changes

Changes - I don't think I like them...but some times they are good.

Watching a change in attitude in someone close and praying he is praying about the changes in his life.

Sisters' weekend

Having an awesome time. At the Hershey Spa. My manicure is beautiful and I feel chocolately wonderful. Waiting for Terri and Debbie to get finished with pedicures.

Sitting in the "quiet room". Glad I have my Blackberry to keep me company.

Thinking of Mom. The last week we spent with her we had manicures and pedicures. I think she loved it. Mom kept admiring her nails. Glad we were able to spend that time with her (she passed a few weeks later). It was a gift from Father.

Extending support to Fort Hood and other heroes

Please take a few minutes to read:
http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/2009/11/support-fort-hood-families.html

Many families will need our support and many military personnel around the world will be feeling this loss.

We will be praying.

Temptations - Thoughts - what to do

Romans 6:11-14: ¹¹ So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. ¹² Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. ¹³ Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. ¹⁴ Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Sin does not have to control us - in fact, as Christians, if it does control us, we need to go to God for some confession (1 John1:9) and then look at all the passages that talk about the Spirit living in us. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead - pretty sure He is strong enough to overcome sin!

Verse 13 - Don't let any part of your body become an instrument of evil. What part of our bodies is usually that culprit? The MIND. Ah, yes, Satan plants those thoughts and what do we do with them? The answer will determine if we are letting sin control or if we are overcoming. If we dwell on them - they will grow into something more - something evil. If we take them captive (2 Cor 10:5) we are in control - it is our choice.

If we are controlled by the Spirit, sin cannot control us. If sin is controlling us, we are not controlled by the Spirit. In the end, it is OUR choice. We aren't dealing with anything we cannot overcome (1 Cor 10:13).

Spend today in control. Don't let thoughts come into your head unchecked. Examine them and get rid of those that aren't edifying, pleasing to Father.

Father, you are awesome. You have called me into relationship with You. You have given me everything I need. You gave me Your Son - Jesus because He was the only one who could pay the price of my sin. And He paid it while I was still a sinner - running from You. He was the only one who could restore me to You. You now give me the Holy Spirit to keep me close to You. You promise nothing will come my way that I can't handle with You. You are incedible, Father. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being You. Thank you for being real.

Worship tonight

Tonight's worship was great. The choir did an awesome job. Praising the Lord with other Christians and incredible music...wow.

We serve an awesome God. If creation was the only thing He gave us, it would be too much. Flowers, colors, fish, birds, animals, music, aromas, bugs (yes, bugs), and people. So complex, yet so simple in its beauty.

But He gave us so much more. He gave us His Son. His Son left heaven and died in my place. The perfect Son, the perfect person, God and man as one. He lived and died and rose. He did this for me. For you. He did this so we can be reconciled to Father.

If you can, spend some time with other believers and worship Father. Thank Him for his gifts to us. Thank Him for salvation.

My soul is full and my spirit is joyful. My heart is rejoicing.

12 more Christmas cards done. I will have a good bunch to send to OWH tomorrow. Now I'll start working on mine!

The second card has an insert so the soldier can write more home. Having fun creating! Love my crocadile2. Pati, I hope you approve of my ribbons :P

Happy 50th Anniversary - Don & Betty

Brad's parents had the 50th anniversary party tonight. Wow - 50 years. At the party were other couples who had celebrated 50 years this year, 55 years, 56 years; then there were us newbies who have celebrated 24 and 20 years!