Sunday, September 26, 2010

Iron Chef, Sept. 26, 2010

The sermon today was inspiring and challenging. Easy-Bake Faith, Christianity Ain't No Cakewalk." Well actually that is the name of the series, Today was "Iron Chef." The Iron chef is given an ingredient for all recipies and then he must come up with different dishes which include that ingredient. The number one ingredient for the Christian life is "Willing to Change."
There are nine ingredients to the Original Christian Recipe: fellowship obedience, forgiveness, truth, light, discernment, love certainty, and hospitality. Each week for the next nine weeks Pastor Tom will look at one of these, taken from I, II, and III John. Today he focused on the fact that we must be willing to change for what God wants in our lives.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139: 23,24.
Am I a reactive love Christian or a proactive love Christian? Do I react in kind to offenses handed to me or do I proact with God's love? Will I take a stand and do the right thing. Will I be willing? I must ask God for the courage to love those who don't love me. Take the stand, "I love you unconditionally. No matter what you may do to me by way of insult or injury or humiliation. i will never seek anything else but your highest good."
Christianity ain't rocket science, but it ain't a cakewalk either. Simple but not easy.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Spanish alphabet song (military style) by Barbara MacAurthur



I thought this was a great way to learn the Spanish alphabet. Hope you have as much fun with it as I have.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

it's a wonderful world


I know that my Redeemer lives and I know that my brother, Dennis, is now with Jesus, but I and many others have this giant hole in our hearts because he is not with us any more. Today would have been his 64th birthday. Please give him a big birthday hug and kiss from me Jesus. I sure do miss him, just can't seem to get use to him being soooo far away. I have great hope that one day we will be together again and then it will be forever, never ever parting again. I miss you Dennis and love you.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Dennis, Linda, Sara and Steve


I really enjoy looking at this picture of Dennis, Linda, Sara and Steve. It really shows how much they love being a family. Love you guys.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Your Plans For Me ! ! !

I really believe that the only tough job I have to do on earth is to make it through life. If I can do that then WOW I think everything will be great. I have one who is watching me and loving me, He is my Protector, my Guide, my Power, my Strength, my Redeemer, my Provider, my Passion, my Strong Tower, my Best Friend; well He is everything to me. I just want Him to know how much I love Him even though I could never love Him as much as He loves me. He is opening a new chapter in my life; I am afraid, excited and ready for what He has for me. His plans for my life are good and not evil. He knows the beginning from the end. Thank you Lord for all that you have done in my life and for all that you are going to do.

Friday, August 20, 2010

People are here for us to love.

I have come to the place in my walk with God where I realize most of the time that when people do hurtful and selfish things to me they really do not know what they are doing. They are just trying to get through this life, as I am also. My motives are not hurtful and selfish so why should I think someone else's motives are hurtful and selfish. I really believe today that everything that happens to us is for God's purpose in our lives and His purposes are never harmful to us. We may go through deep and painful trials, but they are for our good and not for our harm.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Lancaster accident

I have had a wonderful weekend. Visited with my Uncle Herb, Aunt Mary, and some of my kids and grandchildren. It was wonderful. When I look back over my life I feel blessed.
I am saddened this evening about the accident at the race in Lancaster. Young people out having fun, daring danger and then in the twinkling of an eye eight young people are dead. I am praying for Brett, the driver of the race truck this evening and for a long time to come. His heart must be breaking this evening. "Lord let him know that you are there for him and that you knew that this was going to happen before the foundations of the world. Comfort him and place people around him who know you and love you. If he does not know you, Lord, bring him to salvation. In Jesus Name, Amen."

Friday, August 13, 2010

Journal for August 13, 2010

I am always surprised when a young person passes away and leave a hole in the hearts of his/her loved ones. This is an event which will need to be answered in eternity because there are no answers to this heart ache in this life. Paul says, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." This must be the great comfort for parents who loose their children too soon, but only the Lord can fill the hole in the heart.
I have many painful events in my life, but none as painful as loosing in death one of my children. Drugs, alcohol, anger, unforgiveness, resentments, fears and more earthly things cause separation in my family, but not death.
My grandmother felt it was the most painful thing in her life when my father died before she died. She has already lost two sons before my father, so she was not new to the sorrow.
We must go on, but I cannot go on unless the Lord carries me through each and every day. He is the only way I can continue in this life. Thank you Lord for always being there for me. You promised years ago that you would never leave me or forsake me. You have kept that promise and I believe you will always keep this promise to me.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

At the Park with Daniel and his family, August 4th, 2010 ! ! !

Daniel and Family, August 4th, 2010

Daniel and family


Awesome time with Daniel and his family

I spent a wonderful afternoon with my son,Daniel, his wife Stephanie and my grandson, Gavin. We ate at IHOP and then went to the park. I took lots of pictures and had an awesome time. I wish they lived closer, but they live on the other side of the US. I am grateful for being able to be with two of my sons within a weeks time. God is good.

Wisdom for Today, August 4th, 2010

Credit Card companies - Hum? They know that most of the people who recieve credit cards cannot payback the debt which they agree to lend them. The goal of Credit Card companies is to encourage a consumer to use the plastic card to the limit, then harass the person to pay back that amount. When they cannot pay that amount then they proceed to charge the person interest only payments while continuing to increase the interest charges. The friendly service which the person recieved to help them get into debt all of a sudden changes to a collection attack. The only way to pay the minimum amounts on one card is to go further into debt with another credit card. This starts a visious downward cycle on the person's life and finances. The only way to deal with this problem is to deal with the problem. Cut up the cards, cancel all cards and work out a Pro Rata payment plan. FICO scores are only used to determine how much a person can go further into debt. If a person sincerely wants to have peace in their life with their finances then debt is out of the question. If debt is out of the question, then the FICO score is mute information. Millionaries who pay cash for purchases have a "0" FICO score. What a concept. I am praying for the day when my FICO score is "0".

Monday, August 2, 2010

Frustration or God's Word?

Sometimes life can be so frustration, especially in the area of communication; especially if you speak the same language as the person you are frustrated with. I know the other person is just as frustrated with me.
Romans 8:19-21 (New International Version)says,
19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
I want this "glorious freedom" in my life, no longer in boundage to the frustration of this world. I want God's compassion in my life when working with people. Lord help me with this, I believe this is Your disire for my life also. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

My Trip to Colorado, July 2010

I was able to travel to Colorado Springs last week to spend five days with my son, Joshua, his wife, Amy and my three beautiful grandchildren; Paul, Peter and Stella. I had the most wonderful time playing, relaxing and just loving being with them. I thank the Lord for the visit and for the wonderful time which I had.
We went to the Zoo to feed the giraffs and see many other wild animals. The tigers did not look to wild, they were cuddling with each other. I guess everyone need love every day, even tigers.
We also went to the Airforce Academy to watch skydivers. That was exciting for me since I will never jump out of a perfectly good plane, but my son Daniel does that on a regular basis. WOW Scarry.
We also went to visit the Focus on the Family grounds. That was a fun day watching my grandsons play on the playground there.
On July 29th we stayed home to rest and just be a family. I really loved that since it was on that day that my brother Dennis died last year. I was so rewarding being with family on that day. Thank you Joshua and Amy. We did have fun though with the tractor and blowing bubbles.
What a great time I had, I only wish they lived closer, but it sure is nice in Colorado Springs. They picked a wonderful place to raise their children. I think I will enjoy visiting on a regular basis.
The grandchildren are so sweet and little Stella is the cuddliest little angel. I really got my cup full of love. Thanks you.
Marie, Bob and Marlene took care of the Cell Phone Repair shop for the week so Joshua could take the week off. Thanks you guys. I really appreciate the time with my son.
OH and thank you Amy for teaching me more about blogging. I think I am getting the hang of this thing now.
Love you guys.

Sermon notes, August 2010

I am so blessed to be attending High Desert Church. Every Sunday I learn so much that I have not thought about in the past. Today I realized that when we think we have the whole truth on a subject; example, how the end times are going to unfold, we leave the person which we are talking to thinking that they are not as smart or as righteous are we are. There are no "mature" Christians in the whole bunch of us, there are only "maturing" Christians and that would include all of us.
I also learned that at the end of every book in Daniel there is one consistent reality - Jesus is coming back ! ! !
Every one of us has a season when it is really, really hard to deal with life, but if we will continue to realize that God is faithful we will get through the tough times. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an on coming train - it is Jesus, the Light of the World.
If you fight against God - YOU WILL LOSE ! !
Have a blessed Sunday.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Christmas in Colorado 2009

Stephanie and Gavin

Daughter in law, Stephanie, married to Daniel on May 1st, 2010, with my grandson, Gavin.
My daughter Wendy and her husband, Jonathan's wedding September 29th, 2001.

Angelena and Ben

My daughter Angelena and her husband Ben Gaines. They were married May 1st, 2010.
Esther, Angelena, David and Deborah

Deborah's wedding

This is both Deborah's and Michael's families together in Wayne and Kathy's back yard after their wedding.

Joshua's family and me


Paul and Peter movies

Grandkids at Christmas


Christmas with my son,Joshua and his wife and two boys, Grandsons Paul and Peter.