Tagged!

I have been tagged by Kentucky Bound to write a six word memoir about myself.

Now, the rules are to tag five people.
If you've been tagged, here are your official guidelines:
Write your own six word memoir
Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
Link to the person that tagged you in your post
Tag five more blogs with links
Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

So, here are my six words:

Dependable

Musical

Quiet

Creative

Punctual

Easy-going

I know that I'm supposed to tag five people, but I'm doing good just to get these six words on here. So, please tag yourself if you'd like to play. I would love to read yours!

That's My King

Visiting in Prison

The Holy Spirit amazes me sometimes. Have you ever had a Bible verse that you haven't read in a long time to just come into your mind for no reason and it's like it's telling you to do something? Well, I guess I shouldn't say for no reason, because when the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit, it is usually through the Word of God and it is for a reason. Here is what happened....last night I was in my kitchen cooking supper and for some reason I started thinking about someone I know who is in prison right now. And then almost as quickly as the thought of him came to my mind, a verse popped into my mind. And I wasn't even sure if it was really a verse or if I had it mixed up with something else. Here is what it says: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' I had to go back and check the Bible to see if it really did say something about visiting those in prison.

I've always remembered the feeding, clothing and sick part of these verses, but I have never even thought about the visiting in prison part. We, as a society, usually reject the people who have been convicted of crimes and especially the type of crime this person committed. We think, put that person in prison and give them what they deserve. And then we forget about them. At least, I do. But for some reason, this verse about visiting them in prison was written in bold letters across my brain just after I thought about my relative who is in prison. I want to visit him now. He was a respected man with a good job and a family. But he made some mistakes and now he's suffering the consequences. Jesus doesn't tell us to reject these people, he says that when we visit them then we are doing it unto Him. I have never set foot inside a prison, but now I'm thinking that I need to do this.

Read Matthew 25:31-46

My Daughter Said...

Last weekend my daughter came home for the Easter weekend. We went out to eat at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants Friday night and when we were sitting there eating, my daughter said that she hopes when she gets married that her husband treats her the way her daddy treats me. Even though she didn't realize it, she had just given my husband one of the greatest compliments he could ever get. What a testimony! And it is true -- he treats me so good. I told her not to settle for anything less.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

About my 10,000 steps....
I've been getting over my goal almost every day for at least two weeks now. As far as the weight loss goes.........it ain't happenin' yet! But I'm gonna keep walking.

Meme of Fives

Meme of Fives
I was tagged by Kay of Loop de Loops in La La Land for the Meme of Fives

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.

2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

3. At the end of the post the player thn tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.

What was I doing 10 years ago? 1998

1. Being a mother to a 15 year old boy and a 10 year old girl.

2. Working at a medical equipment place but only during the hours my kids were at school.

3. Enduring my son's driving because he had his learners permit. (I am a horrible driving teacher!)

4. Playing the synthesizer at my church and helping with youth choir.

5. Going to soccer games.

5 things on my to-do list today ~

1. Work at my job all day

2. Walk 10,000 steps

3. Cook supper

4. Relax at home tonight

5. Be nice to people who are not nice (this is everyday at work)

5 Snacks I enjoy ~

1. chips and salsa

2. potato chips

3. chocolate

4. chocolate chip cookies

5. bananas

5 Things I would do if I were a billionaire ~

1. Get hotel rooms every night for A Plea for Purging

2. Buy a new house

3. Get my husband some horses and a barn

4. Hire an interior decorator for my new house.

5. Hire a personal shopper to buy my clothes so I wouldn't have to do it.

Five of my bad habits ~

1. laziness

2. letting housework accumulate

3. eating chips and salsa when I get home from work

4. I leave my shoes all over the house.

5. I make a mess around my piano by leaving music all over the place.

Five places I have lived ~

1. The house my parents lived when I was born (in this city)

2. The house we moved to when I was 11 (in this city)

3. The house I shared with a friend when I moved out (in this city)

4. The first house my husband and I lived in (in this city)

5. the house we live in now

Five jobs I've had ~

1. Receptionist in a law firm

2. Clerical position in medical equipment supplier place

3. 3rd grade teacher

4. Postal employee

5. Piano teacher

I will tag five people but please don't feel obligated to participate if you don't have time!
Strawberry
Sister Sheri
Lori
Live Out Loud
Sandi

Disappointments

This morning I was thinking about how often people disappoint me, but how Jesus never does. I don't think it matters who the person is -- anyone can disappoint us. But I think the disappointments are greater when it is someone we expect a lot from, someone we think is supposed to be a Christian, or especially someone who we think is a great Christian example to others. But really it shouldn't surprise me or cause me such great disappointment when this happens, because those people are human. I have probably disappointed people too many times to mention. I disappoint myself sometimes and wonder how I can do some of the things I do and think some of the things I think and still call myself a Christian.

Jesus is the only standard we should measure ourselves against. He is the ultimate role model and example we should try to be like. He will never disappoint.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

The Resurrection

What is it that proves Jesus really rose from the dead?
Well the answer to that question is very simple...the Bible. And now that we've dealt with that question I want to move to another question. I don't want to talk about how we prove the resurrection, the Bible proves the resurrection. It is the Word of God and it says Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that settles it. The issue, frankly, is not what proves the resurrection, the issue is what does the resurrection prove? What does the resurrection prove? And the answer is, basically, the full redemptive plan and purpose of God. In fact, the resurrection is the key to everything. (John MacArthur)

Happy Easter! Today we celebrate the resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ. I used a quote by John MacArthur who is the preacher on a the radio program, Grace to You. I heard this sermon a few days ago and I found the text of it on his website. He talked about that there were many, many books written on how to prove the resurrection. But he said the Bible says it, so that is all the proof we need. If you are interested in reading the complete text of John MacArthur's message, click here. Have a wonderful Easter!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6

One More Video

Ask and you shall receive! This one is for Kay because she wanted to hear my southern accent. I showed it to my daughter and she laughed -- I don't know why, maybe because I was narrating my little video? Anyway, you won't get the full-effect southern accent here as you would if you heard me talking to my family and sisters. I was trying to talk more properly. But anyway, here is one more video of Little River....

The Passion of the Christ

A few years ago a movie came out called The Passion of the Christ. It was a huge success and widely supported by Christians. Churches rented out theaters so their members and friends could all go see the movie together. I think almost every Christian I know went to see it. I heard amazing reviews about it from everyone. I almost felt like as a Christian I was obligated to go and see this movie. I felt like other Christians expected anyone who claims to be a Christian to see this movie. But I was hesitant and I kept holding back, not going to see it. I had already heard a preacher describe in great detail what Jesus went through, and I had heard that this movie was very graphic. I didn't go, mainly because I am not good with movies that have a lot of graphic and violent scenes. I almost started to feel like I wasn't doing my part as a Christian because I had not seen this movie. Almost. That was until I heard a pastor say something that I think I already knew in my heart. He said that though it was a great movie and he encouraged everyone to see it, it wasn't necessary. Here is the part that stuck in my mind to this day......he said the scripture is sufficient. And that is so true. I no longer feel bad for not having seen the movie. God's word is sufficient to speak to our hearts of everything God needs to tell us. It always was before the movie came out, and it always will be.

We actually bought the movie a couple of years ago, so maybe I'll watch it this weekend.

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:26-31

Alabama the Beautiful

Little River Falls



Little River

The top part of DeSoto Falls

The inside of the church built around a big rock. Eddie is at the pulpit and the big rock is just behind him.

The outside of the church -- I'm standing there beside the big rock.

DeSoto videos

These are very short videos I took at DeSoto State Park. Be sure to turn your sound on.

Spring Break

This week is spring break for the school system where my husband teaches. I took off work Monday and Tuesday so that he and I could get away for a couple of days. We had a great time and went to northeast Alabama to DeSoto State Park, home of DeSoto Falls and Little River Falls. I don't know if the people who live in the southern or central part of this state even know about the beauty that is in that part of Alabama. They've had lots of rain recently which made the waterfalls the best I've ever seen them. Tomorrow I hope to have some pictures posted. At DeSoto Falls, I can't get the complete magnificence of the place into one picture, but here is one on DeSoto's website. We did some great hiking trails, one that followed Little River. The water in the river was so beautiful and green. I have never seen it so pretty. Tuesday, after we left DeSoto, we went to Scottboro to the Unclaimed Baggage store, and then to Grant, Alabama and saw Cathedral Caverns. After that we stopped in Boaz where they have a bunch of outlet stores. It was a fun trip. We had planned to camp out in the tent, but we ended up staying in the lodge at DeSoto because my hubby felt bad about having me sleep in a tent without "facilities" nearby. The lodge was great and came with a free breakfast the next morning.

With all the hiking we did, it was easy for me to get past my 10,000 steps while we were away. And it was a lot more enjoyable than a treadmill! BP asked me to tell what changes I've made in order to reach 10,000 steps a day. On the days when I'm at work, I have tried to start walking for about 10 minutes on my morning and afternoon breaks (weather permitting) and to walk a little longer during my lunch break. And then, in the evenings I have either taken a 30-minute walk in my neighborhood, or walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes to finish out and reach my 10,000 steps. I've even gone over 11,000 a couple of times. But my husband thinks my pedometer cheats. It really does seem to add up those steps quickly! But the main thing is, I know that I'm getting more exercise than I was before.

Check back in tomorrow for pictures of our trip!

Update and Friends

A few days ago I mentioned that my goal is to start walking 10,000 steps a day. Since that day I have gone over 10,000 steps each day and am also trying to eat less without actually going on a diet. I have to be realistic. I don't want to go on a diet and lose weight only to gain it back after I am finished. I want to learn a lifestyle of exercise and eating the right amounts to maintain the weight I hope to be soon.

I would like to thank Kay of Loop de Loops in La La Land for presenting me with this friends award. It really means a lot to me that Kay considers me a friend. I love her blog and her writing style. I hope to be reading a book that she writes in the future! Thank you Kay!

Friday Favorites

This year's presidential campaign has been so different from any other that I can remember. I'm not big into politics and I don't feel educated enough on the issues to even discuss it, but there is one thing I do know. I know who I don't want to vote for in November. But no matter who wins, I can take comfort in the fact that God is still in control because Romans 13:1 says this....Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

My favorite for today is not a blog, but a statement made in an email I read recently. The statement was made by a close friend of mine, a young yet mature Christian lady. She let me read her email response to someone else who apparently had said some not very nice things about a certain presidential candidate. I thought my friend's response was very mature and very Christ-like. Here is what she said, though I will leave out the name of the presidential candidate......
"As far as politics, I am called to uplift and pray for leaders, so I have nothing negative to say about [insert name of the candidate] or any other political candidates. I plead the blood over my family (to not be deceived), our nation, world, Hollywood etc.. I pray that and thank God that He is in control and that Americans will use biblical wisdom and discernment when choosing our leaders."

I like this so much because I realized that so many people, me included, say such negative things about the candidates that we don't like when we should really be praying for Americans to use biblical wisdom and discernment when we vote. I do believe we need to let the truth be known about where each candidate stands on the issues, but that can be done without attacking the person. And then, after we've researched each one and prayed for wisdom to vote wisely, if the one we feel is wrong wins, we need to remember what Romans 13:1 says --the authorities that exist have been established by God.

Losing Weight

I have a doctor's appointment coming up in April. I hate the part when you have to get weighed, but I know it has to be done, so I would like to lose a few pounds by then if I can discipline myself. I've tried to change my eating habits but I haven't done very well with that, so I decided instead to start exercising more. Really, all I'm doing is trying to walk 10,000 steps a day. I'm using a pedometer, and on a normal day without adding extra steps, I usually walk about 5,000 - 6,000 steps. So far, I haven't made it up to 10,000 steps, but yesterday I walked 9700. I really believe if I can start walking 10,000 steps a day, I should lose a few pounds without changing my eating. I guess this will be an experiment to see if it works. Of course, the only way I'll know if I lost weight is by the way my clothes fit because I am not ready to face the reality of my weight yet. It's hard to face the truth right now because for many years my weight stayed between 110 and 115 without even trying. I was able to eat whatever I wanted. But then middle age set in and everything changed. If this doesn't work I guess I'll have to go to Weight Watchers. I know that works -- my friend has just lost over 60 pounds during the past year and she looks great!

So, here I am trying to lose weight my own way -- not wanting to make the effort to go to a place that I know works and will give me the support I need to lose the few pounds I need to lose. Aren't we like that in our Christian walk sometimes? We try to take matters into our own hands and fix problems ourselves without praying or looking into the Bible to find the message God might have for us. We want a quick fix, or results that we can see immediately. But like the slow, steady weight loss that happens with Weight Watchers, sometimes we can't immediately see how God is working in a situation to meet our needs in his perfect way. He needs to be our starting point, not a last resort!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

You Just Know...

I've been reading the book of Romans in the Bible lately. The whole Bible is wonderful to me, but right now this particular book is so incredibly amazing, overwhelming and humbling. I use to kind of skip over Romans because I thought it was so hard to understand. I'll admit even now, it is deep, but it is absolutely full of necessary teachings for Christians. I don't understand everything that is in there, but the more I read it the more the understanding comes to me. And that's the Holy Spirit -- He reveals the meaning of his Word to us, maybe not all at once but gradually sometimes. Romans is not a book that you can just casually skim over quickly. For me, I have to read slowly and stop and absorb almost every verse. I don't mind taking my time with it. It is changing my life and growing me spiritually in a way that can only happen by reading the Word.

There are so many things I want to write about from Romans, but this post would get too long if I mentioned everything I've learned. One verse that stuck out to me in Romans 8 a week or two ago is verse 16: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. For some reason, I thought this verse was so amazing because to me it says that the Holy Spirit confirms with my spirit that I am his child. I have such a hard time putting into words what I'm thinking right now about this, but it's like when my daughter asked me how I knew for sure that her dad was "the one" I was supposed to marry. I told you her when the right one comes along, you just know. I don't know what is is but you just know deep inside. That is how it is when the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children -- you just know. You know that you've believed that Jesus died on a cross for the sins you've committed and then he confirms it in your spirit so that you don't have to wonder if your belief is real or not.

What an awesome God of love we serve. He has given us the Bible which is his holy Word, and he's given us his Spirit to witness with our spirit.

T.G.I.F.!!!

I'm having one of those "mommy" days. Most of the time I am completely fine with my empty nest, but once in a while I start thinking about those days when my kids were little and how cute they were. When Aaron was really young, I guess he caught the excitement of "Friday" from us because when he would get up on Friday mornings, he would say, "It's Friiiiidaaaaayyy!" and he had his own hand motions to go with it complete with little boy sound effects. It's just one of those things you never forget about your kids.

One of those special memories we have of Leah is when she was about 3 years old, we went on a little trip to Desoto State Park in northeast Alabama. It's always been one of our favorite places to go. On the over three hour trip back home she was so tired out that she fell asleep in her car seat. We tried to stop somewhere to see some waterfalls but she just couldn't wake up. So we just had to forget about that and continue our ride home, and we never heard a peep out of her the whole trip back. So, right when got into our city I told Eddie to stop at McDonalds to get something for supper. We thought she was still sleeping because she hadn't made a sound for three hours, but the minute we pulled into McDonalds we heard this sleepy little voice in the back seat say, "I want a happy meal." It was so cute and so funny that we still think about it this many years later.

And since I'm having this mommy day, I'll leave a link to one of my favorite posts about my kids called Doors.

When You Walk Through the Fire

Today I want to post these verses of encouragement for my friend, Cliff of Seek Him First and Wixy's Gone Bananas. Lately it seems like he's been going through the fire with one thing after another. And this week, his brother has passed away. I just want him to know that I'm thinking about him and his family during this difficult time.

But now, this is what the Lord says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze..." Isaiah 43:1-2

Never Changing

I don't know, sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me. I never change anything. In my house, my furniture stays in the same spot because I never move it around. Well, actually I did move things around a little in the living room on New Years. But in the den, everything always stays the same; in my bedroom, everything stays the same. I am so embarrassed to say this, but it's the truth.....all the blinds on my windows were already there when we moved into the house in 1994. And worse than that, even the curtains in the living room have not been changed as long as we've lived there. I lived in the last house for 13 years and the drapes that were hanging in the living room when I moved in were still hanging there when I moved out. Look at my blog -- it always has that green at the top and a white background. Other people change the look of their blog, but I just leave mine the same, always. I wonder sometimes, is this normal? Is something wrong with me?

Celebration in Heaven

I was going to use this for my favorites this Friday, but I can't wait until then. This is such exciting news for one of my blogging friends that I want to share it with everyone. Sandi's dad has been very sick and in the hospital. They weren't sure if he was going to make it through. She's mentioned before that she wanted her dad to give his life to the Lord and wanted her pastor to visit him. Today the angels are rejoicing in heaven along with Sandi! Last night her dad gave his life to Christ. Please take a minute to read Sandi's short post from last night, A Day to Rejoice Part 2, and rejoice with her!

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

Are You Sincere?

Before I started this blog, I wrote a few blogs on my Myspace page. Even though I didn't have any readers, I knew that my daughter would read it there, so most of my blogs back then were things I wanted to say to her. Today I am posting one I did there in January 2007.

Are You Sincere?
I say that I am a Christian and I really am, but I hope that I never do anything in my life that causes other people to question whether that is true or not. Anyone can say "I'm a Christian," but the Bible says that we are known by the fruit in our lives. It really bothers me when someone says they are a Christian, but then I don't see anything in their life that has anything to do with Christianity. I hope that the way I live my life is proof to other people that I am a true believer. While I know that doing "good works" and being a good person is not what saves me, I do believe that a saved, born again believer in Jesus Christ will strive to be a good person simply because of their love for the Lord. I want my life to always bring honor and glory to God. If I'm using foul language, hating other people, gossiping, having a horrible attitude, etc., that would not bring honor and glory to the Lord, and it would make other people wonder if I really am a Christian.

So.....if you say that you belong to Christ, please live the way you would if he was by your side every minute of the day.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21