Is anyone else having one of those weeks?

Just wondering?
Do tell.

With All I Am.....I Will Worship!

Check out this video. Here's a song that sums it all up for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns

More Blessed to Give....

I don't know about you, but yesterday's sermon really stirred up some strong feelings in me and they weren't necessarily all good. Yikes! Sometimes it's hard to love those who aren't being loving towards us. If I could sum up his main theme from the sermon yesterday it would be like this:

"At times, we are not going to be the receiver of love the way we’d like to be. BUT, God didn’t call us to receive love from one another. God called us to GIVE love to one another. The principle God wants us to visualize for ourselves is one of “giving ourselves away,” because, that’s the job of a servant."

O.U.C.H!

It's hard to think about being more concerned with GIVING love than receiving it! Well, I decided to give it a try this morning. I GAVE love to someone today and I found it to be quite rewarding. Try it this week. Try giving love away - especially to someone who isn't acting very loving. Let me know what happens.......

Challenge

I'm challenging all married couples (or those who may marry in the future) to take The LOVE DARE! It's a 40-day challenge to strengthen our relationships with those closest to us. It has a tip for each day on how to express love to someone else. There are helpful hints on how to keep love alive or rekindle love or just improve on an already good love story. I have several copies of the book. I am willing to give a copy to anyone who responds to this post and says they are brave enough to take the LOVE DARE CHALLENGE......so, the gauntlet has been laid....is anyone out there brave enough to pick it up? Let me know. We can all take the dare together and learn how to grow in our love relationships!

P.S....This book comes out in conjunction with the movie: "FIREPROOF" which opens in theatres on Sept. 26. I also challenge everyone to go see the movie. If you'd like to purchase a ticket for just $5, let me know. I have vouchers that allow you to see this movie at any theatre where it's playing in the first 2 weeks that it opens. We are taking a group on Friday evening, Sept. 26, so just let me know if you are interested. Hope to see you soon!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

"Oh, taste & see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)
"The Lord is good. A refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." (Nah. 1:7)
I have experienced these two verses in the last couple of days. God is guiding me and taking care of me and watching out over me and my family. If you get a chance, check out the song: "Watch Over Me" by Aaron Shust. It's a great song (all of his songs are great!) and it expresses exactly how I feel.

I can say, along with the Psalmist, He indeed is good. Thank You, Lord! He woke me up in the middle of the night, just to let me know He cares for me and is in control of my life. That makes me want to surrender even more to Him. He is so trustworthy. He can be trusted. He is faithful, even when we aren't. Oh, praise His name.....Lord, You are good!!

Remembering....

Today we remember the tragedy of 9/11/01. In some ways it doesn't seem like it was 7 years ago. In other ways, it seems like a life-time ago. What I remember about that day is this: people flocked to the church to pray! They were distraught, they didn't know what to do. They knew they wanted to pray and people just came together in an unorganized prayer meeting to lift up our nation, the grieving, the hurt, the lost, the rescue workers and fire fighters, and even to pray for our enemies. In the days that followed 9/11 there were many more spontaneous prayer meetings that just sprang up. Church attendance was also higher. I think people wanted to know what to do to get right with God. How I pray that people will seek Him every day of their lives. Let's remember that God sacrificed his one and only Son so that we could have eternal life. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

ABC's of scripture

My sweet sister, Carol, gave me note cards with verses that start with each letter of the alphabet. I love them because they renew my mind. I thought I would share them with you. You can make up your own index cards with your favorite bible verses that start with each letter of the alphabet. It really helps you think. You can repeat them over & over to yourself. So, here goes....

A. "According to my earnest expectation & hope....For to me, to live is Christ & to die is gain." Phil. 1:20 & 21 (Our sister Pam's favorite toward the end of her life here on earth.)
B. "Be still & know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
C. "Cast your burdens on the Lord...." Psalm 55:22
D. "Don't worry about tomorrow...." Matthew 6:34
E. "Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17
F. "For by grace you have been saved..." Ephesians 2:8
G. "God is our refuge & strength; a very present help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1
H. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
I. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13
J. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
K. "Know this, that if anyone among you is suffering, let him pray....." James 5:13
L. "Let us not grow weary while doing good...." Galatians 6:9
M. "My grace is sufficient for you...." II Cor. 12:9
N. "Now abide faith, hope & love; and the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13
O. "Our Father, who art in heaven...." Matthew 6:9
P. "Pray diligently, stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude." Colossians 4:2
Q. "Quench all the firey darts of the wicked one by taking up the shield of faith." Eph. 6:16
R. "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7
S. "Seek first the kingdom of God...." Matthew 6:33
T. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." Proverbs 3:5
U. "Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
V. "Victory that has overcome the world - our faith." I John 5:4
W. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Heb. 11:6
X. "I will eXalt You, my God...." Psalm 145:1
Y. "You shall receive power..." Acts. 1:8
Z. "Be Zealous (filled with the Lord.)

Dorla - are you out there?

I met a new friend at the LPL event in San Antonio, Texas. Her name is Dorla. I sat next to her on Friday night at the Alamodome. She has such an engaging and genuine personality. When we got ready to leave on Saturday afternoon, I saw her again briefly and gave her my blog address. We didn't have time to talk very long because Sue and I had to get back to our hotel and check out. We were running late and I feel bad that I didn't get Dorla's blog address or e-mail. So, Dorla, are you out there? I'd really like to chat with you! If you read this, please leave a comment on this post or e-mail me.....would love to visit with you via the web. Hope you get this message!

Athsma Update....

I was supposed to go to the doctor today, but it looks like it will be a couple of weeks before I go back. I need to have another test done called a "Pulmonary Function Test." I think it measures lung capacity. Anyway, I get that done on Monday, the 8th. Then, after the pulmonary specialist gets those test results and the blood test results, I will go back to him at the end of September.

In the meantime, the inhaler and steroids seem to be helping....at least the coughing fits seem fewer and milder. Alas, we shall see in time! I just wanted to let you know what was going on so you didn't wonder!! LOL