IT'S ALMOST HERE!

What is almost here, you ask?  Easter week!  Easter is my favorite celebration season EVER!  You regular blog readers might recall that in the past I have either written each day prior to Easter Sunday OR given scriptures to read that week before Easter Sunday.

If you want to look back at those or some of those, you may see posts as follows:

March 22, 2013 each day through April 1, 2013

April 12, 2014 "Rejoice"

March 25, 2016 "Good Friday"

This year I might take a somewhat different approach.  I'm still SO excited about celebrating my risen Lord!  I am still considering how my thoughts are coming together and I hope to write much next week--if not every day, at least many days.

Also this Palm Sunday is the beginning of our church's Spring Revival.  This causes my mind and heart to return to my own testimony of salvation.  You may read it and see pictures on my post from July 5, 2012 titled "Revival".  My testimony has not changed for my salvation experience but my testimony daily has gotten better and better.  Why, you ask?  The Lord has proved himself over and over and over again in my life, tears come to my eyes much more often than before, and my heart rejoices in my Lord so much more than before.  Occasionally, very occasionally, very very occasionally, at my church, I sing a solo.  Believe me, it's the Lord's idea, not mine.  Standing in front of a congregation and singing alone is not my choice.  The song I always sing a Gaither tune and is titled, "The Longer I Serve Him, the Sweeter He Grows."  Man, that's my testimony for sure.  The words go like this:

Since I started for the kingdom,
Since my life He controls.
Since I gave my heart to Jesus, 
the longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.  
The more that I love Him, more joy He bestows.
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows.
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

(I love this verse.)
Every need He is supplying.  
Plenteous grace He bestows.
Every day my way gets brighter.
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

I get so wrapped up in how this song speaks to me and for me that I get a blessing just humming it!

So as you go through next week....consider the sacrifice of our Lord and consider the blessings....just consider....

A CHILD'S EASTER BOOK

Tomorrow morning at 2 a.m. is the time we officially spring forward and lose that precious hour of sleep that we so need.  I don't mind the falling back, of course, as that means I gain an hour but this springing forward really gets me.  On a brighter note, the springing forward means that it's only a few short weeks until Easter, one of my most favorite of days!  Yes, I do love Easter because my Savior is risen!

On this day I am doing some much needed house cleaning and preparing for The Grandbaby to come and visit and spend the night.  Her parents are entertaining their church youth group and she wouldn't enjoy that at all.  Of course I thought she should be invited to spend the night with us fun folks, if you know what I mean.  :)

I have bought The Grandbaby an Easter book at my county's very economical store that has books at really cheap prices.  This one cost $1.99.  It's a hardback touch-and-feel book that I have just now read as I want to give to her today.  In a child's touch-and-feel book, there are all kinds of surfaces to touch and feel.  After reading this book, I can tell you it has "touched" my heart and allowed me to "feel" the Spirit of the Lord.  What a blessing!  So I decided I would share.  There's a sermon on every page.....book words in black and my words are in blue.

THE FIRST EASTER DAY (by Jill Roman Lord)

"We celebrate at Eastertime when Jesus rose again.  I wonder what I would have done if I had lived back then.

If I had been a bee, I would have zipped out of my hive and buzzed and buzzed to spread the news that Jesus is alive.  (Do I spread that news on a daily basis?  I think not.)

I would have bellowed, as a frog, and joined in nature's chord to shout my hallelujahs to the precious risen Lord.  (Do I should hallelujahs enough?  I think not.)

And if I'd been a bunny, I'd have hopped with all my might, rejoicing in the risen Lord and showing my delight.  (Again, do I?  I think not.)

If I had been a butterfly, I would have spread my wings and flitted through the sky to see the living King of kings.  (Uh, huh, bet you can answer...)

Then, as the rising sun, I would have pointed all my rays to glisten on the risen Lord and show my love and praise.  (I have opportunity for this on a daily basis...do I do it?  Not nearly enough.)

If I had been a kitten, I'd have snuggled in His lap and savored being with Him as I closed my eyes to nap.  (Oh the times I have been comforted by Him as I felt like one resting on the lap of one I love...how He would rub my heart and comfort and assure me all is well...oh the joy!)

But I am not a bunny or a bee of any size.  I'm not a frog or butterfly who saw the Lord arise.  I'm part of God's creation who can jump and shout with glee and celebrate that Christ arose to give new life to me!   Thank you Jesus!"

As I say, consider.....

COUNT IT ALL JOY

For the past few months, my life has been filled with just "trying to keep up".  Have you ever been there?

I am one of those women who take their "green" bags into the store to use instead of the plastic ones provided.  A few days ago I pulled in to my local grocery store, opened the trunk to get a couple of bags, and amazingly enough it itself, I did not pull out one of the four hospital bags I had accumulated this past year.  Yes, count 'em....four.  Instead I pulled out one that spoke to me.  Here it is:

For a while, The Son-in-Law has been planning a trip for us to see Disney on Ice.  Our tickets for the event were for this past Saturday.  Plans were that we would cook out at their house afterwards and The Grandbaby would spend the night alone with us for the first time ever.   It has been a long time since The Husband and I have attended such an event so I was somewhat looking forward to it and strangely enough, The Husband was not kicking and screaming about going as he might have done when he was young and foolish.  😄  Reckon why that change of attitude came about?  Uh huh.  May be had something to do with a little mini munchkin?   

The whole day was wonderful and filled with joy.  The meal was delicious.  The spend the night party went without a hitch.  

Yesterday morning, the Sunday School lesson in my class was from Romans 5:1-8 and it thrilled me that I could hear God's voice in that.  The verses that spoke to me were these from Romans 5:1-4:

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worth patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope..."

In the course of the lesson, The Teacher then read James 1:2..."count it all joy".  Coincidence?  Nah.

I was reminded of a time of much tribulation and during that time, I found no joy.  I can look back now and be joyful that during it all, I and those I love were given strength to endure, faith to believe, and strength to overcome.  All alone in those?  No, but by the grace and care of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  The joy has bubbled over in my heart and I am filled with gratitude.  In addition to spiritual joy I experienced the last few days, here's some of the physical joy I have experienced.  I thought you might enjoy seeing the pictures.

GREAT joy in this little one and her smiles.  Isn't she getting to be a big girl?  (Insert tear here for the swift passage of time.)  Here mama decorated her "Mimmie" shirt for the occasion.

There was joy in the delight of being The Poppa and The "Namma" (she can't do the Gr sound so I have at least become something to call by name.  I'll take it!

Joy was in the smiles of these three whom I love dearly.  Smiles are so often taken for granted and I pray I never do that.  Ever.  A true smile is a joy and delight.  These two bigger people are WONDERFUL parents!

Joy just because.    Missed The Son-In-Law in the picture but he had to take the camera which was not allowed inside the arena to the car.

This picture speaks for itself...

There's always joy in a sleeping little one even when she's missing Ariel and Aladdin.  At least she woke up for her favorites--Woody, Buzz, Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.

And then there's simple joys like climbing, walking, and hand holding....

...and flower picking and flower gifts.

With genuine smiles and happiness of heart, count it ALL joy!

With an attitude of gratitude for all blessings, count it all joy and consider.......

MY GIRL

I can tell you what I was doing exactly 37 years ago from this minute.  Because I had a massive backache, I had moved from my bed to the comfortable couch in our den.  In this very house.  It wasn't long after that I realized the backache was going to stay as I was going into labor.  At 11:59 a.m. on February 15, thirty-seven years ago, the lives of The Husband and me changed forever.  For the good forever as The Girl joined our family and lives.

The Girl was blessed to experience the era of polo shirts in school pictures.

The Girl endured the time of the curly hair particularly curly bangs....artificially permed hair, that is!

The Girl is now a good wife with an equally good husband...

..a good mommy of a sweet toddler girl....

..and enjoying a life of joy with the both of them.

I have realized the importance of pictures together even though I don't smile in pictures well.

I'm practicing the smiling technique more.

Blessings from my world...

Yes, I'm so grateful for The Girl who made me a mama those years ago.  Even though we are all aging, she will always be THAT girl....my girl.  The Husband and I are proud of the woman she has become--one who is an overcomer, has a compassionate heart, and is one of God's children and loves HIM as she serves HIM well.  We are proud of her love of her husband and child and proud of the wife and mother that she has been blessed to be!  

Many thanks is given this day as I celebrate The Girl with love and joy in MY heart.  Wishes for not only a day of special "normal" but a life filled with it!  

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

And yes, only fitting to end with one of her favorite scriptures:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

REMEMBER....

We can all have joy and smile like this...

if we ALWAYS remember that...

"God is faithful....".  1 Corinthians 1:9

Consider........

CHINK IN THE ARMOR

Wikipedia defines "chink" refers to an area of vulnerability and as a "weak spot in a figurative suit of armor".

As I am aging, I find that I am weak physically, more so at least than in the past.  Bottle caps are harder to open, heavier items harder to pick up....you get the picture, right?   With the way that life evolves some days, I find that it's just as  easy to be a bit weak figuratively.   THAT is my biggest strength challenge.  

One of the scriptures in the Bible that we learn kind of early on as children but that means more to us as older adults is from Ephesians 6:11-18--yes, another wise writing of the Apostle Paul who we are learning knew the stuff of his heavenly Father.  It goes like this:

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Well this scripture sure tells us how strong our armor can be.  Truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, the Spirit--the WHOLE armor of God.  This scripture doesn't say to only have one or two, it takes all.  

I can't tell you how many times the evil one has tried to get through this armor in my own life.  If I have just a little chink in my armor, he can squeeze right in.  I remember a time in life when the evil one was giving my family a huge troublesome time.  I can remember being in the living room of friends and those friends praying specifically that all of us as Christians would gather around the hurting one and use our shields of faith to keep the enemy away.  I got and still get CHILLS when I considered the strength of that effort.  I pray for that often--that I can use my shield of faith and other armor that is freely provided to me to keep the enemy away from me and those I love.  

So with this post comes a warning to be careful of the chinks in your armor so that the evil one does not squeeze in.  Trust in the Lord, read the Word, hold on to the Sword of the Spirit and fight the battle with courage and confidence.

Consider.........

A VERY BIG HAND

There's been a lot of uncertainties and struggles lately in my life.  Granted every day some days is a struggle and if I ponder the past, I remember many, many hard days that life dished out some doozies.    I really think, though, that remembering those times somehow make me stronger as I can look back and see how the Lord worked out everything for my good, even in the bad.   And believe me, there was plenty of BAD.

Years ago stores had these displays that had posters you could buy and put on the walls or frame.  They would have a vast array of them of various sizes.  Maybe you are old enough like me to remember these treasures.  I bought myself one when I was a teenager...yes, that was mega years ago....and I kept it.   For many years it hung in my room, then it graduated and hung on the back of the bathroom door of my office bathroom.  I would see it there many times during a given day as you know how often women have to go to the bathroom!  I was reminded of that poster this week.  I think I might have passed it along to The Girl and it now belongs to her.  It's torn and vintage by now but nonetheless, it packs a great message.

There is a picture of a little girl swinging.  A simple picture of a little girl swinging.  The swing is one of those flat wooden seats and it's hanging by white ropes.  The little girl is dressed cutsy in a vintage way...after all it IS vintage.  😏  The swing is not hanging from a tree limb.  It's hanging from a hand and fingers.  A very big hand.  A very strong hand.  At the bottom are letters that spell the sentence, "Will you trust me?"  

How many times has the big hand of my heavenly Father held me up and led me in the right direction?  Yes, that unseen hand that is strong and mighty, all powerful and knowing the right direction for me and my good.

Yes, I can trust that and I can trust HIM!  And that gives me assurance that all is well.  No doubts, just trust.

Consider.......

LIFE JACKETS IN THE ATTIC

A few years ago The Husband sold his little fishing boat and bought himself one that was a tad larger.    It was a nice Saturday morning when he invited The Girl, The Son-In-Law, and me to go for a morning ride.

I cannot swim.  I have never been able to swim and have a healthy respect for water, especially big water, on that very account.  Of course, every time I go on big water, even in a little safe paddleboat, I wear a life jacket.  This Saturday morning was the same.  Here's a picture of me in my life jacket.

Even though it's unimportant and I'm a good sport, you might also notice that I'm wearing my sandals, have my camera bag attached at the neck, and am a few pounds heavier than I am now.  Just sayin'.....

It was a fun morning and no one accidentally fell into the water.

I remember another few years ago when I was talking to a friend who grew up in hurricane ridden Louisiana.  I'm certain most of us have not experienced such scary devastation.  The closest I can relate is a few years ago when the heavy rains came to our area and I watched as the waters rose quickly and even though I watched as the big ice machine from the convenience store floated across the road, that's nothing to compare.  She talked about the many hurricanes she had experienced and then she said something that stuck with me...."We kept life jackets in the attic."  As my mind processed this, I realized the importance of that in a hurricane ridden location.  I can imagine how the water could rise quickly and there would be nowhere to go for higher ground other than the attic.  I can also imagine the relief at finding a "life saver" in the attic when the storm was raging all around.  I can imagine, too, the horror as the storm rages to find that the life jackets have not been put in the attic where they are needed.

Yes, you all know I like looking at life from the spiritual aspect also.  How about our life jackets we keep in our attic in case of a storm of life?  As I considered what those life jackets would be, I thought of all the things we need in our daily life but often let fall by the wayside of our busyness.  Prayer, gratitude, Bible reading and study, love for others and our love for Jesus are only a few.  I am often so guilty of storing those things in my "attic" instead of using them everyday.  I guess good they are there in case of a storm but how much better they are in our daily walk of life?

Lately I've had Paul's verse to combat anxiety on my heart and mind.  In fact, I'm going to type it up and put it here at my computer.  Yes, you've heard it here before and yes, it's swiftly becoming another one of my all time favorites!  It goes like this and is from that wonderful Philippians 4:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."            Philippians 4:6, 7

Consider....and yes, you are welcome for the laugh you surely got from my picture.  :)

HE SPEAKS...AGAIN...

I woke up this morning a bit earlier than my normal Monday morning time....4:15 a.m. actually.  I found myself in prayer for events of the week and for those I love.

It never ceases to amaze me how I can be touched by the Lord.  Now if all of you don't know by now, I do love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I do trust Him, maybe more so as I age than I did in my younger life.  Still, though, I find some days having anxiety for the things that life MIGHT hold.  Am I the only one who has this?

Anyways, on with my morning story...and yes, it's only 6:15 a.m by now and I have a busy day planned.  I cooked breakfast, then decided I really needed to do a few minutes of the exercise bike so I took my Max Lucado birthday book about anxiety to the bicycle.  Ah, does the Lord speak?  Don't you ever doubt it!

As I got into the second chapter of the book, the author talked about security and the apostle Paul.  Now I do love to read the Bible books of the apostle Paul.  Today though, the focus was on Paul as he was in the jail awaiting trial at about age 60.  I have read about this in a commentary and was very touched that this guy, thirty years a devout Christian and servant of the Lord, was in this jail and these conditions.  The author of my book talked about how ragged Paul was physically, probably bent from the travels and scarred from the lashings and traumas he had endured.

The thing that blessed me about my morning encounter is that it seems that Paul wrote the book of Philippians during this time.  Granted, I haven't researched that for sure so I may be typing incorrect information but bottom line is that he did write the book of Philippians and he did endure troubles, only to overcome through his faith in HIS Lord.

Philippians is one of my very favorite books of the Bible.  I encourage you to read it.  It's pretty short, but it holds so much encouragement from anxiety and problems of life.  I find myself in awe of the fact that Paul was in sure dire shape in this jail, yet....did you get that word?  YET, he still trusted and loved his Lord.  He encourages in Philippians to "Rejoice in the Lord alway...and again I say, Rejoice!"  Rejoicing, like joy, is a choice.

I want to be like that.

I am so glad God chooses to speak and more than that, I'm glad I choose to listen.  I choose to rejoice this day.  Blessings abound.

Consider....

COURAGE

What is courage?

According to Merriam-Webster, a trusted source of definitions since 1828, courage is the "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty".

Exactly.  I couldn't have said it better myself.

I have met people, as I'm sure you have, that live this definition.  It doesn't matter what seems to come their way, they are strong.  Or maybe they just seem strong.

I know in my own life, I feel that my courage has grown as I have aged.  For example, when I was a young bride and The Husband would go on overnighters to hunt his deer, I would be afraid to stay alone.  As time progressed, I became more and more able to stay alone in the dark.  That's not to say that I don't hear every single creak that happens, I just don't consider them all anymore and I don't panic when I do.  Maybe that's growth in me?   That could even be a courage of sorts.

Maybe courage for me, too, would be not being so very afraid of snakes even though I don't really want to practice that one.

I think that courage shows itself in a lot of ways in our lives--dealing with disappointment, dealing with life not being as expected or wanted, dealing with a sickness or terminal illness.  Sometimes courage is seeing those you love deal with traumatic experiences when you can do nothing but watch and pray.    Sometimes courage is viewed by just being positive when all around you seems negative.

Maybe courage is having the strength to just do what's right.  That can be one of the hardest kinds of courage.  And when one is doing what's right, even when they don't want to, that's even more exceptional courage.   We've all been there, haven't we?

One of my most favorite scriptures in the good book is from Joshua 1:9.  I read it often and have even committed it to memory.  It has spoke to me more times when I have been afraid than any other scripture.  And I figure if the Lord says to "fear not" as many times in the Bible as He does, it's important.  Joshua 1:9 says this:

"Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

One of my birthday gifts this past birthday was the new Max Lucado book, "Anxious for Nothing".  Underneath the title, it reads "finding calm in a chaotic world".   When we have courage guided by the Lord, we CAN find calm in a chaotic world.

Consider.......