Finally . . .

Well, I think that maybe I am finally over that awful virus but now Nathan and Devon have it . . . ;-(

2012 — An Open Mind and a Teachable Spirit

Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with me involves being “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” ~ Jesus Calling ~ Sarah Young

New Beginnings 2012

I am a person who usually makes prayerfully thought out New Year’s Resolutions. I love New Beginnings! whether it be Mondays — the beginning of a new week — the first day of every month or the first of every year. Something about a new beginning gives me a renewed hope for better things ahead.

But this year, instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I believe that God has given me 2 scriptural mandates for the new year which I have shared on the blog that I have just set up for the upcoming cruise. (Link to “Our Western Caribbean Adventure”   http://loismikecruise.blogspot.com/)

Whether you take the time to read the blog post (which I’ve pasted below) or not, I challenge you to prayerfully consider what “new beginnings” God may be challenging you to in this new year of 2012.

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Starting the year out with a cruise is definitely a “new beginning” for me! I have said many times in the past that I would “never, ever” go on a cruise. Why? I’m not totally sure . . . maybe I just don’t like the idea of being on a big boat in the middle of the ocean with no way off?  Kinda like the “Titanic Syndrome”??? And, of course, going on a cruise is something Mike has always wanted to do. Anyway, even giving consideration to going is a huge change — a new beginning — for me.

And this cruise is just the beginning of the changes and new things that I am eagerly anticipating in 2012 as I continue to look to God for continued restoration of my health and the continuedl opening of new doors for service and ministry.

I believe God has given me two scriptural mandates for 2012:

#1 — “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . .” ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

#2 — “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” ~ Isaiah 43:19

For years my response to the unexpected things that turned up in our lives was always, “Life IS An Exciting Adventure!” I have to admit that during the 16 years that I was SO, SO ill and in these last 3 years of slow but ongoing recovery where it has been 4 steps forward and 2 steps back, I have let Satan rob me of that adventuresome spirit.  BUT , NO MORE!

LIFE REALLY IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT! 

And, I’m making a willful choice to make my life an EXCITING ADVENTURE WITH GOD!!!

Won’t you join me . . .?

Got “Bit” by the Same “Bug”

Well, I got “bit” around 2:00 AM by the same intestinal flu bug that bit Mike a couple of nights ago. I’ve been out of bed maybe a total of 1 1/2 hours today and I’m thinking it’s time to go back . . . This Too Shall Pass! If if had to happen, we’re both glad it happened this week rather than next week since we are — the Lord willing — headin’ down to New Orleans next weekend to catch a ship for 7 days on the Western Caribbean . . .

One Really Sick Husband . . .

I’ve had one really sick husband home from work today — vomiting, diarrhea, leg cramps started in the middle of last night — and he doesn’t seem any better this evening . . . I’m headin’ out to the store for some gatorade and chicken noodle soup.

Headin’ home from the Cincy area today. Had a great time with the kids and grand kids. Saw three Christmas performances involving grandchildren in three days — Zoe and Keegan in two performances of The Best Christmas Present Ever at Hamilton First Church of God and then Aly in her 7nth-8th grade school Christmas musical. For sure — I am SO BLESSED!!!!

Whatever Has Happened To Holiness . . . ???

Scriptural Mandate –

~ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 1 Peter 1:15

~ Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord ~ Hebrews 12:1

~ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship ~ Romans 12:1

Whatever Happened To Holiness???

Below are scriptures that — in my way of thinking — portray what biblical Holiness looks like in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ . . .

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  ~  Philippians 4:8

 

I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.  ~  Psalm 101:3

Thanksgiving 2011

My mind is on complete overload with the thought of sharing what I am grateful for on this Thanksgiving Day 2011! Maybe by the end of the day I will be able to put at least some of it into words???

 

Just a few of things that I’m thankful for this year:  For inner peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus, a husband, children & spouses and grandchildren that all love each other and all love God, a new granddaughter and the restoration to health of her mommy, friends — old and new, new opportunities for ministry, continued improvement in my health . . .  Suffice it say to say that “It’s A Wonderful Life”!!! And — I AM SO GRATEFUL!!!!

A Precious Promise

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal ( 2 Cor. 4:16-18 ).

From Proverbs 15 on August 15th . . .

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov. 15:1

God is all-knowing . . .

God is all-knowing  Isn’t this an intimidating thought? Each of us, to some degree, fools our friends and family about who we really are. But it’s impossible to do that with God. He knows each of us, deeply and specifically. ~ Crazy Love ~ Francis Chan

Heb. 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

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Francis Chan. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Kindle Locations 149-151). Kindle Edition.

7/07/07 Four Years Later . . .

Well, it has been 4 years now since 7/07/07 . . . God has really blessed and done a lot of amazing things in Nathan’s and Devon’s lives these last four years — perhaps the greatest being God’s precious gift of Celia and the gift of Devon’s healing! Happy Anniversary to Nathan and Devon!!! Even though Nathan is on the other side of the world in Thailand today.

Mission Trip To Thailand

Our son, Nathan, leaves in about 1/2 hour to begin the very long journey to Thailand with some of the youth from his church. They are flying out of Indianapolis to New York to Tokyo to Bangkok taking something like 21 hours to get there. Once they get there, they will have to adjust to an 11 hour time difference. Please remember them in prayer for safety and that their ministry in Thailand will be fruitful.

Source of Wisdom or Resentment?

Click Here To Order From Amazon

Instead of  utilizing the rant, rave, remind, reprimand, rescue approach to parenting, “Parenting With Love and Logic” embraces  EXPERIENCE, EXAMPLE, EMPATHY, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND EXPECTATIONS as effective parenting tools.

Dr. Foster Cline from “Parenting With Love And Logic” offers one brilliant piece of advice after another. One of my favorites is, “Every childhood mistake handled well can become a learning experience. Every childhood mistake handled poorly can become the source of resentment.”

     Put yourself into this situation: You are a child who “borrowed” your dad’s power screwdriver. You left it out in the driveway overnight,and now it’s missing.

     After finally getting up the nerve to admit this to your father, he replies, “Wow! I bet you feel pretty bad about that. I’m planning to do some repair work next weekend and I’m going to need that screwdriver back or I’m going to need a replacement. Let me know how you’re going to solve that. Give me a hug.”

     How are you feeling at this moment? What are your feelings toward your dad? Are you mad at your dad or yourself? What kind of learning could take place?

     Now suppose that Dad handles it this way instead and replies, “That was really stupid. What in the world were you thinking? How many timeshave I told you to leave my things alone? This is the kind of thing that really makes me mad. If you don’t find the screwdriver, you’re going to be grounded for two weeks, and I mean it!”

     How are you feeling now? If this happens to be Dad’s typical reaction, how many repetitions of these interactions need to take place before resentment builds? How much learning takes place when you see the other person as the source of your bad feeling?

Great News!

We were so thrilled last night to hear Devon say that she is back to her “old self” since the surgery to remove her adrenal gland/tumor (pheochromocytoma) two weeks ago. AND, Celia weighs almost 9 lbs now and doing great!

Parenting With Love and Logic . . .

Click Here To Order From Amazon

I’ve just started reading this book and am already wishing I had read it when our kids were small.

Twenty Things NOT To Say To A Person With An Invisible Illness . . .

Article From Rest Ministries -- Click Picture For More Chronic Illness Support

#1 – You look so good today!

#2 – You just need to get out of the house more.

#3 – If you stop thinking about it, the pain will go away.

#4 – You should just pray harder.

#5 – You must not want to get better if you won’t try this.

#6 – When I was your age I didn’t have the luxury of being sick.

#7 – You’re sick again??

#8 – I wish I could just sit around all day.

#9 – No pain, no gain!

#10 – I’d be sick too if I saw doctors as much as you do.

#11 – I have this juice that is working wonders…

#12 – You must still have sin in your life.

#13 – If you got a job you’d have something else to think about.

#14 – Your illness is caused by stress.

#15 – You can’t be in that much pain. Maybe you just want attention.

#16 – What have you done to make God so mad at you?

#17 – There are easier ways to get attention.

#18 – It’s not good for your kids to always hear you whining.

#19 – When are you going to get rid of that cane?

#20 – I’m so glad to see you out and about feeling all better.

http://restministries.com/

Quotable Quotes

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” — C.S. Lewis

A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” William Shedd‎

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” — C.S. Lewis

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make a mistake.” -Elbert Hubbard

“Before you sin, Satan says  ‘It’s no big deal!”  Afterward he says “This is so big, you can never be forgiven’.  Both are lies.” ~ Rick Warren

“Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.” ~ Oswald Chambers

“All true leaders have learned to say ‘No’ to the good in order to say ‘Yes’ to the best.” -John Maxwell

”Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

”If you don’t like where you are, change it! You’re not a tree.” – Jim Rohn

“He does not believe who does not live according to his belief.” -Thomas Fuller

‎”I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.” -Robert Schuller

“The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want the most for what you want now.” -Zig Ziglar

“The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.” -Zig Ziglar

“What we worship determines what we become” –Harvey F. Ammerman

“”Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

“If you live today, trying to get back yesterday, you’re never going to live tomorrow”

“You cannot seize the future until you let go of the past.” -Unknown

It is only when you take responsibility for the results in your life that are not working that your life can start working.

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis of Assisi

“God sent his son so that we could LIVE, not just manage our bondage. ” Hillary Novak

“[People] love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own.” -Seneca.

“It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.” ~ Max Eastman

Seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart. – Anonymous

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl 4:9-10

Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake w/no storms. It comes from having Jesus in the boat. – John Ortberg

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our work , shouts to us in our pain.”  ~~ C.S. Lewis

“When we know what matters most, we can see beyond the real hurt of today, and see into the real  glory of tomorrow.  This is what brings joy.” ~~ Kenny Qualls

“We’ll never learn to stand in a storm until we’re in a storm.” ~~ Kenny Qualls

“The only way we can grow to full bloom is to go through storms in our life.” — Kenny Qualls

“When we hurt, God has our full attention” ~~ Kenny Qualls

“Believers know that trials are tools that God uses —  to bring us to full bloom  — to grow us into people that will honor Him” ~~ Kenny Qualls

“He who angers you conquers you.” ~~ Elizabeth Kenny

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~~  Jim Ryun

Tax Day 2011

Just e-filed our taxes a little bit ago! Every year — as I’m filing on the deadline — I always say that I’m going to get them done early next year. Hasn’t happened yet. This year I’m saying that next year, we’re going to pay someone else to do them . . . I’m DONE!