Memorial Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

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Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

"1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live."

Our Lord reminds us of our goal in these verses. In verse 1, the Bible states there is a time for everything which reminds us we all have a purpose. We may have different purposes at different times and may not clearly see one but it is still there. In verse 12, her reminds us that we all have one main goal...DO GOOD!

I was talking with a friend this week about how life takes us in directions that we never foresee. We said that sometimes it seems like the worst thing in the world. My friend brought up this reference in Eccelesiastes. God has a plan for us all even if we can't see it or it's not what we thought it would be. As we look at our lives remember Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

SORRY!

The past few months have been very hectic for us. We reported in November that my mother had broken her hip. We took her to my home when she was released from rehab. She is doing great but LuAnn and I have been very busy taking care of her. We missed blogging during all of the holidays. I apologize but we will try to do better in the coming weeks.

THANKSGIVING

Giving thanks is a lesson that we are taught from childhood. Our parents remind us to say "thank you" after receiving a gift. As I said my prayers at night, I said thank you for every stuffed animal I had named. As adults, we sometimes forget that innocence, that everything is a blessing and a gift.
Mark 10:14-16 (NASB)
But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." And He took them in His arms and began blessing them...
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement concerning my Granny. She is doing better. She has a long road ahead of her but with God and prayer all things are possible.
This Thanksgiving as you are with family and friends say thank you for each one for they are a blessing from God. My Granny and my family definitely are. I say thank you for this blessing everyday and especially today.

Yet Again...

Well, It happened again yesterday. For those of you who remember, last year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving I fell and broke my kneecap...chaos insued. I turned out well and I am walking great. Yesterday, as all of my family was leaving for church we received a call... my 93 yr. old Granny had fallen going into church. She was rushed to the emergency room and is now at Baptist West awaiting surgery for a broken hip. As you can imagine, the entire family is a little bit shaken up. We are all praying this turns out well. My Granny hasn't been overnite in a hospital in 51 yrs. Her sixth child was born at that time. Today as you say your prayers and count your blessings would you please add my Granny? She needs your prayers and is definitely a blessing to all of us.

LAZARUS COMES TO LIFE

A couple of weeks ago we learned the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Afterwards the kids made their own "Lazarus".

THE VOICE OF A SAVIOR

When you listen to the music you will understand the video.

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PRAYER

I know it has been a long time since a post has been added. I apologize. I don't think we knew how to follow the story of Allene. Prayer seems fitting.

We teach children that prayer is simply talking to God. How do we as adults forget that? We try to add flowery language. God wants our heart...simple and honest.

He is our father! Our earthly fathers should show us the attributes of our heavenly father. I've always said I have the best father in the world. My dad (Richard) loves me no matter what. He may not agree with me (which he tells me) but he loves me. He protects me. My dad would put me in a bubble just to keep me from pain. I believe our heavenly father is like this. He wants the best for us. All we need to do is trust him.

To talk to our heavenly father we need to pray. Talk to Him just as we would our earthly father. He wants that close personal relationship with each of us. As my Granny says, "Your heart grows with each child." He must have a huge heart because He has A LOT of children.(lol)

I remember as a small child that I had a friend sleep over. She crawled into bed ready to sleep. I had a conniption. I had always been taught that before bed you have to say your prayers. To this day I still say a prayer before going to sleep. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Let's try to teach children how important prayer is to our lives. Tell them, but most importantly...show them.

Thanks Mom & Dad

LuAnn