PSALM SATURDAY-SPIRITUAL SUNDAY

"My sin was a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."

Psalm 103

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits--

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel;

The Lord is compassionate and gracous,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor wil he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressins from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children--

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here!

Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for this wonderful way to connect with others for encouraging, inspirational posts!

Have a blessed weekend!

Sandy

Family Fridays-FOREVER FAMILY-Part 12-Watching, Praying and Waiting

I posted a Family Fridays entry two weeks ago, but was too late to get it linked up with Amy and Lori, because I had spent the whole day with my family. Last week, I wasn't able to link up an entry, because I was at camp, with most of my immediate family, and with part of my church family.

This morning, I have been alone with my Bible and my thoughts and prayers, while Jase helped Jeff do some manual labor.

I am looking forward to going to our beloved church camp tonight for the last regular youth week service, and looking forward to Kalyn coming home tomorrow night, just for a short time, before she goes to college week at Glorietta, and then back to college.

My Journey devotion was perfect for me this morning, about not working too much for money.

If you read this in time, and would like, I would appreciate your prayers at 10:00 a.m.CDT. I am going to be interviewing for a job as Assistant to a first year pre-k teacher. She has been a pre-k aide for the past 3 years, even though she was already a certified teacher, herself. I began teaching in 1985 and have my Masters, but am sincerely praying to get this job.

I feel a little like Jase might have felt as he was on that tower of a ropes course, blind folded. I am trusting that God has a plan for me. I am blindfolded right now to my future, but will soon take off the blindfold and see what He has for me!


Whatever you do, work at with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3: 23-24

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her;. . .
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31: 25-31

Join Amy at Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Lori@Peterson~St. Louis to enjoy more family posts!
I hope you are having a fun-filled, family Friday and have a
great weekend connecting with others in the flesh, and maybe a little time to read some encouraging blogs, too!
Sandy

THANKFUL Thursday for SIMPLE PLEASURES

I had already planned to combine my Thankful Thursday post with a new meme hosted by Dayle @ A Collection of This and That. (her link is at the bottom of this post) Then, Lynn, who has hosted Thankful Thursdays for July, asked us to share a picture of something that inspires awe in our heart. How cool! I think this picture works well for both. It might not look simple, but I think it still fits the subject. Like Lynn, my family and I also appreciate all of God's creation so much! How awesome that God can make a beautiful waterfall in the middle of a small "mountain"! This picture is at a very special place for all of my family and me. I am thankful for the simple pleasure of God's beauty all around us. I am thankful for the simple pleasure of being a sponsor at a youth camp. I am thankful for the little ways God works in our lives daily, for the blessing overflowing, just as He promised!

Yesterday, I was looking for something very important that I needed to find to pass on to another teacher. I looked and looked, and couldn't find it. I sincerely prayed to God to help me find it, and I found it immediately!

I am thankful for friends and acquaintances and blogging buddies.

Of course, I am thankful for my family.

There is so much to be thankful for!

Psalm 106: 1
Hallelujah! Thank you , Lord! How good you are! Your love for us continues on forever. Who can ever list the glorious miracles of God? Who can ever praise him half enough?

What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thankfulness this week by visiting and linking up with our hostess for the month of July-Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store and Dayle @ A Collection of This and That. Go here http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/2010/07/simple-pleasures-reading.html to link up with her.

You'll be glad you did!

It will bless your day to stop and be thankful for all of those simple pleasures in your life!

What does LOVE look like in your home?

Love at my home this week is Jeff sporting trimmed up facial hair from not using a razor last week, when he spent his vacation at church youth camp, loving on the youth that were there. He took them to the Ropes Courses and on a tour of spots at the camp that they had not seen. He was there to counsel them and encourage.
This week, he is going to work to support our family, and still loves me, even when I don't have a job.

Love at our home this week, also means looking at the precious pictures on our frig. a lot, since it's been a week and half since we have seen our granddaughter, and her Daddy and Mommy, and longer since we've seen our nieces and nephews.

At our home, like Denise's, Angel's and Loren's and others, it also means friendships with others. This week, I had lunch with 2 friends yesterday, and another one today!

At our home, it also means bringing home leftovers to share with others.

It also means seeing us praying and reading God's Love letter to each of us!

I am joining Joanne and showing what Love looks like here in our home!

Why I Count It All JOY Wednesday

I am filled with JOY because I am home to do my JOY post this week.

I missed out on Count It All JOY Wednesday blogging last week, because I was at church youth camp, but I was Counting It All JOY there! Actually, I just got home from that same camp late tonight from just going for the evening service. My body is aching, but I am Counting It All JOY that we were able to attend tonight.

I am full of JOY because

Jesus loves me!

He forgave my sins.

He died for my sins.

He arose and is alive in my heart.

He has a purpose for me.

I'm going to have to keep reminding myself of that last one! I came home to read an email from a principal, apologizing for writing me to inform me that they have filled all of their interview slots for a 3rd grade position that I was praying God had for me. I am counting it all JOY, God has something else for me.

I am filled with JOY that I will be serving as a discipleship leader for teenage girls. I will have to give up working with the children on Wednesday nights. Even though the two ministries are on different nights, we have to learn to not spread ourselves too thin, so that we can give our best to what we do. I am counting it all JOY that God gives us places to serve Him.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do NOT be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7

It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts,
so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY-Sent into the World-Our Scent in the World

The theme for youth camp that I attended last week was SENT, with the scripture verse John 17:18"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

Our church's theme was SCENT-"When the world gets a whiff of us, that's what they think of our Jesus.", with lots of scripture, focusing on these Character Traits:

Love, Integrity, Self-Control and Perseverance

I will be striving to have those character traits.

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here! Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for this wonderful way to connect with others for encouraging, inspirational posts!

This Week

This week, . . .
(Monday's Mama Moments)
I am going to be a sponsor at youth camp.
One of my own son's and my daughter will be there.
I will be the best "Mama" I can be to my family group of girls.
I have to leave camp Tuesday to go to a funeral of a 21 year old young man, who was just diagnosed with cancer 7 months ago. I can not imagine that feeling of parents!
(Proverbs 3:5-6--I can not lean on my own understanding. Also, see Kelly Minter's song, I Lay Down, http://www.livingroomseries.com/)

(Tuesday Bible Study)
Amanda, Shelli and anyone else who would like to, please leave your answers to Beth's questions as comments here. Thank you!!!

(Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday)
It fills me full of JOY to be a sponsor at youth camp.
It fills me full of JOY to see people come to Christ.

(Thankful Thursday)
I am very thankful for youth camps.
I am very thankful for my church family.

(Family Friday)
I love being with my family and my church family at camp!

Have a blessed week!
Sandy

Family Fridays--FOREVER FAMILY-Part 11-Fellowshiping Together-Spiritual Sundays

I am late getting my Family Friday post published because it was actually a busy Family Friday from beginning to end.
As I handed Jase the 3 plates to put on the table for his Dad, himself and me, for a late dinner,
he said, "Oh I love eating together! And, I love cooking together!"
That was really "music to my ears" ! It is so good to have him home. He does enjoy cooking a lot. We had Fresh Tomato Pasta. The recipe is in Kelly Minter's Ruth Bible Study Book. It is delicious. I knew when we had it at Bible Study that Jase and Jeff would both like it a lot! After dinner, we listened and talked a lot. Kelly includes recipes in her Bible study books because. . .here is how she says it:


"We also wanted to eat with one another because we think it’s Biblical and perhaps more honestly, because we love food. We discovered that cooking together, sharing recipes, and lingering around one another’s table set the tone for the deeper things God wanted to do in our lives. Dinner and discussion relaxingly primed us to share what we had learned from the study of God’s Word. After all, there’s something wonderfully disarming about the conversation that takes place around a dinner table." www.kellyminter.com

Our day began with a call from our oldest son, asking if I could meet him in a town between our homes, to take care of Madasyn, while he went to the eye doctor.

Well. . .let me think about it. . .of course! Jase, Madasyn and I spent most of our time together in the LifeWay store. "Grrama" and Madasyn found books and a God's Princess cd that we just had to get and Jase chose a smaller Bible. We were so busy having fun, that I didn't get pictures!When I saw this Every Day Bible Story Collection-RUTH & friends, I just couldn't resist getting it. I also got her the NOAH book in this series. These books include a dvd with each book. Each book has many Bible stories. Each dvd has each of the stories that are in the book, plus songs, too. Jase and I also spent part of our Friday with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew, Mom and Dad, spending a lot of time listening and talking.

I want to share these words from the song Dependent by Dutton Band, http://www.duttonband.com/

"We are made to stay Connected to each others' lives."

The song says "God gave us dependent souls."

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here! Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for this wonderful way to connect with others for encouraging, inspirational posts!

Join Amy at Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Lori@Peterson~St. Louis to enjoy more family posts!
Hope you had a fun-filled, family Friday and have a

great weekend connecting with others in the flesh, and maybe a little time to read some encouraging blogs, too!
Sandy

THANKFUL Thursday

I am so thankful for Jase's safe return and for this hug and the love between us.
I am so thankful for the interactions
Jase is able to have with people.

I am so thankful for

the promise of

our future in God's kingdom,

if we have prayed

and invited Jesus Christ

into our hearts.

I am so thankful

that God

has forgiven

my sins.

I am so thankful for all Jase learned about diverse cultures and intentional living, and what he is teaching us.

Today, I am so thankful that I can

"trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding;

in all my ways, I am acknowledging Him,

and He is making my paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I am trusting God to fulfill His promises for my life for Him.

What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thankfulness this week by visiting and linking up with our hostess for the month of July-Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store.

What does LOVE look like in your home? (recipe for healthier banana muffins included)

In our home, Love includes praying together, listening, talking, reading and discussing the Bible together. . . It also includes cooking together, and for each other. In our home, it also means modifying recipes to adapt to Jase's (and our) healthy eating habits.

Banana bread/cake is one of my Mom's specialties, and I like to make banana muffins. Jase first had us change to whole wheat flour, and then he began substituting sugar with honey. So here is our new family recipe:

Banana Muffins

1/2 cup shortening (maybe change to ?)

1 cup honey (original recipe-1 1/2 c. sugar)

2 eggs

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup mashed banana

1/4 cup buttermilk (milk with a little lemon juice)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. soda

1/2 c. chopped pecans (optinal-I don't usually use.)

Mix as listed. Put into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees 20-25 min.
(cake-30-35 min., bread-45 minutes.)

Love also means. . .

lots and lots of HUGS!

Love means playing like a child.

Love means more grandbabies to come!

I am joining Joanne and showing what Love looks like here in our home! (a little late in getting it published this time. . .will be looking forward to future Wednesdays!)

Angel's WHY I COUNT IT ALL JOY Wednesday

Today, I am full of JOY because my son is home safely and happy from his mission trip. Pictures will have to come tomorrow in my Thankful Thursday post.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1: 3-6

It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts,

so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!

SCRIPTURE MEMORY MONDAY

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Therefore, since through God's mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 4:1

What scripture is God using to speak to you today?

Kelly's Show Us Your Life---FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE

For Kelly's Show Us Your Life, the topic is your favorite Bible verse.

hmmmm, Just like all of the other posts I have read linked up to this (some of the 104), it's very hard for me to limit to just one. I started trying to pick the few that I would write about for this post, and then I thought, "You can just look at my blog, the verses I have posted on the side, and then my Memory Verses for the past year and half. If I had to choose one scripture it would be my Life Scripture. . .
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Then, since blogging has become a passion for me,
this one has been close to my heart.
Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

And here is the one the Lord gave me for TODAY!
Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, O Lord,
make me (and my husband and children)
dwell in safety.

Like I said, if you want to take the time, you can look back at my Memory Verses,
(really Meditation Verses for me) and see which verses have been speaking to me the most.
All scripture is inspired by God and good for instruction, reproof. . .
Now, I'm going to have to find the reference for that one, and the rest of it, and commit it to memory!

What scripture is your favorite right now?
Link up with Kelly. I'm going to be #107 or higher, so you can go read the posts, and get a lot of scripture and inspiration in your mind!

SPIRITUAL SUNDAY-to KNOW HIM

While my son is gone on a mission trip, I am finding myself going to his closet to borrow a t-shirt to wear to feel closer to him.

The one I chose today was a pretty green color with yellow print. It said

Yada: "Hebrew for To Know Him".

As I was taking the t-shirt off to change into something else, I realized it didn't really make me close to Jase. It did make feel a little closer to him, but didn't get me there.

My husband and I are going to go out on a date, but can't until Jase's blog post is up. It actually did come up, just a minute ago, and reading Jase's words do make us feel closer to him. His post disappeared for some reason, before I got a chance to copy and paste it, so it reminded me how important it is to quickly memorize what he wrote. I hope his words reappear on the blog site very soon.

Day 1: "Wow! Very diverse culture. Opportunity to have a conversation with a Missionary. I am expecting Father to do extraordinary work. "

Day 2: "Don’t really know how to explain the day. A lot of teaching from a Missionary this morning. Experienced some of the culture today through prayer walking. Also, had an awesome, door-opening experience at a mosque."

Day 3: "Long day of great prayer walking. Had the opportunity to see the inside of a Catholic church. I believe Father opened a door at a fruit market. We ate curry made by a local. Thank you for the generous blessings!"

I am so excited about what God is doing in His life, and can't wait to sit with him and listen to him tell us all about it!

This reminds me. . .

Sometimes wearing a cross or a Christian t-shirt makes us feel closer to God.

Reading His word definitely helps us to know Him.

Memorizing His word helps us to know Him.

Sitting awhile with Him, spending time listening to Him, letting His Word speak to us, and having a conversation with Him is how we really get to Know Him.

Do you Know Him?

A Conversation with God...
Yada’ is the Hebrew word for: "to know in a relational sense, to recognize and to be acquainted with." Yahweh, or more correctly, Yahuweh, is God’s name. His personal and proper name means "I Am," and "I Exist." Therefore, Yada Yahweh is an invitation "to know Yahweh" and "to understand our existence." For these things, there is but one place to turn. (His Word to us)

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays, go here!

You will be so blessed, and you can link up your own post, too.

Thank you so much, Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays and to all the others who link up such great heartfelt, encouraging posts!

Happy 52nd Anniversary to Clif and Charlotte!

I pray God's blessings on all of you!

Sandy

Family Fridays--FOREVER FAMILY-Part 10-Nightly posts from Jase from the field in Wales

My Son is currently

in the middle

of a mission trip.

How cool that I had already

drafted this post,

and then Amy asked

"What fun trips has

your family taken?"

Jase's iGoglobal blog posts

I'll be adding through Day 7,

as he adds them.

Day 1: "Wow! Very diverse culture. Opportunity to have a conversation with an M. I am expecting Father to do extraordinary work. "

Day 2: "Don’t really know how to explain the day. A lot of teaching from an M this morning. Experienced some of the culture today through prayer walking. Also, had an awesome, door-opening experience at a mosque."

Day 3: "Long day of great prayer walking. Had the opportunity to see the inside of a Catholic church. I believe Father opened a door at a fruit market. We ate curry made by a local. Thank you for the generous blessings!"

(Day 4: said something like "Another hard to explan day, but God is doing extraordinary work.", but then for some reason, Jase's post and others disappeared.)

Day 5: "Different day, but still awesome like always. Seemed shorter, but it’s because we started later. Even though the day seemed shorter, Father allowed me to meet new people. Again, a lot of PR walking with brothers and sisters. Had opportunity to eat Samoli food. Now feeling like I am back home because I had Jumpin’ [...]"

Day 6: "Today was pretty relaxed, lots of PR walking. Tomorrow is our free day then it’s back home. See you soon."

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord,

make me (and my husband and children)

dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Join Amy at Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Lori@Peterson~St. Louis to enjoy more family posts and link up your own!

Hope you are having a fun-filled, family Friday and great weekend!

Sandy

THANKFUL Thursday

This week, Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" shares about going back for a 50th Anniversary Celebration and getting together with old childhood friends, and asks us to think about friendships, too, and about who we might need to contact.
I do have a special friend that I grew up with, my maid of honor, who I email, text, and call, but haven't gotten to be with in a very long time. I will give her a call tomorrow! I have special memories of several friends from long ago.

I already posted pictures on my Counting It All Joy Wednesday post of my Bible study friends who I am extremely thankful for.
I also posted a picture of Valerie, a blogging friend, that I got to meet this week.
I am thankful for all of you wonderful, kindred spirits that I have met through blogging and would really like to get to spend time with in person.

Before I read Lynn's post, I was already thinking about how very thankful I am for

the true friendship that I have with my husband. I am always thankful for Jeff and all that he does for our family and for me.

friendships that we have developed with people in the four towns that we have lived in together, and friends from our childhoods and teenage years.

the phone calls we received from friends that led to a nice, young couple asking to rent our home in Texas. I am so glad that they are in it. They are already taking such great care of it.

I am also thankful for websites that allow us to track the airplanes our son rides on and to get brief, nightly posts from him about his experience.

I am thankful for friends who have supported him and are praying for him.

I am so thankful that Jesus is our friend!

What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting

Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage" and our host, Greg at Greg's General Store.

TUESDAY SUMMER BIBLE STUDY-RUTH

Siesta Summer Bible Study 3: Second Gathering

(from Beth Moore)

"Your discussions in this gathering will revolve around different points in your homework.

Two from Week One. Two from Week Two:

1. Look back at the middle of page 12 where Kelly had us look up Deuteronomy 23 and

Judges 3 to get some background on the Moabites. Read Deuteronomy 23:3-5 together if you’re not watching this as a small group. In your small group, I want you to talk about a few things that have happened in your lives that Satan would love to use to curse you. You can think of it conceptually more than literally if that helps. At the end of class today, I want you to claim that fifth verse together in prayer and believe God to turn those curses into blessings!

2. Turn to the middle of Week One, to the bottom of p.21 and the top of p.22. I loved Kelly’s discussion about her friend “weeping forward.” What do you think that means? Several of you share a season in your life when you feel like you wept forward and several others might consider sharing a season in your life when you wept backward. Most of us have done both at some point in our lives.The next two are from Week Two:

3. OK, Day Two has a portion that is vintage Kelly Minter and one reason why I love her writing so much. Look at the second paragraph on p.42 where she tells about her sister, Megan. If you were writing a novel that was secretly about yourself right now and right in this season and you had to name it in the form of a question, what would it be?

4. Turn to p.45 and review the part of your homework concerning Psalm 126. Please read the psalm together then discuss your answers to the “Personal Response” question: Practically speaking, how can you sow in your weeping? Don’t miss how much this section has to do with your second discussion question today.
In closing, read the Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote at the end. Let it lead you into prayer and don’t forget to claim those blessings from our first discussion question today!
For all of you participating in the fellowship meal, consider the recipes on pages 62-63 and either do them or some Italian equivalent.
I am so happy to study with you! Stay in the Word and I’ll see you in two more weeks!"

If you are doing this study with me, I hope to hear from you today!

Sandy

Angel's WHY I COUNT IT ALL JOY Wednesday

"REJOICE in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

DO NOT be anxious

about anything,

but in everything,

by prayer and petitition,

with THANKSGIVING,

present your requests to God,

and the PEACE of GOD,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7

This week, I am so full of JOY, because

even though my husband and I have never gone 10 days without being able to speak to one of our children, we can REJOICE and know that Jase is where God wants him to be right now, and that the Lord is near. We are to not be anxious about anything, but just keep praying and giving it all to Him, and the PEACE of God is guarding our hearts!

The Giving Plate

This plate belongs to everyone

where it may go

with each new sharing of its gift,

the love and blessings grow.

Friends and family gather 'round

with kindness and with laughter,

to nurture body, mind and soul,

with memories forever after.

So fill it up and pass it on,

to family and to friends,

to start the circle one more time,

Love's journey never fails.

This week, I am so full of JOY,

because I had such a great

Bible study time

with these girls!

This week, I am so full of JOY,

because I got to meet Valerie,

my blogging friend,

that I met through

the LPM blog.

These are not my feet.
They are the feet
of a teenage girl in our
youth group.
I just thought it was
a cute picture of
JOY!
I am also full of JOY,
to be the hands and feet
of Jesus Christ.



This week, I am full of JOY,
because I am taking time,
to smell the roses!


Sharing in
Counting it all Joy Wednesdays,
is like the Giving Plate,
so go here to share in the JOY!!!