Life...Living...Loving

I know, it's been awhile since I've blogged. It's been a busy time for our household the last few weeks.
First, Bud was laid-off from his job along with about 35 other men in his department. Downsizing finally hit the hospital. Fortunately, he has been there long enough (10-years) that he was offered severance. This of course helps for the next couple months. Trusting God for our future.
Second, we left for Wisconsin Wednesday morning of the 15th. Stopped in Southern Illinois to pick up our middle son, Jason and got into New Berlin, WI around 12 midnight or so. It was a long trip and we ended up going through Chicago anyway as we somehow missed our direction in Decatur, IL. But since we were going through there around 10:45 pm... it was breeze! I grew up driving around Las Angeles... so traffic, etc. doesn't bother me... I'm just kind of lazy about driving now and didn't want to go through Chicago. Oh well, it made me appreciate my "little city" of Chattanooga. If I want the BIG city, I'm less than 2-hours from Atlanta,GA.
We were heading to Wisconsin for our oldest grandson's wedding. Tim(Brian as we call him) and Christina(Tina) became husband and wife on Friday the 17th. He was handsome and she was a beautiful bride. Our granddaughter, Kailee was a bridesmaid, and she was gorgeous. Chloe, our great-granddaughter, and Brian and Tina's daughter was the flower girl. She was adorable. I enjoyed my time with her.

They had a beautiful warm sunny day for their wedding.
They took photos at a park not too far from the church, Apostolic Life Tabernacle in Waukesha, WI. Papa Bud performed the ceremony. It's neat, because he performed the marriage ceremony for all three of his sons and now his first-born grandson! Time sure whizzes by!

Mother and daughter before the wedding. Tina's youngest brother is standing to the left admiring his sister. She was beautiful!

Right: Brian surprised Tina with "something blue" after the rehearsal.

Chloe getting ready to practice her "flower girl"... although, she called it being a "princess".



.



Awwwww....how sweet!

Our beautiful granddaughter, Kailee







Chloe loved her Uncle Jay. He played with her. She asked him "where you come from?" She didn't remember  seeing him before. She climbed up and patted his cheeks with both hands and then rubbed noses.


One tired little girl. She finally gave up.

                          She definitely is her granny's girl... she loves her coffee!!!!!

Chloe enjoying herself at the reception!

I've more photos and have the cd that my daughter, Terri gave me. I'll get those posted soon.

Bud had the 7-day flu and was sick the whole time of our visit. We "doctored" him up for the rehearsal and the wedding ceremony and then he made a brief appearance at the reception and Tim took him back to the apartment so he could go back to bed. He was in bed the whole time we were there and on the drive up and back home. He ran a 102.3 fever and was almost delirious. At one point, I thought I might have to take him to the hospital. He was miserable and I didn't get much sleep either. I drove up and back. I drove home in one day... thank God for books on tape! Kept me awake. We got home around 1:30-2:00 am Monday morning. I was exhausted. His fever and illness finally broke early Wednesday morning. He said he felt like he'd been in a thick fog. I asked him if he even remembered the ceremony :) and he said he did!!!

Well, enough for now... will try to post again soon.

Technorati Tags: wedding,marriage,grandkids,family

Bless the LORD, O my soul...

 

I woke this morning with a heavy heart and "my spirit" was downhearted.  Not totally aware of the reason for my downheartedness, I worked through the morning, being careful NOT to let my spirit reflect outwardly.  

At 1:30pm I jumped into my car for my hour lunch break thinking I was going to run some errands like I usually do.  I soon found myself  parked in a parking lot just down the street from where I work, asking myself "what am I doing here?"  I soon discovered the reason I had parked.

Grabbing my Bible out of my satchel, I opened immediately to Psalm 103... these words jumped out at me: (the underlining is my emphasis)

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

I then read on:

Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.

Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Read all the verses... but then again beginning with vs.17:

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children.

To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The LORD has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all.   (Read on...)

The last verse of Psalm 103:

Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion.  Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Well, needless to say, after reading this chapter... my heart was once again refreshed and full of God's love and mercy and my faith and trust in His will was strengthened!  How could I ever have doubts about His will?  After all these years.... you'd think I'd have learned to trust Him in ALL things, right?  Be honest though... you have your moments or days too.  But WE Don't STAY there!  We press on toward the prize...

I still am not totally sure what the heavy heart was all about... but I know that when He is ready to show me, He will !!  One can always find just what is needed and required for the soul through prayer and His precious WORD! 

I have never been disappointed in God's response to my prayers! 

My afternoon was much better than my morning!  I was re-assured of His love and mercy and so thankful for His longsuffering!  God is Good ALL the time!

I'm thankful I have that hour during the middle of the day to "touch base" with Him when the morning quiet time just wasn't long enough!  He is so gracious to "reach out" and meet me there!

 

Technorati Tags: Prayer,Soul,Musing,thoughts,Mercy,THE WORD,Bible,Psalm 103

It's Here...2009!

I'll be quite honest, when I was young, I never thought I would see this year, let alone 2000.  It seemed so far away, a distant realm never to be reached.  Whew, it has sped toward me like lightening streaking from the heavenlies!

Bud and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary December 24th and while we didn't do anything special yet, as we were in Missouri with Fred's family, we will plan something.  My boss always gives me a gift card to a local restaurant for Christmas to use for our anniversary and we enjoy that, especially since it's free!  :)  

This past year has in some ways been an unusual year.  Bud was busy with trips to Illinois caring for his mother and then her death on Easter Sunday.

My parents moving in with us in April and adjusting to each of us no longer having an "empty nest".  We've both had some health issues... mine has been ongoing, but so far I've been blessed each time with "cancer free".  Then just before Christmas Bud's younger brother Fred lost his battle with metastatic renal carcinoma.  He fought hard to maintain a normal life right up to the end!  So, this has been quite a year for us. 

I'm "missing" my grandkids today!  I would love to see all of them and our great granddaughter, Chloe.  She's two now!!!!!  They are all growing up so fast.  Our oldest(Tim's son), Brian is 21 years old!  And Jason's son,  Brock will be 16 in April!

And Kailee  our precious granddaughter will be 15 on February 3rd.  I'm not ready for all this growing up!!!  I did get to see Micah and Gavin (Marc's sons) last week.  Micah is to my shoulder now and I'm 5'7".  He's only 10.  I think he's going to be tall like his daddy.  I hear he can play some mean ball. He's a good student too!  Little Gavin... he's my "munchkin".  He is full of little words of wisdom!  He's Papa Bud's boy... Granny Pam gets hugs, but he loves his Papa Bud. 

Oh by the way, if any of my dear sons or daughters are reading this... I NEED some photos of these dear grandchildren... school pix... please!

 

We had our Watch Night service last night.  Started at 8pm with a break around 10:15 for sandwiches and coffee & dessert.  All our ministers spoke and then pastor spoke last with it ending right at midnight with prayer.  All spoke from their hearts.

My thoughts for the New Year:

I've been thinking about resolutions and goals.  Some people are very goal oriented almost to the point that if their goals aren't met within their allotted time they become depressed.  I am a list maker.  I do like to set goals.  However, I am not "stuck" to those goals.  Some might say... "I wouldn't even write down any goals if I had that attitude about them."    I've found that "the best laid plans of mice and men..."  :D   We have to be open to change.  God never changes, but we have to be open to change for Him.  This can be really difficult for some; to make plans and then have them totally changed.  As I mentioned, I am a list maker.  I have lists for everything!  I occasionally misplace these lists!  :D   I don't like going to the grocery store (Sam's club) without my list.  I like to get the items on my list and then, "I'm outta there".   Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do anymore!

Back to my thought... the LORD gave me this scripture in Philippians 3:13-16 for the New Year:

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (emphasis added)

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (NKJ)

I love the way the Amplified reads:

13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

After all... whatever goals or aspirations I have for this coming year... they should revolve around "the main goal".  "Keeping the main thing, the main thing" as Bro. Tenney's book title states.  I can't undo last years mistakes or things not accomplished, I can only begin again.  It's a new year and a new day in the LORD... I want to press/strain toward that higher calling!  He is calling us.

The "unknown" of 2009 can be daunting!  But when I was first diagnosed with cancer this came into my possession, I don't remember how or when, but I know it was during a dark, alone period of time:

"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,

Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."

I've never looked to see who the author was, but the words soothed my soul and they still do! 

I'm looking forward to whatever 2009 holds... I do know it has put me closer to His blessed returning, maybe sooner than I realize!

Have a blessed NEW YEAR with Jesus!

 

 

Technorati Tags: family,2009,gandkids,thoughts,musing,church,God,new day,new year

Real Beauty or a Deathly Stench

A recent testimony from one of the Sisters in our church caused me to reflect on WATER, if my cup was just full and stagnant, or if it was overflowing my cup.

As I’m known to do, I pursued the topic in my mind and pondered upon it for several days. I went back to a day years ago in my childhood when I had wandered off from our trailer parked in a remote “trailer park” and headed out into the desert investigating my surroundings (being the curious child that I was).

After walking, what seemed like a long time to me, I saw a group of green trees and shrubs off in the distance and proceeded to find my way to them. Soon, I could see water beyond the tree line and being in the middle of the desert it looked so inviting and beautiful. I started walking faster as my excitement mounted at my “discovery.”

It was so pretty, the green trees and the water was so still and quiet. Nothing moved. Quickly I approached the trees and moved down to the edge of the water.... Yeeeweee, what an awful, disgusting smell penetrated my nostrils. As I knelt down to move the water with a stick I could see the green slime and the green swirling blobs moving around under the surface of the water. It was a deathly stench that swirled up from the depths of this pond!

This reminiscence made me consider... Do we sometimes look so pretty (HOLY) on the outside but we are filled with green slime and stink on the inside (decaying from inside out)? Do we look good from a distance, but when approached, there is a stench inundating from the source of “stagnant” water! Aren’t we supposed to be full of the “living water?”

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Oh, my prayer is “never let me be filled with the stagnant water of self-worth, pride, an unholy attitude, unmerciful, unloving, uncompassionate, uncaring, and self-centeredness. Let me remember your WORD, your MERCY, your COMPASSION, your KINDNESS, your CARING, your UNENDING LOVE toward mankind. I never want to be “too good” to hug the unhuggable, love the unlovable, speak to the unspeakable, and pray for the PRAYERLESS.

Are we “beauty at a distance” with an Ungodly STENCH when approached? LORD help us to be full and overflowing with Your LIVING WATER!!!

Real inward beauty or a deathly stench, it’s our choice to make.

Technorati Tags: Truth,Beauty,Holiness,Stench,Slime,LIVING Water,stagnant

Mother of a Prodigal

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

3 John 1:4

I realize that John is speaking of “spiritual children” in this verse of scripture; however, I have made it personal to me as a mother whose desire is to see her children walk in truth.

I’ve posted this short verse on the closet door in my study/office/computer room. It is prominently displayed and catches my eye the moment I sit down or walk by. It’s a reminder (as if I needed one) to pray for my children, ALL my children (those in our church family, other ministry friends children, but especially for the ones I physically birthed).

How blessed you are if your children are walking in truth. You should THANK God continually!

Satan knows the heartaches he causes parents when he “thinks” he has drawn a pastors or ministers child, or one of our church family’s kids away from the truth. He is attacking our children every day no matter what their age. He goes for the “jugular”... he knows how precious our children are to us. He means to draw blood... He means to hurt, kill, and destroy. But MY FAITH is in God’s WORD!

But I have NEWS for him... and I’m not being “smug” either... because I know that anyone of us can falter at any moment... after all, we are still in this degenerate WORLD and we still wear this fleshly robe. I am CLAIMING my children, my grandchildren, my church children, my friend’s children in the Name of JESUS!

I remember once hearing Sister Nona Freeman speaking at a Ladies Retreat in western Maryland... she was telling us about how she prayed for her lost children... YEARS of prayer... telling us “DON’T STOP, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY”. I have the tape...still. It never leaves my mind. I can hear her words to this day... and that is approximately 18 years ago.

Don’t stop, Mom and Dad, keep praying. There is HOPE in their returning. The Word of God gives us that!

One Mother’s Day Sunday, I spoke on God-appointed Mothers in the Bible and the challenges they faced, including our mother of origin, Eve.

I also read the following:

Mother of a Prodigal

Where is the mother of the prodigal son
On that day so long ago?
What were her thoughts
And what were her fears
As she watched him turn to go?

How many times in the dark of night
Did the tears slide down her face?
Did she get out of bed
And fall on her knees,
Just to pray that her boy was safe?

How were the days when she did not know
Was he alive? Was he warm? Was he well?
Who were his friends?
And where did he sleep?
Was there anyone there she could tell?

But, oh, on that day when she looked down the road
As she had looked since her son went away,
Did love unspeakable flood her soul?
Did she cry?
What did she say?

I think when the father had welcomed their son
And the boy had greeted his brother,
That the servants made a path
For him to enter the door
And the waiting arms of his mother.

I don't know who wrote this, but they surely had a mother’s heart.

I WILL NOT lose the vision of seeing my prodigals coming down the road to home. I still have HOPE and belief that TRUTH will prevail.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray,
and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Ps 55:17

I know that some of my children may read this... please remember I love you very much and pray for you continually!

Technorati Tags: family,prodigal,motherhood,prayer,HOPE,Vision,long road home

Missouri Visit - Osage Beach/Camdenton

We left Tuesday the 9th for a visit with Bud's brother, Fred and family.  We had a wonderful visit filled with the presence of the Lord. 

Here are a few photos:

Bud's younger brother Fred during a moment of contemplative conversation.  Fred has cancer and has started another round of Chemo without radiation this time.

 

 

 

 

"A kitchen moment"

All the Childers men are excellent cooks!!!!

Scott is in the middle.  He was having a good time with company.  Judy (sister-in-law) is observing. 

When Bud cooks, I don't mind being the observer!!!  As my mom says, he always comes up with something GOOD!

Brynne had to smother GREAT Aunt Pam with kisses.  She was my little buddy while we were there. 

She took about a 40 minute nap on my lap one afternoon.  I decided to join her. 

 

 

 

Brynne and Kaylee.  I had to get a photo of both with me before we left.  Kaylee is a busy little girl.

Grandpa Fred and Grandma Judy are enjoying living near the girls.  I envy them!  I miss my grandkids so much!

 

 

 

Robin(Fred & Judy's Daughter) and Craig with their girls.  We enjoyed visiting with them.  Robin grilled a pork loin one night that was delicious! 

 

 

 

 

Bud and Scott enjoying a quiet moment together at the State Park on the lake.

We had taken Scott for a ride while Fred & Judy were at Fred's medical appointment. 

Stopped for a milkshake and hamburger at Sonic's. 

 

 

We stayed at the beautiful Tan-Tar-A Resort on the lake where Craig and Robin work.  Thanks to them we stayed at no expense to us.  This was a blessing!  Thank You, Craig and Robin!

 

 

The Entrance to the resort with a beautiful winding drive to the main entrance. 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped by on the way back home and visited with our middle son.  I have more photos to post of our visit there next time.

Family Time

We were privileged to have two of our sons visit us this summer.  Marc and his family in June and Tim and his family in August.  So, we were able to visit with all the grandkids but three.  Hopefully, we will see the others this year too!  Chloe our Great granddaughter will be TWO YEARS OLD on the 25th of this month.  I can't wait to see her.  I know she's grown so much since I saw her last August.  And OH MY, Kailee has grown-up so fast.  She's going into HIGH SCHOOL this year!

Here are some photos taken during these visits:

Nana and Poppy relaxing at the camp site.

Our oldest son, Tim on the Carousel at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga,TN

Below- the THREE MEN on a bench!

Kailee at the Camp

 

This is a photo of the inlet (a part of Harrison Bay-Tennessee River) that Tim & Terri were camping at. We live less than 4 miles from this park.  And we take long walks here.  It's beautiful, especially early spring and fall.

 

 

 

This is a pic of the fountain area at Coolidge Park and the kids are allowed to play in it.  There are all these zoo animal fountains surrounding the center fountain.  They have a lot of fun during the HOT summer days.  This park is right next to the TN River.  If you look off in the distance you will see one of the four bridges that cross the river into the City of Chattanooga.  WE LOVE IT HERE!

 

I've already posted some of Marc and Shenyle's  Florida Beach Vacation, but I have some more to post and will next time.

Well that is all I have time for this year.  I have more to post and more to write... but it will have to wait until later.

Out of the mouths of babes...

Where do I start?  I wish I had been journaling all these amazing things I hear from my Sunday School students!  I could write a book.  Children are wonderful and amazing little people, if you REALLY listen to them.  Hardly a Sunday goes by that I'm not either almost in tears (they can relate some heart-wrenching stories) or chuckling to myself listening to them.

Children are much more aware of what's going on around them than we realize!  They can be as talking, doing some activity with their hands, and even scuffling with their best friend and STILL be aware of what you're saying and what's going on in their presence.  Don't be fooled by that "blank" look they can give you!   :) 

I've been teaching on angels, heaven, salvation, etc. the last few Sundays and this past Sunday I was teaching on heaven, what it's like, how to get there, who'll be there, etc.  And when I gave the illustration of  "in the twinkling of an eye"... and we'll rise to meet Him in the air... and I said "kind of like a balloon when you let it go"... and one little guy said, very earnestly and seriously, " You mean we're going to BLAST off?"  Yes, Robert... one of these days we are going to blast off this ole earth... and we've got to be ready.

Kids do make you think about things... sometimes we just rattle something off to satisfy their persistent curiosity... but they do hear what we say!

This same little guy, who is into all the ACTION heroes of this world... when I was telling about how Jesus could have called 100's, 1000's, and even 10,000 and more of angels to save him from dying on the cross... Robert's little eyes became very thoughtful and he repeated after me, "100's, 1,000's and tens of thousands of angels, WOW, a whole ARMY of Angels".  He was totally in awe that Jesus didn't call his army of angels to save him from dying.  That he chose to die on the cross for our salvation.  It is awesome.  It never ceases to saturate my soul with His love and compassion when I hear this preached or relate this to my students.  It is not an "occurrence" way in the past!  When we come to Jesus for salvation... he has died for each and every one of us.

The ANGELS rejoice when we find Jesus!  How awesome can that be?  My students thought that was neat and proceeded to "rejoice" like they thought the angels do!  (I wish we could let loose and do what they were doing in our worship services, or at least do it more often than we do.) 

He is JOY Unspeakable and FULL of GLORY...

 

(I will try to remember and write what I hear... it's awesome and amazing to listen to these little people.)

A Good Report...

God is good all the time, all the time God is good...

Even as we journey through trials and hard places in life... Yes, God is STILL good! He's still in charge and still is Master of our lives.

This has been a tumultuous week for me. Again, I had to endure the process of "cancer or cancer free".

Thursday I was scheduled for my quarterly Cystoscopy and biopsies. Always, with the negative thought trying to invade my mind, "will they find invasive cancer this time?"

• 5:25 am Up and getting Bud (husband) ready and off to work.
• 6:25 am Good Bye Kiss, Bud tells me, "I love you and you know I've been praying for you and will be thinking about you today." I observe the "worried" look behind his expression. He's going to work this morning and will be back around 11:30 am to take me to the hospital.
• 6:30 am I sit in my recliner reading and trying to calm my mind. Jesus and I have a wonderful conversation. I am assured that all is in HIS HANDS and nothing is going to happen to me that is not His Will. We will go through this together, Hand in Hand!
• 8:00am The craving for my morning coffee (I can do without the FOOD... just give me my coffee!!!) is strong... I have to get up and DO something to avoid the Caffeine URGE!
• 9:00 am The URGE passes...
• 10:45 am Start to get my things ready... pack my little black bag.
• 11:00 am Shower, fix hair... and I'm ready to go when Bud gets here.
• 11:30 am Bud's home and changes clothes, grabs his Bible and a book.
• 12:15 pm Dad, Mom, Bud and I have prayer and we're off for the hospital's Same Day Surgery Department.
• 12:45 pm Nurse calls and says can I come in NOW... he's got an early opening. YES, I want this over with... "I'm in the parking lot now... will be up in 10 minutes."

And thus the day goes on... I was back in the preliminary surgery area and the man next to me was having a complete Cystectomy done and the bed across from me was have a Nephrectomy. I am lying there calmly, basking in the love of Jesus and feeling his peace enfolding me with the comfort I need for this circumstance of life!

I hate to be anesthetized! I don't like NOT being in control of my person! But once the injection... I quickly fall asleep.

• 3:30 pm I peek out from under my heavy eyelids... "Yes!!! ...I'm still among the living."

When I'm finally able to answer questions, the nurse asked... "Do you want something to drink?" "YES...strong black coffee!" And she brings it to me, "Freshly brewed." Ummm, so good! Could this be a sin? :) I sincerely hope not!

Finally, I'm back in the room and they are getting me ready to leave in an hour or so. I'm not nauseated this time... wonderful! I feel pretty good... Actually, I feel wonderful! It's GOOD NEWS... the surgeon did find a small spot... feels he got it all and took the usual biopsies of different areas of the bladder. Told Bud he felt all is well... and nothing to worry about!

• 5:45 pm HOME... home never looked so good to me! Bud fixed a wonderful dinner of yellow squash, corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, cabbage, candied sweet potatoes, and Italian meatballs. It really is a pleasing combination... :D

Yes, God is good all the time. Even had I received a BAD report... God would still have been there... and He still would have been GOOD! He is ever present with us!

PS ~ A bit of humor: While getting ready for surgery... the nurse told me that I would have to take off my hairpiece! :D Bud quickly told her that was NOT a hairpiece. You could see the look of disbelief in her eyes. So, I took out the two clips holding my hair up and down it fell... she said... "Oh my gawd...that really is all yours." :D

Another Life leaves this world...

Technorati Tags: family,death,grief,sorrow,sadness,missin you,memories,time,life,spirit,body

Mom, my own heart stopped for a few seconds and the tears fell unashamedly when I heard you were gone.

Never more will I catch a glimpse of your mischievous smile or the ornery twinkle in your eyes.

Never more will I sip a cup of coffee over trivial chatter or "go out" to lunch after shopping.

Never more will I watch you carefully choosing your fresh baby spinach at the Farmer's Market and bartering for the best price.

Never more will I read a favorite recipe hurriedly written in your tight little script.

Never more will I watch you fix a meal, and oh, how you loved to feed us.

Never more will I walk with you in the yard, checking out your newly planted spring flowers.

I will forever hold those precious memories in my heart!

I know your body was tired Mom, but I miss your spirit already!

Your daughter (in law),

Pam

http://www.legacy.com/TheSouthern/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=106274040

Count it all JOY...

“Deeper, Deeper every day in Jesus, Till all conflict past, Finds me conqu’ror and in His own image perfected at last.” Deeper, Deeper by C.P. Jones

In mulling over the testimonies last night and the message... I agree, I don’t want to ever NOT feel God’s conviction on my life. I want to know if I’m pleasing or displeasing Him. I want to be chastised if I’m wrong. That is the way to perfection. My imperfections are under the blood and I desire to keep them there. I’m not perfect, but striving to be perfect in His image. Christ-like living is not based on good intentions, but in consistent daily walking with the one who loves us with an immeasurable love. Yes, just like the old hymn above, I want to go deeper and deeper everyday with Jesus... until the end of time. Do I know what I’m asking for? Oh yes... (THE CUP) In my Bible reading this verse stood out to me:

Jesus said in John 15:18-19 (NIV)

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

So, what is the other verse... “Count it all joy...” Believe me, I’m not searching for persecution and conflict... but I know that the world that I live in hates the TRUTH of His WORD and because of this, if I stand for what I believe, I’m not going to win the “most likeable” person award! But we have a higher calling than rewards and awards on this earth. I’m striving daily to do, say, and walk in the “right” way. I live on a “daily basis” with the future in mind! What a HOPE we have in Jesus!

Blessings...have a GREAT day with JESUS!