2007 Athens Christmas Parade

Last night, Church of the Nations was in the Athens Christmas Parade. He had a great time and even won 1st Place for Most Original Church Float! Here are some pictures in case you didn't get to see the parade in person:

FRIDAY FUN - Talking Cats

Sometimes you just need a laugh, and what is funnier than talking cats? Enjoy a laugh with me!

Mary did you know?

I absolutely LOVE this song and get chill bumps every time I hear it. Being a Mom I reflect on what it would have been like to be Mary and be Mom to the Son of God. How awesome to kiss the face of God. He is the GREAT I AM!

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Boy, I don't know about you, but I am not always good at rejoicing continually. I can get in moods when all I can see is the negative. But,

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

If only I could really get a hold of these scriptures and REALLY believe them. What a life I would live! What if Jonah had praised God in all circumstances? God saved Nineveh, but because Jonah's heart was so hard and stubborn, he missed out on a blessing. God STILL saved Nineveh in SPITE of Jonah's resistance. I love that part. God is going to get done what He wants to get done regardless of how cooperative we are. BUT what a blessing Jonah missed out on. What would his ministry been like if he got on board with God instead of having to be in control? What will MY life be like if I can get my eyes and mind aligned with God and rejoice in all circumstances, knowing God is in control and He works all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose? I hope some day to at least move closer and closer to this goal. I know God has abundant life, joy, peace, and spiritual blessings in store for us!

Having Servants is Great!

If you know me and you read the title to this entry you might think I'm off my rocker. I can't afford to hire servants! But I heard a sermon by Tony Evans years ago that I have never forgotten. He was talking about the women of his church complaining that they could never be a Proverbs 31 woman.

Prov 31:1-31
The sayings of King Lemuel-- an oracle his mother taught him: "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (NIV)

Well, at first I had to agree with those women. Then he continued by pointing out that we all have servants. Servants, what are you nuts! How about Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, and Kitchenaid? They are lovely ladies are they not? What would I do without my washing machine, my dryer, my dishwasher? I even have servants to help me home school my kids. I am so blessed to have a DVR. (it records and stores all our classes we tape from Bob Jones University and then allows me to burn DVD's of those classes.) I used to tape our home school classes on a VCR and had to change out VCR tapes for each class and each student which meant that I had to be diligent at all times. Some of the classes tape in the middle of the night! Now I don't have to think about the classes taping, my servant handles that for me. I even have a servant in the form of a computer program called homeschool tracker that allows me to type in the kids assignments for the year. If we have to rearrange our schedule and take an unplanned day off, this program makes it easy and quick to make that change and print out daily assignment sheets.

I am so blessed to have so many servants making my life easier. Thank you GOD for providing them!

Do you Know Who You Are?

I received this in an email and wanted to share it with you. It is important to know who you are!

I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are!?

"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26