Anniversaries....Inventories....Changing

Yesterday I got a text on my phone from my husband. It simply said:


"Today is my three-year anniversary."


Obviously a day of impact. He remembered. He noted. He shared it with others in the family.


On September 29, 2006, my husband was "let go" from his job of over 20 years. And what a journey it had been. That's another whole story. But for yesterday, it was a marker....an anniversary. I honestly admit I did not remember the exact date.


(note to self - don't hold it against him ever again if our wedding anniversary date slips his mind temporarily - a day of the biggest proportions - for women...) This was big to him but I did not remember the day.


I do remember being in the parking lot of a church dropping off my oldest son for football practice, and getting the phone call. He asked me if I was driving or stopped at the moment, - (stopped in the parking lot). He then relayed to me that he was being let go - immediately. (as in desk cleared out tomorrow morning, company truck turned in, escorted out of the building, all security ID passage rights removed from the building entries. What did we do???? We prayed and asked God's will to work for our best, and began to trust..... more....


Can't think of anything more appropriate we could have done than just that, as we were beginning a very unfamiliar, rough and emotionally tumultuous journey that day, and we were going to need to hold on very tightly to God to survive and be sustained.


Fast forward three years, to a text on my phone - yesterday. It made me ponder many things.


I was taking a self-inventory. Just for myself...about myself. Over the course of this journey, what have I learned? What has God taught me? How have I changed? Where am I still being stretched?



Am I a stronger woman of God because of all of this?


Am I a more supporting wife because of all that's happened?


Am I a better mom because of all the trials?


Am I an all-around changing, thriving, ever-growing warrior for God's kingdom because of what God has allowed in our family?


What do I see that I am so grateful for?


What do I see that I want to change for the better?


What do I know now....that I didn't know then?


Have we "arrived" yet? Are we at the end of this journey...on the threshold of another?

Is being on the particular path of a journey not of our choosing, just a little sidepath in life, waiting to get back on the "normal" main road of life.... or is it just another part of a rough terrain on the same path we have walked since we began our new walk in Christ Jesus ...on this earth?

I believe that God is always moving us from Point A - new birth, new life in Jesus Christ to Point B - completed life in Eternity with Jesus Christ. And that arrival at Point B is not nearly what He is focused on, as it is secured, it is a given in God's mind. It is the journey between Points A and B. How we walked. How we travelled. How we changed. How we looked to Him and looked for Him every day. Whether we gave it our all for Christ our Savior. Whether we ended up at the foot of the cross at the end of a tough day...a tough week... a tough month, every time. Alway coming back. Always walking, running, stumbling, crawling... whatever it took to get back to that homebase, to get the hope and faith and strength we needed to keep on.....keep on....moving towards Point B. Living for Christ. Dying to self. Trusting in God the Father and His love. Knowing that nothing rained down on us that had not first been lovingly sifted through His fingers. For Our Best.


This is what I pondered yesterday. This is my reality...in my heart. My head sometimes wrestles with my heart. I know what I see in the tangibles. The physical world I have to remain in and live in and deal with. But then, my heart and its security in the love of my God, resting in all that HE has revealed to me in His word, all that HE has shown to me in my spirit, all that HE has grown in me by His love and His work. That.....TRUMPS everything that my head tries to defeat me with.


And at the end of the day.....at the foot of the cross.... I revel in that. I remember. I take note.



And I share with others. Today. In this post.


An anniversary.


An Inventory.


Another day of change.


Rejoicing amidst the joys, the trials, the moments of life as we journey through this world ...most gladly.

God has created everyone of us with a unique purpose that only we can fulfill for Him, and His grace will see us through, and He will be waiting at the end of the journey to say..."Well done, good and faithful servant."




"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. " (II Corinthians 12:9)

Blessings as you walk your journey today,

Julie

The Beautiful Green Gables...

Does this favorite make anybody elses list of Top Ten Productions of all Time????
Absolutely one of my favorites. Thinking I will be watching all of it again very shortly. ..... weekend marathon, anyone?

Joining Susan @ Metamorphosis Monday in a different sort of way. The changing of a young inpetuous hot-headed red-haired little girl into a strong and beautiful woman.
Hopefully the clip below will inspire you to watch a really great movie once again.



http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/09/welcome-to-37th-metamorphosis-monday.html



Have fun.

Julie :-)

The Glory of God

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."
C.S. Lewis




The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Sunday Blessings.

You Are...

God, You are:

The answer to everything.
I only have to ask.
The reason for everything.
I only have to believe.
The hope in everything.
I only have to keep the faith.
The strength supporting everything.
I only have to hang on.
The power controlling everything.
I only have to be still and wait.
The love surrounding everything.
I only have to humbly accept.

YOU ARE.

This I proclaim today. It is what I rest on. This is what I live for.
In the face of all that would defy Your presence and Your plan....I stand. Firm.



Thank you Lord for choosing me. May I be pleasing in your sight today.

Are you Restless....or Resting?

Today's post is simply an inspiration from my son who just returned from a weekend retreat with our church's High School youth. He and his older brother (who went as a leader this year) said that it was one of the best retreats ever. The theme of the trip was "Restless"....based on the quote by St. Augustine.

"Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee." St. Augustine

I looked up this Saint and found the following quote:

I was greatly disturbed in spirit, angry at myself with a turbulent indignation because I had not entered thy will and covenant, O my God, while all my bones cried out to me to enter, extolling it to the skies. The way therein is not by ships or chariots or feet--indeed it was not as far as I had come from the house to the place where we were seated. For to go along that road and indeed to reach the goal is nothing else but the will to go. But it must be a strong and single will, not staggering and swaying about this way and that--a changeable, twisting, fluctuating will, wrestling with itself while one part falls as another rises. (Confessions, Book VIII.8.19)

How many times do I find myself restless by the end of the day? How many moments occur in my walk each week where I feel that something inside nudging me, "my bones were crying out to me"... but I had not "entered",- had not mustered up the intentional and strong, focused will to follow after that conviction? And there I was, heart restless....at the end of the day? ...very much feeling that pain of my heart crying that I had missed out, wrestled with my inner will and now found myself wanting?...

We fight with our inner selves so often... with that "changeable, twisting, fluctuating will." We turn to other things of this world to be satisfied. We pursue after the things that we think will bring satisfaction and happiness, and we fight with our inner man who whispers to us to enter into the "will and covenant" of God, and to find rest. Our hearts never cease to be restless as long as we struggle....for we "stagger and sway" as we strive too hard and run in the wrong directions, knowing that we are ignoring the inner voice that is telling us the truth.

The following song was one of the musical selections that was played at the retreat.
It is beautifully sung by Chris Sligh, one of the previous finalists from American Idol. The song communicates to all of us what the vital step is in order to follow hard after God. Not after things. Not after fame or success. Not after knowledge and acknowledgement. Most of all...not striving after the things that we would tell ourselves are the answers.

We have to empty ourselves.

"Empty me of ALL of me." In order to be totally filled with God, there can NOT be any of ME left in there to cause even a measure of restlessness. Listen to the song. Be moved to follow after your God with a "strong and single will." Get rid of your restlessness today. Find your rest in the One who desires to see your striving cease as you let His will and covenant fill you up.

Blessings Today.
Julie

He Will Cover You With His Feathers..

"And I say, 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest." Psalm 55:6-8

There are so many verses in the Bible about the wings of birds.

It mentions that we can rise up and soar high as on the wings of an eagle (Isaiah 40)



The Psalms have numerous references to hiding, or finding shelter and refuge in the shadow of God's wings.




Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore. William Cushing


When life's daily little tempests or raging storms seem to be overtaking, we always have a place to run to. The Lord our God, our Father awaits with His wings outstretched to offer shelter, safe haven, rest, security and peace. He is our Rock, and our Refuge. This God is our God. Know where to run. And maybe one day...we will fly. :-)

Blessings in the shadow of His wings.

Julie

Are you willing?.....Are you ready?..

God wants to use you.

Everyday, all around you there are opportunities awaiting.

Everyday, all around you there are people seeking...hoping...praying.

Everyday, all around you there are small miracles in the making.

~~~~~~

How about you?

Are you ready to be used by the God of Heaven and earth?

With God's grace and the Holy Spirit's power within you, are you an agent HE will use today to be an answer to someone's prayer and plea for hope and encouragement?

Holy is the Lord. He deserves all the honor and glory we can give.

Will you have the courage to walk into His presence this day, in prayer, and give yourself to Him... to be used by Him...and have an impact on this world, one person at a time...for Him?

Become a part of God's everyday miracles, as He touches the lives of so many - through the willing servants committed to the One who sits on Heaven's mercy seat.

There is nothing so powerful as a heart willing to serve wielded in the hands of our Mighty God.

Worthy Is the Lamb who was slain.

Blessings!

Julie

Dedicated to my Marine.....

I am just following up on my post from yesterday....remembering 9-11 eight years ago.
Thinking of all of our troops and all that has been asked of them in as many years.
I am thankful for every single one of them. They are brave. They are strong. They are true to their calling. They defend and die for what they believe in.

I love all of my children God has blessed me with. I am grateful that they all know Him and will know the calling He has given to them when the time comes.
Each of them has a purpose in this life that only they can fulfill because God designed it specifically for them.

This post and the video below is dedicated to my Marine son today, and all the young men and women who have and are sacrificing in order to serve. They deserve all of the respect and honor and gratitude we can give them.

Because we DISlike or DISagree with war, let us be careful not to DIShonor, DISrespect, DISregard, DISdain, DISapprove, DISconnect, DIScourage, DIScriminate, or DISgrace these honorable people.


DO NOT "DIS" the very ones that protect and watch out for you.

They need to know that America backs them and supports them 150%. Don't let the media tell them otherwise.

Pray for them. Thank them. Shake their hands. SHOW THEM....

In honor of Justin.... and the so many others who have served and are home, who are serving today, and who will serve in the coming years.
God bless them and bring them home. God Bless the USA.

Courage Lives On...

Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”



Today is September 11, 2009. Has it really been 8 years?

Many people say that Americans have forgotten what it was like that day. They have forgotten the trauma, the disbelief, the shock of what happened to our country as militant terrorists proceeded to carry out a plan to disrupt and destroy the peace and stability of our nation.

Have we forgotten? I don't think so. I believe that over time we become seared. We live in a society and culture that models and preaches service to self.

I believe that it is only when we lift our eyes up to our Lord, and rise above the radar line of this realm and its everyday events, and ask for God's eyes to see what HE sees... that we will never forget, not get seared, and stay alert and ready for what God has called us to carry out in this world.

Today I am pondering that day back on September 11, 2001 more than ever. I find myself in the ranks of a group of moms that is growing rapidly! "Marine Mom."
And also many other "Military Moms." Our sons and daughters have stepped up and answered a calling or a desire from deep within to go out and serve their country.



God bless our military people. God protect all of our servicemen, policemen, firemen, the first responders to all traumas and tragedies that do occur in our world. God keep them and empower them to remember their duty and their calling. To protect the innocent, to fight and conquer the evil, and to preserve the justice and freedoms that are ordained by God the Creator and Sustainer of all life. May they have righteous hearts that strive to serve God in their very honorable and yet very aggressive calling. Pray for them. Thank God for them.

They are our sentinels at the gate, they are the night watchmen, they are the warriors that keep us safe. Stand firm with our military persons. We may not like war, and we may not support all of the reasons these men and women are sent out, but we MUST support their sacrifices, their willingness to go and do what others will not. They have answered the call.

What will be our part??? Today is a memorable part of America's history. It is a sad day.
But it was a wake-up call. Don't be caught slumbering again because you have become seared, dulled to what is always possible. God help us. May it never happen again.
May our Marines, soldiers and sailors be kept in His hand and brought back home to the land they love and would die for.



If you see a First Responder today, or a Military person, thank them. It's the small things in life that sometimes mean the most to these people.

I LOVE MY HONORABLE MARINE. God bless him and keep him in the palm of HIS hand.


Remembering the lives of those who were killed on this day.

A Merry Heart....

"He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15b)

Today...this verse appeared in my daily Scripture Snippet.(to the right) What a very small statement, yet how LARGE is the message. The book of Proverbs is full of these mini-messages that pack a truth about our life here on earth.

Merry
One online definition said:

Full of high-spirited gaiety; jolly.
Marked by or offering fun; festive:


Another offered this:
cheerful
uninhibited and innocent joy

a merry heart.... a "spirit" of happiness, carefree, seemingly free of worries.

Has A Continual Feast....a never-ending, "doesn't run out" setting placed before one to fill up on.

What is the HUGE message in this little verse?

When I am kneeling before my Lord, lifting my hands up...giving away all that would keep my heart from being "merry" this day, becoming innocent to all that would seek to darken my day, cloud my thoughts, and cover my light...He reaches down and takes it away, as He has promised. And in it's place He sets a "feast" to give me the joy that consistently feeds my spirit all day. Why? Because I have given all to Him. I have released the cares, relented my tendency to hold on and try to "fix", and there is no anxiety...no fear, because I am given a merry heart. Once again, I know....that my Heavenly Father, whose banner over me is love...will handle everything and make it work for my best, and I can rest....and feast.

Is your heart merry today? Is your spirit feasting on all God would give you? Are you filled up so that you can share and invite others to this continuous feast?

He waits.... The One Who holds everything and owns everything desires to give you that merry heart.



God is good. All the time. Yes..He is good.

Going to see my Marine. Blessings!

Wordless Wednesday - Outdoor Wednesdays - White Wednesdays

Sharing with others on Wordless Wednesday here:

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/


and Outdoor Wednesdays with Susan here:
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/




and joining in just for fun the theme of White Wednesdays hosted by
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

now deserted chicken coop



"White Christmas" hosta



Join in....Got any wordless...outdoor....white...inspirations???

Happy Fall Days.

Oh No.... You NEVER Let Go!! Praise GOD!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?


Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You.

Praise God!

Soon, Woobie....Soon!

Today, Justin is coming home for Labor Day holiday.
Someone is watching and waiting...patiently.

Gideon is curious about what Woobie is looking at.... there's nothing out there!!!


Maybe if I look out a different window....?


I'll wait outside...that's even better!


What if he got lost??!!!


whew...think I'll rest a while...this is taking forever..


arooooooh...I almost forgot my camo hat! oooo-rah!




Master Obi-Justin!!!
Yes, I'm back again, little Padawan Woobie.


Don't you just love Happy Endings? :-) Woobie does...

Happy Labor Day Weekend with your loved ones.

....but I will remember You

As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?


Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.

I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.


Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

Wordless Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesdays

Sharing with others on Wordless Wednesday here:

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/


and Outdoor Wednesdays with Susan here:
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/





This weekend brought cooler temperatures!! This morning when I went out on the deck, it was 60 degrees. It felt glorious. The dogs are loving it as well.
It speaks of the change of seasons fast approaching. Enjoy these previews of what's on the way....Hope it makes you smile.








Annie Grace In Memory







Sam In Memory

Looking Forward To the Autumn season....Looking Back at Treasured Moments
a personal entry into my e-blog journalling. :-)


Katie and Justin - Lake Lure


"Kat and Hogie" - Our beautiful corner.


Leaf Patrol - At ease little Marine - Kurt and Justin, Farmgate


Cousins -festival finale of the Middle ages unit study (homeschooling)


Blessings and Anticipation of Autumn to all!