The Big 4-0

Well today is the dreaded day. The day I leave the youth of my 30's and enter into a new decade of 40's. For a woman, turning 40 can be a big deal. It seems to emphasize the crinkles around the eyes and the drooping of the body parts. (we won't name any specifics) :) But since I've had a whole year, since I turned 39, to dread this birthday - I'm feeling pretty terrific today.

The funniest thing is, I can specifically remember when my parents were this age and how old I thought they were. Not so funny at all really because I don't feel old at all. It just goes to show how our perspectives change thru the years. But mostly I am again reminded of the many times my mother told me to not wish my life away. As we hear so often, time sure flies. I really have trouble believing I am 40 and have a son who is 16. It goes but in the blink of an eye.

I really loved what my perpetual calander said today. It seems so perfect for me:
"My life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily....
The dark threads are as needful
in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned."

I could never have imagined where my life would take me, but I can truthfully say I am thankful for every situation God has allowed me to go thru. May the time I have left on this earth be spent living what I have learned during the 40 years I celebrate today. And what I have learned can be summed up by saying, my life is not my own, for I have a creator who crafted me for His very purpose. Every situation I have lived is part of the pattern that tailors me to be who He created me to be. It's not about what I want, but it's about finding out what He wants, and doing it. And what He wants is always so much better than anything I could ever desire or think of. The only way I can ever figure out what He wants, is to discover who He is. And the only way to do that, is to realize my need for a savior, invite Jesus to come into my life and allow Him to be Lord of my life. His Spirit teaches me each and everyday that I submit my will to His. Reading my Bible and spending private time in prayer is essential in maturing as a Christian. I cannot know God without reading His Word.

Thank you Father for 40 good years. I am most thankful for my Lord, my salvation, my family and my friends. Thank you for knowing exactly what I need and being the giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank you for teaching me that hard times are good and perfect too - when we trust You and lean not on our own understanding. May I continue to draw closer to You and live my life to glorify your name. In Jesus' name - Amen

A Journey of Faith

We have been blessed to see God continue to work thru Kristin's life and ours. A few weeks ago, I wrote letters for three different newspapers to thank those who had reached out to us since Kristin's death. The editor in charge of the paper in Mark's hometown, sent a reply to my email, inquiring about Kristin and what had happened. We began corresponding back and forth, learning about each other, and she asked if she could run a feature about us in the paper. She did such a beautiful job relaying our story and how God worked thru all the heartache to draw us to Him. I wanted to share it will all my blogging friends.

Father, may all who read this, recognize your goodness and be drawn closer to you. For Jesus' glory - Amen.

http://bernetriweekly.com/weblog/2005/12/journey-of-faith.html

Why I Love the Colts

One of the best presents I got for Christmas was tickets for my husband and I to go to the Indianapolis Colts game on New Year's Day. It was an awesome game to be at for a couple reasons. 1)It was a great way to start the year. 2) It was great to be there to welcome Coach Dungy back.

I have known for sometime that Coach Tony Dungy loves the Lord Jesus and have had the opportunity to hear him speak of his faith on TV and Christian radio. And my respect for him has grown over the last few years he has coached the Colts because he uses his publicity and fame to speak about his faith time and time again. I also see him live his faith.

When his son, James, took his life a couple days before Christmas, we were able to hear many people in the NFL speak out about Coach Dungy. Every single person remarked about his faith being strong and they knew that would get him thru this great tragedy. They also spoke of how he had touched their life and how much they respected him.

When Mark and I went to the game Sunday, first thing in the door the greeters handed us a little book and said it was a gift from Coach Dungy. I replied, "He is the one who lost a child and he's giving us gifts." But I have to tell you, it's what I read inside the book that impressed me the most. It is called, "Real People, Real Faith" (Seven Men/Seven Short Stories) It was put out by Athletes in Action and had accounts from Coach Dungy and six of his players about their Christian faith. I was so encouraged and inspired by what I read from each of these men. I was also enlightened why the Colts are having such success this year.

I was so pleased to know that Josh Williams, Jeff Saturday, Tarik Glenn, Dallas Clark, Hunter Smith and David Thornton are all believers in the Lord Jesus. I want to share with you a quote from Coach Dungy that I read in this book. "The inspiration for my coaching model comes from Jesus, Himself. He has taught me that my job is more than just showing my guys how to block and tackle. It's also about influence. I want to show both players and fans that being a Christian and being successful are not mutually exclusive. We tend to think head coaches have to be cutthroat, squeezing everything possible out of their players. I disaree. Players want to win. If I provide them with a good environment, show them how it's done, and encourage them, we're going to have a team-and a recored-that we can be proud of."

With leadership like that, how can they not be successful? God promises that when we live to glorify Him, He will bless us. That is all the more reason I want to see them have success this year.

New Year New Hope

Well it's already January 2, 2006. It's hard to believe we are already six years into this 21st century. Remember Y2K and the buzz back when many thought the computers would crash when the year 2000 came around? SO many stocked up with food and water and emergency supplies. I didn't. My husband and I along with some friends went out and celebrated. We knew God would take care of everything. He always does.

So, a new year, a new hope. What will the year 2006 bring to us? What will we learn? What will we go thru? Who will we lose? It's probably a good thing the Lord doesn't show us the future. I'm conviced we couldn't handle it, but that's ok. He knows what we need and when.

I have made a New Year's resolution. Actually, I'm a little ashamed to admit it is one I have made before - and broke. But I resolve to try again. My desire is to read thru the Bible in a year. I have read lots of the Bible before and I've read thru the New Testament many times, but I've never read thru the whole thing. The devotional I use (In touch by Charles Stanley) has a schedule to use each day to read thru the Bible in a year so my plan is to follow that schedule.

Today I got started and read thru the first 11 chapters of Genesis. Ok, I admit the geneology part does not excite me too much - but never the less, there is much in those 11 chapters to learn and ponder. God created the heavens, the earth, the sky the water. He made light and darkness, plants and animals, stars and planets. He created man and then he created woman to be his helpmate. Right from the start, man screwed up and desired to go his own way, instead of listening to his creator. His desire to do it his own way lead to murder and so much wickedness that God was sorry he had created man at all. When I look at my own life, I have to admit I have given Him many reasons to feel the same way. But because God is love, he fixed what we could not. He continues to love us and desire an intimate relationship with each and every one of us - despite our past.

That is why I desire to read my Bible, from cover to cover, this year. I don't ever want to stop learning about my God. I know I can only learn, when I listen and when I trust. And reading how He has worked in the lives of others since the beginning of time, is a great way to learn and trust. May each of you do the same.

Father, give me a never dieing hunger to know you more and more. Show me how to live what I learn and how to share what I know. Thank you for a new year full of hope and possibilities. Through my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I pray - Amen.