In the Presence of Hope

Kids from two Texas high schools learn how football can impact life beyond the field, thanks to one game... 

(Please remember to mute my music player!!)

 

And there is always:

Forever Faithful

I  recently received this beautiful  picture of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. 

The person who forwarded this to me said it was taken two months before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

The calm before one the greatest storms in the history of our nation.

Of course, being from New Orleans, I personally witnessed the devastation and great darkness that was soon to follow on that dreadful night in 2005. 

But I have learned, that no matter how dark the night may get in our lives, Jesus is always there to show us the way through the storm.

He will provide comfort and guidance in our greatest time of despair.  He is our Light, and His very presence casts out all darkness. 

This very day Jesus stands ready to be a "lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path".

 

Please join us today over at the 160 Acre Woods  for more inspiring words!

 

The sufficiency of God's word...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Psalm 19:7-9)

 

7 The law of the Lord

is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord

is sure,

making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord

are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord

is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord

is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord

are true,

and righteous altogether.

Friday Funnies!

A Prayer

Dear God,

So far today, I've done all right.
I haven't gossiped.

I haven't lost my temper.
I haven't lied or cheated.

I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent.
I'm very thankful for that.

But in a few minutes, Lord,
I'm going to get out of bed;
and from then on,

I’m probably going to need  a lot more help!

For more funnies please join us over at Homesteaders Heart!

Have a blessed weekend!

Designed to Shine

 

Last week I received a most amazing email that really shocked caught me by surprise. Let me explain.

Back in 1995, our church took a missions outreach team on church planting crusade to the small town of Murom, Russia. The city was located about two hundred miles east of Moscow, and at that time very few foreigners had ever been to this region because it had several classified military bases.

Please join me over at the Cafe today find out more about this exciting story.

And don’t forget to check out what others posted at The 160 Acre Woods.

 

One Thing

 

With so many things changing around us everyday, I'm so grateful that as believers we have one thing that always remains the same: God's love for us.  It's easy to get distracted by all the bad news we hear, which brings with it so much uncertainty.  We might even begin to loose sight of God's Word, and forget those precious promises that He gave us. 

However, today's scripture reassures us that we can have great confidence, that no matter what may be going on in the world around us, at no time can we ever be separated from God's wonderful love.

What more could we ever ask for?

Please join us today at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods for more WFW!

 

(Graphic is by Heartlight!)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Friend!

Hello, Everyone! (This is Tonya, Susan's friend)

I hope Susan won't mind, but I'm taking over her blog today. (Sorry, Susan, this is what can happen when people get their hands on your log-in information.. hehehe)

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that TODAY is Susan's birthday! I know that Susan has been such a tremendous blessing to you, just as she has to me! She is one of the most GENUINELY SWEET people I have ever met! She's COMPLETELY ON FIRE for JESUS (need I say more?) and she's got the gift of encouragement like few before her! I thought it'd be FUN for us to encourage HER today, on her special day??


I, I guess I should say WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, Susan, and hope you have a FANTASTIC birthday!

(((((((HUGS))))))))

Tonya (Please overlook Susan's signature below.. I'm not sure how to make it not post today. LOL!!)

Gifted Hands

Tonight this amazing story will be aired on TNT! Please don't miss it. When my son Jordan was first diagnosed with his brain tumor we were immediately scheduled for surgery.

After hearing about Dr. Carson, we sent his films to him immediately. Dr. Carson reviewed them and we flew up to Johns Hopkins soon after. Dr. Carson advised us not to do the surgery, it was way too dangerous. A year later we went in to do a biopsy. Jordan had radiation soon after to stop it's growth. Dr. Carson was just the most HUMBLE doctor we've ever met. He is a strong Christian and gives God the glory for his amazing "gifted hands". You will enjoy his incredible story. Don't miss it!!

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr., M.D.Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D., had a childhood dream of becoming a physician. But he grew up in a single-parent home, with dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper and low self-esteem. While that appeared to preclude the realization of his dream, his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged both of her sons to strive for excellence. Carson persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for nearly a quarter of a century.

He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May 2008. He is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery.Carson’s career highlights include the first separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Although he has been involved in many newsworthy operations, Carson feels that every case deserves maximum attention.

He is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery and has a special interest in trigeminal neuralgia (severe facial pain) in adults.Carson holds more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees.

He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans and many other prestigious organizations. He sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including Kellogg Co., Costco Wholesale Corp. and the Academy of Achievement. He is also an Emeritus Fellow of the Yale Corp., the governing body of Yale University. He was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics. He is a highly regarded motivational speaker who has addressed various audiences, from school systems and civic groups to corporations and the President’s National Prayer Breakfast.

In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and Time as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 Living Legends on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February 2008, Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House.

In June 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the land. He has literally received hundreds of other awards during his distinguished career.Carson is president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The fund is currently operating in 27 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $3.4 million to more than 3,400 scholars.

He also co-founded Angels of the OR, which provides grants to assist families with non-covered medical care expenses involving both adult and pediatric neurosurgery. Both programs are in national expansion mode. Carson’s first three books – Gifted Hands, THINK BIG and The Big Picture – provide inspiration and insight for leading a successful life. His fourth book, Take The Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose and Live With Acceptable Risk, was released in early 2008. Carson has been married for more than 30 years to his wife, Candy, and is the father of three sons. His mother, Sonya Carson, who made all this possible, is alive and well.

Fighting for A Cure!

In May 2006, Heide Randall received the devastating news that her 16 year daughter, Jessica, had a brain tumor. Only 3 days after her 17th birthday, Jessica went to be with the Lord. Another brave young warrior, who fought a valiant fight, is now standing in the presence of the Lord.

I have had the honor of getting to know many of these families in my time at St. Jude and through the Pediatric Brain Tumor List. Heide Randall is one of them. Instead of feeling defeated and without hope, Heide, (like many parents I know) immediately got busy and joined in the fight to find a cure for childhood cancer.

I have seen so many parents struggle to put their lives back together, and I know you cannot do it without the grace and strength of the Lord. Yet hope is never lost, for we know that as believers, “Death has no Power over us!”, and one day we will find a cure.

Heide made this beautiful video montage in honor of all the brave warriors who are still in the fight, and many of those who have gone on before us to receive their rewards.

Thank you Heide for all the many labors of love you continue to do for so many of us. You are such an inspiration and give hope to me and countless others!!

Please check out Heide’s video, which was made to help bring awareness for the desperate need to find a cure for Childhood Brain Tumors.

Thank you Heide!!!

(Please remember to mute my music player first!)

Real Life Friends!

On this Thankful Thursday I'd like to give thanks for all the special friends I've made here in the blogoshpere.

One thing I've always desired was the chance to meet some of my wonderful bloggy friends in person.

Well, God answered that prayer by allowing me to meet with Amy Bayliss (In Pursuit of Proverbs 31) and her wonderful family 2 weeks ago.

When I first started blogging I was clueless on so many technical issues, then I met Amy who came to my rescue. We became great friends and amazingly found out we lived in the same city.

Truly Amy has the heart of a servant.

Amy surprised me today when she did a post about our special time together. If you would like to know how our visit went, then hop on over to Amy's blog. She posted some pictures too.

I love you Amy! Thanks for being such a good friend.

Please join us over at Grace Alone for more grateful hearts.

A Pure Heart

On this WFW I choose a picture we recently took of my precious granddaughter Karli.

Oh the innocence of a little child.

Whenever I gaze into those beautiful eyes, I get a glimpse of Jesus.

She loves so unconditionally, and gives hugs and kisses expecting nothing in return. There is no condemnation or unforgivness, just a heart full of pure and undefiled love. I understand more everyday why Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 18:3

I recently read a quote that really got my attention;

"Faith is an area where ‘growing up’ means becoming more like a child." - Colleen Townsend Evans

Father, help me to keep my heart clean so others can see more of You in me. Let my motives, my actions, and my thoughts be pure and undefiled. Thank you Jesus for showing me the way, as I receive your abundant Grace to help me walk in it each day. In Jesus name, Amen.

Join us over at the 160 Woods for more great words!

Take Heed, Listen and Learn

CAUTION: Road Slippery When Wet”

Warning signs, they seem to surround us everywhere. A red light flashes at the railroad crossing when a train is coming. A fire engine sounds the siren to warn us of its approach. An ambulance and police car flash their lights when there is danger in the road ahead. The thermometer tells us when our fever is rising as a sign that some kind of sickness or infection is trying to move in.

All of these signals are good, and so are God's warning signs as well. Just like those flashing lights and sirens help keep us from getting injured or killed, God’s Word has always been warning us from Genesis to the Book of Revelations.

Oh what a mess our world is in today because Adam and Eve ignored those first warnings from God. And even now, how many people continue to ignore God’s Word and the voice of his ministers who proclaim the dangers in living outside of the truth.

When I first read this quote I thought about the Titanic, one the most tragic stories ever written about in recent history. As it turns out, there were six warnings of danger 10 hours prior to the ship’s collision with the iceberg. The crew had plenty time to pursue a different course, but chose to proceed down a path to death and destruction.

Another story I thought about was that of Noah, who spent 120 years preaching impending judgment and repentance as he built the ark. Warning after warning, yet the people continued to ignore his pleadings until it was too late and the floods came.

On a more personal note, when we built our new house, we loved the lot because of the beautiful tall pine trees in the backyard. The builder warned us that we might want to consider taking them down, because pines are know to snap off under the pressure of hurricane force winds.

We thought...hurricanes never come up as far as Baton Rouge, so my husband opted to keep all the beautiful trees. Well, when Hurricane Gustav roared through Baton Rouge on Sept. 1^st 2008, it was too late to reconsider our decision after the branches were hanging through our living room ceiling. Needless to say, all the trees that were not blown down in the storm have all been removed.

A house can be repaired, but if we resist God’s pleadings and continue to walk in rebellion, we may not have a second chance. Once the door to the Ark was shut, there was no escape.

I'm so glad God has given us these kinds of lessons so we can learn to heed His Words. God warns us of the danger of our sin, and because of His great love and mercy, He has always provided a way of escape.

Concerning the Law of God, David wrote these words in Ps. 19:11;

"Moreover by them your servant is warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Yes, there is a reward for not only hearing, but even more importantly, obeying God's Word. By nature, I'm a slow learner, and I must confess I have failed time after time. But oh how wonderful is the Grace of God that continues to bring me back to safety!

We must be willing to step back and re-read the warning signs…

“Slippery when wet!”

It just might save your life. Thank God that He cares enough to put out those caution signs. I pray we will take heed, learn, and be guided by them.

Hope you have a safe trip. Be careful…

Join us today over at Amy’s In Pursuit of Proverb’s 31!