Stress Busters Day 2.....

Today the Stress Busters book teaches us that maybe one of the reasons we have stress is because we don't get enough rest.

Hello, being physically exhausted is more than likely God saying to us "Hey slow down"

Did you know that God intends for us to rest. Read these verses: Matt: 11-28-30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

In today's world it's no wonder we aren't resting, we work, we come home, cook, clean, get the kids their baths, check homework, getting things ready for the next day, watch some TV, stay up very late at night, and get up early and begin those things and more all over again.

Do you "hear" the word "rest" in any of the above. Nope, I see and hear nothing but the word "tired, exhausted, pooped" After we do all that "stuff" we are too tired to "rest" in Him.

Our spiritual batteries are running low, we are not going, going, going like the Energizer Bunny instead we are gone, gone, gone. When we get to that point that is when we give up having times with God so we can "rest". We say things like I'll catch you later God, I'll do double reading and praying tomorrow God. OK let's admit it, how many of us really keep those promises. I don't think we could ever catch up for those times when we've put God off because we are tired.

If we begin and end our day with God, we can keep going, going, going and we will begin to experience the true "rest" in Him that we need and even when we have busy days like noted above it won't seem like it because He gives us "rest" when we spend time with Him.

I'm ready to "rest", how about you?

Stress Busters Day 1....

Someone gave me a book named "Stress Busters" for Christmas. It's a really great book.
Here is some of what I learned from Day One - "Beating Stress One Day at a Time"

Isaiah 50: 4-5:
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.

We need to wake up "EVERY' morning and spend time with God, this will be the only way that our spirits will be lifted, therefore our stress will be relieved.

When we spend time with God He will align our day with His will and we won't go about making all the decisions on our own which only causes our stresses to get bigger.

Are we trying to just "squeeze" God into little corners of our day just when we need Him? If we are we need to re-swizzle and get Him at the TOP of our daily list, as soon as our feet hit the floor.

If we really need to get rid of stress in our life then we need to put Him (Jesus) at top of our morning. He is ready and waiting. Are we?

To relieve "Stress" - wake up with Jesus every morning

Future son-in-law for Christmas...it was great....

Marty and I would like to say thanks to Matt for sharing Christmas with us and to Jim, Becky, and Ashley for sharing him with us. Next year he and Kelly will be married and they will have their first Christmas at their own place so it was great to have them both share with us this year.

We love you both very much and we look forward to what Christ has in your future...

Merry Christmas...

I would like to wish all of you who are readers of my blog a very Merry Christmas.

I pray as you have a few days left of this year that God will show you what He has that He needs you to do before 2008 is gone. Sit back a minute and listen for Him to speak and when He speaks, obey.

Visit with my Grandmother today...

Oh look how precious she is. Myself, my mother, sister, aunt, cousin and her daughter all went to have lunch together today then went to visit with my grandmother at the nursing home today.

We had a GREAT time today. We took pictures, shared stories of our families since we hadn't seen each other in while.

We just had a ball.....Well I just wanted to share a picture of my dear sweet grandmother with all of you that read my blog and ask that you pray for her.

Thanks to all of you I really enjoyed today very much!

Great Update on Michael's Homecoming...19 weeks 3 Days

I hope everyone REALLY enjoys hearing this great update on Michael (from Jim his father-in-law)

Everyone,

The day is here! Michael is coming home.

As of this morning Michael will be released from the rehabilitation center into Nikki's hands.
They will be traveling (yes by car) to MUSC for a check up with the surgeons and Michael will be sent home.
I believe he is very nervous about being in a car and rightly so.

Michael has been able to walk (assisted) a little bit this week and seems to be in good spirits.
The doctors have mentioned they are a little concerned about his gallbladder and it may have to be removed, but the verdict is still out on that one. His belly is still in the healing process and they do not want to go back in for fear of hurting the intestines more.

Michael will have an in-home physical therapist visiting the home 3 times a week to continue working with him.

Nikki has been able to secure a home for themselves. It has a wheel chair ramp and all.
It is located just 4 miles from my house, so that is good.
Becky, Nikki, Ashley and I along with a few friends have painted the entire place this past weekend and we are working every night this week to move all their belongings into the home.
We are very happy that chapter 3 for Michael, Nikki and Wyatt is at hand.
Christmas shall be so much more sweeter now.

Becky and I are so glad that we can see a finality to all of this, but we understand that with Michael being home it will present more challenges and this young family will need continued help.

I am so thankful to you all for all you have done to help us along through this mess.

Please know that we are overjoyed this Holiday season and are so blessed.

To you and your loved ones... Merry Christmas,
Jim

Do you have a birthday present for Jesus on your list?

At this time of year people are so busy trying to get all the gifts bought for the people on their list and then some, but don't really think about what they will give Jesus on His day, you know it is His Birthday and He deserves a gift.

Hmmm... what can you and I give to Him....someone who has all and knows all.....

There may be one gift He doesn't have yet "YOU" If you don't know Him as your Savior what a better time to give a gift than right now. This would be the best gift ever given than any gift on your list.

Give yourself to Him and He will give you salvation (this is a gift that can never get lost, destroyed, thrown away, has to be returned) it will be your's forever. It's a gift that keeps on giving.... starts at salvation but will end with a home eternally in heaven with Him. WhooHoo!

Today is the day to celebrate the best gift ever from the best gift giver ever - Jesus the gift we will enjoy forever!

Obsessions, Addictions....

Do you ever sit around and think about things in your life that you are obssesed with or that has become an addiction for you. And I'm not just talking about things like food, cigarettes, drugs, etc etc.

It could also be T.V., playing golf, playing video games, work, etc. etc. etc.

I've started really looking at my daily life over the past two weeks to see if I have things in my life that have become an obsession or addiction for me to the point that it takes away from precious moments with Jesus. I have found there are some things that tend to be either a crutch for me or that have a power over my mind that pulls me from spending time with the Lord in the Word. How am I to get to know Him better and know His Word if I give what belongs to Him to these other things.

Hey I can still have fun in my life, being a Christian is not a hum drum lifestyle, but I need to make sure that I'm not pushing Jesus aside to do those fun things He allows me to do.

What about you guys, have you taken inventory on your life lately to see if you too may be pushing Him aside to just focus on you and what you want to do.

Whaddaya say and let's help each other in these areas of our lives by praying for one another that God would help us to see the things we need to get rid of or change.....I'll pray for you and I hope you will pray for me.

**Yippee***I've already gotten rid of two of those things from my life this week and already see how much more time I have to spend with my Lord/His Word and my family.
....... Thanks Jesus for showing me.......

I was in need of "The Quiet" how about you?

Let me share a beautiful poem I read today about needing the quiet.


I needed the quiet so He drew me aside,
Into the shadows where we could confide.

Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.

I need the quiet though at first I rebelled
But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld,

And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things
Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings

To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.
He loved me so greatly He drew me away.

I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide
I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.


Why did He draw me aside? So that I would spend time in His Word.

Yep He wants me to spend time with Him instead of many of the other things I am doing in my life every day. In a discussion with my daughter this week and then time in prayer with my Lord He helped me to see that there have been times in my life lately when I've put him on the shelf to do what I wanted.

Let me say I NEVER want to put Him on the shelf and I thank Him so much for "the quiet" I had with Him today and all the things He has shown me today.

I could have gone with my husband and son and brother-in-law to the great Biltmore House in Asheville, but I chose to stay here in "the quiet" because God is needing to teach me things and I wanted to give Him all of myself so He could show me those things and what I need to do about them. Thank you God for changing me and continuing to show me you aren't done with me yet.

I praise you Lord for "The Quiet"

WOW.....

Thank you God for showing me.......

Christmas Tree...

It was very lonely tonite putting up the Christmas tree all by myself.

This was the first time in 20 years that I didn't have my children to help me decorate it.

You who are reading this may wonder why....well I'll tell you....Kelly is with her fiance'....and all day today Kevin kept asking Mamma are we going to put the tree up, huh huh are we.....well when we went to get our tree tonite and got it home....I put the lights on and was ready for Kevin to help decorate like we do every year but guess what.....He didn't....

I guess I'm beginning to see what it's going to be like when neither one of them are no longer living here....can't say that I like it.....those have always been very precious moments for me and I'm not real sure if I can let it go....

Are we Forgotten about.....no, not if you know the Lord

I'm so glad that God does not forget about us.

He is always there even though we can't see Him.
He never let's us down.

Thank you Lord for being there.

Update on Michael - Day 115...

Update from Jim (Michael's father-in-law)

There is some real promising news on Michael's recovery this week.
As of the last 2 days while Michael has been in Waccamaw Rehabilitation Center, he has been able to stand and take a few steps.
On Tuesday he was able to walk while holding onto the parallel hand rails for the length of the rails.
I believe this was 5 to 6 steps.
On Wednesday Michael told me he tried a walker and even though walking is very painful for him, he has done well.

We all here are so proud of his courage and strength.

We are looking forward to the eventual return to home for Michael.
He will be traveling back to MUSC for his review by the surgeons there on Dec. 15th.
He will then return to Waccamaw Rehab Center.
The assessment team at Waccamaw have stated that if he continues on the current path of recovery as soon as Dec. 17th he maybe able to come home.

Once home Michael will most likely have in-home health care workers visiting him and maintaining his recovery.

Kindly keep your prayers lifted up for the Christmas homecoming.

A world of thanks to all of you for your prayers and help.
We appreciate everything everyone has done for the family.

We hope you have a wonderful Holiday season,
Jim & family

Does God know you intimately?

He knows what time you went to bed last night.
He knows what you dreamed about.
He knows what you had for breakfast or didn't have.
He knows where you left your car keys.
He knows what you think about your family members.
He knows why you are going to dodge some people in your path today.

The Scriptures make it very clear. You are known. Intimately.
Read these verses for your proof (if you need proof) (Psalm 139: 1-18)

Intimacy with God is the purpose for our lives. It is why God created us.