Babies X 3

My friend, Carolyn took this picture on January 4, 2009, the day of my daughter's dedication with her two friends, James and John. My little one was 5 weeks old and the boys were 9 weeks old. They have all changed so much, since this photo was taken. Aaron, Lynetta, James and John have moved back to their home in Tennessee, so we will miss our times together. We did a duplicate of this picture on February 8 and I will post it when Lynetta emails it to me, once they are settled in their new home.

Support a Worker of the Underground Church

The Voice of the Martyrs has just received new information from our field workers about 300 pastors, evangelists and lay workers ministering in restricted nations, such as China, Nigeria and Sudan, who are in great need of support.

Many of these church leaders spend most of their day laboring to provide for their families. But they would like to dedicate much more of their time to courageously spreading the gospel and ministering to the needs of other Christians in their communities. Even at great risks, they desire to spend their days serving the Kingdom.

We invite you to prayerfully consider supporting one of these indigenous workers today. When you offer support, you are partnering with them on the mission field and sharing in building the Kingdom. A commitment of $35 a month for one year will go a long way to provide for their basic needs and help them to minister more effectively.

» Click here to learn more.

The Voice of the Martyrs' official homepage
Learn about Christians who suffer for their faith around the world, and find out how you can stand with them. http://www.persecution.com/

If you would like to view a list of resources on the persecuted church and online specials from VOM, please visit http://www.vombooks.com/.

This online offer is being presented by The Voice of the Martyrs. For additional information, you may contact us by clicking here or calling our order line at 800-747-0085.

~ taken from an email received from The Voice of the Martyrs.

How much would you sell Jesus for?

I received the story below in an email - not sure if it's a true story or not, but it's definitely worth pondering...

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change

'The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?''

Yes' he replied.'

Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.

~ author unknown

C X 10

Kay posted this meme on her blog and invited others to join her and I decided to play. She assigned me the letter C. If you would like to play along, leave a comment and I will give you a letter.

Ten things I like that start with C

1. Christ and His Church - my church is family.


2. Cuddling with my sweet new baby - I don't know how I'm getting anything else done.

3. Children - I'm blessed with three of my own!!

4. Compassion - both giving and receiving. I especially love seeing compassion in my children.


5. Christmas - such a beautiful time of year.


6. Cranberry Salad – my dad’s recipe - I really enjoy it usually at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I'd eat it year round if I could find fresh cranberries.


7. Cheese and Crackers - bring me some sharp cheese and yummy crackers and I'll be happy.


8. Cameras - only when I’m taking the pictures. Unfortunately I've lost my ability to get the pictures in my albums over the last couple years...


9. Chocolate (dark) - I'm not a huge chocolate person, but when I eat it I prefer it as dark as I can get it. If I'm feeling stressed slowly eating a piece of dark chocolate calms me down.

10. Colossians - the book of the Bible - has many Scriptures I love.

Still here...

Greetings! Nothing profound here - just a quick shout out to say hello. I've been busy with being a new mom again. My little sweetheart celebrated two months being here with us yesterday. Time sure flies. She is so precious and greatly loved by all who know her especially her sister and brother. I'm busy with homeschooling and taking care of my newest treasure.

I will be back to posting more here as time allows and will try to catch up with blog reading as well. I've been keeping up with posting daily Scriptures and quotes on those blogs and posting about my journey to fitting my jeans again (as well as other topics) on my Healthy Living blog. My Reading Room blog is also seeing fewer posts because I haven't had as much time to read, but plan to post more when I am able.

Keep me in your prayers that I'm able to do the things that are most important each day.

A Lesson on Life

A friend sent me this article published on January 4, 2009 for the Free Lance-Star about a young couple that attends her church. It's heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/012009/01042009/435541/index_html

Praying Through the First 100 Days

SIGN UP NOW for the“Praying Through the First 100 Days” prayer e-mail series.

Inauguration Day 2009. It’s an historic day for every American as Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office as the 44th President of the United States.
And it’s a sacred day - one in which we hope you’ll join us in a new and vital daily prayer experience.

We are launching our “Praying Through the First 100 Days” daily prayer devotional series, enabling you to intercede every day for President Obama, his family and the new administration during his first 100 days in office.
The challenges before President Obama and the new administration are daunting. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Two ongoing wars on terror. Joblessness on the rise. A nation facing incredible uncertainty…

Never has our president and our nation needed MORE PRAYER. And never has The Presidential Prayer Team been more ready to champion that prayer than with“Praying Through the First 100 Days”

These e-mails enable you to:

Pray in a systematic and orderly way, starting with worship of our mighty God and moving to specific concerns, and…
Easily and effectively set your mind and heart to pray daily for issues that may not occur to you.

View a sample of Praying Through the First 100 Days here.

Sign up for “Praying Through the First 100 Days.” Join us as together we pray fervently and passionately for our new president, his family and administration. Thank you!

John Lind
President/CEO

BY THE WAY - If this email was forwarded to you and you are not a member of The Presidential Prayer Team, we encourage you to officially join our team. Membership is free, and you enjoy a variety of benefits when you sign up.

Become a PPT Member here.

~ above email taken from an email received from the Presidential Prayer Team

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

January 18 is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

In 1983, an organization now known as Care Net asked President Ronald Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life. That same year, Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

This year's Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is January 18. Please take an opportunity this weekend to consider how God may be calling you to, as President Reagan's proclamation put it, "care for the lives and freedoms of even the weakest of our fellow human beings."

~ above info taken from Randy Alcorn's website

National Day of Service

January 19, 2009 is the National Day of Service. January is also "Volunteer Month." There are many ways we can donate our time and energy to good causes. Consider donating food to food banks, clothing, and baby supplies to crisis pregnancy centers, and you can even give your blood, etc. Think about ways you can contribute or give back to your community. Many schools require community service hours from their students, maybe you could join the kids of your community by doing likewise.

There are several opportunities listed on my sidebar - one section is listed under the heading "Do Something that Matters" - scroll down to check it out on the right.

Last night at church our Bible study was on Matthew 25. Every time I read that passage of Scripture I think of "I Was Hungry."

I Was Hungry...

I was hungry and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.

I was imprisonedand you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless andyou preached to me the spiritual love of God.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy, so close to God,
But I am still very hungry --and lonely --and cold.

~ found at the Oak Street House Exhibit at a missions and ministry conference in San Diego.

My kids love to shovel snow (we haven't had any yet this winter) and to collect trash along side of the road.

Please share in the comments section ways that you give back to your community or donate your time - not to brag or toot your own horn, but to share ideas with others.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."~ Colossians 3:17

I Wish

Yesterday, I was listening to a Christian music radio station (something I rarely do because I usually listen to CD's or the music on my blogs) and I heard this song by Point of Grace...



Point of Grace has a place on their website where people are posting their wishes - go here.

In case you can't watch the video - here are the lyrics.