I began to save my lungs and my money!! Just in time for the gas prices to take a huge hike. *wink* My not smoking has opened up doors for me that I wouldn't have been able to do if I was a smoker. For example, I can babysit my friends' babies. I can now go to places and not worry if there is a place for me to smoke or deal with people who will give me an evil look as I do so.  Admittedly, there are times when I miss it and when stressful situations pop up, I am very tempted to light up, but they are fleeting and those moments come farther and farther apart. 

I am grateful for the mercy and grace that God gave to me as I kicked the smoking addiction...

To tie it in with My Husband Rocks....

Come join the fun of My Husband Rocks Friday.

He supported me during the not-so-fun times that come with quitting smoking. :o)

I began to save my lungs and my money!! Just in time for the gas prices to take a huge hike. *wink* My not smoking has opened up doors for me that I wouldn't have been able to do if I was a smoker. For example, I can babysit my friends' babies. I can now go to places and not worry if there is a place for me to smoke or deal with people who will give me an evil look as I do so.  Admittedly, there are times when I miss it and when stressful situations pop up, I am very tempted to light up, but they are fleeting and those moments come farther and farther apart. 

I am grateful for the mercy and grace that God gave to me as I kicked the smoking addiction...

To tie it in with My Husband Rocks....

Come join the fun of My Husband Rocks Friday.

He supported me during the not-so-fun times that come with quitting smoking. :o)

Elizabeth, if you recall, lost her home this last June to the Flood of 2008, when the Cedar River decided that it needed to visit more of the city. It was not good, putting it mildly. The city is still a mess and has a long way to go to recover from the devastation. I feel for those in Texas who went through hurricane Ike. 

Elizabeth and her family still don't have a home of their own. I know they would appreciate prayers for wisdom in that area. 

Back to the topic at hand... Spoiling Elizabeth. Elizabeth does not pamper herself at all. She pampers everyone else in her family, but neglects to do anything for herself. Mary Ann came up with the brilliant idea of taking Elizabeth out to lunch and taking her to a salon for a hair cut and style. She graciously asked me if I wanted to join in on the fun. I said, "Yes!!" 

Here she is getting pampered. 

 

Me, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.

Thank you, Mary Ann, for letting me join in on the fun and the blessing of pampering Elizabeth. :o) 

Elizabeth, if you recall, lost her home this last June to the Flood of 2008, when the Cedar River decided that it needed to visit more of the city. It was not good, putting it mildly. The city is still a mess and has a long way to go to recover from the devastation. I feel for those in Texas who went through hurricane Ike. 

Elizabeth and her family still don't have a home of their own. I know they would appreciate prayers for wisdom in that area. 

Back to the topic at hand... Spoiling Elizabeth. Elizabeth does not pamper herself at all. She pampers everyone else in her family, but neglects to do anything for herself. Mary Ann came up with the brilliant idea of taking Elizabeth out to lunch and taking her to a salon for a hair cut and style. She graciously asked me if I wanted to join in on the fun. I said, "Yes!!" 

Here she is getting pampered. 

 

Me, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.

Thank you, Mary Ann, for letting me join in on the fun and the blessing of pampering Elizabeth. :o) 

Word-Filled Wednesday

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, 

and every eye will see Him, 

even they who pierced Him. 

And all the tribes of the earth will mourn 

because of Him. 

Even so, Amen. Rev.1:7

Come join the blessing of Word Filled Wednesday, where it's ALL ABOUT HIM.

Edit: I neglected to mention that these are the precious eyes of my grand daughter, Brooklyn. :o) 

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, 

and every eye will see Him, 

even they who pierced Him. 

And all the tribes of the earth will mourn 

because of Him. 

Even so, Amen. Rev.1:7

Come join the blessing of Word Filled Wednesday, where it's ALL ABOUT HIM.

Edit: I neglected to mention that these are the precious eyes of my grand daughter, Brooklyn. :o) 

Monday I had the privilege of babysitting a 7 week old baby boy named Tobin. It didn't take long for him to remind me of the things I had forgotten about the early weeks of caring for a baby. 

For example:

• taking a shower is a luxury.
• eating is, too.
• should I mention the bliss of being able to visit the ladies' room?
• dishes pile up very quickly. 
• vacuuming doesn't happen. 
• walking for miles without leaving the living room.
• needing to change shirts on both parties several times a day. 
• laundry piles up quickly, too.

I can't wait until he comes back again...  :o)

Monday I had the privilege of babysitting a 7 week old baby boy named Tobin. It didn't take long for him to remind me of the things I had forgotten about the early weeks of caring for a baby. 

For example:

• taking a shower is a luxury.
• eating is, too.
• should I mention the bliss of being able to visit the ladies' room?
• dishes pile up very quickly. 
• vacuuming doesn't happen. 
• walking for miles without leaving the living room.
• needing to change shirts on both parties several times a day. 
• laundry piles up quickly, too.

I can't wait until he comes back again...  :o)

I am under a lot of stress right now. My flesh responds to stress by being anxious...So I am meditating on Philippians 4 today. I want to learn to have prayer be my response to stress, instead of anxiety. Oh, how I long for the day when I will be rid of this sinful flesh...

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  

I am under a lot of stress right now. My flesh responds to stress by being anxious...So I am meditating on Philippians 4 today. I want to learn to have prayer be my response to stress, instead of anxiety. Oh, how I long for the day when I will be rid of this sinful flesh...

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  

This morning I was catching up on my blog reading (I am still far, far behind) and began by reading book reviewer extraordinaire Tim Challies' post because his post title caught my eye. Love or Die.  It's the name of his latest book review. The following quote from the book is what prompted me to order my own copy. I'll simply say, my love is being tested at this time. 

Love requires both a subject and an object, thus love is a corporate learning experience. We grow in love by engagement with other people, not in isolation from them.

Christians cannot develop love by sitting at home alone on the couch watching TV preachers or by attending a weekly, one-hour church service. It is only through participation in "the household of God," the local church (1 Tim, 3:15), with all of its weaknesses and faults, that love is taught, modeled, learned, tested, practiced, and matured. By dealing with difficult people, facing painful conflicts, forgiving hurts and injustices, reconciling estranged relationships, and helping needy members, our love is tested and matures.

One simply cannot grow in love without the stresses and strains of life together in the household of God, the local church. The local church truly is "a spiritual workshop for the development of agape love" and "one of the very best laboratories in which individual believers may discover their real spiritual emptiness and begin to grow in agape love." If you are not a participating member of a local church, then you are not in God's school of love.

The book can be ordered from Lewis and Roth Publishers. 

 

This morning I was catching up on my blog reading (I am still far, far behind) and began by reading book reviewer extraordinaire Tim Challies' post because his post title caught my eye. Love or Die.  It's the name of his latest book review. The following quote from the book is what prompted me to order my own copy. I'll simply say, my love is being tested at this time. 

Love requires both a subject and an object, thus love is a corporate learning experience. We grow in love by engagement with other people, not in isolation from them.

Christians cannot develop love by sitting at home alone on the couch watching TV preachers or by attending a weekly, one-hour church service. It is only through participation in "the household of God," the local church (1 Tim, 3:15), with all of its weaknesses and faults, that love is taught, modeled, learned, tested, practiced, and matured. By dealing with difficult people, facing painful conflicts, forgiving hurts and injustices, reconciling estranged relationships, and helping needy members, our love is tested and matures.

One simply cannot grow in love without the stresses and strains of life together in the household of God, the local church. The local church truly is "a spiritual workshop for the development of agape love" and "one of the very best laboratories in which individual believers may discover their real spiritual emptiness and begin to grow in agape love." If you are not a participating member of a local church, then you are not in God's school of love.

The book can be ordered from Lewis and Roth Publishers. 

 

...and much more eloquently, I will add. *wink* Chris Rosebrough of Fighting for the Faith shared his testimony on how he escaped legalism and found the amazing grace that is found in the Gospel. 

You can read his account here, here, here and here or listen to it via podcast. It is well worth the time...

Chris said:

The Gospel Has Taught Me That...

Because of Jesus Christ ALL of my sins are forgiven. This includes every sin I will ever commit in my lifetime.

Because of Jesus Christ I have peace with God.

Because of Jesus Christ I have a Loving Father in Heaven.

Because of Jesus Christ I have hope.

Jesus Christ will one day say to me, ”Well done thou good and faithful servant.“ Not because of any righteousness on my part but because of His Righteousness that is given to me as a gift through faith.

Now that's great news! 

...and much more eloquently, I will add. *wink* Chris Rosebrough of Fighting for the Faith shared his testimony on how he escaped legalism and found the amazing grace that is found in the Gospel. 

You can read his account here, here, here and here or listen to it via podcast. It is well worth the time...

Chris said:

The Gospel Has Taught Me That...

Because of Jesus Christ ALL of my sins are forgiven. This includes every sin I will ever commit in my lifetime.

Because of Jesus Christ I have peace with God.

Because of Jesus Christ I have a Loving Father in Heaven.

Because of Jesus Christ I have hope.

Jesus Christ will one day say to me, ”Well done thou good and faithful servant.“ Not because of any righteousness on my part but because of His Righteousness that is given to me as a gift through faith.

Now that's great news! 

My Husband Rocks ~ Hardworking

Come join the fun of My Husband Rocks Friday.

We aren't done with the den yet, but it's getting close. All that's needed to do in there is inside work, so he is now working on the rest of the windows on the house to get most of them done before the snow flies. 

My baby works all day long doing some thing I don't understand with chips for cell phones, and then comes home and works another 4 or 5 hours on the house. I am grateful to have hardworking and highly intelligent man as my husband. 

Come join the fun of My Husband Rocks Friday.

We aren't done with the den yet, but it's getting close. All that's needed to do in there is inside work, so he is now working on the rest of the windows on the house to get most of them done before the snow flies. 

My baby works all day long doing some thing I don't understand with chips for cell phones, and then comes home and works another 4 or 5 hours on the house. I am grateful to have hardworking and highly intelligent man as my husband.