Completeness...is it a choice?

John 16:24 .... (Jesus said) I assure you: anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your JOY may be complete.

We read this verse and think "anything?" Well, in His will, YES! Then the next thing that pops out is "that your JOY may be complete." Well, since joy is my motto, I love it! But today as I read Beth Moore's blog and saw this verse, I now see this completeness in a different light. I have known that the "joy of completeness" is complete only b/c...In His will, our requests are answered and b/c we are in His will, then we are complete.

But how long do we stay in the joy of completeness? Is it just long enough to walk into another crisis? I agree w/Beth, we should settle in that joy for a time. Be praiseful and thankful for the answer given whether it is the answer we were hoping for or not. In other words take time to worship God in praise.

IF not, we are no different than our kids, asking for something and running away AS SOON AS they get the answer they were wanting. We have all heard teenagers say "thanks, see ya later mom", as they run out the door, w/an extra $5.00 to catch a ride with a friend to the mall.

I am going to start today to stay in that joy of answered prayer alittle longer than I have been. Sometimes, I may not like the answer but I am going to choose to stay in it just the same. Not b/c I have to, but b/c I want to enjoy completeness.

Bring back those lazy,hazy,crazy days of Summer..

...I think they are coming back! I had to travel (I really mean travel) over to accounting at Lifeway. (some 2.5 blocks away from my department) Then I had to travel over to HR. Although everything at Lifeway is contained, it is about 7 city blocks large. Well I took the scenic route....outside! It's wonderful outside today. 70 degrees for the first time this year!! I talked to a lady who said that the grass in her yard is turning green. That's a sure sign of Spring with Summer right around the corner.

Georgia on my mind....

Hello all, Another week has pasted, and many lives were changed on Friday, February 16, 2007 when the young man I was asking prayer for let go and now lives forever in the arms of God. Prayers were lifted up over many states for this mans life and the answer came at 6am on Friday morning. It's so hard watching young teens participate in a funeral. I (and many others from work) covered them in prayer. Hoping that they will choose Christ like PJ did. Thank you for praying and continuing to pray. (they have a daughter in another hospital in a coma right now-a "muddin ride" gone bad) Pray for Valerie!

Why is Georgia on my mind? Because there is a church in Georgia who now has Warren's resume. Because if God's will sends them there to minister, they will only live 40 minutes from Shana and Billie. Because we would only be 4 hrs away from them (instead of 12) Because this sounds so selfish on my part...that's why I am praying GOD'S WILL. I truly want them where God can use them the best. Warren & Jill both have serving hearts. Actually so does Bill & Shana. I am proud of how all 4 of our children allow God to work in their lives.

Georgia is also where we spent this past weekend. We visited Andy Stanley's church. (Northpoint) We use their small group lessons for kids and really wanted to see how they do it on a larger spectrum. Very impressive, but very humble. Very detailed, but also very God centered. They describe their church atmosphere as a house: foyer(SIT DOWN TO WORSHIP)-to welcome/greet... living room(GETTING INVOLVED TO SERVE)-to sit and relax....kitchen (SMALL GROUPS STUDIES)-to build relationships w/God and man.
And like I said, isn't the kitchen the best place to be in a house? Warm, inviting, engaging,hard work, rewarding!
He shared a story about a member: Mattie, who is a beautician. One day, a customer came in a found out that Mattie did not own a Bible. So after her appt. the customer went out and bought her one and brought it back......IT SAT ON THE COUNTER.
Another customer noticed the Bible and asked if she could mark a few verses for her..."sure" she said. ....IT SAT ON THE COUNTER. The last customer of the day noticed the Bible and the markings and asked if she could read it out loud. After her haircut she asked Mattie if she would like to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior? "Yes" she said...The Bible still SETS ON THE COUNTER..but now she is sharing it with others. Now she is paying it forward.

"keeps Georgia on my mind." In the song, Georgia is on the songwriters mind..In my life, I want Christ to be on my mind.

My Hearts Desire....

Beaches!

Beaches !

Beaches!

It's 'gloomy gus' today, and to top it off I revisited some old pictures of the grands! Now I really am ready for a beach trip!See what I mean?

Warm sand between my toes. A good book, umbrella and a cold coke. My perfect idea of 'down time.' The sights and smells of surf n sand. The sound of the ocean waves. I know you can hear it too!

We always had a ball with the Hickersons in Panama City! Andrea, Shana and Jill and I would spend all day on the beach. I remember the year I took them down to where all the action was and we got their hair wrapped, Jill was first.

We thought the lady said $1 for each wrap....but half way down Jill's 13 inches of hair we figured out that she said $1 per INCH. We were all shocked...it cost $13 for Jill's hair to be wrapped in embrodery floss...so I talked Shana and Andrea into going to WalMart and buy floss...then I did their hair back at The Hickerson's beach house! We laughed all night about that one! Can't wait to have stories like that with our grands!

Family night was always the girls choice...and dinner out night was always seafood! YUM!

"We ran and ran and ran"

Those were the words of my granddaughter when I called to ask how her first soccer practice went. We talked for about 20 minutes. She told me all about her best-bud, Griffin and how HE has black shin-guards but the store didn't have 'GIRLY-COLORS' of shin-guards so she had to take green. (shame on the sports industry that they have not created girly colors for protective wear) HaHaHa!

I told her that Sir and DeeDee will come down for one of her games but the orderly girl that she is stated "Well DeeDee, our coach said that we will have lots of practices before we play a game." "OK JennahKay, Mommy and Daddy will let us know the schedule."

"I kicked the ball into the goal!" "I got sweaty." "We drank alot of juice."

I am so glad that her first experience was a good one! My nieces, her second cousins, play soccer and that really impressed her! She loves Hannah and Rylee Jane. When I told her that their coach is their daddy, she laughed so loud! She thought that was really neat. Of course, she made plans to go see them the next time she visits Sir and I.

I can't believe that our grands are getting old enough for sports and (in the fall) dance lessons. Being a grandparents is the best thing ever!

An Attitude of JOY....

Psalm 105:43
And He brought forth His people with JOY, And His chosen with singing.
What is your favorite song of joy that you sing to God? One of my favorites: (this will be sung at my funeral….in celebration)

“I Can Only Imagine” sung by Mercy Me

I can only imagine, what it will be like, when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see, when your face is before me.

Surrounded by your glory what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fold? Will I sing Alleluia, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine.

I can only imagine when that day comes. And I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine that all I can do is forever, forever worship you.

Urgent Prayer Request

We are praying for a young man who has been in ICU for 3 weeks now. His birthday is Valentines Day....we are asking God to bring him out of his coma-induced state on his birthday. This young man is struggling for his life. Some days bring good/hopeful news while others bring setbacks!

I am asking you to join us in pray for this mans health. Please send the request to others you may know... We are expecting a miracle nothing less!

I thank you on be-half of his family and friends.

Joy!!!

3John 1:4 I have no greater JOY than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
(why is this verse important? B/C God has no greater joy that to know that His children are listening and living in His truth. just like the joy of us parents knowing our children are living truthful, responsible lives.)

Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the righthand of the throne of God.
(Did you ever think that Jesus went to the cross for pure JOY? WOW! He expressed joy as an emotion/attitude that acted itself out in love. What did He endure on the cross for each of us? How can you express pure JOY toward others? How about that neighbor who needs their walk shoveled or grass mowed?)


May you en-joy this receipe I am sending....Surprise your family! They will love it! Mine did....

Chocolate Soup: recipe from Debi

1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 c. whole milkHeat on medium heat, bring to a simmer
Add: 1 c. milk chocolate chips Wisk 4 minutes until blended
Add 1/4 c. coffee liqueur (Kahula, can get alcohol free)
OR 1/4 c. Nescalf Ice Java Chocolate Mocha Syrup

Wisk and Serve with pralines or pecans.

"Da Bears" and the SUPER game

....I remember watching the Chicago Bears with and sometimes for my dad. (when he had to work) They were one of his favorite teams. No amount of cheering was going to raise their score this time. Manning did a great job for the Colts! GO VOLS!!

Oh well, college football is my sport of choice. We had a great time at Rick and Julie's party...I enjoyed bonding w/the youngest "party-goer"...she is a 7 month old twin and she loved watching halftime in front of a large screen TV w/her daddy. (see pic) Halftime gave way to talking and eating some more! (note: we are closer to the kitchen now, later we go back upstairs.) Great Dip Dave! And the football cake was "super" Tammy! Debbie and I enjoyed discussing our favorite country music songs and she told me where a few of the artist live...not far from us actually. A fun time was had by all!

S N L - Saturday Night Lights

Saturday night, Feb 3rd, found us enjoying dinner in a Pre-Civil War home that became base for one of the Confederate Troops. It was awesome to tour. The staircase (of which I did not get pictures of) was glorious. The built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms were quite large. Period furniture, and original hardwood floors! A grand piano was there on loan. This picture is of Steve, Ken and MaryBea and Dennis (on the right side) were sitting in the very room that a Commander was shot in the head b/c of his womanizing ways. The man who shot him was not charged w/the murder b/c the war was going on and since his wife was found cheating w/ the Commander, he was found justified! There is still blood stains on the floor where his body was found. (gross) This home is on the historical list in Tennessee.

The other picture is of other friends we partied w/that night. I found out that we could of had Jill's wedding there! It would of been perfect with the yard and all. A little to late, I think!

A Busy Weekend

Sunday Small group for the children at The Bridge dealt with SERVICE being the virtue of the month. Steve & I always do the drama at the start of the hour then they break into small groups.
Yeterday's story was about Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. Jesus tells His men to "go and do likewise"...or in other words be willing to serve others. The GOOEY-TOES picture you see is of 2 girls stepping into a lg bowl of pudding and gummy worms. I then , protesting loudly, had to wipe their feet as Steve told the Bible story. Not like S.S. I ever did as a child! We had fun and learned something new. Virtue: when God makes changes IN US so that we can change the world AROUND US.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Well, we had a surprise this morning. More snow! The joke yesterday was on the weather forcasters , they predicted 1-3 inches yesterday and all we had was 1/8 inch. They predicted icy-mix last night and we received 2-3 inches! My employer is great on allowing us to get to work "when we can" OR take a vacation day. I choose work b/c my vacation days will be spent visiting the grandchildren, not wasting it on a snow day. Not many made it to work today, so easy Friday!

Had a scare last night, my mother thought she broke a rib while coughing. Waiting by the phone while she was in the emergency room was tough. I prepared to go to Ohio this morning to take care of her but after giving her oxygen and taking x-rays she was sent home. Please pray for her, she is on 3 different meds right now. We are thankful there was no broken ribs. I am thankful for my brother who took off work to be with her last night. Living away from your elderly parents is so hard at times like these.

I called the granddaughters and had Shana put them on speaker phone...."Girls, DeeDee has lots of snow at her house!" Lorahbeth wanted to come up and play! I wish she could! It's hard living long distant from grandchildren too! Now I know what my parents felt like with us always living away from them.

The Attitude Month

Attitude is everything and I like the idea that February is all about attitude. Paying it forward! My boss told us a story about a couple from his church in the drive-thru line at Starbucks. They decided to pay for the coffee of the person behind them in line. Later on they found out that 33 cars later, the "pay it forward" stopped. Now that's attitude!!!
The first Saturday of each month, our church members go into the community to do random acts of kindness....this Saturday, we are handing out roses to businesses in our town, thanking them for their service. We also go to laundry mats and pass out quarters for landry, or wash cars-n-pets. It really is an attutide of service to others..we call it SOW-serve others wholeheartedly!
Snow- yes-snow, today! Although it is not what we were used to as kids, but snow just the same. I left 30 minutes later for work today and still managed to get there 10 minutes early. Our county had snow but Nashville did not. These pictures are of our drive way and front of house.
Give this month a chance, have an attitude of love towards others, do an act of kindness and watch the faces of those you serve! It's a real blessing!!