Labels: God's Word, joy, Scripture, truth

A little late this morning, but Sweetcheeks and I have been hanging out, sharing a box of kleenex, alternating sniffles, playing Webkinz, eating delectable omelettes, and listening to this girlfriend -- one of our favorites -- Jesus, our Lord IS MARVELOUS!!!

Anyway, what week! Yesterday JD Green was also home, and the mama took extraordinary care of him so that he could hurry back to his teacher today. He was feeling a little too good by yesterday afternoon, and coupled with the mama's decline -- the daddy's homecoming could not have come soon enough. JD was eager to return to the land of school today -- tho' leaving his toys behind gave him a moment's pause (at least until I pressed him closer to the exit).

Enough rambling . . . let's get to the fillin' of that tank! Here's how God has filled me up in spite of the fountains of mucous this week:

1. Quiet Moments: Yes, those were found while everyone was engrossed with glazed eyes in front of a movie, but it was demand-free for about 119 minutes . . . woo hoo!

2. Fever: That stopped JD in his tracks Tuesday night for 3 1/2 hours. He lay down after returning from school and never stirred again until 8 pm. Now, I am not glad he was sick, but for him to rest in the middle of the day like that is a huge blessing. He needed the rest and got what he needed. God is good.

3. My New Paint Job: My parents were here last week, and my dad spent last Tuesday painting our room the very shade of blue of my sweater from yesterday's post. I love it and have dubbed it "bluebonnet" blue after one of my absolute favorite flowers.

4. Sweet Stuff: A couple of my recent indulgences = this and this. (Arriba, indeed!)

5. Sweet Fellowship: Had lunch with a dear friend (A) on Tuesday. What a treat in the middle of the week and shoring up of encouragement before the sickness hit with its full force.

6. New Sister: I didn't welcome her into the fold on her mama's blog the other day, so I thought I'd let her know how thrilled I really am right here. Welcome, dear, little sister!!

7. Cherry Limeade: Oh, to live in the place where they make it better than I've ever had it! I love me some Sonic! My precious DP went out special to get me a HUGE one last night, and it tasted fantastic on my scratchy throat.

8. My Man: You knew that was next, didn't you? He is a fabulous man and lives up to that DP each and every day in some way. He indulges my whims and takes such good care of me even when I'm looking more like this than his princess. I sure love you, Honey!

9. My New Washer: I know other mama's who have gotten new ones recently, and they have exuded boundless excitement over a household appliance. I am joining the cheering section! I got one of these last Monday, and I am beside myself with dizzying joy. I am actually ahead of my laundry schedule this week -- and that's after washing sheets and comforters yesterday! You know you are old when you find yourself giddy over a new appliance. I am giddy!

10. My Savior: Once again, He has sustained me. He has extended me grace abundant. He has poured out His extravagant love on me, and I have been able to share that with my family. Praise Him, O praise Him!

Now, you know what to do. Take the button from the top of this post to your site and create your own Thanks Tank, or leave me a list of how God is filling your tank in my comments. Either way, we get to share in the ways God is blessing and filling us up! How cool is that!

Have a Thanks-filled day!

Labels: blessings, God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank

To be real honest, as I was growing up I never ever worried about report card day.

I was a geek.

I loved school.

I got all A's, just about all the time.

Now I am a mom.

I can't guarantee what my children will do when it comes to regurgitating material for a test or making the right choices in their conduct.

I must admit that these first progress reports after sending my children back into a public school setting had me a bit disconcerted.

No, that wouldn't be quite accurate.

I was fearful.

Fearful of how they would do.
Fearful of what others would think of my homeschooling.
Fearful that they hadn't learned anything with me in the two and a half years at home.
Fearful that I had "messed" up my children for the rest of their educational careers.

God, in His wisdom, had a friend call me last night.

She gently reminded me, and I am paraphrasing here . . . that I am not able to mess up my children. They are cared for and protected by the God of the Universe. How can I possibly have the power to mess them up when He is on board with them every. single. day?

I know I've shared this verse before, but I am reminded of it again this morning as I once again turn my children back over to the Father who loves them more than I could ever hope to love them:



By the way, each progress report was significantly better than I had anticipated.

This is so true:

FEAR = FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL

I plan to go about the rest of my day listening and reading TRUTH rather than being caught up with falsehoods from the father of lies! That's the first step to walking
WITHOUT FEAR.

Labels: childhood, fearless friday, God's Word, truth

Somehow I sit here with the keys feeling like they are sticking under my fingers this morning. Feeling like my desire to be thankful is caught in my throat. I feel beaten up and broken today, and I'm not really even sure why. At least not all of the "why."

We all have weeks when we walk intimately, closely with our Father. Weeks of hearing His voice, feeling His breath upon our cheeks and responding with whispered, sometimes shouted praises.

My week has NOT been one of those. I have grumbled. I have slugged my way through it. Not literally, of course. My fists have not been flailing -- at least not at anyone else but myself. I'm a one-woman wrecking crew when it comes to annihilating my own heart. I need no outside help to bring myself to my figurative knees.

So, rather than continue to effectively pummel myself into submission, I am choosing this very moment to take my eyes off myself and put them where they rightly belong . . . on my Savior, who came to rescue me, at times like this from my own hurtful behaviors.

Here are the ways God is filling my tank, even when I am fighting Him:

He reminds me I am His. (Isaiah 43:1 NIV)
He reminds me He desires me. (John 17:24 NKJV)
He assures me of His everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)
He extends His forgiveness . . . again and again. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
He reminds me He is not finished with me. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
He extends His promises to me. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
He carries me. This one gives me hope even after I quit using Loreal to cover them up. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)
He holds me close. (Psalm 139: 9-10 NIV)
He doesn't condemn me. (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)
He is who He says He is. (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)

So, after this Bible study this morning, I am now ready to face my day with a thankful heart, knowing my God is all around me. His truth will resonate in my heart and carry me through whatever circumstances come my way.

I pray the same for you today, dear one, as you read this.

How is God filling your tank? Let me know in the comments or take the button to your site and make your own list. I'll come visit and share in the blessings and lessons you are learning!

Go now and have a thanks-filled day! I know I will!

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Labels: God's Word, truth, Wednesday Words

I love the ocean. I love its majesty. I love that it is ever-changing, yet ever so predictable. The tides rise and fall. The waves crash on the shore and leave it changed. To me, there is no greater example of the presence of God than at the beach.

Peace washes over me when I am in the presence of the ocean.

I've seen the ocean calm and almost placid in nature. Security wraps me in its embrace as my Father calms my soul. I enjoy this time. Yet, this time at the ocean is not necessarily my favorite.

Instead, I've ventured near the ocean in the midst of an oncoming hurricane. Awe-inspiring and wildly engaging, as the hand of God reminds me how small I am in light of His powerful creation. For a moment I could understand those who seek extreme sports in an effort to secure a momentary thrill.

I giggled like a young school girl as the salty spray and whirling sand stung my cheeks and found its way into my open grin. Not real tasty, but certainly unforgettable.

This image is emblazoned in my memory. Should I have been afraid in the face of a near certain disaster that sent many scrambling to batten down the hatches and flee for safety? Surely I should have exercised a bit of caution.

Yet, I am exhilarated, even in recall, as I think of the sheer power our God exudes with the breath of the wind at His command.

Labels: fearless friday, God's Word, ocean

Labels: celebrations, childhood, God's Word, tragedy, tribute, truth

Hard to fathom that it is Thursday already. The week has sped by on winged feet, it seems. I've been learning lots about myself, lots about my children, and lots about this school system to which I've entrusted my precious ones. God has not left me in the midst of any of it, so here are the ways He is choosing to fill my tank this week:

1. Auntie Pam: Yes, I became an aunt for the second time this week. My brother and his wife had a baby girl Tuesday in Ohio. She was 8lbs. 9 oz. and 19 1/2" long. She is doing quite well and will get to go home tomorrow when her mama is released due to a C-section. Her big brother is four, and he is completely enamored by his new baby sister.

2. Ear muffs: I got a pair of these for Christmas in '06, but I've only worn them twice. Last night, with all the cold and snow, I broke them out and donned them for the third time. Toasty, I tell you!

3. Lunch: I know it seems mundane, but not so when I had lunch at school for the very first time with JD Green. He had come under some heat for playing during lunch the day before, so we had to sit at a table all by ourselves. My heart went out to him as he passed by all his classmates and dutifully headed for the lone table facing the wall. Another little boy got sent over there while we were dining. After asking me tons of questions, he said wistfully, "My mama has never come to eat lunch with me. JD is really lucky." No, baby, I am the one who is blessed. every. single. day. So glad this boy is mine.

4. Exercising: It is making a difference, y'all! I know that sounds silly, but after finding myself sinking into that all-too-familiar black hole again, I am thrilled to report not only a change of shape from the sweating I'm doing . . . but also a change of mood. I can think more clearly and my attitude is better, too. Multiple benefits -- Woo hoo!!! Tony is the man!

5. Books: I've been to the library three times now since the kids went back to school, and I am having a blast. I picked up Ted Dekker's Heaven's Wager and finished it in three days. (I could have finished it quicker if I hadn't fallen asleep two different nights while reading, but I attribute that to my time with Tony during the day.) I love reading, and I am thrilled to have the time to soak in some good books right now. I picked up this one yesterday and plan to start it today or tomorrow.

6. Bible Study: I am beginning a study with Beth Moore next Tuesday. Yes, I wish I were headed to Houston every Tuesday to do Breaking Free with her group at her church, but I am going to be learning and fellowshipping with some lovely ladies from my own church.

We are doing Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent, and I am SO excited. I've not done a Beth Moore study since Believing God in the Spring of '06, so it. is. time! Check out her blog sometime. She is doing a roll call right now and calling all "siestas" to come and let themselves be counted! It is so cool to see all these women around the world learning and growing together through these studies.

7. Quiet: I know I was thankful for this last week, but I am savoring it even more this week as I am getting more used to the quiet and finding myself less disconcerted over it. I am learning to listen for my Savior's voice and long for Him to speak to me in the midst of the stillness in my home.

8. Resources: There is a parent coordinator at the elementary school my children attend. She and I had a fabulous 2-hour talk on Tuesday. I was the only mama who showed up for PASS (Parents Assuring Student Success), so I had her undivided attention. She was a wealth of information, both academic and community related. I left with several phone numbers to contact and a cookbook. Plus, she is a believer and also has fibromyalgia, so we have that in common as well. What a helpful time!

9. God's provision: He continues to carry us through a month that is usually quite tight financially. I am so grateful for soups and casseroles that stretch our grocery budget.

10. God's Word: Here is our new verse to memorize this month as a family:

Labels: Beth Moore, blessings, God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank

Thank you to all of you who encouraged me and my weepy self yesterday. I know God has plans and will reveal them to me in His timing.

Thank you, too, for reminding me that it is ok to take time for me and rest. You'll never know how much your affirmation and cheerleading of sorts has bolstered me and given me strength to do what I have felt is best for me.

Let me tell you about my "God Wink" from yesterday:

I was just surfing around the blogosphere, checking in on some of my favorite places via Google Reader, and I came to rest at My Quiet Corner, where momrn2 is one of my dearest blogging friends. We've often marveled at our likenesses and similarities, so much so that I have told her more than once that I could have written some of her posts myself.

Yesterday was one of those days, and while I was in the midst of writing a comment to let her know how much her post meant to me and how I felt like she'd crawled inside my head and heart -- the phone rang and she was on the other end!

This call was a "God Wink" in my day. He knew exactly what I needed and when I needed it. He delivered when I least expected it and I was happily overwhelmed by His goodness.

We had a wonderful chat about all kinds of things, and she affirmed me in a way that just resounded with all the other positive encouragement I've been receiving these past few weeks.

God has used so many avenues to bring home the same point in my life, and I am deeply moved and incredibly grateful for His tender compassion over me. He is surely all about letting me know this promise is abundantly true in my life:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”

Lamentations 3:2-24 (NLT)

So, thank you, momrn2, and all the rest of you for letting God use you to be a balm to my heart and my soul. I knew He would use others to comfort me, but I didn't anticipate how.

He has great plans for all of us, and He can use you when you least expect it.

I still plan to do a quick recap of our last two weeks, but not today. I'm off to get some rest.

***By the way, DP is thrilled today after the trouncing Ohio State suffered at the hands of his beloved Tigers. I can't even call my dad for fear of hearing funeral dirge music blaring over the phone. He may not even get out of bed today.

Labels: comfort, God's Word, life, mighty

Labels: God's Word, Scripture, truth

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy."

Psalm 107:20-22

Labels: God's Word, Scripture, thanksgiving, truth

For other Sunday Scripture entries, please go visit Amy.
Have a blessed day!

Labels: God's Word, inspiration, Scripture, truth

I'm participating with Amy and a few others today on the new carnival for Sundays. Amy created this darling button, and you can go get it too, at her place. Join in and see all the details over there. Thanks, Amy!

Labels: fall, God's Word, Scripture

Labels: God's Word, truth

Isn't it always pretty certain that when you try to make changes for the better that the enemy just wants to pounce on you and snarf up all your little steps in the right direction?

I've felt that way this week. I am in the midst of trying to do things differently in several areas of my life, and I feel like I've just been meeting resistance at every turn.

I guess in some way that should encourage me to press on, knowing I must be doing something right to have the enemy so riled up. Yet, the past two days haven't yielded a spirit of soaring or the energy to fight against the attacks I've been fielding. I've felt defeated. I've felt lonely. I've felt friendless. I've even felt far from God.

That is until last night when I began to process the following:

Along with many of you, I have been touched by the Lord numerous times via the words that sometimes spill forth from the lips of Beth Moore. When and if I ever grow up, I want to know Jesus more like she does. I'm gettin' there. I. am. getting. there, praise His name!

This is what God used her to tell me this time from Get Out of That Pit:

"For satan to talk us into distrusting God and distancing ourselves from Him is to keep us broken, ineffective, and frankly, out of his hair. Life offers no few invitations to fall into this kind of distrust."

What I received was this:

In the moments when I am wondering what God is doing and where He is when I am hurting, those are the moments I need to stick to Him like glue through His Word, His promises, and through prayer. Only then can I avoid being "broken, ineffective, and out of satan's hair."

I don't know about you, but I think I'd rather be all up in his hair, making sure he doesn't forget Whose child I am, Whose Princess I've become. When I stand up fully to the height God has given me in Him, I can look down on that liar every. single. time. He CANNOT have me, and I am reminding myself of this truth right now:

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, thanks tank, thanksgiving

Labels: God's Word, inspiration, truth

Labels: discipline, fearless friday, God's Word, truth

I'm finally re-surfacing after the whirlwind of the past few weeks.

I push and I push for weeks at a time, then my body just gives out and reminds me of the condition I try valiantly to ignore.

I have been trying to catch up by sleeping whenever I can get a rest, which means that Tuesday saw me in bed at 4:30 pm, back up for about 45 minutes to say "good night" to my family -- then back to bed until 6:30 am Wednesday.

Combine that with an internet snafu from Sunday until yesterday and you have heard not a peep from me since last week's Thanks Tank.

Without further rambling, here's the way God has chosen to fill my tank this week:

1. Visiting: I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with one of my dearest friends in the whole world. Jen and I have known one another since my days in Little Rock, and she was even kind enough to house me during the final 11 weeks before DP whisked me away to the altar. The woman was brave to share quarters with a stressed-out bride who spent many a day crying over the phone to a fiance who was way too far away during the whole engagement.

She left the three special guys in her life (her hubby and two boys) behind in the west and fully embraced life in the peachy household for a few days. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and vowed to not let as much time pass before the next visit.

2. Small Town Fun: We took in the Chili Cook off, the Heritage Days Re-enactment, and several other outdoor activities over the weekend, while also finishing our run of The Hobbit. Quite a packed weekend!

3. Rest: How I have needed this, and I am so grateful God has provided it for me. I often feel guilty taking the time from my other chores to rest, but God, in His wisdom has helped me to see the benefits for all around me if I choose to rest when I need it.

4. Rain: We have so needed it, and I was so thrilled to hear the splash of wet tires on pavement as I awakened my girls early this morning. Thank you, Lord, for the refreshment this moisture brings to our parched and cracking land.

5. Computer Technicians: I am so glad there are folks like these that allow me to just sit down and type without any need to know how it all makes it out to you internets all over the world. It just does.

6. Quiet: Rare occurrence where I am right now, which makes it so much more appreciated when it does show up. I had a few moments of quiet the other day, and I find that is the time God chooses to whisper to me. I am listening, Lord!

7. Unexpected Treats: By Monday night I was plumb out of ideas for a nutritious dinner. My friend suggested an ice cream-driven meal. Creating sundaes of enormous proportions yielded squeals of laughter from those of all ages, and we over-indulged in an infrequent treat at our house.

8. Self-sufficient Children: Still rebounding from exhaustion and a dull headache, I was little help with lunch preparations yesterday. My children all stepped up and rose to the occasion, creating a healthy and delicious lunch without any assistance from me. Way to go!

9. Compliments: How wonderful it is to hear good words spoken over your children! I have gotten several positive reports lately, and it makes my soul sing in praise for what God is obviously doing in the lives of my three sweeties.

10. Trust: All is not perfect, but my trust in Him supercedes that which I cannot control. May I lean on Him throughout each storm that comes my way.

Ok, you know how this works. You can let me know how God is filling your tank here in my comments or take the cute button at the top to your site. Let me know if you've done your own list, and I'll come visit! If you like, head on over here, here or here for more Thursday Thanks Tanks.

Have a great thanks-filled day!

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, intentional, thanks tank

Yes, it is still Thursday, even on the East coast. So, I am going to try to keep my head upright and document the ways God has been filling my tank.

He must be keeping it filled, because I'm not doing a good job -- considering I've been up before 5:30 a.m. the past two days in a row. Anyone who knows me the least little bit knows I don't do mornings well. at. all. This Hobbit business is wearin' me out, girls.

On to the fillin' of the tank . . . Here's how He's choosing to do it:

1. He is sufficient for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

2. He helps me focus on others rather than myself. Please pray for my new friend, Ginger. Her daddy, who is 71, just found out Monday he has a brain tumor and isn't expected to live long at all. The doctor expects he will need hospice care within the next couple of weeks.

3. He provides for my needs. We are trusting Him to take care of us as we don't know how it will all fall into place this month. He knows, and He is not worried in the least.

4. He gives me rest. (Matt. 11:28, NIV) I am so thankful to have no place to go tomorrow until show time at 8 pm. My duties in the makeup room are relieved as I prepare for and welcome my dear friend on Saturday.

5. He gives me wisdom. (James 1:5, NIV) Because of #4, I know I need to make this short and head off to dreamland. I am worn out, and I need the rest my Heavenly Father promises me.

I know it's too late for many of you to respond, so I hope you all had a thanks-filled day! If you like, head on over here, here or here for more Thursday Thanks Tanks.

Labels: God's Word, gratitude, teachable moments, thanks tank

I'm starting a new Bible study. This is just from the introduction, yet I found it powerful for me today:

"Did you know that fear can be good for you? No, really! A healthy amount of fear serves as a reminder to avoid danger. It can help us be more safety-conscious. The awareness that something bad could happen often causes us to do something good . . .

"Unhealthy fear is paralyzing. It prevents us from experiencing and living the life God intended. It limits our potential. Fear can hinder us from enjoying rich relationships, amazing experiences, and a meaningful life.

"Fear can even stop us from fulfilling the call that God has on our lives. Left unchecked, fear can ties us to the past, push us toward sin, and prevent us from embracing our God-ordained future. That's one reason we find the same phrase echoing throughout His Word: 'Fear not!' Through His Son, Jesus, God has set us free from the unhealthy fears that bind us and hold us back." (taken from Overcoming Fear by Margaret Feinberg, Women of Faith Study Guide Series)

These words spoke powerfully to my heart today, and I haven't even started the study yet! I don't want my fears to prevent me from being who God wants me to be. I plan to walk through my weekend with my life verse echoing in my head as I go about the tasks God has set before me.

This weekend is a busy one with The Hobbit, especially as I keep finding myself in unfamiliar territory -- putting on makeup (on goblins, and other creatures), adjusting costumes in order to avoid wardrobe malfunctions, and anything else that comes along.

I pray for all of you as well as for myself that we will remember to live the life God has intended for us . . . one Without Fear.

FEAR= False Evidence Appearing Real

Labels: brave, faith, fearless friday, God's Word, truth