Tuesday, July 28, 2009

God is Good!

Cold is the absence of heat. Darkness is the absence of light. And evil is the absence of God.

I read this somewhere on line. It is such awesome logic...I love it!

We recently learned a new song and have been singing it every opportunity we have had. It is entitled "I Have Been Blessed". We first heard it from the Raub family...it brought tears to my eyes. Then the following week, my sister told me she had a song she wanted me to hear...wanna take a guess what it was? :) I was sooo happy, because now we had the words and could sing it as a family. It has been such a blessing to the Saints, and we are wearing it out! :)

But it got me to thinking along a path of thoughts that has often occupied my mind now for several years. Let's see if I can get you to follow:

About 8 years ago, my son, Timothy started having seizures. That has been the most horrible time of my life so far. He would have them when his brain went to sleep (nap or evening). We started saying, when he would wake up from NO seizures, "There's my little man! No seizures this time! God is soo good!"

Then one day, after we started saying that, he HAD a seizure. And God confronted me with a question, "Am I still good?" This thought about floored me. You've got to imagine with me...my little two year old baby laying limp in my arms, on the way to the ER...not breathing and turning colors... and God asks me THIS question.

How many Christian Mommies and Daddies have been through this very thing?...only they've held the lifeless form of their dearest ones...no more breaths for the beautiful, precious bodies...no more hugs, and no more kisses, no more boo boos to kiss away...And those around them have heard them say, "Yes, God!...You are SOOO good!...You alone know ALL things and I will trust in you and proclaim your goodness no matter what!"

So, when I'm singing the song, "God Has Been Good", in my heart, I'm saying, "God, you are good if I become paralyzed and never can feel my loved ones touch again...God, you are good if, like Job, I lose ALL my beautiful children...God, you are good EVEN if I get cast into prison for being a Christian and get tortured for the rest of my life...YOU ARE GOOD!"

Come what may...GOD IS GOOD....All the time!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Trickling Down from the Past...

The following is General George Washington's first official order, issued after taking official command of the Continental Army (July 4, 1775):

The General most earnestly requires and expects a due observance of those articles of war established for the government of the army, which forbid profane cursing, swearing, and drunkenness. And in like manner he requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.

Five days later, the Commander in Chief fired off another "religious" directive:

The honorable Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a chaplain to each regiment, with the pay of thirty-three and one-third dollars per month, the colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure chaplains - accordingly persons of good character and exemplary lives - to see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect, and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary, butespecially is it in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor so to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.

(Exerpt from What Hath God Wrought, William Grady)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

This season...

No doubt you are familiar with the term "seasons in life"? Well...It's taking me a bit to get used to this new season in my life. What season? I don't know what you'd call it....maybe someone could suggest a name for it. I'll attempt to describe it...


Let me prelude with this: I LOVE being around my family (hello?...and what momma doesn't?...a crazy one!). And I LOVE homeschooling my kiddos! They're awsome! We have so much fun. I've been homeschooling now for near fourteen years. And most of our mornings were spent centered around God's Word..you know,...Bible story, character lesson, scripture memorization, singing...you get the picture, eh?


Ahhhhh, I have fond memories around that time..for instance, it was during one of these hours that Timothy (my now 9 year old) let out his first belly laugh. We all caught it, he kept on belting it out, we were laughing, watching him, revelling in him, actually...it was grand...we carried on in singing, him laughing, us following, making crazy gutteral sounds, acting like a bunch of intoxicated fools! And all this over a fat little bald headed feller who decided he wanted to interrupt our Bible time with his first laughs! :)...sure wish I could see that from the outside! What a joy that was. And I could bore you with many other times such as that...probably you have your own googly baby story that's come to mind, and you know exactly what kind of moment I'm talking about?


So...ANYWAYS...(I'm smiling)...these times are precious! You mommas know what I'm talking about, eh? And now......MY KIDS ARE GROWING UP!!! and I don't like it!


Ok, ok...I can just hear some of you "righteous" ladies right now..., "WELL, if SHE had the right kind of relationship with her HUSBAND... then she wouldn't be carryin' on so about her children growing UP!" Oh, phooey!


Darren and I...well, we're now on our second honeymoon! And let me tell you, it's BETTER than the first! (that's for a later post) so, I'll just continue on about my kiddos!...


What I'm trying to say is that...?...I'm just flat out not liking this season. I want things to stay the same...and they're not! I love the dirty, snotty little faces,...the wild child hair-doo,...the silly tickling, wrestling romps,...the nursing---oh, I miss the nursing!,...the laughs,...the late night talks with the older guys,...the goofy boy and silly, giggly girl time...I LOVE IT! and dread the time when it's all gone, and only a memory. (you'd think I'm an old granny right now by the way I'm writing...but it's coming soon!...truly cherish the moments!) I know that one day, we'll all gather around the holiday table and laugh and carry on as we reminisce, that'll be fun, too...Darren and I fatter (ugh) and grayer...grandkids all around....Aren't God's gifts the best????


What season? The name I don't know...but it's the season when the older kiddos are beginning to grow up, get jobs...when it's a bit more challenging to get the whole family at the dinner table at the same time (btw, it may be a challenge, but we still make it a priority to eat together at the table once a day...it may be breakfast or lunch instead of supper, but we still do it..yay!)
But, I can't do anything about the inevitable change, so hopefully this will be one of the few posts where I complain...


Pray for me...



Tina's done :)..'bout time, eh? :)

New Here

...yes, I've finally stepped out into "blog world"!...feel a bit intimidated, but I love writing and that's what I'm gonna do :)...