Sunday "My Mother Emilee with Her Blessings"

Sunday at Fifteen Years

SUNDAY "Contemplating Life"

As I age and look back on my life I can now see with the mature eyes of wisdom. The life of a child revolves around play, friends, family and comfort. Whether they get it adequately enough or not is another matter. However, God says, "to train a child up the way he's to go and he'll stay with it all of his life." I don't remember many beatings from my mother as a child. But the ones I did get were meaningful and painful, she got her message across. My father left my mother with five children when I was eight. Without discipline I realise now, that I would have been a more precarious child. I was timid and shy, and relied on my mothers wisdom in everything, that is, until I met HIM. The first time my eyes saw that handsome boy I was lost. It was love at first sight. I loved him from the age of eleven evolving over 35 years. Then, the rose coloured glasses I had worn through thick and thin were taken away and I finally saw the real person. Yes, love is blind and as my eldest daughter spoke to me in concern about her daughter yesterday. She stated that with love? we are sometimes on a road to self destruction. Many times instead of falling in love with the person who is loving and kind to us, we fall for the one who mistreats and causes much sorrow. So what is the remedy? Aha! now we get down to obedience. Before I married Raymond, my now husband of almost 5 years, I never wanted to marry again. I had come from my Christian prespective to a worldly one of, have a man in your life but, no more ties. My mother was pained. Why was her daughter acting in this distort manner. Well, it was to cover the pain and disillusionment that had festered sour dough. Yet, God in His goodness turned...my mourning into dancing and my sorrow into joy. I met Raymond a man who had been alone for 28years. We were very alike in many ways accept two. I am tidy, he is not. I love to learn, study and research and he works with his hands. BUT, together we balance like a pair of old fashioned scales. One helps the deficiencies of the other. So where does the obedience come in? I believe with all my heart that God chose my new husband. So the message is. There is a partner in life for everyone. What is needed is the choice. My Will or God's WILL?
A partner in life can be the richest blessing, IF, we pray, thy Will be done.... in the choice of selection.

Tuesday "Time in Prayer"

Tuesday "Time in Prayer"

The Word of God tells us that when one or more are together in His name, He is in the midst of them. This is a great promise. Even though we cannot see Him, he is there. Vicky and I spent time talking and praying about family concerns yesterday. It was valuable blessed good time. Quality time sharing our thoughts and needs. I love to worship and praise God. He is our Creator and our Saviour and He brings peace to troubled hearts. To share truthfully without errected barriers of personal denominations is what Jesus wants all Christians of Faith to do. I love the scripture in Romans Chap 2 that emphasises the breaking down of the hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles. How much more need we today, to love and up build up our fellow believers. God is so good. Jesus died for us and freed us 2,000 years ago. Before, we were even here on earth to know or understand. This is a humbling revelation to me personally. Jesus knows us so well, he put all this in existance, not just for then but also for now. Hey, before I was born, I was saved. He knew my heart so well, that he forgave my sins before I had even sinned.
Thank you my wonderful God for your provision and mercy!

Monday "Mr Monty Moo"

Monday "A Little Dog Named Monty"

Since the first day Monty came to live with us, he stole our hearts. Raymond had owned two wonderful boxer's in Tennessee, Lucy the Mother and Bruno her son. Planning to travel extensively in Australia, the last thing we needed on the road in a caravan was a dog. However, being asked by a relocating family if we wanted a small dog they had to leave behind we gave in and took him. Those imploring eyes tugged at our heartstrings as he stood on hind legs begging us to love him. I gave in first. "We'll have to take him Raymond," I said when we got home, " he looked so sad poor little thing!"
"I aint taking no dog round with us," came my husbands southern drawl reply, "we don't need it." A couple of days went by before I approached the subject again.
"He's so cute, he won't be much trouble."
"Well if you want him, we'll have him," Raymond reluctently gave in.
So Monty came to live with us. Raymond ignored him to begin with.
Then he became the subject of Monty's stares. "What are you lookin at me for?" Raymond questioned him. "Okay, come on then and we'll take a walk." Soon they became best friends and Raymond took Monty everywhere he went.
"Honey you can't let him get in the car all wet from the grass," I'd chide.
"That's okay," Raymond defended, "I'll wipe his feet first." And off they drove in the SUV with the back window down and Monty's little head sticking out with glee. I didn't get asked if I'd like to go as much anymore but Monty was never forgotten. One day I decided to go to town with them.
"Watch this," said Raymond approaching traffic lights on a steep hill. Two little dogs like our little one lived in a corner house right at the lights. As we approached they chased around their fenced border barking at the cars. "Get em Monty," Raymond gave the command. On queue Monty's head stuck out of the window as far as it would go. "Bark at em Monty," Raymond instructed. Monty went to town barking up a fit until the lights changed and we had to move off. Raymond laughed proudly like a dad with his champion son. "Did you see that Hon, isn't he smart?" I wasn't so sure....... Next he taught Monty to bark at the birds who invaded our fruit tree's. Well, that wasn't so bad I decided. A couple of times Monty would go missing. "Where's Monty?" I'd ask, you didn't leave him in the car did you Raymond?" Bashfully Ray would go looking to discover a contented little dog asleep on the back seat. Other times he would lock up downstairs only to discover later, he'd locked Monty in. Once Ray even had the idea to build a special seat on the back of his Harley so he could take Monty for rides. Now he's fixing up a 1955 Oldsmobile and is planning to take Monty for the very first ride!.......... What's next??
At night when the lights are low and we are warm and secure from winters cold. Monty stares at his dad from his place on the floor mat. He wants to be taken onto Ray's comfortable soft lap. From a little dog who once wasn't wanted, Monty is now, king of our hearts and our home.

Saturday "Not myself"

Sometimes life takes over and you simply are not yourself. And then encouragement from God the Father comes. In the most unusual ways and most unexpected. It was like that for me today when the gracious Lady Pastor from my church sent me a message from God. I take that message to heart because I know God is mighty and there are no mistakes. There are no simple explainations either when at a standstill in our life, the hand of God touches. None of us, myself the most, like to admit depression. How can someone who professes to know and love God be depressed? Surely my faith isn't strong or this dilemma would not exist. I have a wonderful husband, my health and a good family plus my strong strong faith, yet.... I suffer depression. Now the strangest part....how, did my Pastor know what I am feeling??? The only person I have confessed this to is my husband. God makes me humble in many ways. He shows my heart condition to others even when I run away and hide. "Lord I praise and thank you for your unconditional and surprising love.... it is beyond me."

Thursday "Love in Action"

Shiarn (7) with Mr Froggy.

Thursday "Words or Works of Love"

We all like to hear the words,"I love you." They mean so much..... However, to hear these words and not experience any actions can be confusing. To sit by oneself watching television alone, retiring to bed alone, to talk to someone and not get answered, is surely not, an act of love.
Contemplating this I wondered how many times we say we love God, or tell Him in prayer that we love him, without showing him that love. So how do we show Him that we love him?
Jesus said that "when we do anything for others, we do it for Him." So should we get upset with someone because they don't show us the love they proclaim? Should we stop doing kindnesses to them because they ignore us? I believe that when we overlook our hurt and act, in love, then whatever we do, we do for our Father in Heaven. He says, "I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was hungry and you fed me." So instead of just telling God we love Him, we need to see past ourselves and give Him that love in our actions. This is what is meant by, taking up our cross daily to follow Him. It is easy to give to others when they give to us. It is difficult to see past our own hurt pride and humbly serve.

Wednesday "Friends"

Wednesday "Friends"

I had the privilege of visiting with some dear Christian friends today, Chris and Frances. The difference with being in their presence is that I know they are a part of the Body of Christ. I also know I will receive a touch from God through them, and I did. They are good friends, and I feel so blessed to be included in their fellowship. We prayed at the beginning of our time together, and again at the end. This wonderful inspiring couple have had their fair spare of trouble, yet greet others with open arms of love. May God Bless their faithfulness!
I was surprised and thrilled to hear from another good friend from Tennessee today, Pastor Stephen Kimery. Through the Ministry of 'Crossroads Assembly' church, much of my past hurt was released and turned over to Jesus. I became a part of a family of God, who ran to their 'Daddy" with thanks giving and tears. Who encouraged us to seek Him out at all times and to know we were accepted and cherished no matter what.
Another friend is my dearest Nancy who lives back in the woods among the deer and squirrels in Tennessee. We keep in regular contact, sharing our joys and sorrows through letters and phone calls. I miss our prayer times together sitting in the rocking chairs on Nancy's front porch. But we pray over the phone together and petition to the Lord for each others needs.
By being a part of Christ we as Christians are always a united part of each other.
John 15:13 states, "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his brother.