Fire Proof Friday

I would have to say that one of the coolest things about this blog is that I get to stay connected with friends and family that I may not talk to on a regular basis. On that same note, I get to share things that are going on in my life, things that excite me, hurt me and most of all the things that God is doing in my life. Today, I think I get to share something that touches each of these emotions....it is a movie! Opening today is a new movie called, FireProof, it is starring Kirk Cameron, (he was Mike Seaver from Growing Pains).
Without giving the movie away, it is about a fireman that has become a national hero by saving some people, although the movie shows that he cannot save his marriage. That is all I am going to say about the movie, I have added the link for the trailer for you to watch it yourself.
On this though for a movie, it really got me thinking. I truely feel that I am a good husband, I try everyday. Although I do know that everyday I could be better, I don't do all the samethings that I did when we were dating, all the things that I did to show my love for her, yet I love her more today than back then, but I show it less.....does that make sense? As a long marriage (in todays society) We get so busy with the day to day aspects of life that we forget to spend quality time with the ones that mean the most to us, each day our #2 priority is to show love to our spouse. (#1 is to worship our GOD with all of our heart) by doing #2, we are still doing #1, since Gods commandment is to love one another.
With so many movies coming out these days, and lets be honest, most of the movies that are doing well are not the type of movies that any of us really should be seeing, I really want us all to go see this movie, show society that we want movies that both touch our heart, make us laugh, but most of all movies that we can relate to, movies that help us grow, not clog our minds with unrealistic unpure thoughts that only damage our spirits.

Just a quick side note I heard this morning on an interview with Kirk Cameron, in the movie there is a scene with passionate kissing, and it looks to be the actress that plays his wife in the movie, but in reality, his real wife is a stand in so that he and his wife honor their marriage. This meant so much to me, all we ever read and hear about is 'it is just acting, its my job'. Great Job Kirk...

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Word-less Wednesday

When was the last time you just laughed....as we get older, we worry about everything...sometimes we just need to laugh...and then laugh some more....

Vision

Wow...God is Good....is all I can say!!!! God has been speaking to my heart for the last couple of weeks, but either he was only giving me a lil at a time, or I was trying too hard to figure out the rest of the puzzle that I only confused myself, so I could not understand what he was showing me. Well now that I have you all confused, let me tell you what has been on my heart and mind.
About 3 weeks or so ago, I was listening to 'Give me your eyes' from Brandon Heath, it is a song about a man that goes through the day and for notices things that he has seen millions of times, but looked right past them with no though. yet one day he begins to notice, and the song asks for Gods eyes for one day. Not sure why, other than God planing seeds into my heart, but I really started to thank about my 'eyes' and the concept of having Gods eyes for one day got me thinking.
During the next few weeks, it seemed that I had lots to do with my eyes, the family went to our annual eye doctor appointments, (my eyes are getting worse from staring at a PC all day long, so I getting sexy glasses!!!!), on that note it got me thinking how much my eyes lead me to wander from God, I see things that I should not see, my vision leads to my thoughts and imagination and leads to bad thoughts....that is a whole blog in itself. On that same note, without my vision, I would never be able to see the wonders that God has created.
Even though I thought that this was all that God was showing me, was just the physical aspect of my vision, there was still more that I was not getting, there was more that God was trying to reveal to me. As most of you know, my walk with the Lord has taken a long, windy road, don't get me wrong, I have always seen God walking the path with me, there were just times when I choose to walk on the other sidewalk of the street, I still saw him there, and we both ended up at the same destination, many times I just choose to walk on my side...I used the cross walk a few times to get back with him, and there were a few times that I 'J-walked' to get to him sooner, and I remember a few times that I ran through traffic to hurry to him. Now I am happy to be on the same sidewalk as him, allowing him to guide me though the path of life. My walk has been so much better allowing God to lead.....Because I feel that my relationship has grown, I have felt God laying on my heart that I no longer need to be making excuses and really give my whole life to him, I need to serve him with all my heart and all my time, all of me. I give God most of me, some of my time, but I know that we could all give him more.
I remember the times when I was serving God 24 hours a day, I could not wait to talk to someone about my God, about the wonders that he is, and how he has touched my life. I was the man of God that I felt that he was asking me to be. I am sad to say that I am not that man....at least not right now. However, as God has been speaking to me, I have been asking him back, what is it that you want me to do? I know I am not where I need to be, I am still lacking in my devotion time with God, my prayer life is not where it should be, I still have to give more of my life to God. But then God is telling me, I will take you broken now and mold you whole to the form that I desire. My heart says....Yes Lord, I am here, ready to carry my cross! However, my mind remains human, and tries to think of every reason why I can't. As confused as you each probably are right now....so was I. I didn't know what the Lord was asking...and to be honest I still don't completely....however I got a little clarity yesterday at church.
Pastor Ken just got back from Guatemala, he had been there the past week. While there, God was really speaking to him, and on one of the last days. God gave Pastor Ken a vision, a vision of planing churches in the South America region. Yet on that same note, God still wants pastor Ken to continue to grow the pass region (Beaumont & Banning area). In order for all this to come to....there is going to be leaders that are going to have to step up and allow the Lord to work in them....I believe that this is what God is preparing my heart for, I believe that the Lord wants me to be part of Pastor Kens vision, he wants me to step out of my comfort zone and be the Godly man that he has called me to be.....I am so excited....

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Pepsis

We have all seen this type of post with a reminder of how we need to set priorities in our life, we each know that we have 25 hours of things to do in each 24hr day. I am willing to bet all the money I have ever earned that we could not find 1 person that would say on their last days, that they wish they would have worked more instead of spending time with family and friends, yet each day (me included) we fill our day with task and jobs that are not family centered. I hope that this lil message hits home, and reminds us of what is truely importatant.

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Pepsis

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Pepsis.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the pepsis represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The Pepsi just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Drinks with a friend.'

Word-less Wednesday

House or Home

Hello my friends, family and fellow loggers,
Life has been really good as of late, well actually it has always been good, just sometimes I look at life through my earthly eyes, and I do not see the wonderful life that I have, that we all have. With the everchangining world that we live in, I / we tend to only see the negative, we all know that is all the news ever reports. I have gotten almost to the point where I don't watch the news, or read the newspaper, it is the same sad depressing stories day after day. However, this is not what I want to talk about today.....honestly I do not know what I want to talk about. Thus the reason for my lack of post, some days / nights I cannot wait to write to each of you, other days, I just get to this point and stare at the blank screen, not sure what to say. I feel like I have lots to say, but sometimes it just seems irrelevant to the world. Then I read some of the other blogs that read each day, and I get inspired. So for all you blogger out there, don't be a me and think that what you have to say is irrelevant, it is touching someone...so keep those fingers moving.
With 'IKE' over, the economy still dropping, train crashes because the engineer was text messaging and ran a red light, etc...etc.....the family and I are still going strong. The other day I was talking to the kids and I asked them did the new house feel like a home yet, or was it still just a house. I got some interesting answers, 'RED' said it was still a house, because it is so big, we all have our own lil house so we don't spend as much time together. ( I have to work on that one). The other girls said it is getting there, but they were so used to the old house, it is taking time. LM just said that it is a home, no exact reason....Momma just looked at me weird and I could see from her facial expression, she was thinking, 'where does he come up with these thoughts'!!!! Well, I think that it has become our home, although it was only been about 6 months, we have done some amazing things in our new house. First thing is we dedicated this house to our God, this is his house, we are there just for upkeep. By doing this, we know that our God will bless everything in our house, so that we can focus on serving him and not all the outside distractions that come with being a home owner. I say this is a home because this is where we pray together before each meal and at the end of each night as well as many times throughout the day. I say this is our home, because this is where we are raising our family, this is where we are going, soon our lil boy and girls will be leaving to begin their own adventures as adults, but this will still be their 'rock' to return to....this is why this is our 'home'.

Love ya all

9-11

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ..
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are
doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the
following:

Stop and think and appreciate God's power
in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the
instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be
ashamed of you before My Father'

If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only
if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my
fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and
night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do
everything. Christ is my strength.'

Blue Rose

Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and
there's no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my 'Dollar
Store' run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and
Clorox. So off I go. I scurried around the store, gathered up my
goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the
narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years-
old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize
that I was there..
This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared
in a loud voice, 'Mommy, I'm over here.' It was obvious now, he was
mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing
so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise
exploded on his face as I said, 'Hey Buddy, what's your name?' 'My name
is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother,' he responded proudly.
'Wow,' I said, 'that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my
name is Hal.' 'Hal like Halloween?' he asked. 'Yes,' I answered. 'How
old are you Denny?
'How old am I now Mommy?' he asked his mother as she slowly came over
from the next aisle. 'You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy
and let the man pass by.' I acknowledged her and continued to talk to
Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I
watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center
of someone's attention.
He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section. Denny's
mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to
talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at
him, much less talk to him...I told her that it was my pleasure and then
I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the
prompting of the Holy Spirit.
I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in
God's garden, however, 'Blue Roses' are very rare and should be
appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a
'Blue Rose' and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their
heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a
blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked,
'Who are you?' Without thinking I said, 'Oh, I'm probably just a
'daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,' but I sure love living in God's
garden.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please the next time you see a BLUE ROSE don't turn your head and walk
off - take the time to smile and say Hello. Because by the grace of GOD
this mother could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece,
nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their
family.
From just a daffodil.
~ ~ ~ Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised ~

Word-less Wednesday

A pic from last years vac. I sure hope this rocks holds up.