Making Himself Known

Last night, the Bible study group I've been leading ended for the semester. We studied "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." It is a wonderful study. I highly recommend it.

But last night, we never left question #1! It was a powerful evening.

We talked about testimonies and my friend "J" shared a story involving the death of a family member. You see, God spoke to her through that difficult time and made Himself known in amazing ways. From carrying a card with Proverbs 3:5-6 in her wallet, to seeing it published the day her family member died, to a purse, and a bracelet with that same verse.....it was a crazy story of how God was telling her that He was with her.

Here's the kicker...another member of our class, "B", brought a little gift for everyone last night. You know, those cards you carry in your wallet with your name and a verse? Yep, you guessed it, "J's" card had Proverbs 3:5-6 on it!

Everyone was either crying or had the hair on their arms standing on end last night!

Isn't it cool when God shows up in amazing ways?

"J", this is for you!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6


Today I Am Thankful For:

1. testimonies
2. homemade cookies
3. thoughtfulness
4. 4 weeks left till my husband receives his MDiv!
5. moments

Perspective

Today is chemo day. Me and my Christian are in the infusion suite getting his treatment. I'll be honest...I'm getting so tired.

I was complaining to my husband about the chemo...."Why isn't it working faster? When are we going to be done? I really don't want to make the drive to Albuquerque."

When we come to the infusion suite, we have to wait in the playroom until we are ready to go back. In walks a little boy about 5 years old with a mask on, his jacket and hood covering his head. "Mom, can I take my mask off? he asks, "No, says Mom. He sits down to play, takes off his jacket and exposes his hairless head. A victim of cancer.

There is an attractive, young teenager who is here every time we are. He is on dialysis. He should be out chasing girls and playing ball (hopefully he is) but he has something pretty major to endure.

I know that the end of chemo is coming. My Christian has not lost his hair, rarely gets sick from the treatment and is always full of energy. We have nothing to complain about.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Janie - who plays the guitar and instruments for the children in the hospital
2. rice cakes
3. Fruit by the Foot
4. chocolate milk
5. maracas

The Only Person on Earth

I am preparing a sermon for next Sunday. My text is from the book of Ruth. It's a wonderful story and the love Ruth shows for Naomi is amazing. Ruth goes to a foreign land with Naomi, accepts her people, her homeland and her God as her own.

She gave everything up with no clue of what to expect in the future due to the love she had for her mother in law, Naomi.

Love.

The more I read and study, the more I see love shown in the Bible. I start to think about the love I have in my life...my husband, my sons...my family...it's overwhelming.

What is more overwhelming is that Jesus would have been willing to die on the cross if you or I were the only person on earth.

That's intense.

God sent his only son to die just for me and you to wipe the slate clean and forgive us of our sins. And it wasn't an "easy" death. It was horrific. When you think about what Jesus went through for us that, too, is overwhelming.

Do you realize how much the God of the universe loves you?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. granola bars
2. webcams
3. speaker phones
4. paper clips
5. sugar free gum

Oozing a Day at a Time

I picked up the phone and had a really good conversation with a family member yesterday. We don't talk very often...no reason...but she adores my children and our entire family.

It was an "oozing" moment. I took the time, let my guard down and simply loved someone through a conversation. It felt really good and it changed the whole tone of my evening.

Something so simple as a phone call. What are others ways we can "ooze" everday?

Saying hello, opening a door, laughing with someone, looking at them in the eye at the checkout stand, being available.

There are so many ways we can ooze the light of Christ in our daily lives. It's not just about being in church on Sunday and doing all the "church" stuff. It's about taking all of that and making it appear through you in your everday activities in the real world.

I'm not talking about taking a Bible and shoving it at someone and telling them they are going to hell if they don't believe...it's the little things that really make a difference.

What are you going to do today to be more of an "oozer?"

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. a fresh maicure/pedicure
2. my son's music
3. quick trips to Las Cruces
4. new sandals
5. possibilities

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful Easter Sunday! The church service was beautiful, the weather perfect, lunch with friends, lots of choclate bunnies and eggs to hunt, a delicious Sunday dinner and a soak to end the night. We couldn't have had a more perfect day.






"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. sugar free jello
2. lillies
3. Sam's Club
4. sandals
5. capri pants