After all the torment our family has endured loosing Raymond over the past couple of weeks, we have reason to Celebrate!

My sister is expecting a baby!

My nephew, Raymond Andrew Monfee, was instantly killed when his motorcycle ran off the road onto the gravel shoulder.  He was flipped by a concrete storm drain which snapped his neck at C1 and C2.  The accident happened about 12:40 am on Friday, April 25, 2008.  He was 22 years old.

His life was full and joyous.  And, Praise God, he was saved during a Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames presentation about 13 years ago.  He is safe in the arms of God right now.  He is feasting at the banqueting table with Jesus, and his grandparents.  Thank you Lord for your provision of GRACE for us.

Memorials can be made at www.rainman951.com.  Raymond was going to school and working.  However, when his student loans got too big to manage, he was forced to quit school.  It is the hope of his Daddy that a scholarship fund be created through this web site allowing a small percentage of applicants to gain some kind of relief for their tuition.

The Grass is green.  It is a fascinating green this time of year, the new spring green that later dulls into a dark lush green.  This green makes me happy.  My birthday is in March, and my birthday marks my favorite time of year - Spring! 

The Sky is blue.  The clear crispness of the sky is so bright and fresh.  Although yesterday, there were thunder bumpers scattered all about.  I even saw a Rainbow!

Pink, Yellow, and Green are the major colors of Spring.  Additionally, red, purple, white can be found.  Wonder how many people actually notice.  I'd like a Pink Dogwood in my yard.

You remember the song God's Beautiful World?  God's Beautiful World, God's Beautiful World, I love God's beautiful world.  He made it for you; he made it for me.  I love God's beautiful world.  I sing this song every morning!

Thank you Lord, what a fantastic artist you are!  I love you!

This was the Preacher's topic for Sunday, April 13, 2008, which, by the way, marked one year that my Mom has been in the presence of the Lord.  I cried all during the service, and most of yesterday.

My Aunt always made homemade muscadine wine when she was alive.  It was a fruity and pungent drink, and I was only allowed about 2 ounces at one visit to her house.  Before she died, I asked her how to make it and she reluctantly shared "the recipe."  Mother and I used to get tickled over having the "family recipe."

Ephesians 5:18 is the reference verse for the sermon, that states, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Biblegateway.com).

Bro. Dave explained there were 3 types of wine in the Bible.  First was the fermented wine, in which this passage refers.  Although this wine was very mild compared to the strong drink we have today, it took hours for someone to get drunk.  Second, there was the fresh crushed grape juice, like a breakfast drink, and lastly, there was the jelly, or jams made from the grapes.

Four Truths stem from this passage.

1- There is a Comparison -  A drunk person is controlled by his beverage, whereas a Christian should be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  When controlled by the Holy Spirit, a Christian has confidence and courage to be bold in the Lord, and able to do things supernaturally that they are unable to do naturally.  Luke 1:15, and Acts 2 are supplemental passages for this truth.

2- There are two Commands to this passage.  One, we are not to be drunk, and two, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is a sin to disobey both of these commands.

In the imperative tense, we can't take it or leave it, but must obey His command.  We can't have a victorious and abundant life if we don't obey.  We can't love, live, serve, suffer, etc..., like Christ if we don't obey.  When Christians are saved, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit abides in us.  We are signed and sealed, but not filled.  It is our choice to obey and be filled, or not.

In the passive tense, a flower can't smell themselves, it takes someone to smell the flower.  We can't save ourselves, Jesus has to save us.  Jesus fills us with the Holy Spirit, it is nothing we do alone, but accepting His gift of eternal life.  but, it is our choice to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and live a Christ-like life.

In the plural tense, the filling of the Holy Spirit is for every person, every day.  It's not just for some, it is for all.

In the present tense, we are to be filled day after day, moment by moment.  We are to ask daily, Give us this day our daily bread.  A Christian's problems stem from NOT being filled with the Holy Spirit, and doing things in his own strength.

3- There are Conditions to acknowledge.John 7:37-39.  There has to be a deep yearning, a sincere thirst for the Holy Spirit.  Luke 11:13, and 1 Corinthians 1:3 are supplemental verses.

4- There are Consequences to being filled with the Holy Spirit.  These are the Fruits of the Spirit, which can be found in Galations 5. 

In conclusion, we must guard our heart.  For only two things can come from the heart:  love, or hate.  Love comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit, and hate comes from NOT being filled with the Holy Spirit.  James 4:5 speaks of this.

I miss my Momma, but I can look forward to being with her and our Savior, in the future.

He is RISEN indeed!

Yesterday, Bro. Dave's message was on "Satan's Best Sermon."  Genesis 3: 1-6 was the reference passage.  This was the Fall of Man segment in the Bible.  You know, the serpent was "prudent," which means sly or crafty in a negative sort of way, when he approached Eve and seduced her into eating from the forbidden tree of good and evil.  One can only speculate as to why Eve was the easier target.

This was the first account in the Bible of the Fallen Angel Lucifer preaching False Doctrine.  Interestingly enough, Bro. Dave said the Angel Lucifer first appears in the the 3rd Chapter from the beginning of the Bible (Genesis 3) and disappears after the 3rd chapter from the end of the Bible (Revelation 20).  How about that?!

He went on to say Angel is from the Greek word "Evangelos."  Meaning Angel comes from the middle of Evangelism, or "to tell the good news."  Yes, even Satan tells the good news, but distorts it into false information.

Bro. Dave's 3 points were:

1) Scriptures are reliable - only Satan makes you doubt God's word.  How ironic - it is so much easier to believe Satan's lies than God's Truth.

2) Sin will Ruin - Satan makes you think that when you sin, it will not harm you.  But, Sin WILL ruin anything it touches.  It ruined the Perfect Couple in the Perfect Garden.  Adam and Eve already new Good, but Satan convinced them that knowing Evil wouldn't harm them.  But, it did!  It brought the curse of sin and death to mankind.  You've heard the old cliche' 'Be sure your sins will find you out."

3) Salvation is by Grace through Faith - Satan wanted Eve and Adam to believe that they could save themselves by being like God.  Even the Pharisees aren't righteous enough to work their way to heaven.  No one is good enough, or equals God, so we must accept his gift of GRACE through Faith in Jesus Christ the Savior, God's only Son.

Once I heard that the acronym for GRACE is God's Riches at Christ's Expense.  Good way to remember, huh?!

So, to end Bro. Dave told a story about Bob.  Bob was someone who was good person.  He always carried his umbrella in case it rained.  He kept his car in good working order, and had an extra car so he would never be without transportation.  Sadly, Bob was killed in a car wreck and stood before God at Judgment.  Sadly, God said, "Bob, you made sure everything went as planned, and carefully laid out your life so it would be as easy and as stress free as possible.  But, you forgot the most important thing.  You didn't prepare for where you will spend eternity.  Depart from me, I never knew you." 

God is a fair judge.  He says "Come unto me all ye who labor and I will give you rest."  He also says, "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Rm 6:23"  We will spend eternity either in the "smoking or non-smoking section."  That was a little joke by Bro. Dave.  But, so true.  Either we will be in Hell where we are not welcomed because the lake of fire was created for Satan and his fallen angels.  Or, we will be in heaven with Jesus the Savior, and God the Father where we will be more than welcomed, we will walk with the Creator Himself.

It's your decision.  Time is short, choose wisely.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”- Isaiah 55:8-9

Well, I spent $77.00 to have my hair colored Monday.  The stylist was talking about letting  your hair get grey, "as long as you can color it, why get grey?"

However, Liz Curtis Higgs article in her newsletter was talking about her getting grey.  She said she used every color in the spice cabinet during her coloring years.  Then she read in the Bible that "grey hair is a crown of glory" for a woman.   She said "why color it when you can polish it?"  She is too funny. 

My only apprehension is my eyes are copper and my hair silver.  That might clash.  I don't know.  But, I may try it, I can always color it again.  My grandmother and mother's hair was silvery white, and it looks like mine will be too!  It is a beautiful color.  They had blue eyes though, and it matched.  Contacts maybe?!

On another note.  I am reading the Bible through.  I'm to Abraham is getting Issac a wife.  I figured Issac would be the offering before now.  I am truly enjoying this reading the Bible through.  Good Book, you should try it!

Today is Wesley's Birthday!  He is 12 years old.

Life Today is a daily program I watch occasionally, usually when Beth Moore is on.  Yesterday, Kathy Troccoli was in for the James and Betty Robison.  Liz Curtis Higgs was the special guest.  She is the author of Bad Girls of the Bible.  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com

Liz was talking about her favorite "bad girl" Leah. Leah is the girl Jacob received first after working 7 years for Rachel, twice as long as a customary bride price.  She went on to say that Leah was unloved, unwanted, and probably despised because of her and her father's sister switch trick on the wedding night.  And because of this, she was very lonely.  Seeing this loneliness, God opened her womb and gave her 3 sons with NO change in status with her husband after each.  After having her 4th son, Leah said she would "praise God" and named the 4th child Judah, which means "praise." 

As you know, Rachel had Joseph.  You know the story of the coat of many colors, his being sold into Egyptian slavery, and ultimately saving his family from starvation after enduring years of oppression and rise to power in Egypt.  God is so good.  Liz pointed out that God used Leah, not Rachel to provide the lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus is from the tribe of Judah.  It was Leah's faith in God and her leaning upon Him for fulfillment which lead to our hope of salvation. 

Isn't that remarkable. God can use any situation you get yourself in to reveal His Purpose and Glory. I've gotta read those books!

Whoopi!  I found some free online course work for Bible Study.  Well, most of it is free. It is Christiancourses.com.  I'm SO excited.

Yesterday in church, the pastor said that 2 people die every second in the world.  Driving around we see all kinds of bumper sticker type signs saying, "Rest In Peace," or "RIP," which pay homage to some dear relative or friend who passed away. We even hear that phrase most of the time when stars die, like Heath Ledger, Steve Erwin, or Anna Nicole Smith.  Even at funerals, we hear "May he/she rest in peace."

Well, I've been thinking and it's time to share my notion of what I think about the phrase "Rest in Peace."

If we are a Christian, we can rest in the knowledge that we will LIVE, face to face, with our Savior Jesus Christ when we pass from this life to the next.  I don't think there will be any "resting" in heaven, other than being rested and restful in a sinless, perfect,and peaceful environment where we never tire.  My belief is we aren't sitting around on floating clouds eating cream cheese, but living, serving a risen Savior, and basking in God's Glory.

As an unbeliever, you can rest assured in knowing you will NOT be in heaven, but in an eternal torment created for Satan and his followers as your eternal reward for not accepting God's gift of redemption through Jesus shed blood.

As Christians, we are to be passionate about telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ  in an effort to  reveal God's gift of Salvation to a lost world.  Pastor Dave offered a question and follow-up statement as a passive aggressive witnessing tool.  It is SO easy to say, so I'm going to use it.  The question is "If you were to die today, are you 100% sure you will go to heaven."  The follow-up remark is "I'd like for you to think about that." 

To "Rest In Peace" is a contradictory phrase. If you are a Christian you CAN be at peace knowing Jesus is your Lord, but, we are NOT to rest because time is short and Jesus is coming again.  I think of the song, "we'll work 'til Jesus comes, we'll work, 'til Jesus comes, we'll work 'til Jesus comes and then be gathered home.  There is NO rest, but there IS peace.

Prayer requests:

Dell is scheduled to have her kidney removed on Wednesday, Jan 30!  She desperately needs a kidney transplant.  If you have a kidney to spare, let me know! Smile.

Heath Ledger's family during such a terrible time.

Our insurance adjustment on water damage.  The insurance company is being wishy washy with our claim.

The sale of Steven's house.

Urgh!  Can they NOT see that drug use is a dead end.  Heath was a favorite!  10 Things I Hate about You, A Knight's Tale, The Patriot.  Oooh,

UPDATE:  Well, I jumped to conclusions about drug use.  However, even prescription drugs use can kill you especially if not used as directed, or over medicated, even used in conjunction with alcohol.  We'll see...

“[Ask, Seek, Knock] "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”- Matthew 7:7-8

The website Biblegateway.com has a verse of the day.  I have writer's block today, so I'm using this verse as my post.

I've heard it said, "you have not because you ask not."  By asking God, you can have the desires of your heart.  Keep in mind, our desires should be God's desires.

We have an insurance adjuster coming by to determine whether insurance will cover some water damage.  Prayers are requested as the insurance company is already trying to get out of it.  My "desire" is that God will intervene and the insurance company will do what it needs to do to correct the situation.

This little picture was taken of the snow last Saturday.  So delicate are the clover, yet, it gently caresses the fallen snow.  I thought it worth sharing.

My daily Bible study consists of reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  I read it long time ago, but forgot the contents, and she has updated it since originally writing it.  I do want to be a woman after God's own heart.  My Bible Hero King David was a man after God's own heart.  It is so easy to say, but actually accepting God's will sometimes may not be in harmony with personal will.  Here is where it gets hard, setting aside personal will for God's will.  So, I've purposed myself to be more in tune with God.  I'm a hard headed person by nature, so it goes against the core of my being to not "have it my way."  Although after having children, "not having it your way" gets easier.  Still, God's will can be awe inspiring which could be a little intimidating at times.  But, His grace is sufficient.

Walkingthewalk sent me a flyer regarding Soul Spa, a women's mini-retreat at Heritage Baptist Church.  She is going with her mom.  I miss not having my mom here to go with me.  You can't imagine how much.  Here is the link for anyone interested.  WTW, I hope you don't mind me sharing it  http://www.hbcm.net/clientimages/36311/soul_spa_flier.pdf

Most of my life, I've been blessed with surroundings which edified God and encouraged God's presence.  Praise the Lord, it began by growing up in a Christian home with parents who loved the Lord with all their Heart, as God commanded.  Both became Christians in their adult life.  My Daddy, or Dutzy, as I called him, was a deacon who loved the Lord, loved his family, and encouraged the same for his children.  Momma was active in missions.  I can remember from the earliest helping to prepare the WMU study course materials, posters and whatnot.  Then there was Louise, my second mom, my babysitter, who was a Godly Christian woman also.  One of my fondest memories with her was going to a Missionary appointment service at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.  Ms.  Helen, another dear friend of my mom's continues to encourage me in HIS walk with emails and phone calls.  I am SO blessed to have such mentors in my life.  Fortunately, God placed me in working environments such as the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Morningview Baptist Church, Gulf Shores Assemby of God, and other Christ centered organizations. Other mentors arose from these places; Edd and Kathy for one.  The icing on the cake in church attendance was participating in the congregation services of John Hagee and David Dykes.  These are wonderful preachers as have been all of my pastors.

Lastly, I am truly blessed to have a husband who loves the Lord and tries to walk the walk not just talk the talk.  Johnny, I love you dearly!  I pray, my feeble attempts at raising my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord have created an eternal love for God the Father, His son Jesus, our Savior, and His Holy Spirit. 

I am so blessed to be born in our country, one founded on God.  I could have been born across the ocean in the middle east, or some other place where God does not reign supremely and another form of god, an idol, is worshiped.  Thank you God, thank you for my parents, my country, my home.

Yesterday, I took someone to the doctor.  As I sat there working my crossword puzzles, I couldn't help feeling loss for my mother.  She was SO sick the last 2 years of her life.  We had some doctor to visit everyday and I patiently sat there and waited.  She constantly cried and felt badly that I had to "waste my time" driving her around and sitting at the doctor's office.  I don't think she ever understood that I enjoyed doing that for her. I think she thought I was doing a duty or was obligated because of the decision my sister and I made for me to stay home with her.  The loss of her independence was her biggest fear, regret, and sorrow.

It's January 18, 2008.  Just 3 months from now my mother will have been dead for ONE YEAR!  I can't believe it.  However, it sounds much better when I say mother will have been in the presence of Jesus Christ, God the Father and His Holy Spirit for ONE YEAR! And, for those of you who knew her,  guess what?  She CAN SING now!  Whoo Whoo!!!  Poor woman couldn't carry a tune in a bucket here on this earth and she belted out those songs every Sunday while I stood there and cringed.

I love this little "bumper sticker" that I saw.

No Jesus, No Peace
Know Jesus, Know Peace.

Speaking of peace, the Yahoo headliner story today was that Osama bin Laden's son was going to be a peace activist.  Hummm....

Wow!  What an interesting topic.  I had no idea what to write about today and this was posted on the home page in LIVE JOURNAL.

Sixth Grade - the first time a boy gave me a birthday present.  His name was Barry Whitefield and he put $2.00 in change on my desk.  I was embarrassed because I was extremely shy.  Also, Barry was the first boy to call me at home.  I was extremely upset because I knew how strict my daddy was about boys: how he got my number, I have no clue.  I didn't even LIKE Barry and never spoke to him; why he was interested in me, I have no clue either.  Ironically, Barry and his wife delivered a baby girl just a few minutes before I had Kris on 09/11/1983. 

Sixth Grade - Mrs. Rutledge made me learn the poem "Tree,"  you know, "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree..."  Yeah, that one by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  Then there was Mrs. Edwards who taught Social Studies.  She was an African-American woman who was about 6 foot tall.  I had no clue women could be SO tall until I met Mrs. Edwards.  She used to sit on her table in class and swing her legs. I was fascinated by her laid back attitude, not stuffy in the least.  She was just the coolest teacher I had ever encountered.

Sixth Grade - I was in a skit at PTA meeting because my Mom was the PTA president.  She had written some poem about starting to school. The poem was "September," an acrostic as usual.  "Summer days are almost gone, Even grass upon the Lawn, Picking cotton time is gone, that is if you had some, Every one is busy as a bee, Making plans for school, you see, But before you finish this little rhyme, and I forgot the rest.  The P section could be misconstrued as a racial remark.  Momma was NEVER a raciest, but probably couldn't think of anything better at the time about gardening, harvesting, and/or the end of summer.  I was dressed in a MAXI dress with my daddy's old little wire rim glasses.  Do you all remember MAXI dresses?

Well, on to my favorite songs in the sixth grade.  Life Goes On was a popular hit for me.  You know, "Oh bla de, Oh bla da, Life Goes On, hey, nanananananana."  I liked Hang On Sloopy, Brandy, anything Osmond, and Disco was just beginning to be popular.  If I think of any more, I'll repost on this entry.  Kay liked "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."  Kay and Dell are Sisters and on my Best Friend List. 

They say if you have a handful of friends you are blessed.  My handful is Lisa, Kay/Dell, Lisa/Laura, and Rhonda.  Now, I've met so many more people in my life that are special to me.  Charlotte, Mary, Edd, Kathy, that means you!

Sunday, Jan 6, 2008, was the first Sunday of the New Year.  The Pastor's Sermon was on Stewardship.  He prefaced his sermon by saying "stewardship is more than money."  He went on to say that he only preaches on Stewardship in January because he would be failing in his ministry to neglect such an important part of Christian living. 

Matthew 25:32

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.  (Bible Gateway, 2008)

First Fruits,  giving God the first of everything, including your Time.  "Time is a gift, that is why they call it the Present"  (anonymous, n.d.).

The Pastor pointed out that by giving God the first Sunday of our New Year, we gave Him our First Fruits. This includes the first minute of our day, the first Sunday of our Week, the first day of our New Year.  I must say, I WAS neglectful in giving God the first day of the New Year.  I didn't even have a Bible Study time, but He DID get my first Sunday.  When I was a little girl, I had a Sunday School pin that grew longer by the year.  I was awarded a charm to add to my pin for not missing any Sundays for about 8 or 10 years.  Then I was sick one Sunday and missed. 

First Fruits, giving God your Treasures.  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Luck 12:34" (Bible Gateway, n.d.).

As a teen, I discovered the acrostic "JOY - Jesus First, Other's second, Yourself last" (anonymous, n.d.).  Pastor Dave said that the gospel is our greatest resource.  Within that Gospel is the greatest commandment, which is to,

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'. and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "  Luke 10:26-28. (Bible Gateway, n.d.).

Jesus used His resources for others.  Even His life, His ultimate resource, was given for the salvation of mankind.  Jesus taught self-denial.  How we treat others is how we treat our Lord.  Pastor Dave ended this section with the question, "What would you do for the sake of others?"

First Fruits, giving God your Talents.  Based on the parable of the Good Samaritan

Lastly, Pastor Dave said how we use our talents is a sign of good stewardship.  This reminded me of our spiritual gifts.  He pointed out that each of us possess unique qualities in which to serve the Lord and others.  We should use these qualities to glorify God and reach mankind. 

Hunger - the church is a great place to start.  It is good to help feed those around the world, but there are hungry people in our own neighborhood.

Healing - by sending cards, making visits, or just a phone call, we can reach our neighbors and determine in what way we can minister to each other.

Helping - "WWJD - What Would Jesus Do?" (anonymous, n.d.) How will we respond to opportunities God puts in our path? Even when people are unlovable, unappreciative, and just mean, we are to respond as Jesus would, by turning the other cheek and being nice.

Heaven - Fruit of Salvation is works, not the root of Salvation, which is Faith in Jesus as our Savior. Are we to be His Sheep?

Hell - Are we to be Satan's Goats?  Hell was prepared for the Devil and his followers, but those who do not believe will be sent into eternal exile for eternity.

As you can see, Pastor Dave did a great job highlighting the ways to be good stewards of our time, treasures, and talents.  I'm guilty of  NOT using everything God has blessed me with for His Glory.  So, in the upcoming year, I shall strive to be a better steward in all areas of my life.  I look forward to hearing the next Stewardship sermon in Pastor Dave's series.

Happy New Year!  Can you believe it...8 years since the new millennium?  We were worried about 2000 wrecking the computer systems and sending the world into chaos and disorder.  Well, it has crept up on us, but I think the world is in chaos and disorder, and not because of computer problems.  People are violent, self-serving, and/or out of control.  And, I don't mean just "bad" people. 

Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

The Iowa caucus is upon us today.  Let us be mindful that God will raise up the man, or woman, He has in mind for our next presidency.  I truly believe President Bush was a part of His master plan.  God's timing isn't our own and it seems our time is limited in this current world.  I hear people saying all the time, "Oh people have been saying the Lord is coming back ever since he left."  Yes, that is so, and today is closer to "The Coming" than yesterday.  Let us pray for divine wisdom in making our decision as to whom God wants in the Presidential position this next term.  It is a privilege to be able to vote.

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

I miss my Momma today.  She was extremely "into" God's word and I really enjoyed listening to her.  She was a fantastic Bible teacher.  She loved the Lord and is in His presence today!  Wow!  Let us resolve to move back into a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father for we know not the hour of His return, and we need to be about His business.  When I was a GA, I learned a little song, "As you go about, as you go.  Take the Name of Him that loves you so. By His power and command, do disciple every land. As you go about, as you go (unknown)."

2 Peter 2:20
If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Well, the season of worry is over and life is moving forward for the better.  Trials and troubles always pop up, but God's grace is our only resort.  Tis the season to be jolly.

Why is it simple things can create mountains of worry?  Worry then creates stress, stress reeks havoc on the body.  I don't like to worry, but have in the past few weeks.  I know it will be over in a couple of weeks, but the anticipation and waiting is making me nuts.  I'm covered in worry worts!  The bad thing is worrying at this time of year.  The most festive season and I'm worrying!