SCRIPTURE MEMORY 2011 March 1

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18NIV

I would really love to read the scripture God is using in your life today!
Sandy : )

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .Positive Words

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure. Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think everyday about my "simple pleasures". Like Dayle said this time, you are a special friend to me, even if I've never met you in person. I have met you through your blog, and you know me through mine. I look forward to this post each week, just like I look forward to seeing special friends!

My job is working with special needs students who are young, but are very physically defiant. The beautiful little girl, with whom I mainly work with, bites, pinches, kicks and hits me multiple times daily, but she also hugs, kisses and says "thank you" a lot. This week, my simple pleasure is positive words, especially the words, "thank you!" and "good job!"

Join Dayle @ A Collection of This and That

to enjoy SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY.

P.S. I did not write this post or any of my posts for praise to me. Just sharing my simple pleasure. I do thank you all for reading and commenting on my blog.

SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS. . .A Covenant of Peace from the Lord

My son and I enjoyed watching my brother's 8 year old son's Upward basketball game this morning. We also enjoyed the testimony that was given by a coach at half time.

She shared that she had thought that she was a Christian, but that about 10 years ago, when her husband had a heart problem, and she couldn't find the "peace" that others kept talking about, she realized that she didn't have that peace, because God was not god of her life. She did become a Christian, and then her husband had a heart problem again, and that time, she did have peace. She still has her husband today, but God gave her the peace at that time when she needed it, that if He did take her husband to heaven, He would take care of her and her three small children.

I am touched every day, by journal entries of three Christian friend's of mine who have husband's with different forms of Cancer, and they share from their hearts, on the Caringbridge website.

I have not yet had to go through what they are going through. I do know, though, that I can always trust in God's unfailing love and his covenant of peace.

. . .Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

I pray that you are having a blessed weekend, and enjoying the beauty of God's creation and His unfailing love for you.

Sandy
Click HERE to go to the Spiritual Sundays blog to share and be blessed.
Thank you so much Charlotte and Ginger!

COMPASSION BLOGGERS POST #1-Helping Emilda get to the World Special Olympics

Being a Special Education teacher and going to the local Special Olympics with students, this assignment touched my heart.


Emilda is an 18 year-old sponsored child with the mental capacity of a three year-old. She lives in a squatter community in the Philippines. And she's fast! In 2009 Emilda competed in the Philippine Special Olympics and she performed well enough to qualify for the World Special Olympics in Athens, Greece this Summer. But she needs our help to get there.


Pictures and more information about Emilda are available at:http://blog.compassion.com/the-making-of-a-special-olympics-champion/



To give to help Emilda, please use the following link:

http://donate.compassion.com/special-olympics-athens/?referer=96738

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .recess! (swings and slides)

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure, sort of like a recess! Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think everyday about my "simple pleasures".

I have been thinking about my "simple pleasures" this week, as I have been

Going high on a swing,

on breezy days,

looking forward to Spring,

pointing my feet high to the sky,

watching a bird fly by.

One of the definitions of

recess-a temporary withdrawal from or halting as of work, business, or study
in elementary school, a scheduled period of relaxation or play, esp. outdoors

The British word for recess is break.

I'm hoping you'll have time to slow down today, take a "recess" and think about YOUR Simple Pleasures. . .and give someone a hug!

Join Dayle @ A Collection of This and That
to enjoy SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY

counting it ALL JOY Wednesday. . .Continuing Life!

This past weekend, once again, our youth minister coordinated a United '11 DNow for the youth of our community. United meaning that 12 different churches joined together in this event. In the past few years, the service projects were doing physical labor to help people in our community in need. This year, it was a food drive, like the Boy Scouts do, picking up sacks of can goods that people had left on their porch for us to get to take to be used in our community Families Feeding Families ministry and other food banks in our town. My husband and I helped with this part of the weekend, driving 12 youth from different churches all together around in a van. The students were given $1.50 to spend to get themselves something for lunch, put it all together to buy lunch or use it to buy more nonperishable food for others. They all wanted to do the 3rd choice. It was a true joy to see them and all of the other students putting others before themselves. It is a true joy to see them want to continue to do that and to want to help the homeless right here in our town.

It gave me true joy to read my husband's text on Valentine's Day. . .
" To my 'daily Valentine', I love you! There is a surprise on the table."

It filled me with JOY to go to our niece, Gabby's 3rd birthday party at Chuckee Cheeses, before going out to eat with my husband, son and his girlfriend for Valentine's Day! It makes me sad that my kids have grown up, but life continues on. I count it all JOY that they are at the stages they are now, and that I get the Joy of participating in their lives, the lives of my grandchildren and my nieces and nephews!

It fills me with JOY that baseball season is starting! Tonight is the beginning of planning supper around church, baseball scrimmages/games and other activities.

Brisket is keeping warm in the crock pot! Gotta get to the field!

Then, to church. . .I am filled with JOY that I get to help my friend, Laura with the preschoolers tonight.

What is filling you with JOY today?

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

Thank you, Angel!

It fills me with JOY to pray for Angel's son Shane as he is deployed to serve our country, and also my friend/neighbor Jama's husband, John. I am praying for them and their families!

February 15 Scripture Memory 2011

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4NIV

I would really love to read your scripture choice and/or what God is teaching you.

Have a blessed day!

Sandy

Spiritual Sundays. . .HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to You!

I have been thinking all week about what I would write about LOVE and Blogger Buddies for Spiritual Sundays this week. Charlotte pretty much said what I was thinking on her intro to Spiritual Sundays and on her At Home in Arizona blog.

I am linking this up on Monday with Jen at Following the Footsteps for the 2011 Valentine Exchange. http://shaemata.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day.html

I am following blogs from A to Y, only missing the letters Q, X and Z! If you read my blog, and I am not following you, it's because I have "reached my limit" with Blogger. If I suddenly "quit following" you, it's because I checked and it seems that you might have stopped posting on that blog, and I have to eliminate some. I am so thankful for Charlotte and Ginger who created Spiritual Sundays for us to all join together to share inspirational posts, and I am so thankful that there are so many Christian bloggers!

Why do I spend some of my time blogging? I blog because. . .

I want to write.

I like to have it all in one place on the computer.

I have been blessed by so many other bloggers!

Thank you all and Happy Valentine's Day!

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5: 1-2

My goal for this blog:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, (blog), but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (read) Ephesians 4: 29

Click HERE to go to the Spiritual Sundays blog to share and be blessed.

Thank you so much Charlotte and Ginger!

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .Simple Breakfast. . .Simply Blessed!

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure. Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think everyday about my "simple pleasures". These tulips have been giving me pleasure, on our dining table, during this past two weeks of snow.
It also gives me pleasure to look up and see that word Blessed on our wall. I am truly, just simply Blessed!

Today, I was blessed again to share a late, unrushed breakfast with my son.

Today, it was simple, but pretty, I think! I used all of the eggs yesterday for breakfast and baking.

Today, we also enjoyed making homemade hot cocoa! Simply delicious!

Join Dayle @ A Collection of This and That

to enjoy SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY

Snowed in again on Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday!

Today, I am continuing to try to live out (continuing to have to start over) the challenge that Beth Moore issued on Monday, to go all day without complaining or criticizing anyone.
I am continuing to try to personalize that challenge and to work on my countenance and tone of voice.
I am continuing to work on my memory verses and meditate on other scripture and spend time praying about my attitude and about what God would have me do.

(from Jesus)

As the Father has loved me,

so have I loved you.

Now, remain in my love.

If you obey my commands,

you will remain in my love,

just as I have obeyed my Father's commands

and remain in his love.

I have told you this so that my joy

may be in you and that your joy

may be complete.

My command is this:

Love each other

as I have loved you.

John 15:9-12NIV

Today, I am counting it all JOY that on this, yet another snow day at home, I got to eat Taco Soup and Green Chille and Cheese Omelet with my son at 10:00 a.m.

Today, I am counting it all JOY that I found a recipe from Jennifer at www.thehomematters.blogspot.com

and made the delicious Polkadots.(fudge cookies with white chocolate chips)

What is filling you with JOY today?

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


Thank you, Angel!

YOUTH and COLLEGE CHURCH SUPER BOWL PARTY MENUS

Just a list of some of the food that will be at the two parties that we are helping with tonight. I had a few other things on the list that got crossed off, because my husband doesn't like for me to "over do it" and lose the focus of the fellowships. There will be some other things at the college party to round it out, probably. I am coordinating the food at the youth party and attending and helping with the college party. There will probably be plenty of food at the youth party, but the "Martha" always wants to make sure.



YOUTH
variety of chicken wings with homemade ranch dip

barbeque little smokies

bacon cream cheese crescent wraps

ham and cheese sun dried tomato torilla rollups

vegetable tray and dip

variety of chips and crackers

cheese dip

guacamole dip

Chex mix

Oreo football truffles

brownies

cookies

COLLEGE
brisket and bratwurst

fall off the bone spicy chicken wings

potato skins
Bush's baked beans


February Chex mix
Valentine iced sugar cookies
monster cookies

Hot n Spicy Cheez Its

Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Almond Bark coated puff popcorn

What are you doing and serving tonight?

sNo Complaining! Psalm 147 of Praise

Psalm 147NIV

1Praise the lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

4He determines the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

5Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

his understanding has not limit.

6The Lord sustains the humble

but casts the wicked to the ground.

7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

make music to our God on the harp.

8He covers the sky with clouds;

he supplies the earth with rain

and makes grass grow on the hills.

9He provides food for the cattle

and for the young ravens when they call.

10His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,

not his delight in the legs of a man;

11the Lord delights in those who fear him,

who put their hope in his unfailing love.

15He sends his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16He spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes.

17He hurls down his hail like pebbles.

who can withstand his icy blast?

18He sends his word and melts them;

he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

I know some are getting tired of being snowed in, and that's understandable. We thrive on routine, on being busy, on our daily schedule, which most of the time, in some ways, can be very good.

We all have heard the verse, "Be still and know that I am God.", and we have all heard that prompting of the Holy Spirit on our lives to be still at times.

I know that there are a lot of negatives to a terrible snow and ice storm, such as wrecks, roofs caving in, power outages. . .I am praying for all who are suffering during this time.

I know that God is in control. I am taking this time to "gaze upon the Lord" and study His word.

Click HERE to go to the Spiritual Sundays blog to share and be blessed.
Thank you so much Charlotte and Ginger!

Simple Pleasures. . .Happy 21st Birthday, Beautiful Daughter!

Today, on Kalyn's 21st birthday, with her away at college, my simple pleasure is. . .
pictures to look at and remember all the joy she has given to our family.
The moment she was born, I actually clapped my hands! She has been a true pleasure to us all of her life!
It is also a simple pleasure to talk to her on the phone.
It's a simple pleasure to count the days til she'll come home next weekend.

It's a simple pleasure to thank God for how beautiful she is inside and out, and for the way He uses her everyday. I BELIEVE He has an awesome plan for her future!

It brings me pleasure each day just to think, "What are my simple pleasures this week?", and I've been thinking. . ."hugs". . ."Hugs from our granddaughter, Madasyn. . .hugs from my husband. . .hugs from each of our kids. . .hugs from students. . .hugs from friends. . ." I should have saved this one for Valentine's Day week, but I didn't. I may have to use it again!

Give someone a hug today! It's an easy way to give them a simple pleasure!

Join Dayle @ A Collection of This and That
to share your SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY

Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday. . .Joy in my Heart, Praying for Joy in my voice!

Yea! Once again, it is Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday! I just love it when I think on all the ways God gives me to count it all JOY to live this life for Him.
The thing is, I've been "resolving" for years to have a better tone of voice and smile more, and I continue to fall short. I truly want to be nicer to those I love and to all!

"Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. . . .Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for EVERYTHING, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5: 15-16, 19-20

I have so much to be thankful for and joyful about. God has blessed me so much, when I did not deserve it.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

Today, on this second bitterly cold day in a row, unable to leave the house, I am so thankful for the beautiful, clean white snow that covers the ground. I am so thankful for the warm home we have to live in. I am so thankful for my son who is here with me. I am so thankful for my husband's job. I am so thankful for my job, that allows me to be at home on days like this.

Although, "Ruby", the red PTCruiser in this picture, will not be bringing Kalyn home this weekend, and we will be missing her a lot tomorrow, on her 21st birthday, I will just count it ALL JOY that she will be coming home next weekend. (Although, she'll be at someone's else's home most of the time leading in our United '11 DNow weekend. I count it all joy that she is helping with that!)

I am also filled with JOY that I can get some cleaning out of drawers and clutter in our home done today.
I am also filled with JOY that I was able to get one batch of Oreo football truffles made yesterday.
I am also very much filled with JOY that our son asked us to go babysit Jocyah on Saturday night. I am filled with JOY that it is suppose to get above freezing Friday and Saturday, so that HOPEfully, we will be able to go do that!
More things giving me JOY today:
my son in the kitchen, baking.
2 days in a row in pj's,
2 days in a row, oatmeal for breakfast with my husband, and today with our son
many days in a row, "eating early supper together, good home made meals", as my son said. And he also said, "I like that!"

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

Scripture Memory 2011, February 1/Our God and His Love for us never change!

Isaiah 54:10NIV

. . .Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,"

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Other verses from

Bible Study Lesson

"God is Immutable"

Hebrews 13:8NIV

Jesus Christ is the same

yesterday and taday and forever.

James 1:17NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unlike our weather, God and His love for us do not change.

Unlike the list of who we exchange notes with for Valentine's Day,

our love letter from God is always available to us and is always true.

I'd love to get a comment from you sharing the scripture you are working on this time and/or what God is teaching you or saying to you right now.

Enjoy your day! : )