Beth Moore, or my brother?

I'm sad to say, I won't be going to hear Beth Moore in San Antonio tonight and tomorrow morning. Oh, it's not because I didn't buy a ticket. No, I did buy one for me and for three of my Bible study sisters. It's not because we didn't have a room reserved. No, we had a nice room for four reserved (thank you Bev).


I'm not going to be in San Antonio because my brother is turning 60 (that's another story for another day). His wife has planned a party for him and how could I possibly not be there.


But miss hearing Beth Moore.................whewwwwwww! That's a tough one. I'll miss being in the same building with at least 12,000 women (and a few men) praising God. There is nothing like it. The sound of those voices singing together gives one a glimpse of what heaven will be. Oh what a beautiful sound indeed. Great job by Travis Cottrell and his worship team. The spirit will definitely be in that place.


To be together with that many people under the same roof praising God, hearing His word, being as "one nation, under God" makes me think how wonderful it will be when we're sitting at His feet. How simple it seems, to be together as one.


So tonight I sit here knowing I'm missing something wonderful. I've been at Beth's conferences in Little Rock, Oklahoma City and Kansas City as well as a simulcast in Oklahoma City. I know God is being glorified by her teaching and His presence will be felt by every person there in the Alamodome in San Antonio. What an experience!



God bless each sister in Christ as they come together with our precious sister, Beth. I can't wait to hear all about it from those who traveled south to be there. For Bev, Marilyn and Kathy, this being your first conference I especially look forward to hearing from you.



To Valerie and Kristen sitting in the reserved "Siesta Fiesta" section, I can see the smiles and joy on your faces. There will be tons of stories from you two. :) Enjoy meeting all your blogging siestas.



God's blessings! :)

Taking Root

Look closely at this picture. If it looks like a tree is growing out of the sign, you're correct.

I saw this the other day and had to stop to get a closer look. Sure enough, this little tree, weed or whatever it might be, is growing up through the very small pole which holds the sign. Such a small area, yet this tree has taken root and growing with ease.

The possibility of this growth made me think about how easy it is for sin of any kind to "grow" in the smallest "openings" we allow in our own lives. Oh sure, we think something won't harm us if we just dabble a tiny bit. That's all sin needs to take root is a mere "tiny bit" and it becomes bigger and stronger in a moment of time. The roots get deeper and harder to pluck from their existence. Before we know it, the sin of whatever has taken over and playing havoc with us.

A simple statement we've heard since we were small children yet applies to us now as much as then: make wise choices. Choices come at us every day in business practice, in family matters, with friendships, at school or at home. How do we make right choices based on what we know?

We have to keep our guard up at all times. We have to fight the temptations, whatever they might be. We have to keep a close relationship with God! Read what He has to say in His Word. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

I've noticed that when I let my guard down, so to speak, satan (the thief) immediately comes in to "kill, steal and destroy" just as it says in John 10:10 (KJ). Oh how he loves to sneak in when we least expect it. But only if we allow him to take hold can he grow in the smallest of spaces. See him for what he is and wipe him out with God's help. Don't allow him to take root. Constantly ask God for HIS protection.

John 10:10 (KJ) "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

There! He said it, I believe it. He will keep His word.

Stay rooted in God.

God bless you today. :)

Baby # 1 =

The results for baby #1 =

!!!!!!!! BOY !!!!!!!!
I am so excited!!!!!! Of course we're excited that our son and daughter in law are having a boy (you know, the last name will be carried on, etc... blah, blah, blah) But we really didn't care. We are so honored to be having a grandchild.

Thank you God for this blessing!

1 Samuel 1:27 &28

Judy

Glorify HIM

This is going to be a fun week. Wednesday we find out the sex of our first grand baby. Okay, so here are my "predictions:"

#1 grand baby is a boy (due January 3)

#2 grand baby is a girl (due February 18)

But do you think it really matters to us? NO WAY! We are blessed at the privilege of becoming grandparents twice within six weeks.

Several weeks ago I went with my daughter to her doctor's appointment. Against my wishes she was having tests to make sure everything was okay with the baby. However, I soon realized once we were there that the only reason she was having the tests was to be able to "see" her baby sooner than the normal 20 week sonogram. It did not matter to her or her husband if those test results were negative or positive because the results were not going to change anything concerning her pregnancy.

We were not listening to anything the doctor said as he performed the so called tests. Our eyes were fixed on the monitor at seeing that precious 3 oz. baby moving ever so playfully. We could see "her" profile, "her" little hand with all five fingers and could see and hear the heart beat. Oh what a miracle! WHAT A MIRACLE!

Isaiah 44:2 NIV "... he who made you, who formed you in the womb."

I think about Him as He's creating us and how delighted He must be at His handiwork! Think about it for a moment. Think about how proud we are when we complete a project. We stand back and look at it from every angle. We gaze at it with wonder and smile at our accomplishments. Can't you just see Him creating a tiny baby? His perfect hands as they form mankind. His smile as He gazes at His completed "project."

CREATION!!!!!!! What miracles we are. We were created to glorify HIM.

Romans 15:5,6 NIV "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

We are created to glorify HIM! That is my desire to always glorify Him. As a grandparent I want to teach these babies all about our CREATOR. I want them to know how special they are and how much they were loved even before we could hold them in our arms. Our precious CREATOR held them in HIS arms first, touching them, creating His master piece. From His hands to ours. What a miracle!

God bless you today! Never forget that you are a miracle. Glorify Him. Tell someone about His love. GLORIFY HIM!

Judy

July 26, 1975

I'm sitting in the back seat of my car. Tears are running down my cheeks as I listen to a James Taylor song on the radio saying something about being down and troubled and when you need a helping hand, you've got a friend. Well I don't feel that I have a friend in the world at this moment.
We're on our way home from what was to be a weekend outing. It's the first time we have been away in 3 months. We went to Arkansas to the sight where 12 weeks before this day my husband broke his neck in a truck wreck. We were staying with his dad and step mother in Sallisaw when my cousins showed up to take us home. It's July 26, 1975.
My cousin's husband is driving my the car as my husband sits in the passenger seat, unable to drive due to a hard shell brace he is wearing for his broken neck. My two cousins are following behind in their car. My 18 month old daughter is not coming with us at this time; she's staying behind with her grandpa and grandma. We're traveling at what seems to be a snail's pace!

My daddy has passed away today! A heart attack has taken my 53 year old daddy; my friend; my best friend; my daddy; my wonderful DADDY!

And now I'm home. Home where I'll never see him again. Home to make funeral arrangements. I'm only 24 years old. I have a small child. I have a husband to care for. Lord, I do not feel I can go on.
I am down and troubled and yes, I need a friend to brighten up even the darkest night just like the song says. But.......I'm not walking with the Lord and I'm not sure of anything today.

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It's been 33 years and one week since that day. Over the years I've heard that James Taylor song many times and my thoughts immediately go to the sadness I felt at that time in my life. Today, however, when I hear those lyrics I realize how fortunate I am that I don't have to feel alone. I know who is my friend............His name is Jesus.
Do I get "down" and feel troubled? Sure I do. But when we're walking with the Lord we know where to turn. HE is always there for us in our darkest hour. HIS word is there to comfort us.
HE is our friend who loves us more than anyone.
One of the wonderful blessings I've received from a group of ladies at my church is to learn "scripture songs." One particular "song" is from Isaiah 43:1-3. "...Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God."

My daddy is in Heaven. My HEAVENLY FATHER is right here beside me.
God bless you today.
Judy

My First Blog/Blessed to be a Blessing!

Well, here I am in the "world of blogging". I never thought I'd be doing this but I'm thinking I need to share my blessings with others.

The name "Mammie's Blessings" comes from the name I hope my little grandchildren will call me. However, whatever they decide will be perfect. It will be some time before I hear those words as our first grandchild is 5 months away from delivery. Our second grandchild is 61/2 months away from delivery. Mammie and Poppie have a certain ring to them, don't you think?

Back to my blessings. Some time ago several of my friends and I attended a ladies conference and were struck with the idea that we too could put together one in our church. As of yet we have not done one but when we do God has given me the title: BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING.
Think about it, what do we do with our blessings? Do we keep them to ourselves? Do we thank God for every blessing? Do we bless others? Do we take our blessings for granted and become ungrateful? We sing a song, "Make me a Blessing" but when He does, do we carry through and become a blessing to others?

That is my desire, to be a blessing. It might take hard work on my part, though, as I sometimes forget to think of others when I'm busy or stressed or running late. I become complacent and just plain lazy at times. It's another "flesh against spirit."

The Bible says in Matthew 26:41..."the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Just like the disciples who fell asleep and could not "watch with (Him) for one hour" I too fall down on the job, so to speak. I want to do better.

"Make me a blessing, make me a blessing! Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today."

God bless you today!
Love, Judy