The Whole Armor of God

Ephesians 6:11-18 (KJV)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I heard today on Rick and Bubba, Scott Dawson speaking. And he brought to my attention something about the whole Armor of God that I have never thought about. Only the front of our bodies are covered. He said to him that meant we were never to retreat or go back... We are to push forward. We should strive to do more for God today than we did yesterday. We can't say well God we did good on that, I think I'll go to the house to rest awhile before the next thing. Push forward, make a goal to do better today than you did yesterday. Because if you turn to run back your back side want be protected. So go forward my friends. Go forward.

7 Stages of Greif

Grief definition: keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; painful regret. a cause or occasion of keen distress or sorrow. Idioms. come to grief, to suffer disappointment, misfortune, or other trouble; fail:

Death cause grief, loss of any kind causes grief. The loss of our ability to control our bodies. Loss of a job, a friend, a dear pet. Many things can cause us grief. I was taught in nursing school the stages of grief. We were taught this so we could help our patients mental health as well as their physical health. No one goes through the stages at the same time or in the same length of time. Or at the same pace. Nothing or nobody can tell another person how long each stage will last. And we can bounce around from one to the other and back again multiple times. Denial is the sweet spot. You don't have to face the fact that anything is wrong any where. Anger hurts you and everyone you come in contact with, anger never ends well. Bargaining, we beg God and make promises that there is no way we can keep. Guilt just weighs you down and puts back into one of the other stages. Depression to me is the worst. I live in that one. It's horrible. Some days you want to just crawl under your bed and curl up in a ball a and hide from the world. And last but certainly not least is Acceptance and Hope. How hard is it so acheive HOPE. We let our self wallow in all the others when HOPE is just waiting for us. The next time you have troubles and trials remember that there is HOPE. You can find Hope in the Holy Bible. Any problem you have is covered. And I promise in the end The Bible says we win. So people there is HOPE.

Typically, the seven (7) stages of grief are described as: - Shock or Disbelief - Denial - Anger - Bargaining - Guilt - Depression - Acceptance and Hope

Shock or Disbelief Jesus was telling the disciples that one of them would betray him and they were in shock and disbelief. This is when we just can't believe something is happening.

The Last Supper Matthew 26: 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Denial

Where we don't have to really believe anything bad could ever happen to us. The disciples were so much in denial that they went to sleep while Jesus was praying so hard his sweat became as drops of blood. But they were in lala land believing everything was OK. they didn't see the danger coming.

Matthew 26: Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c] 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Gethsemane 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Or we run to the 23rd Psalms. We feel safe and secure there. It's a good place to live in denial.

Psalm 23(KJV) 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Anger

Peter showed anger when he realized this it was true they were going to take Jesus and crucify him. Jesus showed anger in the Temple.

Matthew 26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d] Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Matthew 21:12-13(NIV) Jesus at the Temple 12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]”

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Bargaining One of the biggest case of Bargaining there is. And then there is a little denial thrown in when Lots wife turns around to look at Sodom and Gomorrah and turns in to a pillar of salt. Abraham begged and begged for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah to no avail.

20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” 22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.[d] 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare[e] the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?”He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it. 30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” 33 When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

Guilt We feel so much guilt. Guilt that were hurting our family. Guilt that our family is having to pick up the chores at home the we can't do anymore. We feel like burdens. We feel like we are financial and physical burdens. Judas let the guilt of his betrayal cause him to commit suicide. We can't let Guilt control us.

Matthew 27 (NIV) Judas Hangs Himself 27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”[a]

Depression This is where I seem to wallow. Depression. You want to crawl under the bed and never come out. You don't want to talk to anyone. Getting out of the chair is so hard. Concentration is just gone. I you find joy in nothing. You hurt all over, you never want to leave the house. Nothing seem to make you feel anything, except you kept jumping back up to Anger, Denial, Disbelief and Guilt. YOU feel like a bouncing ball from one emotion to the other. The Scripture I always fall back on for this is Psalms 69. If David a man after God's own heart could feel like this then I don't feel so bad when I feel like this.

Psalm 69(KJV)

69 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. 9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Acceptance and Hope

Why can't we have Hope. God sent his only begotten son to save us. We know how the story ends. We should have HOPE. Why can't we get there and stay there. it's because were just human. We want be perfect till we get to heaven. So look for HOPE. It's there, you just have to look. Grab hold of it and don't let go. But know we keep running back to guilt. Then Anger. Then the wonderful wonderful state of Denial. But Hope is such a wonderful wonderful word. Why Oh Why can't our human minds. Hold on to it. I hope you can find your Hope.

John 3:16-18 (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

HOPE

Revelation 21 (KJV) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

HOPE 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

HOPE

Romans 15:13(KJV)

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

HOPE

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV) 6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

HOPE

Romans 8:26-28 (KJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

HOPE

Jeremiah 1:(KJV) 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Perfect verse Failure

Perfection verses Failure

Perfection:  per·fec·tion

pərˈfekSH(ə)n/

noun

1. the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.

   "the satiny perfection of her skin"

   • a person or thing perceived as the embodiment of perfection.

     "I am told that she is perfection itself"

     synonyms:

     the ideal, a paragon, the ne plus ultra, a nonpareil, the crème de la crème, the last word,the ultimate, the best; More

   • the action or process of improving something until it is faultless or as faultless as possible.

     "among the key tasks was the perfection of new mechanisms of economic management"

     synonyms:

     improvement, betterment, refinement, refining,honing "the perfection of her technique" failure noun 1. an act or instance of failing or proving unsuccessful; lack of success: His effort ended in failure. The campaign was a failure. 2. nonperformance of something due, required, or expected: a failure to do what one has promised; a failure to appear. 3. a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency: the failure of crops. 4. deterioration or decay, especially of vigor, strength, etc.: The failure of her health made retirement necessary. 5. a condition of being bankrupt by reason of insolvency. 6. a becoming insolvent or bankrupt: the failure of a bank. 7. a person or thing that proves unsuccessful: He is a failure in his career. The cake is a failure.  Perfection verses Failure I am a Perfectionist. It's a horrible thing to be when your not perfect. Everyone knows I can't spell. This bothers me more than it could anyone else. When I look at the words dose and does, I have know clue which one is which. This is just a little example of what I live with. I like my girls have dyslexia. I hide mine. It has always made me feel like a failure. I can be writing some thing that has a d in it and will write a g every time. I don't know right from left. This is a true fact. I can't tell time looking at a clock with hands on it. Failure? I don't really think so, that's how God made me. Frustrating YES!!!!!!!!! I can't read instructions.Never have been able to, it has to have pictures, or I have to watch some one doing it. So when I discovered that YouTube had tutorials on it that showed step by step how to do most any task. I was so excited. This was made just for me. I have taken a computer apart and put a new hard drive in it. WOW. I just watched it on YouTube. I have been taught to crochet by YouTube tutorials. They're great. But I still struggle with making things perfect. Back at the first of the year I made an afghan called a drop in the pond for a new baby boy named Jonathan. I remade it 3 times. Because I just couldn't get it right. And this was the second one I had made. But it wasn't perfect and it was a gift and I don't want to give anyone anything that isn't my very very best or perfect. I finally achieved semi perfection and sent it by Rodney to the daddy of the baby. He was pleased I guess because he didn't know anything about crocheting. So why did I drive my self crazy. I have been working feverishly this year to get caught up on all the projects I had stated that I hadn't finished. This is a product of the depression I have been in, start a new project (maybe this one will lift my spirits) NOPE, didn't work. Just made me feel more over whelmed.  And I have still felt like a failure. It took me nearly 2 years from start to finish to complete a quilt for Anna. Felt like a failure. Now I have started the peppermint afghan for Christmas decoration, so pretty. And it dawned on me that We're getting a baby boy at our Church and we're all excited about the new life that will be joining us. It will be our precious Olivia's new baby brother. So I laid the peppermints down ( sorry LaDonna Campbell Koontz) and started a so soft blue baby afghan. It's crocked. Not just crocked, Chelsea's first Afghan crooked. That's bad. The story of my life. I'm sitting here trying to decide whether to start over. I'ts 3/4's done.  Then I found out that Shawn's sisters baby is due in October and not in December as I thought (Oh My Where Is MY Perfection Now). This will probably be my daughters, sister-in-law, in 5 or 10 years as fast as there moving....(sorry Chelsea had to poke the bear). So Perfection and Failure has been on my mind this morning.  With God we will never be perfect till we get to Heaven we need to strive of Perfection. But we need to understand we will Fail at times. And I'm talking about in out spiritual walk with Jesus. Jesus was the only one on earth was that was ever perfect. We don't need to beat our selves up, as I do when we don't complete a task perfectly for God. We need to ask him for help, open our hearts and let his guidance in that's the only way we will ever get near perfect on earth. Think of opening your heart to Jesus as me watching at YouTube tutorial. If you watch to the very end they will teach you exactly how you need to do a task perfectly. That's all we need to do with Jesus if we listen, open hearts and pay attention until the very end we will get as close to perfection as a fallen creation can. This gives me a little hope that maybe one day, I can at least crochet a straight side on a baby afghan. Think today how you can become a little closer to Jesus, that will make you a little closer to perfect. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Ecclesiastes 7: 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. John 17:  Jesus Prays for All Believers 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

54 years old

Well I am getting a year older. And I'm sad to say at this very moment I'm not so sure which number it is. Am I 54 today or was that what Rodney was in February. No I'm pretty sure he was 55 in February and that makes me 54 today. HUMMMMMM. 54 well if you add that together you get 9 or at least it did before common core, I'm not so sure now. That new math, hahahaha, I always wanted to say that, because that's what I heard in elementary school. I hope it still does equal 9. In my 54 years I have seen so many changes in technology(the world wide web). I remember being SAVED from my SINS by JESUS CHRIST at 8 years old. This is the best thing I ever did to make my life better. I remember when gas was 25 cents a gallon. I remember when I could go to the grocery store with $50 and get cash back and had a whole lot more in my basket than I even do today. I remember drinking cold cold water that was drawn from a well out of a metal dipper that everyone drank from, the best water ever. Getting a 10, 2, & 4 glass bottle Dr. Pepper at Blackmans grocery store.(now that was a huge treat) I sat in my living room and watched the first man walk on the moon. I sat and watched a president be impeached(didn't understand it but I watched) . Playing outside at night, with my sister and brother and cousins.( Ain't no bears out tonight). I remember saying I DO, to my precious Rodney in the pastors home and my wedding costing around $200, that was the meal at Catfish Cabin where we went after the ceremony. I remember when people cared more about the marriage they were entering into in the site of God, than a huge wedding that really means nothing if you don't include God. I've been married 34 years, and will hit 35 in December.(Poor Rodney) I remember weighing 122 pounds...lol...yeah that's hard to believe and I was the big one. I remember holding my first precious baby in my arms and crying because he looked like his granddaddy...lol...he is the only one who looks like me. I remember having my precious 2nd son and declaring that there would be NO more. And Rodney saying in the hospital we have a pair of boys we need a pair of girls. Nearly 5 years later God blessed us with that pair of girls. I remember being very very poor...with 4 babies, and them all sick and not knowing how I was going to pay for their medicine and getting a card from Church with 5 &20 dollar bills falling out of it. I still don't know where it came form but I am thankful that the person listened to God and hope they were blessed as much as I was. Keeping my sweet niece and nephew and a couple more little ones thrown in so that I could afford to stay home with my babies. I remember painting Miss Martha Originals Figurines to make ends meet and to be able to buy groceries. And I use this as a teaching point about sometimes you have to do things you don't want to so you can survive. I have a little figurine that I painted sitting on a shelf and at times I tell the kids "you know sometimes you just have to paint black people" and I mean no disrespect to anyone they were little black people figurines that were so cute and very popular in the 80's. I remember my time working at MMCS with fond memories, and wish I was still working there. I remember arguing with the doctor that I didn't have Myasthenia Gravis. And then arguing that I didn't have Asthma, Heart Disease, Sleep Apnea, Major Depression, and a whole lot of other things. I've had such a wonderful life. I remember day Leslie, Chelsea and Anna brought me my sweet Bitz who is my shadow, and my comfort on a lot of days. I remember the sweet sweet birth of all 3 of my grandbabies. And they are GRAND. I feel very blessed to have the friends I have now and all the friends I have had thru my life. I think so far I've had a pretty good 54 years(If it's 54, still not positive). I don't think i'll make another 54 years and the memories will probably start to fade. My short term memory is going and I ask for prayer for my family that have to deal with me. But I am so blessed, blessed beyond measure. I Thank God for my life and for my eternal life that's waiting for me when I leave this one. I hope I make a new memory today that I can remember...lol

Dry Bones

When I'm so tired, I say my bones are tired. That is the only way I can explain what I feel. Myasthenia Gravis is a evil Disease that takes all your energy, at times when you least expect it. But as you see in this scripture written to Israel, but it is very close to my heart. I know God can breathe life into my tired bones. If it be his will. I may never know why I have this cross to bare. But my cross is so much lighter than Jesus Christ's was. Mine is nothing compared to what Jesus did for me. I should never complain. But I'm human. So I read this scripture and it gives me hope. Your cross may be totally different than mine but just as troubling to your heart. Just know our God can take care of everything, in his time and in his will, He can raise dry bones. He can do anything. Love you all.

Ezekiel 37

Good News Translation (GNT)
The Valley of Dry Bones

37 I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones. 2 He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?” I replied, “Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that!” 4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord. 5 Tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life. 6 I will give you sinews and muscles, and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and bring you back to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” 7 So I prophesied as I had been told. While I was speaking, I heard a rattling noise, and the bones began to join together. 8 While I watched, the bones were covered with sinews and muscles, and then with skin. But there was no breath in the bodies. 9 God said to me, “Mortal man, prophesy to the wind.[a] Tell the wind that the Sovereign Lord commands it to come from every direction, to breathe into these dead bodies, and to bring them back to life.” 10 So I prophesied as I had been told. Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up. There were enough of them to form an army. 11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future. 12 So prophesy to my people Israel and tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am going to open their graves. I am going to take them out and bring them back to the land of Israel. 13 When I open the graves where my people are buried and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord. I have promised that I would do this—and I will. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

The Great Tie Quilt

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Do you ever try to take short cuts? I do it all of the time. I thank everyone for the kind words about the Tie Quilt top I have made for Kerry. We started this project 4-6 months ago, I'm not really sure because time seems to fly and I don't know where it's going. When she mentioned it I said and this is a quote "that should be pretty easy to do." This is a memorial and memory quilt for a Christmas gift. We had plenty of time. I pulled a Joshua and a procrastinated some, but I was hunting patterns while she was collecting ties. There was no pattern that I could find, I found plenty pictures but no pattern. She brought the ties and we laid them out in a Dresden Plate Design. It was beautiful laying on my floor. We discussed whether to take the ties apart. I said, " No I think we can do it without that". She had decided to have it machine quilted because of the bulk of the ties and the person she is giving this too, probably wouldn't know the difference between hand quilting and machine quilting. It was the ties that were precious( that is why I go so upset). So we cut the ties the length we thought they needed to be. And I got fabric from Laura's free fabric shop to Applique it on. I DON'T APPLIQUE. Judy Phillips Bowlin had come over and given me a lesson and some help with the little pillow case dresses I made. And I told Kerry we had to just get it mounted to the fabric enough that she could get it to the quilting shop. WRONG WRONG WRONG AND DO I NEED TO SAY ONE MORE TIME WRONG. I had the ties all laid out, the center figured and I pressed on this sticky stuff that was MAX STRENGTH to mount it on the back ground fabric. Guess what, it didn't stick. The ties were way to thick. And we had used both ends of the ties. And the way the sticky stuff went on the skinny end of the ties caused me great problems later on. I tried to take the short cut. I veered off the straight and narrow road. I was looking for the easy way out. I sat one night for a LONG LONG time and took all the ties apart. My goodness ties have a lot of junk in them. That is when I discovered I had RUINED half of the ties the small half, and had some problems with the big end of the tie. There was sticky stuff every where. I had to call Kerry and confess my sin, It was the sin of a short cut. She had to buy over 20 more ties from the thrift store. And boy, do thrift stores think a lot of there ties. Of course, to make things worse the week I had planned to make the top, I had a stomach virus and went strait into and upper respiratory infection. And was so sick and weak last week. God was telling me you should have taken those ties apart to start with, instead of taking a short cut. So I took the new ties apart, by now I am a pro at that. Had to make a pattern that would let me make a big circle with a small circle in the center in proportions. Geometry was not one of my strong skills. So when I went to cut the new ties, I discovered all I needed was the small end. (the ones I had destroyed with the sticky stuff). I have a whole bag of the big end that has been taken apart and pressed. Kerry might sell them to you, but remember the thrift store thought a lot of those ties. I got them sewn together and my proportions, of course were WRONG. So I made a center circle and guess what this short cutter did, I pressed it on with the sticky stuff. (Don't believe what you read, it will not bond ties to fabric. So I used enough of the sticky stuff to hold the whole thing down while I took it to the sewing machine. Zig Zagged the center on and thought the rest could be done by the person who is going to run it thru their quilting machine. Of course that didn't work. So I had to Zig Zag around the whole thing and it is pretty big, and all I have every appliqued is a flower and a heart on a tiny dress. So it took me about 45 minutes to get around the whole thing because I was going slow and trying to stay on the straight and narrow. So long story short. ( Yes I know your ready for this to end) I should have taken all the ties apart to begin with and not tried to cut corners. But we do this all the time in life we try to cut corners to get things done faster and usually end up having to start over and do it the right way in the end and how much time and worry would you have saved your self if you had just went ahead and took the long straight way to began with. Were that way with God, we get off of his path so easily looking for a short cut. Are you short cutting God. I am, I have to confess this is one of my sins. Any bright shinny thing will pull me off the path. Or I will see what looks like a great short cut only to find my self in mud up to my knees or in a briar patch. I thought this scripture really fit, this quilt top. Don't short cut God. Because it says in Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Watch your step. And stay on that straight path, the short cuts will KILL YOU. Love you all, Lisa

Lisa Freeman feeling blessed

Well here it is...it will be in a bag next to the door in the morning... Kerry Quinn when you make one of your many trips first thing carry it out and let's not speak of it again....and when you take it to be quilted promise me you want tell who made this mess...its not up to my standards but this is the best I could do... next time I say that should be easy ...just slap me .....just glad its done

They Will Come

OK, I'm going to suppose that everyone is familiar with the quote from the movie "Field of Dreams"..."Build it and they will come" To me is was a little bit of a silly movie with "James Earl Jones" and "Kevin Costner". It was heart warming too. The reason I bring this movie up is the 'build and they will come". Ever since Logan has been born, if he is at the house we have a lot of company. I love company. I love the chaos of my house when all my youngins are here. I have always loved when we have Logan. And have always said, if Logan is here "they will come". LOL lots of good company to see our sweet boy. We just all sit and watch him play. Kind of silly and heart warming too. It makes my heart warm and happy when he is in the house. So now we have 2 grandbabies. Logan and our new precious Carter. Well I haven't slept, I was awake off and on all night. Carter is coming for a visit today and I can't wait. Everyone knows how sick I have been since the first weekend in February. Carter was born February 24th, and I haven't gotten to spend very much time with him. Not like I did when Logan was born. I just have been too sick to be around a new baby as much as I wanted. So today while he is here "THEY WILL COME". I have alerted everyone that he will be here today. So I look to have a lot of company, a lot of laughter and silliness in my home today. I just hope I get to snoodle his little head a little. Oh he smells so good, just like a baby. That is such a comforting thing. And to tell the truth I need a little comfort for my heart. So we will be having a happy fun day at our house, with our sweet Carter.

I've said all of this to make another point this morning. You know I told you how excited I am. That I couldn't sleep last night because of the excitement. Do I get that excited about the thought that "Jesus" is going to come back to earth. Am I prepared for Jesus. Have I done all the little things that need to be done for him to come visit. And why does my heart need comforting when I have him with me all the time. I am excited that he is with me, I don't have to wait on him to come he is here. Just waiting for me to say "Jesus, I need you, please give me comfort and peace in my heart." It is that easy. Why do I fail to bring him with me every where I go. And let him take care of me in a way no one on earth can. Imagine the peace of rocking a tiny baby. Imagine the excitement and happiness of every one that comes to see him today. You know we could have that every second of every day, if we just ask Jesus to be with us and he will give peace and comfort. I hope I can do better about keeping the excitement and peace and joy that only comes from Jesus Christ our Savoir. Think about all the joy from a baby. Then think of the joy we should get from knowing Jesus. I am so guilty of trying to carry everything my self. I'm going to try to do better about letting Jesus, be the comforting friend that I need every minute of every day. If we treated friends and family like we do Jesus, they wouldn't put up with us for very long. So this morning I'm excited that Jesus lives in my heart and that he has given me one more day to let people know, who he is in my life. Love you all your sister in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 18:32-36 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

John 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Matthew 11:25-30 (KJV)
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.