He Loves Me!

I love Him because He first loved me! I cannot comprehend His Love but I am so glad He Loves Me! Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." This scripture means so much to me. Several years ago I was going through a trial and had no idea what to do. It seemed that I was weighed down and this trial was consuming me. I prayed and prayed and could get no peace. I read the Word but just could not latch on to anything. One morning in my devotion I was all alone. I took my Bible and went before the Lord. I remember praying outloud and saying "Lord, this is your Word and I know there is an answer for every situation found here. Please help me~give me an answer~I can't bare this without your help."

You know those dark days that come in a Christians life? We are all alone not knowing which way to go or what to do! Not wanting to do the wrong thing~we do nothing but carry on. That particular morning after praying for awhile I opened the Bible and was reading in Jeremiah. I guess that's where I was in my Bible Reading. I read down to about the 15th verse when suddenly I felt impressed to stop and go back. I realized that I did not know a word I read. I started Chapter 31 over and verse3 stood out like it was outlined. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with tender mercies have I drawn thee." He loves me and there's more! His love is everlasting. I started dwelling on His Love and before I knew it I was weeping and thanking and praising Him for His love. I don't know how long I was in His presense~I just know His Sweet Presense was there. Suddenly I realized I had forgotten all about the heavy load~I was just bathing in His Presense. Did I get an answer to my problem? No~ but He loves me~Did I know what to do? No~but He loves me! I knew that He was all I needed. The load that I was carrying suddenly became lighter and I knew I could trust His Love. His Everlasting Love! Just to think that He loves even me. Nothing, nobody~I was reminded of this scripture Sunday Night in church as a couple was singing a song. "Nothing but a speck of dust, but He loves me." I had never heard that song before but it touched me.

I want to begin the New Year remembering some things. His Love, His Tender Mercies that are new every day, His way of answering prayer. I am amazed at how the Lord answers prayer. Sometimes we come to Him with a problem and go our way just knowing how He will have to work to solve this particular problem! May I say, He never works like I thought He would. He works in His time and in His way and I am always amazed. I want to remember that I can't even walk without Him holding my Hand.

I have no idea what 2009 may bring. It may bring heart ache, it may bring sorrow, it may bring sickness ~ But it may be this very year the Lord will come. Until then we must carry on and not give up the battle. Just remember He Loves you and me with an Everlasting Love, a Love that will not let go. Go in His Love and be a blessing to someone.

Have a blessed and Happy New Year! I will talk to you next year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all of you out there in blog land. It was indeed my privilege to get to know some of you. Your blogs have made me laugh and some have made me cry. You have help share some of my burdens and I have prayed for many of you.

As we enjoy the day with love ones and friends ~ let's don't forget the true meaning of Christmas. Share the message if opportunity affords.

I came across this poem: It is not original~ but the author is unknown.

THAT NIGHT

That night when in the Judean skies

The mystic star dispensed it's light

A blind man moved in his sleep ~

And dreamed that he had sight.

That night when shepherds heard the song

Of hosts angelic choiring near,

A deaf man stirred in slumber's spell ~

And dreamed that he could hear.

That night when o'er the newborn Babe,

The tender Mary rose to lean,

A loathsome leper smiled in sleep ~

And dreamed that he was clean.

That night when in the cattle stall

Slept Child and mother cheek by jowl,

A cripple turned his twisted limbs ~

And dreamed that he was whole.

That night when to the mother's breast

The little King was held secure,

A harlot slept a happy sleep~

And dreamed that she was pure!

That night when in the manger lay

The Sanctified who came to save,

A man moved in the sleep of death ~

And dreamed there was no grave.

We don't really know all that went on in that Bethlehem's manger that night ~ but I am so glad that I know Jesus. King of King and Lord of Lords! I ask myself what I could give Him this Christmas. A gift that would make a difference. What can you give One Who touched blinded eyes and made them see, touched the deaf ears and made them hear, touched lepers and made them clean, touch cripple limbs and made them whole, touched the heart of a harlot and made her pure, touched the dead and they were alive again. Such a Great God!

My prayer has been: "Lord let me touch one soul and lead them to Bethlehems manger where the Christ Child was, and lead them on to Calvary where that same Jesus shed His Blood that we might be saved."

That Blood was Precious Blood! I'm so thankful that it has been applied to my heart. I just feel like breaking out into song:

Oh, come let us adore Him

Oh, come let us adore Him,

Oh come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord!

HAVE A BLESSED AND JOYOUS CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

MY DAD

It has been 20 years ago today that the Lord saw fit to call Dad home. The day started out like any other for him. Or so we thought! Dad always got up around 2:30 am. As far back as I can remember. He made coffee and would sit and read his Bible. Then he would go to the car wash that was owned by my brother. He had retired but had to do something. His job was to check the car wash and make sure everything was in order for the day.

We lived across town. About 3 am we received a call from my brother telling me to get to Mother. Dad had been shot. We rushed and got dressed and could be there in 10 minutes but for some reason we were held up by a train. We got there and my brother was already there. I knew then that Dad was gone. My heart felt like a heavy weight. We made phone calls to the other members of the family. Seems like I was in a dream or I suppose more like a nightmare and I would soon awake and find it was not true. But in reality it was true. As we were with Mother we noticed that he had not made coffee that morning. No coffee? He always made coffee. Mother did not get up that early and she did not hear him leave.

Some how I feel that Dad might have had a preminition that it was his time to go. We got all the plans made on the 24th and on Christmas Day 1988 we said our goodbyes at the cemetery. I still could not cry. Of course this made headlines, front page. We got through that because we were in shock. The suspect was picked up after a chase down the interstate. He took Dad's car and left after he dragged Dad back into the canes by a little creek. The trial would come up and was put off. This went on for almost seven years. Finally in 1995

the man was sentenced.

We don't know the reason why and may never know while we are on this earth but some day in the near future we may ask the reason why or we may not. I can't imagine what heaven is going to be like. I just know that we will see our love ones again.

It took me a long time to be able to give vent to any feeling. I could not cry for weeks. I was hurting inside. Every time I went to town I would not look at the car wash. Finally about six months afterwards~with the Lord's help I went to the canes and walked down by the little creek where Dad was found. While there the Lord gave me peace that I needed and I started healing. It was a slow process because of the circumstances. But one day I realized that when I thought about Dad it was a pleasant memory.

We all deal with grief in different ways and I had to find the way that was best for me. With the Lord's help ~ we got through.

I have a lot of good memories that had been stored in my mind.

Why am I writing this at this particular time? I don't really know except I just felt something tugging inside. Maybe some will be grieving this Christmas. If so, I just want to tell you God's grace is sufficient. I have been ask how I handle Christmas? Well, Dad may not be here physically but he is in our hearts. I have written several things about Dad so I won't go into more right now. But I will tell you that I don't grieve for him. But my heart does grieve for those that have no hope. My heart aches for my children that are not minding God, my heart aches for those that don't know the Savior who was born on this particular day to fulfill His mission on earth and make it possible for us to be forgiven and go to heaven. Someday we will know all the answers~ but until then the memories linger and are precious.

CHRISTMAS SALAD

I thought I would give you this recipe that Mom made for years at Christmas. It was a tradition that was passed down.

I really wish I had a bowl to show you but I won't make it until Christmas Eve.

You use a clear bowl so the red, white and green will show through.

Three Layer Jello Salad

1st Layer (Green)

1 box Lime Jello ~Mix with 1 cup hot water.

Drain #2 can crushed pineapple (Save Juice)

Mix pineapple and 1 cup pineapple juice into Jello.

Let sit in Fridge until jelled

Middle layer is White

1 pk. Lemon Jello mixed with 1 cup hot water

Soften 8oz. cream cheese and put in hot jello mixture

Add 2 cups Cool Whip , add to jello and mix.

Pour on top of 1st layer and put in Fridge until jelled

Top layer is RED

2 Boxes Cherry jello

Follow directions on box

Pour on top of 2nd layer and let it jell

Put 1/2 finally chopped nuts on top

It is really festive and pretty and good. Don't just serve from top. Get all three layers in one serving.

LIGHT HOUSE

Okay, you ask for more! That lighthouse is sitting on land and the ship is on water. So you figure it out. It looks like a Barber Sign to me, but never the lessI told you painting was not my thing. That little bow at the end of the sail boat is rope. Must have had a wreck! This is for your imagination! What ever you see is what it is. Let me know what you come up with. At least the birds are cute. Didn't see them? Look up! Happy Figuring Out!

Bistro Shop

Now, isn't that a beautiful piece of art? I know - you are thinking -What child did that? Don't you dare laugh! It's 2 am and I could not sleep. That, my friend, is my bistro shop! The chairs may be wobbly and the table crooked - but it is mine! The table is in need of repair but that's okay. If I want to eat on a table, even though it might fall, well, it's my table! At least I tried! Painting is not my thing but it looks as good as some of the modern art. Have you ever just look at a picture in a doctor's ofice or somewhere else and wondered what in the world it was? I looked at one the other day. It looked like a fish just outlined way down in the bottom corner.. Maybe! There were blue splashes and yellow splashes! Somewhere in there bound to have been something that would catch your eye. But I never did find it. I came home and said I can splash paint and dab little white specks in it and maybe put a little black silholette in it and make a fortune. But I just haven't had the time to make my fortune. I really would like to know, though, what the artist was painting. I look at my little bistro shop and thought - if it was all straight and perfect it would not be me. Definitely not! Try figuring out some of this modern art and when you have it figured out please let me know! What is it and what does it mean? Maybe I just don't have appreciation for all the modern stuff! If I wasn't so tired You would not have seen my little bistro shop. I don't usually show anything that I painted. In case you are wondering - the picture is sitting in a rocking chair! It does not hang in my living room. Right now I could not tell you where it is. But the more I look at my little bistro shop - the cuter it is. Maybe it is because of the imperfections. Now that I think of it - maybe that painting in the doctor's shop was called Imperfection. That way you can do any thing on canvas and sell it for a fortune. Wanna try it? You might get rich!

Snow Day

I know I am late with a post, but we really had a busy week. We also had snow on the ground for three days. It was called Sneaux Day! (Snow Day). It was really beautiful for us to see, but oh, the aftermath. We have never seem so much snow. You that have a lot of snow will probably think we southerners are nuts, but snow is a very rare occassion in south Louisiana. Me thinks me would rather have rain. It drains off and is gone in a day, but snow lingers. We drove the second day after the big sneax. It was all over. The roadways were opened, but we were without electricity for a day. Some areas are still out. Good thing we had a fireplace to keep us warm. There is always something to be thankful for even when storms come. Whether hurricane or snow. We thought it was nice for the kids and my big kid (hubby) got out in it but I stayed in. Just looked out the door and took pictures from the back porch.

Well, life goes on now that we had our our lifetime snow! It is back in the 70's today. I see the pictures of some of the blizzards up north and all they have to face. For them we need to pray. I don't really have a lot of time, need to get ready for church. I'll get going again on my post just in case you passed by.

We had our two grandaughters over yesterday and they were in a candy making mood. Two grandaughters, three kids and two men. Flour, powered sugar, recipes, chocolate chips, kids licking spoons. Quite an affair! A messy kitchen and we were all a sight. I need to downlaod those pictures. This is the first time we had ever gotten to do this together. I enjoyed it - but this Grandma was plenty tired when they left. I took a break ever so often and tried to read to the kids. Wasn't really in the mood for reading, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. whatever that is suppose to mean! I think it meant I was tired and needed a rest - so it was convienent to read to the kids.

GOODS NEWS

Since I had ask you to pray for me I thought I had better at least thank you for your prayers. I wentback to the Rhemotologist Thursday. Went at 12:30 since my appointment was a 1 P.M. I usually have to wait an hour or so. This was only my second time to go to him and my last. I was 4 P.M. getting to the back with one patient ahead of me. At least that is what the nurse told me! so we waited and waited. I was so frustrated that I told my husband if the doctor was not in that room by 5 P.M. I was leaving. He was almost fit to be tied himself. Well, the doctor came in at exactly 5 P.M. He went over the reports with us. Now, remember he had already made a diagnoses of Sjogrens Sydrome. But with all the test and symptoms - well, I'll just go like he did. "You know, rheumotology is one of the hardest fields to be in. Some times things point in one direction and then the test points to something else. The good news is -you don't have anything serious. Your muscles have a little inflamation in them and your lungs have a little inflamation. Other than that and the dry mouth and lips I don't see anything. Your lung function test if good." He wanted to put me on steroids. I also had a lot of congestion and he thought I needed a shot and anti-biotic. Guess he thought he needed to do something. I have decided if nothing is too serious - that Iwill not take the steroids. I feel my changes with the Lord helping me is far better than what he offered. He still wants to call it sjogrens in the making. I got to thinking - he had to diagnose something because the insurance won't pay with out a diagnosis. Anyway, should I have to go to another rheumotologist - it will be closer to home. But the good Lord willing, I have no plans of going. I will just deal with my primary care who is also an internist. Right now, I just feel I'm in slow motion - but hopefully next week I can put all this behind me and go christmas shopping. I love to go but not when I feel bad. I know the Lord has been so good. I look around and see so much sorrow and heartaches that I almost feel guilty of mentioning all this. But it did make me feel better to know you were praying for me. thanks so much. Be sure and drop by KJVblogs.blogspot.com You might miss something if you don't. This is a branch off deborah's blog lyricdevotions.com. You will find different writers and some good stuff at both sights. Take time to listen to Deborah's songs. They will bless your heart.

OUR REFUGE

Just a little note of praise this morning! I know some of you have been praying for Mom. She had a mini stroke and several minor things - but she is home from the hospital. My sister is with her this week. How the Lord is going to work this out - we don't know yet. She cannot stay by herself anymore -I feel sure she will need someone around the clock. Keep praying for her.

I have to go back Thursday to see the Rheumotologist. Need to find out what was in the 12 viels of blood they drew! Also the MRI report and the lung function test. I am feeling better except for my dry lips. Just praying that all of this is something that will pass. But for this moment I am fine.

I found this poem by Annie Johnson Flint.

THIS MOMENT

He's helping me now -- this moment,

Though I may not see it or hear,

Perhaps by a friend far distant,

Perhaps by a stranger near,

Perhaps by a spoken message,

Perhaps by the printed Word;

In ways that I know and know not,

I have the help of the Lord.

He's keeping me now -- this moment,

However I need it most,

Perhaps by a single angel,

Perhaps by a mighty host.

Perhaps by the chain that frets me,

Or the walls that shut me in;

In ways that I know and know not,

He keeps me from harm and sin.

He's guiding me now -- this moment,

In pathways easy or hard,

Perhaps by a door wide open,

Perhaps by a door fast barred.

Perhaps by a joy with holden,

Perhaps by a gladness given,

In ways that I know and know not,

He's leading me up to Heaven.

He's using me now -- this moment,

And whether I go or stand,

Perhaps by a plan accomplished,

Perhaps when He stays my hnad,

Perhaps by a word in season,

Perhaps by a silent prayer,

In ways that I know and know not,

His labor of love I share.