Jan. 28, 2011 - Helping Others

Most of you know that we've found a machine (using sound wave technology in the home) that helps with pain. Arlene is pain free these days. Since trying on her pain, I've been trying on other's pain. Mostly friends or family that would try it because they knew me and that I wouldn't be making this up! My neuropathy friend is pain free after 5 years of 24/7 pain. I cried. Today for the first time (because they knew my friend), a person I didn't know came to try the machine. She was in bad pain, she said and had been for over a year. We tried the machine on her pain. After the treatment, she was 100% pain free. She just kept saying she couldn't believe it and I have no idea how much she had been hurting and now was not! It was such an awesome feeling to know you were helping someone with their pain! I realized it is my desire to help others that makes me feel so good. I get just as excited as them! I'm grateful to our Lord, for placing the desire and the fulfillment of the desire to help others in us. It just makes you smile!

Jan. 27, 2011 - Bridge Out

I was headed to someone's house and decided to do a "shortcut"...just as I was turning down the road, there was a bunch of signs blocking the path. Bridge Out. Road Closed. No Through Traffic. Thankfully for me, there WAS another way to my friend's house. But as I was driving around the long way, I was so thankful that when it comes to the road to heaven/eternal life...this is a SURE way because Jesus IS the bridge that we travel over to get there! If not Jesus, there is no "other way" we can get there! Thank you Jesus!

Today's Daily Light - "You know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . .but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. "

Jan. 26, 2011 - Answered Prayer - Healing Hurts

Today in BSF, we were talking about shepherd's and something another lady learned from reading a book about shepherd's. She said that every night, the shepherd would run his hands over the lamb's head - looking for any briars or nicks or hurt places. If he found any, he would anoint it with oil to soothe and heal it. We are in Isaiah 40, by the way, where God is telling His people to be comforted. As the lady in my class shared, I became overwhelmed with the picture of our Lord lovingly guiding His hands over us to find our hurts, so that He can heal them. I have hurts. We all do. I sat there so emotional and just felt His love wash over me and my hurts. Immediately after leaving the class, I had an answered prayer related to a past hurts and saw His answer to something I had prayed for months. I'm grateful for His answer to my prayer...and I'm oh so grateful for His love and tender care of me.

FYI, another thing about sheep - when they fall over, they can't get up - the shepherd had to get them up...like a turtle on their back one lady said - whose mother had sheep for 30 years. Thank you Lord for getting me up when I fall over!

Jan. 25, 2011 - Emma

I called Emma today to wish her Happy Birthday and she answered the phone. She had been getting several phone calls to with her Happy Birthday and Facebook well wishes through Amy's facebook. Her party is not until Sat. so she was a bit confused. :) When I called, she answered and said did you call to wish me Happy Birthday? Yes - I sang "the song" to her. I remember well her Birth-DAY 4 years ago. We had waited and waited for her "day" and when it came, there was a scare and they ended up doing C-Section. We were so grateful she was born and OK (she did have to spend some time in the "special ward" with oxygen, but still she was here and OK). She has grown up so much! I'm grateful to our Lord for creating her in all her own special-ness designed by Him! How thrilling to be able to watch His works in action through our Emma! For Thanksgiving, I asked everyone to think of something or someone they were grateful for. Emma immediately came up to me and I said "I have something I'm thankful for." When I asked her what - she said "My family"! AHHH! I'm grateful to be her "Grana"! I love you Emma!

Jan. 24, 2011 - Jesus Second coming

Today's Daily Light got me to thinking (again!) about when Jesus comes back again for us. What a promise! How our days would be different if we asked the question every morning - "What if it were today?" How would it change the priorities of our "To Do list"? I'm grateful for His gift and His coming again! Oh, that everyone would be grateful on THAT day and know Him as well.

Daily Light - The Lord is at hand! The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and the with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. ... You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Jan. 23, 2011 - Hope

My Daily Light for 23nd is about Hope and I've been thinking about how our life would be different if we didn't have Hope. Our Hope in Jesus and eternal life. Our hope in todays and tomorrows. Our hopes for other people we love. What a different day we would have if we had no hope or Hope (Jesus). I'm grateful and anchor to MY soul - Jesus.

Daily Light -
Hope does not disappoint. I am the Lord ... they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me. Blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. .... This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus.

Jan. 22, 2011 - Unexpected Joy

Have you ever had a day that you planned and thought it out as one thing and it turned out totally different? It seems I have those a lot, but mostly I end up doing things that just have to be done. Today, I "thought" I'd be doing that normal Saturday stuff - cleaning - washing - catching up, but instead Ryan, Amy and Emma came over! Ryan came to work on the church's computers - another grateful thought! While he and Mike were at the church, Amy and Emma were with me! Just to have an extended time (computer problems always take TIME) with Amy and Emma was just an unexpected joy! Emma is always joy to be with, but I also got to spend some time visiting with Amy too, which was joy. So, today I am grateful for "unexpected joy". :)

Jan. 21, 2011 - Daily Light

Many of you know I LOVE a little book of scriptures compiled by Anne Graham Lotz called The Daily Light. It is just scripture - no commentary - thematically put together. Today's AM (it has AM and PM) was incredible and I could say it no better. I'm going to put it just as it is printed. I am grateful for this copy of His Word and it ministers me daily! (OOPS This was actually 22nd printing for those looking for it.
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"For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things. Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands."

(my comment - don't forsake works of Your hands - ME! and oh how grateful I am for His guidance and comfort and restoration of my soul! )

Jan. 20, 2011 - Wintry Blustery COLD Day

Yes, I'm grateful for this very cold - wind chilling day! I thought this morning as I headed out into the weather, that I was grateful for it. A man in our church is in Chicago where the weather is 9 degrees! So 40 degrees sounded balmy. I also thought if we had no days like today, how we appreciate those beautiful sunny days when we have them? :)

Jan. 19, 2011 - Honduras Craft - Answered Prayer

Tuesday night I found out that at the Women's Conference I am doing in Honduras, we needed crafts for women. I'm not a very "crafty" person, so I prayed for HELP! In the form of cheap, crafts for 300 women that don't speak English. I was at a BSF luncheon and ask the ladies if any of them had any ideas. One immediately came up from several of the ladies. It seemed they knew of some missionaries in Uganda that taught their ladies to make necklaces from paper into paper beads. It ended up being something they could do to earn money and feed their families! The hostess had a necklace and they are beautiful. I showed to Tricia - who promptly googled it and found out how to make paper beads and Susan (going on the trip to Honduras) came by later and got in on the deal. By Thursday, Susan had already figured it out and made some beads! Talk about an answer to prayer - cheap - easy - and Susan already knows how to do it! I'm grateful!!!

Jan. 18, 2011 - Mission Opportunity

What a priviledge to be able to go "on mission" for the Lord. I truly believe that we are on mission for the Lord everyday! In March though, I get the opportunity to serve the Lord in Honduras. Tonight I was able to connect with someone who has gone before. I'll be serving in the Women's conference (pray as I see what the Lord would have me teach!). Linda (having gone before) was sharing things they had done and in the process shared about the women and how grateful they are that we come...and I was thinking how grateful I am to be able to go! Mike and Robby will be leading in the Pastor's conference - World Hope Bible Institute. Sarah will also be going and working with the children. I'm grateful for such an opportunity to serve with Mike and Robby and Sarah and the others that are going!

Jan. 17, 2011 - "Servants"

At a new consulting job at a Non-Profit in Waco, I was grateful for Servants of the Lord. There are servants at church and how I am grateful for them. There are people all over our world that are serving our Lord doing little and big things for His Glory. Today I saw servants at our church and servants serving lower income people in Waco. I witnessed compassion and willingness of heart to serve. At the same time, in our world, there is evil and meanness. I'm grateful to be on the side of Lord! Aren't you?

Jan. 16, 2011 - Rain

Yesterday when I was driving all day on Interstate 35 in rain, I wasn't as grateful for rain! :) Today, I was grateful as the rain just poured at my house, getting ready for church. Listening to it was so peaceful. I imagined the grass and shrubs saying a collective "ahhh" with the gentle wash. I also thought about how essential it is for the "land" and animals and us - as humans. Isn't God so creative? He made something that can nourish both humans and animals and the land he created all at once! He made something beautiful to see in a creek (with ice on it in Oklahoma last week!) or a river or a pond or a lake or an ocean. He made something that even the sound of it running or raining is peaceful. Tomorrow when the sun comes out, all will be green and beautiful in response to His rain. I pray we humans are all nice and act beautiful too. :)

Jan. 15, 2011 - Kind Pat

When you are 20, you think you know everything...at least I did. Married at 19 (almost 20), Mike and I thought we were so mature! When he got that first church as pastor which makes me a pastor's wife...I knew I was in trouble! Into my life comes "Aunt Pat"! Mike's aunt actually, but a lifeline for me. She was and is one of those women that is wise and always seems to know exactly what to say in any given situation. Early in our marriage, I began to call her for advise...and I've been calling her ever since. Since she also is a Pastor's wife, she totally understood all that means - both good and bad. She had navigated the waters before me. She has a motto for her life that anyone who knows her long will hear her say - "It is always in order to be kind." What she said to me was "What would be the kind thing to do?" as I struggled with how to respond. When hurt, of course figuring out the kind thing to do was NOT on my radar...but she put it there. I was at a meeting today with her and she seems timeless to me...and oh so consistent in her faith and relationship with her Lord AND she still reaches out to me and women all over the land. Any woman in her grasp is blessed to be there! I am so truly grateful that she has loved me and mentored me and had patience with me - warts and all. Thanks Pat for just being you! I love you!

Jan. 14, 2011 - Mom - MawMaw

Today is my mother's 77th Birthday and I'm thankful for her. She does so many amazing things. She serves our Lord at her church - teaching Sunday School, working in the kitchen, doing things with women's ministries, going on mission trips, helping in VBS and on and on. Today she told me was taking cookies to the "shut-in's" and I was thankful for her faith and her role model not only to me and all our family, but to others along her life's journey that she touches - in His name from those she cares for as a Care Giver to strangers she sends collected things to from the church. Anyone who knows her or is even around her - knows she has a walk with the Lord. Thanks Mom. Happy Birthday!

Jan. 13, 2011 - Traveling Mercies

I heard a local pastor last Sunday on TV while I was getting ready to go to my own church. He talked about that as a young pastor, he didn't understand the prayer request for "traveling mercies" from some of his congregation and asked them to explain what that meant...which was safety while traveling. He also stated that while we are on our life's journey, "traveling mercies" is exactly what we need to be praying for and experiencing. Today as we traveled from Waco to Oklahoma and back again to attend a funeral, I prayed for safety or "traveling mercies" and was thankful to arrive back home around midnight "safe and sound"... thankful to our Father and thankful to so many that prayed for us. I also want to be aware of those "traveling mercies" God gives us along our life's journey too, which is why I'm doing this Thankful blog!

Jan. 12, 2011 - God's Touch through you...

(You'll note the posting days are after the actual days. Because of the funeral in Oklahoma, I didn't have access to internet while we traveled, but I was still "thankful" on those days. :) )

The Bible Study that I felt God was leading us to do is "The Fingerprints of God - Recognizing God's Touch on your life" by Jennifer Rothchild. As we watched the first video session (the God story of how HE provided that is Monday's Thankful Thought) and she talked about human touch and how essential it is for our lives, I was thankful for so many over the years that have touched my heart and life and because they were instruments of God, they too were touched by God. :) Many of you reading this have been the very ones that have touched my life and I am thankful for you and that God put you in my life!

Jan. 11, 2011 - God's Love Letter - The Bible

I love reading a compilation of scriptures put together in a book called Daily Light by Anne Graham Lotz. It has just scripture (no comments), but put together thematically - am and pm. I'm now working on my second year with this little book and it always amazes me how there is just something there for today - this circumstance - this problem - this trial - this blessing. Continual encouragement from our Lord! Continual guidance and help and hope from The One who made us! From Today's Daily Light - "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Heb 13:15) Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23)

Jan. 10, 2011 - Answered Prayer - Bible Study

I'm sure I may "repeat" this one through out the year and it will be OK since each answered prayer is a separate event! We have started a Women's Bible Study on Wed. nights. We thought we knew what we were going to do and the Lord changed the direction when we met for the first time. So, now I've been asking the Lord for what He wants us to do? I was looking around my own "stash" today and it was like the Lord said THIS ONE! It is a Bible Study I bought, but have not done yet. I got excited about it but didn't have the DVD to go with it. "All of a sudden", I remembered a couple of friends at another larger church in town and sent them an email saying HELP! Guess what, THEY HAVE IT! I didn't have time to order it (and get by Wed.) and we have no "budget" to buy it either. What a quick answer to prayer! Thank you Lord...and I can't wait to see what He is planning to do with it!

Jan. 9, 2011 - A church building!

As Mike was preaching today, he mentioned that when he was in Africa, one pastor had several congregations...but not the way we think of congregations. It would be about 10 people sitting around a tree (for shade), worshipping and studying and growing in the Lord. While we sat in our church building - protected from the rain, with heat and padded seats, they would be sitting on the ground under a tree! I was grateful that we have a building in which to worship and fellowship! We are spoiled!

Jan. 8, 2011 - Springtime in January

What a beautiful day! Actually this week has had some beautiful days. I was especially thankful for Saturday because I was putting up the rest of Christmas decorations and had to be in the garage AND because Sunday and next week is supposed to be wet and cold...which is typical for January! So, I'm thankful for a beautiful day in the midst of what is normally cold and it just made me smile while doing a chore!

Jan. 7, 2011 - Heaven

Mike has an uncle that is close to stepping over from this life to the next. As I was thinking about both Don and Colene and all the family he leaves behind, I was grateful that our Lord has planned for us - both in this life and the next. I'm grateful He has prepared a place for us called Heaven...a place where even the descriptions we have in the Bible are so amazing that it is hard to wrap our minds around it, but I believe it. And for us left behind, we are comforted by the knowledge our loved one is with THE ONE that loved them first and most and last. We love you Don and Colene and family and am praying for God's comforting arms to be around you all!

Jan. 6, 2011 - Friends

Have you ever had a friend that knew you "warts and all" and still loved you? One that you knew you could call on when you are not sure you can make it home without running out of gas (late at night of course) and would she come get you even if she was already in bed? One that has seen you looking good or REALLY bad and doesn't care? One that can laugh or cry with you and make you feel it is OK? Today I'm grateful I have friends that travel along my "life" journey and make it better by just walking along together. Thank you Lord for connecting us on my life journey!

Jan. 5, 2011 - Empty Parking Spot

Today I had a noon meeting at a popular eating place. Of course arriving right at noon, I found the parking lot was totally full. I pulled in the last row thinking surely there would be a spot, but they are all full. I just wondering where I would park and how late I was going to be to the meeting from walking a block away, when I saw BACKUP lights! Of course I backed up (no one behind me thankfully!) and let them come out and in I went - in the only parking spot in the lot! I WAS grateful! It reminded of a lady in our church - Ann - who told me she was always grateful for "gaps in the traffic". She is "older" and getting on the interstate can be stressful...she said God always gave her gaps in the traffic so she could safely get on the highway - not just once but over and over! She said she was always thanking the Lord for them. So out of many things that happened today, I'm grateful for that empty parking spot!

Jan. 4, 2011 - Provision - RX savings

Today I'm grateful for work - yes not only the ability to work, but actual "paid for labor". I've been on a year journey where the Lord continually amazes me when and how He provides for our needs. Sometimes it is VERY last minute, but our needs have been met. I just got a letter saying my $50.00 RX/month is now generic and will be $5.00. WOW that will be a savings of $45.00/month! That is awesome! So, however it comes - from consulting work or BeautiControl Spa sales or The Memory Box sales (got 2 more orders for tomorrow delivery - even AFTER Christmas sales!), I'm grateful for His provision!

Jan. 3, 2011 - Family

I'm sure along the way I'll be grateful for individual family members, but today I'm thankful for "family".  I know families comes in lots of ways.  I've just come through 3 weekends of family Christmas celebrations.  One with my Mom and family, One with my kids and families (even got to be with Abby on Christmas morning with Robby's parents too) and One with Mike's Mom and families.  All were different and all made me feel love for others and feel loved.  I know many have limited family celebrations due to loss or distance, so I'm grateful to have had this season of family...love and support from them all!

Love ya!
Judy

Jan. 2, 2011 - My Lord and Savior

Today as we celebrated the Lord's Supper at church this morning, I was overcome the gratitude for my Lord and Savior.  What He did FOR me out of LOVE for me totally amazes me and I'm grateful for His love and His gift to me.  What can I do for Him to show my gratitude?

Judy

Jan. 1, 2011 - Year of Gratitude - Mike!

As a part of our family challenge, we plan to find something to be grateful for every day...without repetition - at least for a month at a time. I'd love to hear what YOU are thankful for today as well.

For my first day of the New Year, I am grateful for my husband of 37 years, Mike! Not only is he an awesome man and man who loves the Lord, but he is an VERY handy man! He just made a base for those front loading washers and dryers. We just got a used washer/dryer set to see if it helps Mike's Mom be able to wash clothes - which really hurts her back to bend over our old set. It didn't come with those drawers that raise it up higher...so Mike made a base for us! Mike's Mom (who lives with us) LOVES it. Now if it just works...we'll try it out this week! He also helped me get ready for all the company coming this w/e - even steamed the carpet!

Judy