August is here already. It just seems like the year just started. And usually when August comes and my birthday and anniversary (August 20th) it means that the Fall season will be here in no time at all. Some leaves are turning already in my area. But is has been so dry in Upstate New York. We can walk across most of our rivers if we wanted to.

I am so glad that I live in an area that has changed of seasons. I like Fall and Spring the best.

What is your favorite season?

Rain Drops Like Glass

The other day we had a severe rain storm. In some places they got a tornadoes. But as we were coming home during the rain storm the other day it looked to me like the rain were tiny bits of glass coming down from the sky. When the hit the windshield they were big drops of water smeared on the window.

Also there was a rainbow which was also a strange event. The rainbow was not very clear as it was in among the dark rain clouds. It wasn't the beautiful colors of a normal rainbow, but very dull. It was also wider than a regular rainbow would be. The amazing thing about this rainbow was that as cars went by us and the water sprayed up off the road there were beautiful colors of the rainbow in the spray of water. It just happened to be catching the sun just right. It was a beautiful sight.

God has such wonderful things for us to see.

Hebrews 12:1-4

We had a missionary speak yesterday at our church not to long ago. He and is family are missionaries in Peru. During Sunday School time he spoke and showed us a power point presentation about where they live and what is happening in their area.

Then during church time his message was on Hebrews 12:1-4. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses! let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author an finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross! despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.(12:1-2)

When I talked to my daughter and asked her how her church service went that day she said that her Pastor spoke on Hebrews 12. Almost the same kind of message that the missionary spoke. So we both got to hear about running the race that is set before us.  And looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith.

Again I must say that God is a great God!

Enjoy Life-God Gave It To Us

I have had trouble with my computer so have not been able to post as much lately. But now it is fixed so I am back..

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 tells us that we are to enjoy our life

• We are to enjoy our food.
• We are to enjoy our cloths-It is nice to dress up and look our best.
• We are to enjoy our mate. If not married, but single, enjoy your family times together.
• We are to enjoy are work. Do it with gusto.
• Wherever we are, be all there-church, work, home.

(Gilbert Parker's notes 7/29/12)

God wants us to enjoy the life He has given us. There may some rough times that come our wa,y but He knows all about them and He is with us to help us through them.

Frogs Dig Holes

Yesterday when I got out of our car and went to close my door I looked down and there was a deep hole in the grass. I asked my husband if the bees were back. For a couple of years we had bees that made their nest in the ground. To my surprise he said that the hole was made by a frog. I didn't know that frogs made holes.

This morning when we walked out our garage I saw something move. It was a baby frog jumping in front of me. I almost stepped on it. I was very thankful that I didn't kill the little creature.

Batman

I don't usually watch TV but being so hot this evening sitting near a fan feels good.

With our TV we only get a few station. None was coming in to good. But then all of a sudden the TV was working. A special was on. It was a special on how the story of batman was created. Most of it was the design of the car.

They story begin because of a young boy who say his parents killed. From that polnt on the boy wanted to be a person who got all the bad guys. It only lasted for a half hour but it was interesting.

Working in a library we have all versions of batman. Most are not for child. Same theme as the beginng story but the graphs are very graph.

As I watced this show it took me back in time when things were so much simpler and we had so much fun. Playing games we would make up as we went along. And

Moths-Moths Everywhere

In my kitchen I have a set of two windows. One side has a pane missing. So around May or early June a certain kind of insect comes to the window. It flies in the empty window pane. Then as time goes by it starts to change into a moth.

The moth when it starts out it is the size of a half of a toothpick. It stays flat against the window for a few days. Then it starts to spread out against the window. When it is fully developed it has such fine features. There is no color but the tiny lines in the wings are so delicate. There is just one problem that takes place.

There are many moths that gather in the window but they have an enemy and that is a spider. Along with the moths are the spiders and their webs. It seems as soon as the moth arrives so do the spiders. Thes beautiful creatures are caught in the spider's web.

Right now it is time to clean up the moths and spider webs.

It is amazing to me how every creature God made is so unique in their own way.

Stopping My Daily Devotional-Not Blog

Since about 2003 I have been writing a daily devotional. Up till a few days ago I was still able to put it on my facebook page, my yahoo account, and one of the blogs that I go to everday. But something is wrong with my PC computer and the internet shuts down so am not able to do much if anything on my regular computer. However I just got a tablet and can do my blog. But can not do my devotional.

At this time I believe that He is showing me to stop doing the daily devotonal for now and just keep doing the blog. Maybe later the Lord will have me start up my devotional again.

It is hard sometimes as believers to know what to do. But I am seeing the door being closed on the one minstry. But that is ok. If He wants me tô do something else He will show me.

I enjoy doing the blog and sharing with you how the Lord is working in my life. I hope and my prayer is that He is working in your life.

Book Review-Karen Kingsbûry

I have trouble finding good adult authors who do not use swearing in their story. There are some great writers and their story is written well, but for me it is hard to get pass the swear words so don't finish book.

This is not the case with Karen Kingsbury. The story I am reading now is called One  Tuesday Morning and it is very well written and it is one of those stories you don't want to put down once you start reading it.

This story is a love story and a mystery story. Right now I am trying to figure out who the main character is. He was found at the Twin Towers and he doesn't know who he is. As it turns out he may not be who everyone things he is.

I haven't finished the story yet but you would have to read the book to find out the answer as I not going to let you know. That would give away the story.

So if you like a good clean love story and suspense read this book. There are also two other books in the series.

Happy reading.

Movies

My husband and I enjoy book sales and we went to one recently. My husband first goes to the DVDs and grabs them up. Then he will look though them later to see what he wants. Last night we watched a silent movie. It was so funny as they had the same music though out the whole two hour movie. We finally turned on the mute button.

The one movie that my husband and I like is "Cast Away" with Tom Hanks. The best part that we like is when Tom says, "I know you." He is talking to a ball that he calls Wilson.

Then I was thinking about the phrase in the movie and was asking myself can I really say that about my Jesus. I have never seen Him, but I have read a lot about Him.

I think I better to get to know Jesus as well or even better than the movie.

Go To The Ants

Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:


The other day I saw not only one ant in action but two.

I was sitting outside and settling in to read my book. I could see something moving across the stones. It was an ant caring a huge piece of a bread crumb. It was almost the same size as the ant. I watch it for a few minutes and top my surprise a second ant was coming across the stones in the same pattern as the first one.


I watched for another five minutes and the further the way they got all I could see were these two small pieces of bread moving through the grass.


One of the first thing that came to me was the verse in the Bible that talks about the ants. I can say from experience of watching these two ants that ants are not lazy creatures.

Being A Disciple

When I first started this blog I had a different direction in which I was going to do this. I wanted new believers to have a mentor to be able to come to if they had any questions about living the Chistian life.

As time went on I discovered that I had changed the direction in which I was going. I still want to be a mentor, but I am also sharing what is happening in my life so you can see how God is working in my life. By doing doing this I hope it helps you see that being a Christian doesn't mean everthing is going to be good. If that was the case then we would not need Jesus.

So I am praying that the Lord is being praised and that by reading this blog you are being drawn to Him.

If there is anyone who has a question I will be happy to try and answer it. If I don't know the answer I will find someone who does.

So I look forward to continuing to keep on writing on what the Lord is doing in my life. Feel free to write what is happing in your life also.

Guess Where I've Been?

Just a few post ago I typed about you never know what will happen in a day. I mentioned to make sure you had clean underwear on as the saying goes.

On Sunday morning I went to church. In the middle of the morning service I started to get a bad headache. Then I started to get chest pains. Then in the same area in my back I was having pain. So when service was over my husband and I went to our nearby walk in clinic. Thinking it might be from bronchitis I had.

The doctor came in and checked me out and had an EKG. It didn't come out to good. So ambulence was called and sent to hospital. I had blood work down and was feeling better. It was now around 4:00 in afternoon. I was able to get up and walk down the hall to the restroom. When I got back to my room I had the chest pains back and I was sweating so bad that my heat was wet.

I was then admitted and the next day given stress test and echo gram. No heart attack and was sent home.

It has taken most of the week to feel better but I am praising the Lord for watching over me and giving me just the right people to take care of me.

I did go back to work today and did good.

So glad to be back writing to you again.

Murmuring That A Good Thing

Every since I got my new tablet it seems everything has gone wrong with my regular computer or with the tablet. I get the blog all done and the battery runs out and can't post it. That is what happened yesterday. Today on my regular computer I couldn't get into one of my accounts. Then I feel like the people of Israel when after the Lord did something great for them and three days later they had no water they began to murmur to Moses, "What are we going to drink."

Do you murmur when things don't go your way? I know I do as I just mentioned.

Here is my devotional that I wrote for today.

Exodus 15: 1, 23,24
Then san Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into ther wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Reflextion
One minute the people are praising the Lord and singing a song about Him and they are so happy. They were free from the enemy. Then three days later when things got tough they began to murmure to Moses. We have no water. Moses was beside himself.

I know sometimes I see the Lord doing great things in my life then when something doesn't go my way or am having problems in some area of my life I cry out, "Why Lord." I forget that He will show me what to do or provide what I need.

We are such a needy people but we don't want to admit it sometimes.

Do you agree or disagree with the statement of being a needy person?

A Long Walk

This morning as I was eating my breakfast I was also listening to a tape. There was a lot of questions going through my mind. The only way I can think things through is by taking a walk.
 
So after breakfast, I got everything I needed to get ready for my walk and started on my way. It was around 8:30.                                                                         
I love walking in my area as I grew up across the street from where I lived. So as I walk around the block it brings lots of good memories back. Today
however, I was going to be working on the questions going through my mind.

The first one that I needed to work on was to find out what is real love. That took me half way around the block, one side street, up a hill to our main road and starting down another side street before I got the answer. With that one settled now I only had six more questions to work out. Actually it was God and I working them out together. 
By the time that I got all my questions answered I arrived back home around 10:00. Even though I got the answers to my questions, I now need to remember the answers and put into practice what I learned-which will take me a life time to do.

How about you? What helps you get the answers to your questions you have?

A Quiet Evening

In our area it is a nice and beautiful evening. It is a little warm,but a pleasant night to sit out doors. So got my loungs chair, my yarn and placed my chair on our small patio and settled in and started my crochet project.

As I was croching I was looking again at the small hill across the river. I was also listening to all the sounds of the evening. The birds were starting to say their good night to each other. I love to hear the birds first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. I am so thankful to have a nice place to live.

Right now I feel lead to pray for all those who lost their homes to the wildfire and also pray for those going though the storm in Florida.

Dear Heavenly Father, as I am enjoying my night,as others are who are reading this, we know that You have allowed the fires and the storm. Many people have lost everthing. Be with those who belong to You and just wrap Your arms around them. And those that don't know You that they may learn about You and how You are with Your children in all things. I ask these things in the Name of Jesus.

The Mystery Sound-Poem

The Mystery Sound
As I sit typing
against the wall
I hear a noice
which sounds like a
small creature running back and forth
across the floor.

I can not see it
as it is on the other side of the wall
but the sound is spooky and I want
to leave.

I stay-it goes.
No more sounds
coming through the wall.

Exodus 12

Israelites Fleeing Egypt-Passover Night



I am in a group called Read The Bible and we are reading in the book of Exodus right now. I know you may be saying I have already that book so many times. But the strange think about reading the Bible is that you could read the same passage every day and still get something new from it.

Today I was reading about the Passover in chapter 12. And to me it was great reading. There are some things I didn't know about.

• The month of the Passover became the first month of the Jewish calendar.

• They had to wear their traveling cloths and also carried their extra clothes and kneadingtroughts on their shoulders.

• As the people left they asked the Egyptians for their clothing and gold and silver so they spoiled or plundered the Egyptian people and they didn't even know it.

So if you have an opportunity to read the whole chapter it would beneficial to you. There were some other things that also caught my eye and the standards that the Lord set up for this feast.

Take As Each Day Comes

We never know what is going to happen in a day.

Many times I have gotten up in the morning and next thing I know I may be at the Emergency Room at the hospital with chest pains. Which is not unusual. But when they have me stay in the hospital, then that is different.

And then when they give me all kinds of test for the chest pain that is even more unusual. In this one case it was not a heart problem, which I am thanking the Lord, but I am on medication for a fast pause. Which just the other night it was 124. So I have to keep taking the medicine.

Also, one morning I woke up and was getting ready for work and the phone rang at a strange hour. It was my daughter. She had just found out that our nephew died at the age of 51. He was in the hospital also with a heart problem. He was taking a stress test on the tread mill and dropped dead of a heart attack.

I just found out that my brother was in the hospital and at the age of 69 he had to have his appendix out. He also had an infection. And he had to have surgery also on a hernia.

So as the old saying goes, "Make sure you are wearing clean underwear when you get dress for you never know you might be seen in them." Not exactly how it goes, but I imagine if you are a mother or are now grown up you have heard that saying many times.

So be fixable today. You may never know what might happen. Something good I hope.

Garage Sales

There was a time when my husband did not go to garage sales. But we both found out that the saying "Another person's junk is another person's treasure" is very true.

Today, for an example. My husband has been looking for a tape deck. It is hard to find one now. Today at the first sale we went to he found one. They even hooked it up to show us that it had power. When we got home and he hooked it up it has a great sound.

It says in the Bible we should be good stewards of God's money. So in this case we were. It only cost $5.00.

What A Beautiful Morning

This morning I decided to take my lounge chair, put it on our very small landing of our steps, and eat my breakfast outside. Our backyard is 250 feet and we have large trees, small bushes, and lots of small creatures roaming around. To the left of where I was sitting there is a hill that is covered fully with green trees. And as I was eating my breakfast I could hear the train go by but couldn't see it because of all the foliage.

After I ate I did some work around the house and then decided to go back outside where it was cooler. I picked up my book that I am reading called The Crafter's Guide To Taking Great Photos and I as I began to read I could see something moving from the corner of my eye. I stopped reading.  I didn't see anything.  Then to my surprise a chipmunk appeared on the other side of my chair. We have a lot of them this year, but I never knew that they came around people. But he was just passing through probably headed for our neighbors strawberry patch. He loves to eat the strawberries.

Then later on a squirrel scurried across the lawn and then a colorful blue jay jump off a tree branch.

Isn't God so good to give us all kinds of animals to enjoy, and yes, even if they do eat our fruit and vegetables God put them all on earth for a reason.

Summer Time Is Here

Î had to work this evening and it was very busy. We are getting ready to start our summer reading program. If you live in the Vestal NY area we have a great program for ages three all the way up to the high school age. So come in pick up a flyer and sign your child up for get summer fun. We don't have a story time for the two years but a parent can sign them up to read to them and they well receive a certificate and a few gifts.

Then we also have a time for the whole family to join in and watch different events. In years past we had Bubble Man, the Ross Park Zoo, and many other interesting people entertaining their audience.

I wasn't planning on promoting Vestal Public Library but I guess that there might be someone who could use this information.

Since this is a blog in which I share how the Lord is working in my life daily I would like to say that I just want to thank Him for all He does in my life and I can see how He is guiding my life.

I hope and pray that you are seeing this in your life too.

Things Work Out For Good

 I might have mentioned that I as nervous about having it. I asked the Lord should I take it back? Then it seemed like He wanted me to keep it.

Then last week I started having trouble with my regular computer and was not able to write my devotional. Then on Friday of last week my new tablet wouldn't work either. Now I am confused. Why was I not able to do what I felt the Lord calling to do. Write devotionals and blog.

 I decided to return the tablet. However when I went to do so I was locked into the wireless phone line contract. Now what to do? I didn't want to pay $50.00 dollars a month just to be able to pay a game.

So I went over to the service department and told him what the problem was. First he checked to make sure that I could use the wireless line. I am thankful that I could.

What happened was that the phone l was using upgraded and it did not upgrae on the tablet. So I got the upgrade and was able to keep the tablet.

Feeling Frustrated

I bought myself a new tablet and thought that this would be a help in writing and using the Internet when my husband was using our other computer. Not only isn't the tablet working, but my regular computer is not working right either. I can not get into one of my other e-mails where I do my daily devotions. So I am not sure what the Lord trying to is telling me just yet.

I have always felt that writing the blogs and the devotional was what He was telling me to do so that I could share the gospel and sharing what the Lord is doing in my life which I hopes encourages you in yours.

Today I was able to get into my regular computer to do the blog which I have been doing on the tablet.

Well, I will just have to wait and see what happens. They are fixing my server all week and the sever is connected with the sever I am not getting into so maybe I was just to have a short vacation. But I do miss not writing when I can't do it.

So if you don't see any new blogs this is the reason why and don't leave me I will be back as soon as possible.

Bonnie

Book Review-Gabby Giffords

Gabby A Story of Courage and Hope

by Gabrielle Giffords & Mark Kelly

I like to read. And as you can tell by now it is either biographies, history, and how-to books.

This book report is about Gabby Giffords. For those who might not know who she is she was having a Congress on Your Corner meeting on January 8, 2011 in Tucson Arizona. Gabby fell victim of an assignation attempt that left six people dead and thirteen other wounded. Gabby had severe brain damage and she is still on her way to recovery.

This is also a story about true love between a husband and wife. How Mark, who had to go into space, for he was on his last mission as an astronaut. He was the commander of space shuttle Endeavour had to leave Gabby when he went up in the shuttle. But Gabby was recovered enough that she was able to see him off.

Caregiver is also part of this story. And anyone who is or has been a caregiver knows that it is a very tough job under normal times. But to have to see your wife to struggle so hard to just say a word was heartbreaking to Mark. Mark wanted a fast recovery but that was not to come as of this time.

If you think of Gabby and Mark send up a prayer for them.

I found this book in my local library so check yours and see if you can get a copy or maybe it would be on Kindle or another type of reading device. I have not yet finished the book but it is great so far. A very heartwarming story.

No Crafting Today

Yesterday I posted that I was able to make a paperweight using colored beeswax and my heating tools. It was the first nice day we had in awhile. Today however was not the case. It has been raining most of the day. The was not a total loss.

First I had to work this morning. I got a lot done for it was slow. I was able to pick out my stories and crafts for our summer program. That took up most of my time.

Then this evening I had time to clean my office/craft room. Now I am ready to try my hand in doing some crocheting.

I am so thankful that the Lord was with me and gave me the strength to do everything I did do. I was able to get done that was needed.

Hope all that are reading this are in a safe place. No fires, no floods, or bad storms.

I Got To Create Something Today

I was able to do some craft work today. I love to work with beeswax but because of the strong smell I have to work outside. So today was just a beautiful day out that I was able to work outside.

Where I wanted to work was right in the sun. So I got one of our long extension cords, plugged it then added a multi-extension cord to it. Then I plugged in my small quilting iron, my heat gun, and wood burning tool. I turned on my extension cord so my tools would get heated up and then I set up my work place.

The breeze was blowing and there was hardly any smell of the colored beeswax that I was using and I just melted some small drips of wax onto my title, spread it around with my heat gun, and put a porcelain piece in the middle. I rubbed it until it was gleaming and this is what it looks like.

I must admit it does look better if you could actually see it. It is hard to scan it and have it come out like I wanted to. A little blurry on button which is smoother on the title.

Hope you enjoy.

Thank You Lord

I hope everyone received my blog from yesterday. I have been having trouble with my computer. And I changed the name of my blog but decided that I would go back to the old name.

What I wanted to share on today's blog is that I confessed to the Lord  something I was doing and I knew was not right. Asked for forgiveness and the Lord cleansed me. I asked Him to help me when I am tempted to go back to my old ways because I have done that in the past.

As I watched Charles Stanley this morning his message was on just what I had done last evening. It went right along with what I was thinking. And so I had to say thank you again to the Lord.

Also last evening after writing the blog I read my e-mail. You guessed it. One of them was exactly what my problem was and what I was to do about it. So again I said thank you to the Lord.

So I can say that the Lord works in mysterious ways. My own heart, mind, and convictions, then a blog and a TV program to confirm I did the right thing. Amazing!

I Did It Again

For many years I had low blood sugar. It wasn't bad after I realize what the condition was. I found out the things I could eat, when I should eat, and I was fine. But about eight years ago my low blood sugar and now I am a diabetic 2. I just have to take two pills a day for it. But for some reason I couldn't figure out why I was having so much more trouble with being a diabetic. I didn't even know that it had changed over until I had to have a full check up with blood work.

This evening I didn't feel I should even be writing anything about living the Christian life as I know that my diet is not right. Then as I sat here and praying to the Lord He brought to mind that I was behaving as I always do with authority and having to do what someone else tells me to do.

When I was a child I lived  in a home in which I had to do things that I should not been asked to do. And before that my childhood was taken away at the age of five. So whenever I have any kind of authority that I have to answer to whether it is God, my husband, my boss, I want to do things my own way. For in my mind is ingrained in me that when I was old enough I would not let anyone tell me what to do.

God showed me that since I am now almost 66 years old, have been a diabetic for eight years, it was time for me to grow up. Get out of the mode of that little girl. God is my authority and He is not going to ask me to do anything that is going to hurt me, but help me, and so I have a choice. To follow Him or live for myself. Of course when I hear it put that way I have to follow God.

You see if I did not have God my Father, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, I would be in worst trouble then I am already. So I need to stop blaming the devil for my wrong doing and face up to it is my own selfish, uncontrolled will and I can make the right choice. Be clean and go on with my Christian life with a clean heart.

Thank You Father for showing me the right way. If there is anyone who reads this blog and are having a problem with something in their life that they can not seem to get rid of help them to see why and then show them they too can make a choice. In Jesus' Name I pray this prayer.

When You Go On A Trip What Do You Take?

This blog is all about taking a trip or journey. When you go on a trip what do you take on your trip? Here is what I think I need for my trip here on earth. See if you agree and if I need anything else.

• I need a Bible. Why do I need a Bible? It is said by many people that the Bible is the way that God talks to us today. If I didn't have anything else or and just had my Bible I would know what God wanted from me and what He wanted me to do.
• For me I also need my old version of my Strong's Concordance. With my Concordance I can look up words in Hebrew and Greek with English defininations so I can learn what a word means.
• Holy Spirit needs to go with me wherever I go. He directs me and comforts me.
• I don't need this next thing but it makes for a nice trip and that is good music.
• A great church is nice too. Where we pray for each other and help each other.
• Also it is good for me to have a good Pastor or leader to help me to stay accountable.

These are the things I can think of for now. I hope you have these things on your list.

Each Day Is New-Taking A Journey

Yesterday morning I woke up and I was so grumpy that I was tempted to yell at my husband. I didn't because I sorta-snapped at him a few days earlier. But I just seemed grumpy all day. I was aching all over and I just didn't feel good. I went to bed at 7:00 pm feel asleep and woke up at 10:00 and took my medicine, put on my PAP machine, and went back to sleep until this morning.

Today I woke up and I was so happy. I was talking to the Lord and thanking Him for loving me and He showed me a few things that I could do different so I could get rid of some books that I have been taking up space. I don't hurt today. I am still up and didn't take a nap today and not I am not tired.

So each day is so great because one does not know what is going to happen on our journey here on earth. Of course on days that we feel bad, or something bad happens, that is not so pleasant, but God is with us each day. He gives us a new day to follow Him and walk with Him and talk with Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. I am so thankful for each day.

I'm Back To Work

For the past week I have been on vacation. It was a very nice, relaxing time. The only thing is that it is hard to get back into the swing of things. Today didn,t seem as hard of a thing to do.

I am so glad for my job. My boss is great and caring and being that I work in the childrens department I never know what is going to happen. Just the other day a little one gave me a flower. My son had given me a nice basket of flowers and I took the basket into work so everone could enjoy too. So my flower that I received from my little friend went into my basket.

I know I have already said it before but would like to say it again. The Lord has given me the best job ever.

Got Something New

I have been looking for a laptop or something like it so that I could have something near by if I came up with any writing ideas. So the other day as I was waiting for my husband to finish up what he was doing I went shopping at a store nearby. It was here that Ifound a tablet. It was just what I was looking. I told the young sales person that I needed to go ask my husband if it was ok to buy it. The sales person laughed at me. Then he said, "That,s not a bad idea. Many young couples don't do that today.

I told the sales person that if my husband said yes then I would be back. My husband didn't mind me getting it if I was sure that it was what I wanted. So went back to get it. This is the first time I am using it as I could not find the guide book. I fonund it today. At least I got it to work long enough to write this post.

I say this as it is the third time I have tried to write this blog.

Just one more thing I almost lost it again, but I am truly thankful that the Lord allowed me to get this tablet and be able to use it.

Looking Out My Window

It was a busy day today as I didn't have to work and so my husband and I went to a book sale and a book store and did some other things that needed to be done today. So I am a little later getting this blog done.

As I sit to typing my blog I am looking out my window. Which I don't usually do as the curtains are shut. But tonight they are opened.

The sky is a very pale blue. The clouds are a smokey white and just over a tree top is the biggest full moon I have seen in a long time. It is very pale color this evening which almost makes it look white. Right now it being covered up by a cloud. The cloud slowly drifted away and the moon is a nice round white ball.

I am so glad that God created the moon, stars, and the sun. They tell us a whole lot of things and the moon especially is so interesting to look at.

A Proud Mom

I am so proud of my daughter and her husband. In August 1999 they found out that their daughter had the same thing wrong with her as her cousin had. Which her cousin would have been my Son's baby. Both babies died from ancelphia (brain not developed). Damien would be eighteen if he lived. And our Gabrielle would be thirteen in December.

Kim and her husband found out about Gabrielle early in August that she had the problem. And they decided to carry the baby through the whole time. She was born, she ate, and she passed away about 14 hours after being born. We all got to say "I love you."

Then seven years ago Kim had another daughter. And they found out that Anna had a rare heart disease. They thought she would have to have surgery by now. But Praise the Lord she was doing summersaults in our backyard on Saturday of last week. And no signs of any problems. I must mention that Kim first child was Elijah and he will be 14 in September, Gabrielle, Nathaniel, and Anna.

I am posting my daughter's blog so that you can read what she has to say.

Under His Wings: Wonderful News

http://kim-underhiswings.blogspot.com/

Book Review-The Leaf Catcher

I have never heard of the author Dax M. Tucker until I joined Twitter. And when I read the review of the book I just had to get it. The main theme of the book without giving away the whole story is, "Can you go a day without thinking a negative thought?"

Tucker has a unique way of presenting his story as it is in a poetic style. It takes place in the 16th century Europen village.  I could not put the book down. It is easy to read and the lessons that can be learned are great.

So it is a must read. I got mine at Barnes and Nobles but I imagine there are other places that you can buy this book.

Please do.

God gives many people a great gift of writing in which the writer can show a reader what he/she wants them to see and I feel Dax M. Tucker is one of those gifted writers.

Bonnie

A Name Change

I decided that maybe I needed a name change. So I decided on Taking A Journey. Everyone is on their journey to their eternal home. And I enjoy sharing what is taking place in my life. And I would love to have you share what is taking place in your life journey.

Do you have children, write, play an instrument, sing? It is always fun making new friends and sharing the things that happen in our lives. Good or bad. If something bad, we can pray about it. If it is good we can rejoice together.

There is a place for comments on the bottom of blog where you can write a comment.

But I would love to have our own community where we share are journey together.

Bonnie

Thank You To All Who Have Served or Serving Our Country

If you live in United States today we are celebrating a special day we call Memorial Day. It is a day that we honor all those who have served or are serving in our military for our Country.

My husband, two sons, a brother, both my fathers, my mother and her sister (Betty), my nephew right now is serving and I had uncles also serve in the military. I am proud of all of them.

And for all the families in which their loved ones did not come back my prayers go out to you.

God Bless America if you can. We have strayed so far from You but our men and women are fighting to try to keep our country free. Be with all of them Father. And be with all of those who are serving in our government that they will recognize Who You Are and your Son  who gives us true freedom.

A Wonderful Day

Yesterday our daughter and her family came over. When her oldest son stood next to me he was a few inches taller than I was. He grew some since I had seen him last. Her middle child was about the same in size and so was the youngest child. She never seems to grow. Out of the three it amazes me how strong Anna is. She will be eight in October.

Even when she was born and had to be placed in the special unit for children with health problems, she lifted her head right off the shoulder of the nurse holding her and she was only a few hours old. On top of that she had 40 cc of blood taken from her so that the blood would flow through her heart as she was born with a rare heart disease. And she also had a whole in her heart. So for her to have all that strength it was remarkable.

Anna doesn't look like or act like she has a serious problem. She may need surgery at any time. But yesterday she was doing somersaults all across our yard. She can even shut  a sliding door on a van with one pull. I can't even do that. She has no restaints at school and she just does what little girls do. More of a Tomboy, she has two older brothers.

I am so thankful that the Lord spared her life and that she is doing good so far. She goes to the heart doctor this week for her checkup. No one, even the doctor, saw this problem ahead of time even though my daughter had repeated checkups due to my daughter's health and losing her first daughter to a birth defeat.

My prayer as a grandmother is that Anna will stay healthy and that it will be a long time before she needs surgery. And if she does need surgery that it will go smooth for her. The Lord knows all about it so will leave it in His hands and I will  just enjoy Anna and all of my grandchildren.

How Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

Yesterday was a very busy day and it wasn't until about ten o'clock at night that I realized that I hadn't written anything for the day. I thought would wait until today to write something.

First, I went to work from 9-2. It was a very interesting day as I had story time for the 2 year old. They were good. The other day I had story time for the 3-5 year old. The topic was Father's Day. I only had one on Wednesday. The name of the book was What Your Dad Sometimes Do. I asked my little boy if his dad does things? The answer, "No, but he has a broom." I wasn't sure what that meant, but I thought I better not ask.

Then my husband and I had the pleasant job of getting groceries for the week. I bought him what he wanted for supper as I had taken him out the other day. Then we came home, put away the groceries, and by that time it was time to eat.

After supper I went to a home of a person who said that I could come back and pick out some things she had for her garage sale the other day. So I spend some time talking to her and picking out some goodies. Lots and Lots of buttons, some crochet needles, and odd pieces of jewelry.

I brought my stash home and started sorting it all out. There was more stuff then I realized, but got it done. Now I just need to take the time to use all that I have to make the projects I want with them.

The Lord is so good in that He has given me different times of things to do that can help people, making crafts, and writing. At least I hope my writing is helping those who read it. I am enjoying and receiving a blessing from just sharing what the Lord is doing in my life.

So good bye for now.

Vance Havner Old Time Preacher-Thorns

When I was reading through my facebook mail today a You Tube of Vance Havner came available. I listen to it and thought it was very good. So am sharing it with you.

VANCE HAVNER THORNS AND THISTLES (Full length)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYSqYi_Lh...

Vance Havner was born October 17, 1901, in the Western North Carolina locality of Jugtown. His academic experience began at Hog Hill, Jugtown's schoolhouse. ...

I haven't done much with youtube so if you just type in the link it will get you to it.

A Birthday Dinner

My husband's birthday is on Friday and I was going to take him out to dinner but decided that tonight would be a better night. So we went out to dinner and had a great meal.

I am so grateful for my husband. As I have mentioned before we will be married 46 years in August. It has not always been easy, but what got us through it all is the vows that we made on our wedding day. You know the ones, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

My husband has been put through the test about sickness and health. I have had at least nine surgeries, fibromyalga for 42 years, and one of the surgeries I had was for cancer of the thyroid. I can not even count the number of times I have been to the hospital ER or had hospitals stays. But he has always been there for me.

My husband spoils me, well he actually said I was spoiled already, but he is so good in helping me with things and just buying me things just to buy me them because he knows I would like them.

We have a special love and I know for sure that he is the one that God picked out for me.  (He is not perfect, but if you ask him he would say he was.) Of course I always need lots of prayers.

So my prayer is that you have found just the right person or if you are looking for a mate check in with God first, if you are a believer, and He will direct you to the right one.

Again there is a place at the bottom of each post if you would like to write a comment, ask a question, or just say hi. Would love to hear from those who read this blog. I love to talk and share.

A New Day

Every day is a new day in order for us to draw closer to the Lord and to see what He would have us to do for Him each day.

I just heard a young person say that she had all these plans and nothing was going right. Then she realized that they were her plans and not the Lords and that is why they weren't coming out right. So she decided to let Him do the planning and she would follow them.

That is what is so nice about knowing the Lord. He helps us know what direction to go. Sometimes it takes us a little while to realize the direction but if we really want to He will show us.

But remember, that the closer you are to the Lord and doing what He wants you to do, you have an enemy. If you read my post for yesterday you can see what the enemy was doing in my life. Trying to have me be critical and not seeing the good points.

So you can be doing everything right and wonder why it seems like you are in a battle. You are! That is when you can use what I call a "It is written verse."

The verse I have in mind and use a lot is James 4:7,8(a)
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...

Do you have a "It is written verse?" If not it is great how the Lord will guide you to the ones you need to help you times of trouble or verses for good times.

Forgive Me Lord

They say to be a good blogger you are to speak from your heart and be honest and be real.

This evening I have a heavy heart. The reason is that during our church service I had to ask the Lord to forgive me for my attitude. We had a special group in singing and I have attended this church for almost thirty years. I started attending it in 1972. So each generation there has been changes. So as I was listening to our special group and watching them my mind was going back to the 1970's 1980's and even into the 1990's.

And what a change there has been. I fear more changes are on the way. I don't mind changes, but I was wondering if the Lord was pleased with what was presented this evening.

I know that some changes need to be done, but how far does one go before there is no difference between the world and the church?

Thank You Lord

I want to publicly thank the Lord for answering a specific prayer today.

I tend to have panic attacks and I was on the verge of having one this morning at work. One reason for my panic attacks is having friends or relatives die.

This past week alone I had my 90 year old Aunt die and my 51 year old nephew die. The month before I had two of my cousins die they both were in their 70's. One was my Aunt's oldest child.

Now when I have a bad panic attack my speech goes, and other things go on, so of course don't want one to happen at work. One of my co-workers that I worked with today is a retired nurse. So I ask her to check on me once-in-awhile.

As I began to work I just stopped, closed my eyes, and talked to the Lord. I asked Him to hold me tight and help me through the feelings I was having. Then I felt peace. I knew He would be there for me and I felt like what good would it do have a panic attack. I just would feel worse, look bad, and what good would it do me.

Since I have made a decision to go forward in my Christian life this is one way Satan attacks me. I said, "No way Satan, I have the Lord on my side and you are not going to get me." He left but I know he will be back and try again. But I will still have the Lord on my side.

So I know for sure that prayer works.

When God Gives You Direction

I have just finished doing my daily devotion Sharing The Bible Together and I looked on my list of things to do and saw that after I got through with blogging the next thing on my list is to clean an area of my studio/office.

I was thinking what I could listen to while I was cleaning as I clean better if I am listening to something. I had a few choices then it was like God gave me the idea of listening to the tape that I had started. I said, "Thank You Father for giving that idea."

So I not only had something to write about I also have something to listen to. Isn't God so wonderful?

Update

I few posts ago I wrote about being overwhelmed with having so much on the internet and not getting much other things done. I must tell you that God gave me a perfect plan.

I got out my notebook that I write things that I am going to do or want to do for the day. I once was told to do things in threes. That way it doesn't seem to be like there is so much to do. So I write three things down and put a box around them. All the things are one type of project (art, writing, e-mail etc.). Then when I do each one I cross them off. Then I go to the next block of three and do the same thing. So I am getting more things done and feeling good about myself.

As far as the internet goes I go to my main Yahoo account and press My Yahoo and that brings up the most recent messages on my sites. So I just read them. That takes up less time and frees me up.

I am really excited as you can tell. Bye for now.

Praising The Lord!

On March 16, 2012 I feel off a chair that had wheels on it at work. It took me so much by surprise that when I looked up my co-worker who works on the other side of the room ran around the desk to help me. She happened to be going by at the time and there was no one else near me at the time.

I had such a headache and I tried to get up but it was hard to move because I hurt so much. I had landed on a very hard floor. I think the chair hit my right side as that seemed to be the side that hurt most after a few days.

I didn't go to the doctors that day but did write out a accident report.  The following Monday morning I wasn't feeling any better and pain was shooting up my back and tingling in my right leg that I called our contact person and she got me right into the doctors.

The doctor told me I hurt my tail bone and my sit bones or (my butt) and it would take about 3 months for the tail bone to feel better. So he had me go to physical therapy.

Today I went to see the doctor again, May 14, 2012,  and he said I didn't need to come back to see him or have any more therapy as I now only have a pain in the one zone. 

Now that I feel better I can do a little more. Still a little tender but feeling so much better.

 The Lord knew who I was to go to and the day it happened as the next two weeks were my vacation time and so I didn't have to work. That way  I could heal better and not lose any work time. And the doctor was so nice.

The Little Bird

I saw the strangest thing this morning on my way to church. I was driving down the road and just a little bit ahead of me was a very small bird walking across the road. It wasn't even afraid. It was not even a bird that would normally do this kind of thing.

I thought that people do this also. Walk in front of cars not looking where they are going or seeing if any cars are coming. I have done that in parking lots before. I would be thinking of something and just step out and not look to see if anything was coming in my direction.

So I learned the lesson of looking in all directions when I am walking or driving to make sure I am not in any danger or am going to cause someone else to be in danger or hurting me as a results of me not paying attention.

A Smart Grandpa

Today, as I was working, we were talking about grandchildren. And one of my co-workers was telling us a story about her friend's father.

This friend's father took all of his children and grandchildren to Disney World. Now his granddaughter was small enough that they could use a child harness to keep the child from running away. I know it sounds awful but it is better than having a child get lost or hurt.

Every once-in-awhile they would let the granddaughter go without the harness and of course she would ran away. So the grandfather had an idea.

He told his family that he and his granddaughter were going shopping. And sure enough they did. And when the grandfather and the granddaughter came out of the shop the granddaughter had a nice pair of high heel shoes on. Of course now they didn't need the harness anymore because the granddaughter would not take off her shoes. This meant that she could not walk fast.

Smart grandpa!

Having Fun

The other day I had story time with my 3-5 year-old age group. I only had three boys. We read some books about Mothers and then we went into doing our craft. The craft was a square sheet of colored construction paper folded like an envelope. It was large enough to hold five colored paper stems and five paper flowers and a small heart. Then they put a handle on it and a big red heart on the front which said Happy Mother's Day.

Some of the boys listen to how to put it together and the others went ahead and did their own idea. This time it didn't turn out as bad as the frog we made earlier in the year. It was suppose to be a basket of flowers for their Mothers. But one boy wanted to wear his basket as a hat. So that was what he did no matter how hard I tried to tell him it that it was suppose to be a basket. His Mother liked it anyway.

It is amazing to me how each child is so different. But that is how God made us all to be different which is a good thing. So it was a great day.

On Friday of last week I had my two-year-old group with their parents and there turned out to be eleven as a play group came in and joined us.  I have already ten children signed up for program, but usually there are only about four that come. I will have to wait and see how many I have this week.

The Computer Is It Good Or Bad?

For me it is a little of both. Of course I love writing this blog. It lets me share with you what is going on in my life and how the Lord is working in me. But then there are so many other good blogs and things that I want to read. I never seem to get my e-mails caught up and have to erase some.

O my! I still am trying to cut down on what I put on to read, but as I said, there are so many good sites.

Do you have any problems in this area too?

 It really isn't a bad problem, it is great to have Christian material I can read and also articles that help me to grow in my Christian life and also in the areas the Lord is having me do. One of them is writing. And if you going to be a good writer, you have to read.

Prayer
Father, thank you for all the good places that I can go and read Your word and read what You have given others to write. It really helps me become stronger. And thank you Father for all the people that look at this site and I pray that they are being blessed and helped in their Christian life through what You have me write for You help me come up with what I do write.

Dogs and Lizards

Today I had to go to therapy again and while I was getting ice put on my back I picked up a magazine that looked interesting. I started to go through the pages. Just before this I was talking to the person giving me my treatment and she asked if I had any children. I have three. And I told her that my youngest son lives in New York City and one of his jobs is to walk dogs.

Now back to the magazine ad. I am not sure what the ad was advertising but what got my attention is the woman in the ad was walking three animals. They were not dogs but three large lizards. They had collars on and long leashes. I started to laugh and shared with one of the other workers why I was laughing and told him about my son walking dogs. Although I don't think he would mind walking lizards either.

I believe the Lord has a sense of humor. It just cheered up my day.