Taking Time..................

Recently the pastoral staff at my church has been taking the congregation Back to School. One of the earlier "classes" was reading class. Professor H encouraged us to start reading the Bible. He proposed that we use a system developed by The Navigator Group. Part of this system is journaling and I'm finding it to be a great tool in going over what I've read for the week. The Navigators have a form you can use to document the scripture you've read, plus list any thoughts, etc. that you might have on that scripture. There's also a place for prayer requests and praises. Another tip from the Professor was to write in your Bible with pencil (really liking this tip). As part of my family's accountability to reading, we are meeting with other families in a small group setting each Tuesday evening for one hour. This allows us to share insight into our reading for the week, but also to hear what the others have learned. We missed last week due to a family illness, but look forward to spending time in the Word with our friends tonight. I personally take time to do a lot of things that are far less important than reading the Bible. I plan on taking time to read..................

Busyness Business.......

Seems like I've been away for a while, but things have been ...busy. I'm convinced that life was better in a sense when I was young (back before electricity). Things moved slower.....we had fewer distractions to overload our schedules. Early to bed and early to rise was the rule not the exception. We worked hard, in school or at our place of employment, but we played hard as well (not in front of a TV either). Leisure hours were spent outside in the yard or on the front porch. Just thinking of the swings and rockers makes me smile. People took time to visit...share a meal or dessert. You did not have to call and make an appointment, either, just show up and knock on the front door. This busyness business has gotten the best of our culture......I'm thinking it's time to slow down................

Life List........

This has been an emotional week for me. I'm not sure why......... Perhaps the death of a relative has caused me to reflect on my own mortality or perhaps it's just me being female. However, I'm determined to be thankful for all things God has supplied.

A Savior

A loving husband (After 33 years, he's still my best friend)

Children and grandchildren

A loving family (blood relations and my adopted family: Adam Family - take note)

Special friends (especially Lisha, who keeps me sane and on track)

A wonderful work environment and great partners in ministry (who wouldn't love working at Mulder?)

Even though Bob will lose his job by year's end, we are trusting God to supply all we need. We can't let the uncertainty of tomorrow guide how we live our lives. I firmly believe God has His hand in all things that are affecting my family. I choose to celebrate all things...find joy in all things.....and praise Him always!

Wondering Why......

I'm always leary of conversations that begin, "Are you sitting down?". Those were the words my brother spoke to me on Wednesday morning. I had heard that before......Same question.....same tone of voice. I heard it when his 42 year old daughter had died suddenly in June 2007. I knew something bad had happened. Then he told me......His oldest son (who was my age) had been taken by ambulance to a local hospital and wasn't expected to live. He died around 4 pm that afternoon. While I haven't been close to Steve in a long time, we were close as children, so naturally I am saddened by his passing. I fondly recall long lazy summers, playing outside. I remember holidays with the house full of children and the aromas of good food to share. Those thoughts have been buried for a long time...Steve's death served to remind me of simpler times. Yes, I am sad, but even sadder is my brother and his ex-wife who have lost 2 children in 13 months. We are always deeply touched by parents who lose young children.....I'm convinced we should be touched as well by parents who lose adult children. How do you comfort parents who are in their 60s and 70s and wish it had been them? Tomorrow I will sing Amazing Grace as we gather to say goodbye to Steve. He lived a hard life, he lived a solitary life.......I'm not sure of his eternal destination.....I can hope he found salvation before the end. Life is short.....live it to the fullest for the glory of God.