Putty in His Hands

Does anybody know this song lyric & what the title/artist of the song is..........."Well, the race is on and here comes bright eyes up the back stretch..."?

I've had that lyric in my mind since last Sunday, as we packed up our church and made a mad dash out the door, to our new location. There are so many adjectives that can describe, the atmosphere that evening. It could be......exciting, exhilarating, chaotic, frantic, hilarious, frustrating, infuriating, exhausting, vindictive, doubtful, loving, energized, depressing, playful, encouraging........... just to name a few! Wow, what a day (and night!)! The Fellowship family got the majority of our belongings packed up and out of the building we were currently using and off to storage or to our new location.

During a lull in the activity, I was sitting in the sanctuary, resting a moment and taking the time to reflect for a moment. It had been a little over 2 years, since we began Fellowship Church. First in the park, then in each others homes, then to this building (notice, I didn't say church! It's a building, plain & simple). Lot's had happened in 2 years, good & bad. Soul's have been brought into the Kingdom, lives have been changed. We've shared in the excitement of 2 weddings and we've grieved over the death of a member. We've seen miracles (how about a $40000.00 offering) and we've prayed for miracles. We have loved each other and fought with each other. We have been kind to each other and hateful to each other. We've delighted in the addition of members and we've cried over members who have left. We've struggled with being different. So very different, from the "traditional churchy way", that the majority of us came from. Stan made a statement, in a meeting, I was in, a week or so ago, that really opened my eyes. He said, that we (the very first member's), have had changes made in our hearts, in a big way. That, 2 years ago, we would not have been as loving and accepting of people, who are not just like us. You know, the suit & tie thing, best dress the store had, wing-tip shoes and definitely no tattoo's, don't raise your hand in praise, only use the Hymnal to sing from, blah, blah , blah...you get it. It's taken 2 years for our hearts to evolve, to be more like the heart of Jesus! How profound!! We are beginning to rip off those chains of tradition and man-made rules. We're beginning to see more like our Savior, that all of mankind needs a Savior, not just those, who fit into the stereotypical box! Father God, I'm so thankful, that this body of believer's have been moldable by You.

So, anyway, back to sitting in the sanctuary. Gary came in, after I had been sitting there a while and asked me "What was I thinking?". I told him a lie, I told him "nothing". I was thinking about all those things, I mentioned above. But, the thing I was pondering the most, was the fact, that I didn't feel any regret or a sense of loss about leaving that building. It seemed strange to me, that I wouldn't feel even a twinge of regret or loss. I felt like I do, when reading a good book. Can't wait to turn the page and see what happens next! We're on an epic journey and I can't wait to see what happens next!!


There's still lot's to do, to prepare for the beginning of the next chapter. Will you be, one of the main character's in the next chapter or an after thought? Pray for Pastor Craig, as we move forward, he carries a heavy load! Let him know, you support him.........by your words & your actions! PEACE ALL & I LOVE YA!

Tattoo Crew

WISHING WE WERE 18 AGAIN!

Last night was ladies night out for Fellowship's women. What a BLAST! It's a good thing , we had Mrs. Bea with us or we would have all ended up with a "Fellowship Forever" tattoo. We even picked up a couple of tattooed men!!! They couldn't resist having their pictures made with us, all the while trying to convince us to get our tats. Fortunately, better judgement prevailed! But, it was hilarious thinking about it!

Our night out revealed that one of us has 2 Python snakes, too! I won't tell who.....let ya guess! Apparently, we have got good at not being to churchy, too. Cause when our waitress at Longhorn's came to the table, she exclaimed, "Oh, a girl's night out!" "How fun!" "What can I get you girls from the bar!" Too Funny! Although, we did have to remind Elaine, she was not back in her "Alice Cooper" days (HA! HA!)

We had a great time hanging out with each other and being silly. Thanks Girls for an awesome night, let's do it again soon!!

DOWNSIZING

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous ,how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:13-18 NLT


In these days of economic uncertainity, downsizing of all sorts are abounding. Companies are downsizing their workforce, people are downsizing their homes (due to unability to pay for them), and sometimes downsizing causes losses. When loss occurs, it can cause anger, guilt, grief and fear. Sometimes, when we've had a loss, we feel like complete failures! But what is important for us to understand is that our worth is not measured by what other people think of us, it's measured by God's love for us. And His love is unlimited and unconditional. Praise Him!

We should evaluate any mistakes, we have made and then, most importantly, learn from them. It is also, important to remember that we are precious to God and he wants to help us with our losses.

Take time today, to thank Him, that every day of your life was recorded, while you were still in the womb. That, God knows what tommorrow holds and he holds you too!

Do you get it? I'm not sure, we do!

Have you ever had a book of the Bible, to just come to your mind, for seemingly no reason? You haven't heard anybody mention that book or even yourself, not even recall what the text of that book was about. But, for some reason, the name of that book of the Bible, keeps resounding over and over in your mind, until you have to get your Bible out and begin reading from chapter 1, because you have no clue, what it is God wants you to see or hear. So you just start reading. I've had that to happen to me this week. Late Sunday night, the book of James came to my mind. I was watching TV and it was late, so I reasoned that I would check out James, maybe tommorrow. All during the night, my dreams were filled with people from my church family, weird disturbing dreams and the word "James" was like a broadcaster in the background, repeating over and over. Monday morning arrives and I know I will not find any peace, until I get my Bible out and read the book of James. There is such a feeling of urgency, that I forewent my cup of coffee and immediately sat down with my Bible. What was the book of James about anyway? For the life of me, I couldn't recall any of the text, who he was writing to or anything, it was like maybe I had never read the book of James. My heart is beating, I'm curious, but I'm scared....like being called into the bosses office and you're not sure why! Here we go, James Chapter 1: GENUINE RELIGION, Trials and Temptations, Listening and Doing. Chapter 2: GENUINE FAITH - Favoritism Forbidden, Faith and Deeds. Chapter 3: GENUINE WISDOM - Taming The Tongue, Two Kinds Of Wisdom. Chapter 4: Submit Yourselves to God, Boasting About Tommorrow. Chapter 5: Warning to Rich Oppressors, Patience in Suffering, The Prayer of Faith.

Wow, Chapters 1 - 4 were blistering for me! I was right to be scared, it's not easy or pleasant to face condemnation and correction. God's conviction on me was heavy and I read through it again.

Still, Monday night, my dreams are filled with my church family and the sound of the broadcaster, in the background, saying "you don't get it, go back to James!". Tuesday morning arrives. OK, I'm having coffee this morning! Settle down with my Bible turned to the book of James. "What Lord, is it, that I don't get?" "Yes!, I'm guilty Lord!" "Forgive me Father!" "Father, show me, help me understand, why it is, my mind can have no peace and I feel so broken and helpless!" "FATHER, HELP ME AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS....TO "GET IT"!" "LORD, I PRAY, THAT I NEVER FORGET THE TEXT, OF THE BOOK OF JAMES, AGAIN!"

IF YOU CAN'T PULL THE TEXT OF "JAMES" TO THE FRONT OF YOUR MIND, GO GET YOUR BIBLE NOW! IT'S URGENTLY IMPORTANT!

Deliriously Happy Wet Day

It's been almost 2 months since I've last posted. Maybe, I still have some readers, who will stop by. Sorry for being so long, between posts!

This past Saturday was the big Kid's Summer Fun Day at Fellowship Church. Wow, what a day!! It was AWESOME! The whole thing was a culmination of 5 months planning and putting together. 60 members of Fellowship Church came together to staff this event and I was so proud of all of them for stepping up! We are a family! I had some really top-notch core people, that I surrounded myself with over the past 5 months, that kept me from losing what little mind I have. Nancy Shubert, Valarie Lewallen, Amanda Anderson and Gail Cone have worked their fingers to the bone on this project. I can't count the times, that they lived up to the motto of "a need seen is an assignment given." They helped me me think through things, took on running errands, making signs and took care of all the bookwork. I always knew that I could count on them and didn't have to worry if it was getting done. That, more than anything, is what helped me keep from falling on my face. At times, I felt like, this project is just too big, for me to pull off. I stated that to Pastor Craig one day, his response was..."it is too big, for you to pull off, that's why you surround yourself with good people." So I set out to do just that and he was right! Then ,I had 56 other people who stepped in to help on Saturday with the kid's. They sang songs, they heard bible stories, they did crafts, they ate and they played their hearts out! From the guy's who worked hard on setting up the waterpark outside, to those who did a bible story, or helped with a craft, folks who prepared a lunch and snacks and recreation. Then, there was music........Celeste Jarrard was in her element!!! You rocked girl! Every time I came by, it seemed like Celeste was up a dancing and singing and laughing, the children absolutely adored her. I hope, she was having as much fun, as it seemed like she was! I think all of the workers had a good time, even if they were dead from exhaustion by the end of the day! It was a really fun day and I smiled so much, my cheeks hurt. Everybody who played a part in making this day a blast, I thank you and pray you will be blessed for your effort.

By the end of the evening, I was bone tired. I figured, I probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed and walk on Sunday morning. But, I actually felt good Sunday morning. I still had an adrenaline rush going. There's nothing like seeing, deliriously wet, happy children, who feel loved. There is no high better! There are some of the coolest kid's at Fellowship Church, try hanging out with them sometime. I promise, you'll be blessed. I was!

It's worth seeing!

Wow! Superman 3 was goood!

We walked into the theater and guess who we saw?!? Pastor Craig & Nathan! So, we had a seat with them and settled in for an evening of entertainment. The movie was really good and there were a number of times, there were lines in the movie, that I would think to myself, you need to remember that, so you can write about it. But, I can't remember them all. One I remember is Peter's aunt telling him that Superman doesn't kill, after he tells her that he killed Marko, the guy that had killed his uncle in the previous flick. She let's him know that "revenge" is not his to take, just like Scripture let's us know that "revenge" is not ours to take. There are other lines I remember, but upon thinking on it, I believe, I better not share it with you now. It would spoil the movie for those of you who haven't seen it yet. I'll wait and give you guy's a chance to see it first. One thing, I will share though, is that sin doesn't just happen. It's a conscious choice! We either choose to do what's right or we choose to do what's wrong. Plain & simple!
Later!

It's a date....see ya at the movies!

TODAY IS THE DAY! Spiderman is released to theaters everywhere today. Wow! Even Habersham Hills Cinemas is showing it on 2 screens! That's where you'll find me tonight!

I found Spiderman 3 posters and bought them for the AWANA Store, the other day. When I came in with them Wednesday night, the kid's went crazy! I had only bought 2 of them and there was like 10 or 12 kids freaking out, wanting to be sure they could buy the poster next week, when we have store night. So. I went back to store and bought several more. I just hope I have enough of them, because Ed told me last night, that his boys in T and T, were all excited about the release of the movie tonight, too. So, I 'm sure the 4th and 5th grade boys are probably gonna want one too. But, I got several Spiderman 3 toys for the store too, so maybe every kid can get their Spidey fix!
I wish I had of thought of it earlier and we could have arranged to take Ed's ,T and T class as a group to see the movie tonight. They're all good boys & I bet we would have a lot of fun with them and our one girl (Allie), too.

An AWANA Update:
We will be having a cookout at the Coleman Farm on May 20. We'll be having the pine-car derby race and the awards ceremony at the cookout. Our kid's have worked really hard this year learning their Bible verses and completing sections in their books. All of the Cubbies finished their book, and 5 in Sparks to finish Book 1, plus Kylie Gray will be finishing up her 2nd book next week and 1 possibly 2 have finished Book 1 in Truth-n-Training. Way to go you guys!!
Be sure to be at the cookout to show these kids your support & how proud you are of them for their accomplishments.

Also, we need you guys to bring packages of pre-sweetened Kool-aid, tropical punch flavor to church and drop in the box in the Welcome Center. We will be using it for Kid's Summer Fun Day, hopefully it gonna be hot & we will need plenty for the kid's to drink, to keep them hydrated. This is a really small thing you can do, that will be a really BIG help, thanks!

You, Me & Spidey 3

THE STORY

In SPIDERMAN 3 based on Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well, bringing out the dark, vengeful side of his personality that he is struggling to control. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes over confident and starts to neglect the people who care about him most. Forced to choose between the seductive power of the new suit and the compassionate hero he used to be. Peter must overcome his personal demons, as two of the most feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom gather unparalled power and a thirst for retribution to threaten Peter and everyone he loves.

This synopsis taken from the Spiderman 3 website www.spiderman3.sonypictures.com.

Spiderman 3 will be opening in theaters this Friday, May 4.

I've been looking forward to this movie since before the first of the year, when I first saw the previews at the movies! Although this may be a fictional comic book story, it is packed with Biblical truth's and warnings. From reading the synopsis and viewing some of the previews, there are several comparisons that come to mind. Things like pride, over-inflated egos, vengeance,self-reliance & hatred. The Bible says all of those things are not of the Spirit. So, if they're not of God, they must be of satan. The synopsis says Spiderman's suit suddenly changes to black.
I don't think so! It might not have been fully visible, but evil (the black), slips up on us slowly, sometimes you don't even realize it's happening. Somebody does us wrong, we begin to dream of retribution. DON'T LIE! You know you do! We may not act on the desire, but it's there. What about, when we get patted on the back or accomplish a great thing? Our heads gets to swelling and our chest puffs out a little to far,( you recognize the similarity with Spiderman getting enhanced powers?), we're all that and then our compassion for others, takes a trip out the window. You know I'm telling the truth, you've been there and done that and so have I! As God's children, we don't mean for our lives to be evil, and he knows that. So does satan. That's the problem! He knows if he can get us puffed-up, angry and self-reliant, he can change our suit to black, too. I wish, I could tell you a superhero way of keeping it from happening, ever. But, I can't! I can tell you though, that planting scripture in my heart and mind, over the years has helped me not be so gullible to satan's sly attacks. Scriputure like James 3:6, "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.", James 3:10 "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.". When pride starts to creep up on me, this verse from Proverbs 16:18 comes to mind, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." I have fell into destruction more times than I care to recall, from being prideful, self-reliant and using my tongue when angry. Proverbs 16:5-6, "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this:They will not go unpunished. 6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil." So there you go, keep those verses in mind, the next time, the suit of black (evil), begins to creep up on you.

Go see the movie this weekend, I will be. Then leave me some comments or e-mail me with some of your observances & scriptures that may have come to your mind.

See ya at the movies!!
Maria

Today was Baldwin "Clean up Day". As a Church, we were able to serve our community, by helping out with trash pickup and afterward feeding some 80 to 90 people a hotdog lunch. The mayor officially declared the City of Baldwin, to be squeaky clean! (for a little while, at least....give those chronic litterers an hour or two!)

I'm grateful, I was able to participate in serving lunch. You always get such a blessing, when serving others. There have been several opportunities lately, to serve others.

As you all know, Bill & Peggy got themselves a horse. Ed, Tony, Bill & his bro-in-law worked on putting them up a barn today. Pastor Craig even showed up over there after we finished with Clean Up Baldwin Day. You know Craig, "The Tool Man, More POWER" Lee isn't going to miss an opportunity to play with power tools!! HA!HA! Fortunately, we had enough hotdogs left over, that we could take some to that crew & had enough to take some to Mike & Shirley. Mike had Knee replacement surgery, last Monday and came home from the hospital yesterday. Ol' Mike was grinning from ear to ear, when he saw Jerry's famous hotdogs! Was that a welcome home meal or what?!? Mike's working hard to get that knee rehabbed, he's ready to get back to church! You guy's give him a call or shoot him an e-mail to encourage him along! SHHH! (He has a birthday, next Friday, too!) You didn't hear that from me!

I'm awestruck by, God's goodness, for the church family, he has put in my path!

If you are reading this and you have a need for a non-judgemental, Christ centered, loving church home, I invite you to check out Fellowship Church, Baldwin, GA. See our website at www.myfcb.org



God is GOOD............ALL THE TIME!

Bryson Jacob Landress

Ed and I have a new great-nephew, Bryson Jacob Landress. He was born on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 11:08 pm at Gwinnett Medical Center. We were blessed to be on hand for his arrival that night. Although, he gave us quite a scare before actually arriving. His heart rate kept falling and once before we got there, they were about to take Amie C-Section, then his heart rate went back up and they decided against it. Not long after we arrived, his heart rate fell to 55 and away they went to C-Section. A good thing too! His umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck!

I have been so excited about this baby for the past 9 months! His grandmother is Ed's sister Doris. Doris and her family, always go camping with us and we anticipate Eric, Amie & Bryson to be ready for camping season beginning Memorial Day weekend! Amie swears up & down that she isn't going to let having a baby, keep her from continuing to camp with the family! I hope not! Since they all live in Lawrenceville, we don't see them much in the winter. We all look forward to camping season, because we're able to spend more time together. Camping with Bryson should be a piece of cake, there is enough of us, that we can just pass him around and take care of him!

Thank you Father God for your creation and safe arrival of Bryson Jacob Landress!

His Team Wins By 12!

"You and I are made to worship, you and I are forgiven and free!" Those lyrics keep resounding in my head. I even dreamed (it seemed all night) about being in Worship. Fellowship Church's Easter service was off the hook, AWESOME! The house was packed, but, that wasn't the awesome part. The awesome part was the Holy Spirit showing up in a mighty way, and the realization of being forgiven and free! The Praise Team was energized and filled with the Spirit and it flowed out over the congregation. I worshiped with all my heart & soul, as I cried out in song to my Lord, my hands stretched high. Thank you Father, that I am forgiven and free! Free, to be who you meant for me to be. Having been brought up in a traditional Baptist environment (you know, hands stiffly by your side, don't dare raise them or clap), it's taken me almost 2 years now to adjust to the idea, that I'm free to raise my hand in praise. Although, the desire has crept up in me a many of a time, and not just in the past 2 years, but the past 10 years even.

Anyone who knows me, even for a short time, knows that I have a high-strung personality. I'm loud, I'm excitable and when I do things, I do it with excitement and enthusiasm! I love sports, I love competition of any kind and when I play, I play to win! When I'm at a ballgame, you know I'm there! I'm cheering and screaming & excited about what's happening. I feel no inhibition, whatsoever. Why? Because, we've been conditioned to believe it's OK & even expected at sporting events. So, why is it, in Church during worship, we don't have that sense of excitement & enthusiasm? The God, I serve is so much more exciting than any sporting event, I've ever been too! He's so awesome, and I'm so in awe of Him, so excited to be His friend, to be a child of His, and to have been picked personally by Him to be on His Team, a real winning Team! A Team worthy of my excitement and enthusiasm!

The Old Testament says, "King David danced, as he sang praises to the Lord". Don't be shocked, if you see my personality come out in worship! Because all of my inhibitions have been broken, I AM FREE TO DANCE, TO SING AT THE TOP OF MY VOICE AND RAISE MY HANDS STRETCHED TO THE HEAVENS!

On His Team, losing is not an option. He expects us to play to win! His Team won by 12 Sunday! How many RBI's will you have for the Team?!?

Later!

Camping Fever

Spring has finally sprung and I have a serious case of camping fever! Last weekend would have been the perfect weekend to go camping. But, we had to go to a wedding on Saturday. Bummer!! I saw Avery & Denise in Wal-Mart, last Friday and they were getting ready to pull out for a camping trip. I was so envious! Traditionally, our first trip of the season is Memorial Day weekend. But, with the weather being so nice and warm lately, I'm ready to go now!

Ed & I are heading out to look for some new camping places, when he finishes cutting the grass, at the church, today. We've camped at Bald Mountain Park & Resort at Hiawassee for close on to 20 years now. We always camp with Ed's sister, her family and two of his brother's and their families and his nephews & niece, of his sister who passed away in 2001. It's not unusual at all, for there to be 20 to 25 of us camping together! We've often in the past, rented 1 extra camp site, just to set up a community area, where we could all congregate
together, for eatting and hanging out around the campfire. I imagine , we're an odd looking bunch. I know, we're a loud bunch! That first night, it seems we're so excited to see each other! We laugh and talk and cut up till sometimes 2 or 3 am in the morning, before we go to bed. We just lose track of time! We always have so much fun picking at each other and usually one person, always gets singled out to be the one, who gets ragged, the whole trip. Some of the stuff this crew can come up with is hilarious! Our children are grown now. But, while they were growing up, they always balked, if we wanted to go somewhere, besides Bald Mountain Park. Most of the people, who camp at Bald Mtn Park, have camped there for years and the kid's had developed friendships. They always, looked forward to going there to camp and see their friends. So, we always gave in to our kid's and went to Bald Mtn. Now, they are grown and we can begin to camp at other places. Last year, we camped at Vogel State Park a couple of times and liked it. We've also camped at Tugaloo State Park, but it's too hot there in July & August!
If anybody knows of any good camping spots, north of here, let me know! Hopefully, our journey today will be fruitful and we'll find some good spots. If not, at least Ed & I had a chance to hang out with each other and enjoy the mountain scenery. I like it when I don't have to share him, with anybody else!!

It's about time for him to return from cutting grass, I better start getting ready to go!
Later!

Modern Day Crucifixion

It's been awhile since I blogged. There have been a number of times that I have sat down to write and then just go blank, writer's block, I guess!

But, today I have plenty to say!

Yesterday, Ed came home and told me about a person confronting him about, our church's ad in the newspaper. This person wanted to know, "What did we think we were doing down at that church?" "That our ad in the paper was promoting teenage sex!"

You can see the ad in The NortheastGeorgian Newspaper. It has 3 teenage guys with 3 teenage girls up on their shoulders, joking around having a good time. NOTHING, I REPEAT, NOTHING SEXUAL ABOUT IT!!!

I don't know about you, but that just burns me up! This man is a self-proclaimed Christian, whose business practices are hardly biblical ! How dare he be so pious! I want to go to him and ask, "How many people have you reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ this week or this year even"! I'm about tired of constantly having to defend ourselves to these ritualistic, puffed up pharisees. Guess what, pharisee? You and others like you, have just signed the death warrant, of so many, unchurched souls, by being unwilling to get off of your throne and minister to people right where they are. You know most unchurched people are not walking around with a three piece suit on, a bible tucked under the arm and their nose straight up in the air!

What with Easter on the way, this whole thing makes me think about, how pious and judgemental the Jews and the Sanhedrin was about Jesus! You know, Jesus hung out with some of the most unsavory people, a tax collector, a prostitute, a thief..............etc. I bet that bunch, just like today's bunch of self-righteous zealots claimed Jesus was promoting SEX with teens and stealing from the poor. WASN'T IT ENOUGH TO CRUCIFY HIM ONCE! WE CRUCIFY HIM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, EVERY TIME, WE'RE TO RIGHTEOUS, TO MEET PEOPLE, WHERE THEY ARE WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

Ok, enough said! I've vented, now! I'll catch you up later with what all is happening here in riaroo land.
Later!

Ria's Rantings: Ken Ruddell "The Realty Guy" Welcome's You to Northeast Georgia!

Ria's Rantings: Ken Ruddell "The Realty Guy" Welcome's You to Northeast Georgia!

Ken Ruddell "The Realty Guy" Welcome's You to Northeast Georgia!

Ken Ruddell "The Realty Guy" Welcome's You to Northeast Georgia!


HOUSE FOR SALE!! PRICE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO SALE. $149000.00

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE LOOKING FOR A HOUSE, PLEASE DIRECT THEM TO US!

Wishin' Wells & Pools

There's been a ton of brainstorming going on at Fellowship Church, lately! As a result, I've come up with few things, we're going to need to start saving. If you drink bottled water, please start saving your empty water bottles. We'll be using these to create "Rwanda Wishing Wells" for the kids to put their offerings for missions in. (Thanks Jill, for that cool idea!)

Also, Craig & Stan have come up with a really out-there publicity idea. To help with this project, we need children's plastic pools. It doesn't matter if it will hold water or not. So, if your kid is getting a new pool this summer and have an old one (not totally destroyed though), please let me know. This project is going to be too cool!! All of Baldwin is going to be freakin' out, wondering what on earth are we up to! The "BUZZ" is definitely gonna be on! In May, start watching across our community for "strange" things to start popping up! That's all I can say, so don't ask me any questions (it's a secret surprise), cause if I tell ya, I'll have to kill ya!!!!

Another project in the works is making an area of the kid's 5 & under a play area in the water park called "Wiggle Works". For this area, we need some of those cool kid summer sprinklers and some Little Tikes plastic slides. If, you have or know somebody, who has those little plastic slides, we would like to borrow them for our event.

If anybody would like to donate foam board, we could use some of that right a way. Other donations we could use: inflatable beach balls, swim rings, beach towels, blue tarps, fishing nets(not the ones on handles, the kind that spreads out), goggles, anything that could be used to decorate in a water park theme.

THIS IS GONNA BE THE MOST AWESOME THING BALDWIN HAS EVER SEEN!!!! I'M PSYCHED, HOPE YOU ARE TOO!

P.S. Don't forget our next work session is on Monday, March 5 at 6:30pm

Real Bummer!

Just the other day, I was talking with someone about having had the flu shot & the pneumonia shot this winter. They were saying they had been sick several times and was just getting over being sick right then. I hadn't been sick since September, when I had a bad case of bronchitis & a sinus infection. The doctor had told me the pneumonia shot was good about helping people, who were prone to have bronchitis, to not get it or if they did, it wasn't so severe. So as the conversation goes on, I'm feeling cocky and declare I haven't been sick all winter, thanks to having had the flu & pneumonia shot! I'm thinking....yeah, it's already near the end of February & I haven't had my usual case of yuck. I'm not gonna get sick this winter!! WRONG!!! As the day was winding down into late evening on Thursday, I began to feel a little tough. Throat was a bit sore, face and head was feeling stuffy & a general all over, not feeling good. I get up Friday morning, seem to feel a bit better. But, within one hour of being up, I was beginning to drag. My head and nose all stopped up, even my ears felt stopped up. I tell myself.........shake it off, you're ok, you don't feel as bad as you think you do. But in the back of my mind(you know that voice, that tells you the hard truth, you don't want to hear), I'm hearing my bed call my name! It's saying, Maria come lie down, you know you can't keep going, come on lay down, snuggle up and go to sleep! But it's so pretty outside, I want to do something outside, I don't want to be sick! Finally at 2:30pm, I give in and crawl into my bed. Oh, how good it felt. Next thing I know, it's 7:00pm. Oh no! I had baby back ribs thawed out to put on the smoker, it's too late to put them on now. Plus, I feel rotten!

It's Saturday now and this yuck is oozing it's way into my chest. I'm beginning to have a little bit of a cruddy cough. This isn't good! Guess I shouldn't have felt so cocky, a few days back. It's come to haunt me!!

I asked Ed the other night, if we could go to the movies this weekend. His reply was "maybe. I've been thinking on it, but I can't tell you, it's suppose to be a surprise." So, I'm thinking, he's planning a date for us this weekend. AND I"M SICK!! What a BUMMER! I really want to go on this date. If, you have been doing the couples devotions, you'll know that a few nights back, it suggested that we write down 3 romantic things, we would like for our spouse, to do for us. One of my 3 things, was for him to plan a date for us, where we were going, where we were eating, what we were doing, anything, just as long as I didn't have to do the planning. So you see, this date is very important to me and I'm afraid that he will call it off, because I'm sick. His Dr. Daddy instincts kick in when I get sick and he wants me to rest and not exert myself. That means, staying at home on the couch or in the bed, taking medicine around the clock. He always takes really good care of me, when I'm sick. He takes on all the household duties, cooking, cleaning up and petting me. So what more could I want.....I'll tell you what I want.......I want to go on that date & feel good, that's what I want!!

So, if you are reading this and it's Saturday, PRAY HARD, that this yuck leaves my body by this evening!

Being sick is a BUMMER!

Morning Reflections

I woke up with the chickens this morning! I know, I know, you can't believe I'm up before 10AM. But, I am! I tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. So, I put me on a pot of coffee and decided to blog a little.

As I sit here sipping my coffee, there are birds chirping a sweet melody outside my window. I try to imagine what the lyrics to songs would be. Maybe they are singing of Spring is around the corner or could they be singing praises to the Creator. Scriptures say that if we don't praise him, then the rocks will cry out. I bet those birds are singing praises! All I know is, their singing, even though, I don't understand the words, brings me a peaceful feeling this morning. All is well with my soul.

Shout out's:

Mike Roberts- Man we miss you! Hopefully warm weather is on the way soon. Dr. Bognar says we should just move to the Carribiean, somewhere that is warm all the time! If only!!! Hope you feel better soon!

Nancy Shubert- YOU GO GIRL! Nancy has a gift for doing scheduling and has taken on the task of doing the rotation schedule for "Kid's Summer Fun Day"! It's awesome when people know their gifts and when they see a need in an area where they are gifted, they just jump on the task. I saw a church sign recently that said "A need seen is an assignment given." Thank you Nancy for seeing the need and taking on the assignment! Your excitement is contagious!

Amanda Anderson- Girl, excitement is oozing out of your every pore! It's gonna be awesome isn't it.

Jill Stephens- Thanks for taking on the job of making tons of phone calls gathering information for me! Your organizational skills help keep me on track. Jill is another, who has seen a need an taken it as an assignment. YOU GO GIRL!

I'm so grateful for the awesome people, God has put in my path. The Fellowship Church family has been to the "Table" to dine and now, they are serving! The SONshine is so bright, we gonna need shades!

Later!

Gosh, it's been awhile, since I've had a chance to blog! Sorry for being so long about updating.

It's been crazy around here! Sparkie, one of my kitties, had to have surgery, last Tuesday. He had an abcess that had grown to the size of a tumor on his backside (ouch). So, they took him to surgery and cut it out, sewed him up with a drain tube in the wound and sent him home to be a full fledged "house cat" for the next two weeks. (no, Ed's not happy!) Ed wasn't happy about having to pay the Vet bill either(wow, that was expensive), he said he could have solved Sparkie's problem with a 9 cent bullet! Ouch Ed, where's your compassion? Actually, I'm ready for him to be an outdoor cat again, too! Cat pee STINKS! I don't care what kind of fancy kitty litter you buy, none of it smells "good & odor free" like they claim! I've been on full alert, trying to keep an eye on that litter box and empty it, as soon as Sparkie gets through using it! I'm thinking on changing his name to "Pepe LaPew", cause the boy has some serious stink goin' on! If I had even a small desire for a house cat, before this..........I'm absolutely cured of that desire now! He's suppossed to get his stitches out on Friday and hopefully he will be well enough to be put back outside. Then I can get an upholstery cleaner in here to clean my couch. He has been laying on a sheet on the couch, but that particular cushion stinks. Don Capaforte was showing me his "ozoneator" the other day. He says if you turn it on for couple of hours, it will remove any kind of stink. So, after cleaning my couch, I may have to ask him to borrow his "ozoneator". Anybody got an upholstery cleaning machine, I can borrow?

Besides being a cat nurse for the past week, I've been working on income taxes and trying to teach Wendi how it works. Wendi has an Income Tax class this semester in college, but her professor isn't getting his job done. There's had to be some teaching going on at the kitchen table, "Mom University"! I don't even charge tuition!!

Then, there's the planning for "Kid's Summer Fun Day". I've been brainstorming, working on supply orders, trying to figure out a rotation schedule, putting up sign-up sheets, thinking through goals for publicity & trying to continue to think "BIG". As in all endeavors, we've had a bump in the road, already. But, that's to be expected. We're human and this is a huge undertaking. When we hit a bump, don't get tore up and discouraged. Stay positive and work together in love & patience, to find a solution for making the road smooth again, and by all means, keep in mind, it's not about "us" anyway, it's about "HIM". So long as we continue to seek His will, it's gonna be all good! I hope, your excitement and energy levels will continue to grow.......we're doing "Kingdom Work" folks! That in it's self, is enough to make you excited!

There is still a need for a couple more Team leaders. We need a "Lunch Leader", "security Leader", "Greeting Leader" and a "Recreation Leader". If you are interested in any of these positions, let me know.

Outrageously, Over-The-Top, Excited!!

We officially begin preparing for our children's summer program (formerly known as VBS) tonight at 6:30pm, at the church! Wow! I'm really excited about this years theme. It's based around a water park theme and the lessons Jesus taught using the element of water. I have for a month now, been contemplating all the cool things we could do with this theme. I actually thought I was thinking BIG, but after talking with Stan this morning, I realize, I haven't even begun to get in the GO BIG frame of mind! He proposed a question to me, that I hadn't even thought of. That being "At Fall Festival, we had approximately 600 people to attend. What if, we have 300 kids to show up? How are you going to handle that?" GOOD QUESTION!!! I'm not sure yet! But, I am now at least in the frame of mind, to begin thinking that way. It is POSSIBLE people! We already have plans in the works, to heavily publicize this event in a variety of mediums. Just think what could happen! We didn't even publicize that much for Fall Festival, and we had about 600 people. Our biggest outreach for Fall Festival was we, as a church family, were off the hook excited and into making it a super fun time. What if, we get outrageously, over-the-top excited and publicize heavily ? WE CAN REALLY ROCK OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS!!!! What if, we had a really cool water park environment outside for our community to enjoy and fellowship with us. Things like our huge slip-n-slide on the hill, watergun fights with colored water(like lazer tag), dunking booth, a wiggle-works area for kids 5 and under with sprinklers and plastic slides, a sandy beach area with beach chairs and carribean steel drum music, beachball volleyball, water balloons, popsicle stand, cotton candy and huge cookout! There are so many imaginative people at Fellowship Church, theres no telling what kind of outrageously fun ideas we can come up with. I know 300 kids, sounds scary.....but if we can't accomplish anything, but one thing....telling them Jesus LOVES them, then we have had a successful event! I NEED YOU, THE KIDS NEED YOU, FELLOWSHIP CHURCH FAMILY, TO START GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THIS EVENT & BEGIN PLANNING AND PUTTING PLANS INTO ACTION NOW! I'll leave you with this..........IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME!!! SEE YA TONIGHT AT 6:30pm at the church!

Just A Rockin'

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Oh, want you please, please be my neighbor! Two sunshiney days in a row, makes me feel as chipper as Mr. Rogers! It's wonderful to finally get outside and not freeze to death. Oh Lord, PLEASE, let Spring be on the way! I actually sat on the porch yesterday and read the newspaper. Thats something I have really missed, since cold weather set in. Theres nothing better than a cup of coffee, a newspaper and a rocking chair on the porch. When we bought this house, it wasn't quite what I had in mind. But, we had looked for level acreage to build on and it either wasn't for sale or it had a war pension price tag! We looked at houses all over this county (except those in a subdivision, that was the whole point of moving, to get out of a subdivision!), the land wasn't level or it was way out of our price range. Then we came upon this house, not exactly the kind of house I wanted, but the land was near PERFECT! The one thing the house did have was a wrap around porch and that was something that I had wanted for a long time. I remember, fondly, days of sitting on my grandpa Echols porch in a rocking chair, sometimes just shooting the breeze or reading or just watching the wildlife around. I can't quite explain it, but theres something about sitting in a rocking chair on a big porch, that just brings me a sense of well-being and peace. The only time that big porch made feel uncomfortable was when it was harvest time! My granny and grandpa would put us grandkids to work stringing green beans, shelling peas, silking corn or whatever it was that needed to be done, so that the harvest could be prepared for storage, whether it was canning it or freezing it. As I think back to those days, I remember hating to have to help with those chores. But now that I'm grown, I can also look back and recall, what fun we had too! At that time, I thought I was just free labor. Hardly did I realize, I was being taught life lessons, such as, responsibility, being self-sufficient, being dependable, taking pride in doing a job well done and being part of a family who loves each other and takes care of each other. Yes, a porch and a rocking chair are good for reading and daydreaming. But, it's also a place to teach life lessons! Maybe that's whats wrong with this younger generation, we quit building big porches on our houses! Theres actually somewhere to plant a garden here at this house, maybe Ed will plant us one this spring, and we can have harvest time on the front porch this summer. If any of you need time on the porch, just come on over!
Later!

Whirlwind of a weekend!

It's been a whirlwind weekend! Fellowship's public service project at Ingle's and then Worship service Sunday morning, then the BIG Super Bowl party that night. I couldn't care less about the football game, but I was anxiously awaiting to see the commercials! I was especially interested in seeing the new Chevy ad, that was done by a female college student. It was suppossed to be more geared to how a woman feels about the car. GIVE ME A BREAK! that was the lamest commercial, I've ever seen! A bunch of guys washing the cars and lovingly caressing them......(seems to me, that's more geared toward men, as always), just as well, to have had a playboy bunny laid up against the car. What a disappointment! In fact, I didn't see one commercial, that was all that good. But, none the less, we had a super great time fellowshipping and eatting with one another. Everybody seemed to be having a good time, there was lots of laughter and cutting up going on. We may be different at Fellowship Church, but we definitely know how to have a good time!
Speaking of being different...........Fellowship members were unleashed on an unsuspecting public, at Ingle's in Cornelia, Saturday & Sunday. Ed and I went on Saturday to help bag groceries and take them out for the customers. Peoples reactions to us was a bit funny! We got questions like, "what are you raising money for?"(nobody even mentioned money!!!), " why are you doing this, what do you want?" People seemed to be absolutely shocked, that we didn't want anything in return and we certainly didn't want their money. I even encountered some, who were so suspicious of us, that wouldn't even look at me as I spoke to them. As a society, we have become so conditioned to believe that nobody does anything for free, and certainly not just to be kind. That's a really sad state of being, but what's even sadder is that, alot of those people we encountered, were professed Christians and they just didn't get the concept! In fact the majority of the people, who asked me what project the church was raising money for, were people who informed me they went to so & so or such & such church. As I search my heart and soul, I realize, I too, am conditioned to be suspicious of others motives, to self- sufficient to allow anyone to serve me, for no other reason, than just to be practicing what Jesus taught. The conviction is mighty and I ask my God, to forgive me. I pray, I'll be more mindful of when it's time to serve or be served. If you missed the opportunity to serve Saturday, you missed a lesson, that you will never learn, from sitting in pew being preached to!
Later!

This is my baby Charlie!

It snowed, believe it or not, the weatherman got it right, for once! But, the cats aren't taking it to well. Charlie, especially is afraid. He refused to come out of his house, this morning. Not even for milk! Sparkie seemed to think it was just grand, but he wanted in, where it was warm. We try not to let them in much, because Ed is way against them being in the house! But, Ed had to take his mom to dialysis this morning. So, I let them in to get warm and have some milk. Usually, Charlie would have come streaking in like lightning. But, Wendi had to pry him out of his house and bring him in this morning. I don't know if he's afraid of the snow or if he is getting sick. Once inside, he did help himself to some milk, then off to Wendi's room for a nap. Sparkie has long ago wanted out and out he went. But Charlie is still snoozing away in Wendi's room.

Chris and Wendi have gone out joy riding in the snow. Against her mother's better judgement! I guess she inherited that overwhelming desire to get out on the road in the snow, from her dad. There is nothing Ed loves better, than to load up in his truck and hit the roads in snow and ice. It's like the ultimate thrill for him and now, Wendi too! I hope Chris is more conservative, than Ed was at his age. Ed's favorite thing was to spin his truck around and around in circles in snow covered parking lots, with me in the truck with him! I can just imagine what my parents would have had to say about that(it would not have been good I assure you)! Hopefully, if they are as foolish as Ed & I were in years gone by, the good Lord will stand guard over them too! As for me and grandmama, we're the only 2 bright ones around here, we are snuggled up around the fireplace, sipping coffee.

Heres a shout out to Jess!!!! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Another shout out to Mike.............Hope your back soon feels better, stay out of the snow and ice!

Later!

Rugged Affection

It's been an interesting day around here! Wendi brought Acelyn, Chris' little 3 yr old niece, to the house for awhile this morning. I had forgotten, how a 3 yr old is nothing but a bundle of energy....whew! Our cats, Sparkie and Charlie, may never be the same again (sorry boys)! This was their first encounter with a little girl, who was just a little too loving for their taste. Charlie managed to hide for awhile, but Sparkie was caught right off the bat. Acelyn had him in a death clutch around the middle, then tried to sling him over her shoulder. Mind you, Sparkie is about as long, as Acelyn is tall!! Oh how, he wiggled and squirmed to release himself, to no avail. All he got was more kisses and rocked like a baby. It was just too funny! His big eyes made contact with mine, as if pleading with me to rescue him, and do it NOW! Then, Charlie makes the mistake of slipping out of his hiding spot. POUNCE, Sparkie is down and now Charlie is the recipient of 3 yr old love and affection. Poor Charlie, he managed to get loose and flew out of sight, like vanishing ink. Really couldn't blame him. So now both cats are free from Acelyn's grip, hopefully never to return. Acelyn and Wendi have been gone for a while now and I still haven't seen those cats! Who knows, they may have decided it was safer in the dog lot with Cloey!
At least, I had my chuckle for the day. Because, now, I'm exhausted! I don't know how, I could have so easily forgotten about how busy and full of "why", a 3yr old is. I hate to admit it, but I must be aging a bit! If they come back, I think, I'll join the cats in the dog lot with Cloey, the black Lab.

Later

Conditional or Unconditional

At Fellowship Church, we have Lifeline groups (small groups for Bible study & fellowship). Our Lifeline group met Saturday afternoon. Everyone was not able to attend, but those who did, had a wonderful time together. During our discussion of the previous weeks sermon on "The Table"(the church), about being served and serving, someone asked an interesting question. A question, that we all pondered on and searched the scripture for answers. The question, as best I can remember it, was "Why do, people in the church, get mad, give up and walk away?" Especially, when, it's not about them, it's about "HIM". We tossed around a few ideas, of what we thought and what we felt the scriptures said, and came up with this answer.............It is because of "service with expectation". In John 13:34, Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." What is it about this command, that makes it different or a new command? Were we not already commanded in the Old Testament to love our neighbor's, as ourselves. this is what Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Do you see the difference in the 2 verses? In John 13:34, he says to love others, as HE loved you. In Lev. 19:18, it says love one another, as you love yourself. How did "He", "Jesus" love, HE loved , (here it is, are you ready?) UNCONDITIONALLY!!!! How do we often love ourselves, it's often time CONDITIONAL, isn't it? Well, I would love myelf better if I weren't so fat, or if I wasn't so shy, if I could sing good, blah, blah, blah, and the list goes on! When we, love others as ourselves, we love with expectations. We expect to be loved back, we expect to be noticed, we expect to recieve the affirmation ,we believe we deserve and again the list goes on. The thing that makes the commandment in John 13:34 new, is we are now commanded to love others unconditonally. Just like Jesus loved unconditionally, just like he served others unconditionally. He did not, at any time, during his ministry, serve anyone, with the expectation of recieving anything in return, for his service. Some examples of serving with expectation:

1. serving to be noticed or to recieve recognition
2. to be in control
3. to desire to be in authority and the need for power
4. it'll look good on my resume'
5. to try to mask or cover up failure to be obedient

I could go on, but I won't!

The point is, when we (the church), stop serving with expectation and start serving & loving unconditionally, that's when we will be unified and make a difference in God's Kingdom and not until then!

Start today out, by examining your reasons for serving others, do you expect anything in return, or are you serving because you unconditionally love others and expect nothing in return, not even a thank you.

I'll leave you with this thought provoking verse;

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

Winter Has Arrived

Whoa! Winter has finally arrived! I need to call Sammy Cunningham and let him know, that yes Sammy, there is going to be winter this year! He and I had a discussion last sunday about how warm it has been. For me, well, I was plenty pleased with it being in the 70's. Sammy, now, he wanted it to come and get cold winter time. (He claims, so that we can hurry and get it over with!) I don't know if I understood that rationale or not. It could never get cold weather and I would be a happy camper. I'm not a cold weather person, I love summer! There is so many more fun things happening during warm weather, like swimming, softball, camping and grilling on the BBQ, or just hanging out in the rocking chairs on the front porch.(I call that, having a "porch party") During the winter there just isn't much to do. For some unknown reason, the TV stations play back-to-back re-runs of your favorite shows(now, that you are actually inside enough to watch TV), a rare new episode, every now and again or possibly not on at all! It's an absolute travesty, that you have 50 some odd channels to choose from and NOTHING to watch! The one good thing about winter, is that it's basketball season. Ed and I really enjoy a good basketball game. We often spend a Friday or Saturday night at Habersham Central's ball game. Although, our daughter has been graduated almost 4 years. The sad thing I realized this season, is that, after this group of seniors graduate, we won't really know any of the kids, playing for Central anymore, maybe 1 or 2, that's all. We do know quite a few youngsters, that are in elementary and middle school, who are awesome athletes all ready. So, I'm sure they will one day be highschool basketballer's and I'll have kids I know to cheer on, once again! Thinking of that, makes me think of Sammy Cunningham again! He used to coach basketball, a few years back. We saw him at one of Central's games a couple of weeks ago. Just so happened, some of his past players were sitting in front of us, and we got to witness him picking fun with them. You could see the joy of years past, spread across his face in the form of a big grin, as he reminisced with them! I wonder, if he too, felt that same twinge of sad realization, that I did on that night, that I really didn't know many of these kids anymore. Actually, some of those kids playing ball that night, were some of his past players, grandchildren. Isn't it something, that 2 hoops with nets, a round ball and 10 players, can be the connective tissue between the youngest of children and the grandest of eldest! It is truly one the highlights of winter!

Anxious Anticipation

It's official!!!!! It's time to start planning for VBS! Yeah, I know......it's still January, but we need to get started planning now. I received our material yesterday! Fellowship Church is going to be transformed into a huge "water park" (fun, fun, fun!)! This years VBS is "Take The Plunge, Make A Splash With Jesus". The kids will be learning some uncommon things, from a very common source, water. You know, Jesus did some mighty things with water!
I'm really looking forward to this years VBS! We want to have a huge blow out for VBS, somewhat like what we have for Fall Festival. A way to reach our community with fun, food, fellowship and the love of Christ. Stan and I talked about using our huge homemade slip-n-slide on the hill, maybe even make another one to go with it. I'm thinking, a slide that ends in a pool of Jell-o, way to cool! There are a few other things we thought of, like, water balloons, dunking tank, water gun fights, cotton candy, hotdogs, popsicle stand, etc. If you have any ideas for something we could do, to make this time super fun, let me know!

Well, I'm off to breakfast! Jill and I are going to treat ourselves to Cracker Barrel and some window shopping.

Later,
Maria

www.myspace.com/nicholenordeman

www.myspace.com/nicholenordeman Use this link to check out Nicole Nordeman's new son "What If".

A lot of times (a great deal of times), music speaks to me more than any other medium. I don't know why, but it does! The lyrics of this song are so poignant, and pointed! It's heart breaking to have friends and family, who don't know Jesus as their savior. Especially, when they try to poke holes in your faith or have questions, you just don't know the answer to. This song, hits it right on the head, it's not about the debate, it's about LOVE, it's about HOPE! And more to the point....."what if" you're WRONG!!!! What then??

Weather Control

Why is it, when it comes a big rain storm, that's the exact time, your windshield wiper blades tear up? Me and mom decided to go to Commerce shopping today. I suggested, we drive her car (save my gas!) and I would drive. Of course we live in the "fog" capitol of the world, Baldwin. I turn on the wipers and the one on the right swishes up with a long tail trailing along. Ok, it's ok, just get down the mountain a little piece and we'll be out of the fog, then I won't need these wipers. WRONG.........it poured. Do you know, there is nowhere to buy wiper blades between Baldwin and Bank's Crossing! Then once we get to the outlet mall, it does quit raining, thankfully. We shopped awhile, although we avoided Kirkland's, cause we both new better than to go in there, checking accounts would be emptied, not a good thing. I just love that store! Shopping always works up a good appetite, Cracker Barrel here we come! Wouldn't you know, we should have made a break for home, instead of eating, while it wasn't raining any more. We've just finished eating and paid the bill......BOOM.....it starts pouring, wind blowing like it was March, mega storm, and we have a torn wiper blade. I know, your thinking why didn't you get wiper blades as soon as you got there. If, your a woman, you know why, there's better things to shop for. We made a run for the car, jump in soaking wet and fire up that torn wiper blade (Ha!). Then, we can't think of one auto parts place there at Bank's Crossing, we'll just try to limp home, I guess. Suddenly I see Pritchett Tire, maybe they have wiper blades, they do!!! They pull us into their garage and put us on some new blades, we're in business now. But, the thing about getting new wiper blades........now the rain stops and out comes the sun! That's all it took to clear the weather up, I've got to let the weatherman in on this little secret, on how to control the weather!
Later!

Doing Battle

Have you seen that commercial on TV about the medication called Cymbalta? It asks in the commercial "Who does depression hurt?" answer "Everybody"! I've found that is so true. It doesn't just affect the "one" who is depressed, but others who love and care for them, as well. Right now my heart breaks and "hurts" for a couple of friends who are struggling. One from physical illness, who just can't seem to get well. I know that feeling of despair, that you will never feel good again, because you have been so sick for so long. But, I also know, that when I was in such despair, the prayers of other believers on my behalf, reached the Throne of Grace. I had to learn to be patient and wait on God's perfect timing, that he wasn't going to allow me to suffer, not one minute longer , than necessary. You say "necessary"! Yes "necessary"!! Scripture teaches us that suffering is sometimes "necessary". Look at Job or what about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Sometime suffering is necessary to get or focus, refocused.
Another friend is struggling with a spiritual battle. I don't know about you, but I HATE drama and try to avoid it. But, some times it's just unavoidable. We would avoid our spiritual battles if we could. The good news though, is that Our Master is always in front of us, in these battles, leading the way. Just put on the full armor of God. Yesterday, when I was doing my Bible study, I was reading from 1 Samuel 14. It was about King Saul's son Jonathon and his armor-bearer. Jonathon had taken his armor-bearer with him and slipped out of camp, to go around and take the Philistines by surprise. Just Jonathon and his armor-bearer, no other soldiers. As they climbed up the rugged area, to get to the enemy, I can only imagine(based on what I would be thinking!) what the armor-bearer was thinking! Like, oh man! We are headed for certain death, this can't be the right thing to do! But no matter, he continued on without hesitation, followed his master and declared his loyalty, by telling Jonathon, that whatever his decision, he was with him "heart & Soul". What I learned, is that we are like Jonathon's armor-bearer, and our Master is Jesus Christ. If we follow him "heart & soul", even when our human nature is saying NO WAY, this can't be right, the enemies we face will be shattered & decimated! Praise the Lord! The Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God, will both prepare us and protect us! When the enemy is on us, we can't just "tuck tail" and run! Like the old adadge, "you can run, but you can't hide"! I've tried that tuck tail and run thing, it just doesn't work and it always led to more devastation and hopelessness. I too, am battling a spiritual battle at this time and it's my prayer that I will follow the Master, with all my heart and soul, regardless of how scared I am. It's time to get your grin on, go ahead...let's see that smile! Good Job! It's all good...cause HE is all that!
Later Gators!

New Beginnings

Well, it's a now officially a new year. Welcome 2007! Along with beginning a new year, I'm beginning a new blog (actually my very 1st blog!), a new book of devotions for couples (Moments Together for Couples, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey) with my husband and a new study of King David. As for New Years resolutions, I try not to make any, because they always seem to fall by the wayside, long before mid-year. I'm excited about the devotion time with my husband, this will be the first time, we have done our devotions together. We have had an awesome marriage for over 22 years now and are completely devoted to one another. The best blessing the Lord has ever given me is my salvation, coming in at a close second is, my husband Ed. He is kind, patient, loving, compassionate, a good provider and always puts his family before himself. I can't thank God enough for giving Ed to me as my partner in this life! So you can see, I'm really excited to find out what God has in store for us this year, of doing a couples devotion together! For an awesome marriage already......God must have something totally to cool to imagine for us!! Thanks ,Pastor Craig for suggesting this book of devotions, for your flock.
As for my new study of King David, God has been pricking my heart(really hammering at my heart and mind!) that David has something to teach me, something that I really need to learn. I'm excited, yet scared at the same time, to find out what he has to teach me. Does anybody else ever feel that way? Pray for me, as I make my way through God's word, that I will be a teachable student!
Now for this new blog, maybe I can figure out how this works! You'll have to forgive me if I ramble!

Later,
Maria