Gorgeous and Glorifying

I work with a sweet sister (SS) that recently moved from an apartment to a brand new house.

Yesterday our office gang got a tour of her new place--and we gave her a little house warming party.

After SS opened her gifts she told our work colleagues how she prayed for God's guidance--and how He specifically led her step by step through all the decisions that have to be made when building a new house.

It was a beautiful testimony of God's presence and love in her life. I got warm chills as she was speaking--God was being glorified through her.

SS's new house is gorgeous. However, SS is much more gorgeous than the house she now lives in.


"Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31

These Ladies are the Best!!!

Some people don't like Mondays, but I LOVE Mondays! Some Mondays I get so excited during the day just thinking about Monday night I do mental flips of joy all through my mind.

Some people think Monday nights are for football--I think Monday nights are for my Bible Study group!

I just love these ladies! We have just finished "The Patriarchs". At times our journey this fall has been difficult--many times it has been full of joy and excitement. I am so thankful I've been able to make the journey with these sweet ladies at my side.

I've Just Had My Socks Blessed Off!

Our kids have all been in since last Tuesday and I have been busy enjoying them. What a blessed Thanksgiving I have had.

We got Skippie 3 in place and decorated. They did a great job picking out the Christmas tree. (Doesn't everyone name their Christmas trees?)



We had a lot of wind yesterday and one of our trees blew over. PH will be extending his Thanskgiving holiday another day to deal with it.
We are so thankful it didn't hurt anything else!

Back to the routine day--celery sticks and alarm clocks!

Thursday IS Thanksgiving

I have so many blessings to be thankful for--where do I start? I know I can't name them all. I know I have more than I deserve.

I am thankful for every blessing I have. I celebrate with thankfulness every blessing from God from my salvation, by far my favorite, to potato soup and everything in between.

I wish for you and your family a blessed time of thanksgiving this week.

:-) and :-( and :-)

I've been in Kansas with PH the last few days visiting with his family.

It seems like everything there reminded me of Thanksgiving. The weather was crisp, but I only needed a jacket, not a parka. There were piles of leaves begging to be bagged. There was a faint smell of firewood in the air. I loved it all.

We had a nice visit with my MIL and SIL. It's always nice to catch up with family.

One of our purposes in going was to sort through the last of my FIL's things. He passed away almost three years ago now--and it was time to finish up. As we found a toy he had ordered with cereal box tops (still in the box)--and we found all the name cards of the people he had graduated from high school with--and PH discovered the Christmas ornament he bought for him when he was 4-- we took some time to remember the good times--and cried a tear or two. Some of the things we brought home--but had to leave most of it--but we won't forget him.

I especially love this time of year in airports! I love to see families reuniting for some holiday time together! I just love it!

Thursday Thanksgiving

Today I am very thankful:

That I can be confused and be okay--God has all the answers--and He is trustworthy.

That I get to live in an age where I see denominational lines dropping and Christians from different backgrounds joining hands to do the work of God in this world.

That God, through His Holy Spirit, fills my heart with peace and joy and guides me through each day.

That because of Jesus, I have hope.

For JSP!

That it's time for fires in the fireplace.

That I have so many people in my life to love--and most of them love me back.

That I have been blessed with good health.

"But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God."
Psalms 50:23

My JSP

I have been meaning to introduce my job share partner (JSP) to you. Her daughter got married last weekend (in a beautiful wedding)--and I finally had a picture--so I thought this might be a fine time.

JSP and I share a job. We each work 40 hours each 2 weeks. I usually work the first part of the week, and she usually does the last part. Sometimes we trade days and still have vacation and holidays--so we have a very flexible and wonderful schedule.

She's a wonderful Christian lady with three grown children also. We both love to use our travel to spend time with our families. If anyone travels more than me, it would be her. Between us we keep the skies pretty busy!

I love my job--but it doesn't lend itself to blogging--anyway, I think my bloglist is so long by now it would clog the company computer--so I never blog from work. However, if you notice I am around here more towards the end of the week, now you know why!

JSP just might make the *thankful* list tomorrow!

Comments

I am still learning about this blogging thing. Some of you have the best *conversations* at your blogs by responding to comments. I really like that--I just don't do it very much here. I don't know if I post stuff that lends itself to conversation all that much for starters. Then, I blog in bursts--I might spend 2 or 3 hours at it--then not be back for a day or two--and that's not very good for conversation.

I have really appreciated many of the comments in my last couple of days--so during one of my blogging bursts--I will converse about them here!

JMG made this comment on "I think I Got It": "I think that some of the reasons listed in the "Why the world will accept (even love) me" list can also go in the other list. For example, They will see something God is doing in me they want--like joy, peace, contentment. Some people can't stand to see others who are content, at peace, and joyful because they themselves are not. They see me loving everyone no matter how low or high in position--how much or how little sin is in their lives. Some people deem others unworthy of love and will hate you because you love those unworthy people."

So I had to switch my titles a bit--she was sooo correct.

Then, Pilot Mom added a great scripture:
II Corinthians 2:15, 16a
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life".

That helped me put some foundation on my thoughts--even though I stay confused about a lot of things. I don't really think I am supposed to figure everything out just now--so I enjoyed the scripture DJG shared:
I Corinthians 13:12
"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist."
Isn't that a great relief?

I love Isaiah--there's so much good stuff in there for our lives today--so I am glad that Tony mentioned Isaiah 55--how about verse 8 when I am confused?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."
I might be confused because I can't figure out God--his plan is for me to trust Him through the fog. That whole chapter just blows my socks off.

LVM mentioned Job--now he had to be one confused dude. God allowed him to go through agony--and his faith grew even greater!

MM--yes--I do think there's a really good chance John was confused because he was expecting an early kingdom. We need to talk about that some more!

DM--please let us know what you think was going on in this cuz exchange!

All ya'll make just the best comments!

Gotta go turn off the air conditioner--we might need the *heater* tonight if I can remember what one is--what a loooong summer we have had!

Confused?!?

I go through times when I am just confused. I try to take steps toward God, but I am not sure exactly where those are. I have longed for God to leave me a message on the kitchen table with one of his stone tablets, just so I would know what to do next. I think I still have faith that God is there--I would just like His confirmation.

In Matthew 11:2, John the Baptist is in prison and I get the idea he is confused. This is the guy that was filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth (Luke 1:15). He was the one that proclaimed Jesus was coming. People went out to him to be baptized, including Jesus Himself (Matthew 3 4-17). I suppose John heard God say, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Yet, a short time later he's in jail and he sent his disciples to ask Jesus "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

I don't want to be hard on John here--he is in prison. However, it is obvious he had big doubts as to what is going on. What this does is give me comfort, I know I am not the only one that gets confused.

Here's a good proof my thinking is quite opposite of God's. In this situation, I think if I had been Jesus, I might have said something like "Sure, dude, I am the ONE." After all, John is enduring hard times. What Jesus says is "go back to John and tell him the blind receive sight, the lame walk, leprosy is cured, the deaf are hearing, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor." In other words, John, you have to decide the answer to that question on the basis of what is happening.

As John's disciples were leaving Jesus turned to the crowd around that John was indeed the "messanger to prepare his way". (Matthew 11:10). Perhaps Jesus didn't to confuse the crowd--John might be confused, sitting in his cell, but he was no slacker.

It seems Jesus gave John the answer to go forward in his faith. Three chapters later John is beheaded because he told Herod of blatant immorality in his life.

When I am confused, I would love God to leave that tablet--but He's given me something John didn't have--the entire New Testament. When I am confused--I can go there and read Who God is, Who Jesus is--and God will confirm to me, He is Who He says He is.

I believe this passage also encourages me to look around and see how God is working in my world--how He is impacting those I care about it in very tangible ways.

I suppose I will go through times of confusion as long as I live. I believe God is faithful--He probably won't write on stone tablets--but He will give me the answers that I need to know Who He is--if I will just ask and seek.

"Now faith is being sure of what hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1

I think I got it---

The answer to my question: should the world hate us or accept us is--BOTH!!

Thank you for your insightful comments! I am still thinking along those lines and trying to make a couple lists:

Reasons why the world might accept (even love) me:

They will see something God is doing in me they want--like joy, peace, contentment

I offer them grace because God saved me through His grace

I don't judge them, I love them

Even though I won't be perfect, they see consistency in my life

They see me loving everyone no matter how low or high in position--how much or how little sin is in their lives

When I show compassion to all around me

Reasons the world should hate me:

I won't join them in sin (I better make sure this is sin as God defines it--not my interpretation of it--it's amazing that sometimes unsaved people understand sin more than Christians because Christians start defining all kinds of gray areas as sin, not matters of conviction)

I won't encourage them in sin

I am a hypocrite

When I have to be right, because I am right, and right is more important to me than anything else

When I am not genuine and pretend to be perfect all the time

I really don't care if people like me for me--I am pretty old and I don't have time for that. If people like me, I want it to be because they see something God is doing in my life--and I so much want them to find Jesus.

I know I have missed lots of ideas on my lists--if you put them in the comments--I will edit them into the post!

"The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
John 3:14b,15

Not Just Any Visit To Starbucks!

I did it again!
I met another blogging buddy!

This time I met Gayla! We met through our blogs, but don't live very far apart. In other words, I didn't have to get on a plane to meet this new friend!

We found we had lots in common--we shared lots of encouragement--and lots of laughs! My time with Gayla truly was a blessing--there's just some stuff you can share face to face that never quite happens on a blog. Now, my blogging buddy is a *real* friend!

Also, today was the first day you could have a gingerbread latte or a peppermint mocha in one of those famous red cups! Starbucks has declared Christmas season is upon us!

The sweet lady that took our picture had an ACU shirt on--she is a graduate of that fine university. I couldn't help but wonder how many of you, would have known her. I am sitting here wondering why I didn't turn around and take her picture for you all!!!

Thursday Thanksgiving

This is my fourth Thursday to post thanksgiving. I plan to keep on doing for a while. It happens to be *Thanksgiving* season--but that's not really the reason I got on this current thanksgiving kick. I am here, because I was convicted that I don't have a sincere, thankful heart. What pierced my heart was Romans 1:21:

"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused."

I want to glorify Him as God--I want to be thankful--I don't want to slide down the slippery slope that Romans talks about.

Today my thanksgiving is for Christian brothers and sisters. As I studied this week what Paul said he was thankful for many times--I found he repeatedly was thankful for his spiritual family.

"We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly."
I Thessalonians 1:2

"How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God."
I Thessalonians 3:9

"Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right."
II Thessalonians 1:3

"As for us, we always thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. "
II Thessalonians 2:13

"Timothy, I thank God for you."
II Timothy 1:3

"I always thank God when I pray for you, Philemon."
Philemon 1:4

I am thankful for those of you read this--even if you don't leave a comment--I'd like to shout through your computer screen how thankful I am that because of Jesus we are related.

If you've left a comment, ever, I am thankful for you. I can assure you God has used your words to encourage me, teach me, and some days helped me to just get one foot in front of the other and keep going. There are times when I am having a spiritual struggle--and I sign on my computer and someone has left me words that are just what I needed to hear. Thank you Father!

The comments this week on heaven got me so excited I could just hardly contain myself. I don't have it all figured out--but I am thankful I have you all to help me understand a little more about heaven--and then as rev-ed says--we need to mutiply it by a million--or maybe even trillions?

So thanks to you for bearing with me here--I want to be accountable for a thankful heart--not just on Thursdays either--but all the time.

If you want to read more thankfulness, fellow blogger Keith is stuck on the same subject!

Should the world hate us or accept us?

"Now do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No! God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Jesus Christ. "
Galatians 1:10 (ERV)

The only One I am to please is God. I miss the mark, but I understand that, at least intellectually. However, I want people to like me, not so they will think I am great, but so they will think God is great. I've not always been comfortable with people in the world *liking* me, because they might mistake our camaraderie as my compromise with some sin or evil. To even muddy the water more for me, I have watched several Christians almost despised in non-church settings and proud of it because, you know the world hated Jesus, so they will hate us. However, I don't see that many people will be drawn to Jesus because of this latter group. It's been a mental struggle for me for a long time.

Then, there is this scripture:

"If a person is living a good life, pleasing to the Lord, then even that person's enemies will be at peace with him."
Proverbs 16:7 (ERV)

Do you think this means as long as my heart's desire is to glorify God and there's as few selfish motives in the mix as I can humanly have--I can pray for the approval, acceptance and good will from the *world* around me? Or should the world hate me, because of the stand I take with Jesus and against sin?

Heaven

Last spring, we had a series on Heaven at church. I had never thought a lot about heaven before this time. However, when I did think of heaven, I thought of myself as kind of a floaty creature, wearing white and praising God for eternity--earth as I knew it no longer existed in any form and I was safe with my Father.

Those are not bad thoughts and I don't know how correct they are, but the series did change my mind on some things. I started reading Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" a couple months ago while I was in Hawaii. If heaven were on earth, I would think about immediately about Hawaii, because I love it so much. I was looking as this when I read this quote from the book: "If you are not in a particularly beautiful place, close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful place you've ever been." (p 18) I was looking at what I consider the most beautiful place on earth--so I was ready to read on.

What I believe Alcorn says in his book is that heaven is the new earth--in other words--fire will "refine" earth as we know it--all imperfections will be gone, and the earth as God planned it before the fall of Adam and Eve will be heaven. Some of the scriptures he uses to support this are Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1.

He believes we will live in heaven with resurrected bodies, so that we will recognize each other. Mr. Alcorn also thinks that when the Bible talks about streets of gold--it means just that--which indicates we will live in cities. One of the scriptures I have not been able to understand, and have noticed for years is Acts 3:21 " For he (Jesus) must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his prophets."
If you look at heaven in the way Mr. Alcorn does, this scripture does make sense!



As I have thought about heaven the past couple months, I have some images that I think of. They will be scattered throughout the rest of this post, while I try to come to a conclusion. One, would be my family, others would be praising God with lots of Christians (pic from Beth Moore conference in Knoxville, TN) and spending lot of time with Christians friends, I don't get to see much on earth (picture is friends from Zoe Conference in Nashville).

The most important thing for me to remember about heaven is: it's all about God. I have come to believe that it's really important for me to understand about heaven, the absolute wonder that it is so that I will be more intent on sharing God with my unsaved friends.

I will continue to study heaven--there is much about it in the Bible--and I do want a solid understanding. The more I study the scriptures in light of what Alcorn says in his book--the more I think heaven along these lines could be quite scriptural.

Like so many things of faith, I know I won't be able to fully comprehend it until I get to Heaven.



"But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God.'
II Peter 3:13

Unvacation weekend

This has been a great weekend to stay in Texas--beautiful weather--probably our peak color for leaves--a good time to stay at home--did you ever think you would hear me say that?

We finished birthday season tonight as we took Aug out for a her own celebration--we had a great birthday season this year.



This story would make a great preacher story!




"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. "
Hebrews 11:1 (NLV)

TAGGED!!!

I have been tagged by Donna!

The rules:
1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas…
5. Tag five people to do the same.

Here's what I count as my 23rd post.

I wrote it on the day I found out that the University of TN (where Crittermer is a student) was playing Texas A&M (where Aggie-Ed is a student) in the Cotton Bowl. It doesn't have five sentences (most of you know I am not terribly verbose)!

It was a fun *delve*, however! Both Crittermer and Aggie-Ed went to their respective universities for academic reasons--however, this was a lot of fun for us. Aug made us orange and maroon mints to munch on during the game! This was a nice memory, because I doubt either TN or A&M will make the Cotton Bowl this year.

You have to believe me this was fun--if you haven't already done it--and you believe me--you are tagged.

Thursday Thanksgiving

"Continue praying. And when you pray, always thank God."
Colossians 4:2

I am thankful that:

1. God gives me grace and mercy, not what I deserve.

2. That nothing, is impossible for Him; nothing is too hard. Nothing.

3. God is still teaching me so much about Himself.

4. God has granted me a reasonable degree of good health.

5. That God is holy.

6. That God is patient with me!

7. God has blessed us with two full weeks of clear, crisp fall weather--not too hot and not too cold!

8. God has blessed us with a phenomenal birthday season--where I have been able to spend time with all 3 of our children.

9. That we can get on a plane and fly to TN for lunch with Crittermer.

10. That November is an official Thanksgiving season for everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To my favorite daughters!!!