Looking for a Challenge?

Hey Blogville,

One thing that I love about blogging is that you can come across some awesome blogs that really challenge you in your walk with Christ. I have found (among so many others) a blog that almost every time I visit her blog I walk away challenged or encouraged by the posts I read.

So here is a sample of Shelia's posts... Click here to read her latest challenge and word of encouragement. Although I am sure this post may not apply to everyone; I think most women will really be able to relate to this post.

I would love to know if you visited Shelia's blog...just leave me a quick comment telling me you did so.

Be blessed and encouraged :)

Cafe Chat (Please Participate Everyone..)

What is one thing you will do in 2009 to draw closer to Jesus? (this is not a New Year's Resolution :)

This will seem like a simple answer, but I can tell you it is not simple to do... Read, Study, and Stay in God's Word. I know 100% if I do this one thing I will draw closer to Jesus...undoubtedly...

I know this is not a simple thing to do because I have been actively saying I want to do this for probably my whole Christian life, but even more specifically the last 5 years. My flesh is weak and lazy, and I quickly seek things that satisfy for the moment and not what will fill up my soul eternally. I hope that 2009 holds much growth for me in my walk with Jesus... I feel that He has been teaching me things over this past year that need to blossom in my life...bear fruit.

Blessings to all, and stay tuned as I would like to tackle some tough questions (not just for the Cafe) on my blog in 2009... I would like for all who read my blog to participate in answering the questions, so we can start a dialogue and really start to seek God's truth together.

Have a Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Christmas 2008

Yes...

Cafe Chat

We will stick with a Christmas season theme question today.

There is so much happiness around this time of year, but I have encountered a lot of people, including myself (at times) that seem to be very stressed during the Christmas season. I started to think why that is the case with so many people. Well, an obvious answer is that there is just a lot to do during this season; parties, presents, plays, etc. I am sure you could come up with a whole list for me.

However, I am thinking a bit deeper, and I think the Enemy (Satan) wants to keep us distracted with all the Christmas activities that we lose focus of the real meaning of Christmas. I know I struggle with this every year, and every year I learn new lessons that help me to keep Jesus first. I am far from where I need to be, but I am growing and learning everyday.


So I ask you now, why do you think so many people are stressed out during this time of year? What advice would you give them (or yourself) to help de-stress?

Blessings and have a Merry Christmas!!!

Thankful Thursday

Psalm 103 (1-5) (Read the whole chapter if you can)

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.



Today I will do my "TT" post a little differently... I was in a pretty good mood today, and then I turned into Mrs. Grumpy in a matter of hours... I am sure that my hormones and the time of the month have something to do with that, but I never allow myself to lay full blame on those factors. So, I almost didn't do a "TT" post, but then thought how blessed I am to have a God that loves and knows me so well. I then thought about the verse in Psalms above (Psalm 103:2) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... Yes, there are so many benefits I have as a child of God (look at all the ones in 103).



Today's Thankful will be a list of some of the benefits of being a child of God that I am thankful for...

-His unending patience with me

-His limitless forgiveness of my sin

-His presence in my life

-His Hope that keeps me wanting to pursue the Christian walk

-His mercy that I know in the depths of my soul that I don't deserve

-His power that has changed me from the person I once was, and continues to change me daily

-The fact that He knows everything about me...there is comfort in that

-The promise of Heaven one day

-His happiness that wells up in my soul at the most unexpected times

-His Power

-His ways...I love how He answers prayers...so unexpected and supernaturally

-His love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I could go on and on if I had time, but I will stop here for now... Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits... I feel better now :)

Wordless Wednesday (Some Words :)

This is one of my favorite ornaments... My sister gave this to me to remind us about Jesus dying on the cross for us...His birth story isn't complete without His death and resurrection story :)

Being from Florida originally I thought these flamingos were just the cutest gift ever... I broke the male flamingo (because I am klutzy), and I didn't want to tell my friend that I broke the beautiful ornament she purchased for me. So I did some detective work, and found out where she purchased the ornaments and I was so blessed there was one lone male flamingo hanging on the store's display tree... I ended up confessing to my friend later :)

Cafe Chat

Sweet Amy has filled in for me the last two weeks with coming up with questions. Thanks Amy! My mother had a heart attack and then had to have quadruple bypass surgery. It has been a whirlwind to say the least, but my mother is at home recovering now, and our family will continue to pray for her recovery, both physical and spiritual. We serve an awesome God!!!
I think I will just keep it simple this month, and kind of follow a Christmas theme with the “Chat” questions, and save some of the “meaty” questions for next year.
I didn’t come to know Jesus until I was about 10 years old, and for our family Christmas was really about the presents and all the fun things that go with Christmas, minus Jesus. Well, now I know that if you take Jesus out of the picture than you really are not celebrating Christmas at all. The true meaning of Christmas is all about Jesus, and what His birth means to the world. All the other things about Christmas are fun, but we should keep them in their proper perspective and turn our number one focus to Jesus Christ.
What are you currently doing (or can start to do) to put the focus of Christmas on Jesus?
Blessings Friends…

Beware of the Doghouse

I saw this advertisement from JCPenney's and had to admit that it was pretty clever...Please watch, and then let me know what you think...

Thankful Thursday

First please feel free to enter my two giveaways below. I have two different giveaways going on, but am giving away the "Facing The Giants" DVD for both. You can enter until this Friday.OK, now onto my Thankful list...-First, my mother has been at home for five days now, and she is recovering well. She is still trying to process really what has happened the last 3 weeks. Life can sure change in a blink of an eye. Any prayers you would continue to lift up on her behalf would be appreciated.-I am thankful today for a husband that is giving...He gives in so many areas, and I know that he can feel unappreciated at times... I love you honey!!!-I am thankful for a reminder a couple of weeks ago through a sermon I heard at Church to be thankful... So many times I look at life through the "glass half empty" syndrome, but when you have Christ the glass is not half full, it is OVERFLOWING. Thank you God for bearing with me when I fail to offer you the thanks you deserve.-Our Big God is working in the lives of several friends the last couple of weeks. Some of our good friends just sold their house and our now 100% debt free. If I told you all the details of the story you would be blown away about how they got to that point. God worked in mysterious ways, and He alone will get the Glory for what happened in the lives of my friends. -My best Fwend is just blowing me away daily with how she is in the midst of a refining process with God, yet she is finding joy in it... You are my mentor Fwend!!!-I am struggling in my walk with God, but the struggle keeps me going back to Him, and that is exactly where I need to be.So, I will end here and wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON!!! Blessings!!!

Another Cool Christmas Giveaway (Ends Dec 12th)

Yes, I am involved in two giveaways this week... I am going "giveaway" crazy. This carnival is sponsored by one of my favorite sites..."Proverb 31 Ministries (Lysa Terkeurst). Make sure to visit her site to enter other giveaways. I have a link to her site in my sidebar as well (under Proverb 31 Ministries).

Well, since I love the movie so much, and it is on sale now; for this giveaway I will be giving away the DVD movie, "Facing the Giants". So I am actually giving away two copies of "Facing the Giants" this month... one in the "Internet Cafe" carnival (go one post below and enter that contest as well), and one for the Lysa Terkeurst Giveaway. All you need to do is leave a comment and let me know what your favorite movie is...Pretty simple. Again, I will only be shipping within the US for this giveaway.

(I don't yet know when the contest is over... I will get that info up soon) Blessings

Holiday Expo Giveaway (Internet Cafe)

(If you are looking for the "Thankful Thursday Post...go down one post)

Hey all, I love to give things away, and December is a good time to do this :) The "Internet Cafe" is hosting a bloggy carnival giveaway for the Holidays. Please make sure to click on over today and enter all the giveaways you would like to. Click HERE...

I will be giving away a copy of the DVD "Facing the Giants"... One of my favorite movies of all time. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post saying you would like to enter...Also, I would love to know what your favorite movie is. Winners will be announced December 12th at the Internet Cafe. Sadly, I will only be able to ship within the US this time around.

Blessings all!!!

One of the Most Thankful Thursdays Yet...

I have been wanting to write this "TT" post since Tuesday of last week. I have much to be thankful for, and I am overwhelmed with God's goodness... He loves His children so much more than we will ever grasp.-First, my mother came through Quadruple Bypass surgery last Tuesday, and at present is doing very well, and may go home soon. (She does have fluid on her lungs so we are still praying that goes away, and that she continues to do well as she faces a long recovery). The amazing thing about this is in all actuality my mother's chances of survival because of how sick she was to begin with were not very good...we know that, and we know that God pulled her through the surgery, and is still with her :)-Second, I am so thankful for all the prayers that were lifted up on my mom's behalf... our family prayed, friends, Church members, and something that was so special was that people from the blogworld/Internet prayed for her...People that didn't even know her...that is beautiful.-Third, I talked to my mom a few nights ago, and I sensed what I think is a spiritual rebirth in her... Oh, that this whole situation will be used to bring God glory and praise :) I think my mom is going to be different now...She has been in a physical pit for a long time, but what was worse was the spiritual pit she was in... I am praying that she is out of that "pit" for good!!!-When I had to fly down to Florida I got a ticket round trip with one day notice for $225... How awesome is that??? I know people can pay 4 times that with such short notice. -Even though the circumstances were not what I would have hoped for when visiting my family, I got to spend some wonderful time with my family, and we bonded in a different way.-There was peace between two (unnamed) people that really have not spoken to each other because of a hurtful situation during the time my mom was in the hospital...I watched in surprise as these two people came together for my mother :)-My mother in law came and helped my husband while I was away... He didn't have to miss work at all!!-I got a special surprise and got paid for the 3 days I missed at work...I normally would not have been paid for days I miss. COOL!!!-The ladies at work really prayed for me and my family, and they bought my family a Gift Certificate to a restaurant.-A woman from our Sunday School class cooked an awesome meal for my husband, mother in law and kids while I was away. I will end here today, but want to thank any and all of you that prayed for my mother... That is the most awesome gift anyone could give...I need to learn to do that for others more... May Jesus be lifted up today and forever!!!

Wordless Wednesday

These pics of from 2006...Terminator and his dad shucking corn (I have no idea if that is spelled right :) I think that is what it is called...Terminator is my "Hands On" learner for sure :)