This has been a very somber week for me.  It was Thanksgiving week, which I love. I cook and I'm surrounded by my family who I love with all my heart.  I am thankful for my Lord and Saviour, Jesus because He loves me and saw fit to reach out to me when I was 7 years old and convict my heart and cause me to see my sin and reach out for Him.  I am thankful for too many blessings to list but are beyond anything I deserve.  That is what Thanksgiving is to me, but this year a things were a little different.  I saw the power of God in so many ways around me and those in my life.  I witnessed His unequaled(sorry, not sure that is a word, but should be) care for some of His children this past week.  I saw heartbreaking sadness. I saw pain and doubt.  I saw God's people reaching out to pray and seek God.  I don't want to go into detail on either of these losses, but God took two baby girls home this week and even though my heart breaks for both families, I can only see God working.  If this would have happened a year ago, 2 years ago, I am not sure what my reaction would have been. Over the past year, God has touched my life and made me so aware of all the things He does.  Not just for me but for those around me. He is God! and I am not sure some people understand that sometimes.  He knows exactly what He is doing and it doesn't matter if we understand it or not, but if we live in Him, He comforts and consoles us and somehow we get through it.  I know that these 2 families have a long road ahead but I also know that with everyone who trusts God and believes in His unfailing love, He will carry them on the days when they just can't make it.  He will guide them when they are feeling numb.  He will give them rest when they feel they just can't go one more step.  He sees there tears and knows the heart of His children.  If there are lost souls in either of these families, it should show them the power of God and as Christians we should be showing them our faith through all of the turmoil and sadness.  It breaks my heart as a Mommy and a Grandma but I know that God is bigger and knows what He is doing and that if we allow Him, He will comfort and give us that extra grace to see the big picture in everything that happens around us.  I know that these families have a long road ahead and there are no magic words to heal their hearts and nothing I can say will change how they feel or what they are going through.  All I can do is ask God to comfort them and surround them with His care.  If there are any who are lost without Christ, I pray that they will see God and His power and want a personal relationship with Him.

On this Sunday morning as I get ready to go to God's house and worship Him, I am very thankful for Jesus, who died on that cruel cross for me.  Who could have walked away and not done what His Father needed Him to do, but He didn't.  His love for me was so great that He took all of my sins and died for each and every one. I need to never be ashamed of this gospel of Christ, ever.  I need never to shy away from sharing this story of  this sacrificial love that God gave to each and everyone who will open their hearts to Him and seek His forgiveness. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Me should not perish, BUT have EVERLASTING LIFE!" John 3:16

God loved us so much He gave His only son to die for our sins and all we have to do is believe on Him and in Him and we will spend eternity with Him, its forever, it never ceases.  Thank you God for the most awesome sacrifice that we will ever receive.  For Christ and his blood, I am thankful.  Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving! Time is just flying by, not sure if it is because I am getting older or just time is going faster..... humm something to think on. But not today! Today if full of food, fun and family but before this all begins, except for the turkey in the oven and the ham in the cooker, I want to share something with anyone who reads this blog.

2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift.

That gift is what I am the most thankful for today and every day.  His salvation. I just found this verse this am as I was looking for a verse of thanksgiving for this entry.  And believe me there are hundreds of them but this one really says it all. My salvation is the thing I am most thankful for because without God's loving hand on my life I would have none of the other things I am thankful for. I am His child and through that indescribable gift I will be his child from now and through eternity.  It determines my destiny. It guides my thinking and my daily life.  I am not always as appreciative of this gift and I am not always respectful of the gift I have been given, but thanks be to God because He loves me and when I go to Him with heavy heart of failure and beg for His forgiveness, He picks me up and sets me back up on my way and I try to do better. 

I don't think I have ever seen this verse before.  It touches my heart because what a beautiful way to explain what God's given us through the giving of His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross in such a cruel way for all of my sins, all of my sins! He never thought twice about doing it.  He never hesitated to move ahead with His plan of salvation.  He was never distracted or drawn away from doing what He knew would need to be done in order for me to have any hope, any future.  I am going to do my best to remember this today and try for all times.  God gave me this wonderful gift and He only asks that I share it with others.  That I don't hesitate, or get distracted or drawn away from doing the work He has set before me.

I am so thankful for all the things of my life.  The good things, the hard things, the things that don't seem fun, the hard work of life and growing old.  I am thankful for hubby and children and grandbabies as well as extended family.  I am thankful for my church, my pastor and the priveledge of worshiping God.  I am thankful for my job, my co-workers and Boss' who care.  I am thankful for all that has been given to me, good things and sometimes not so good things(aches and pains) because I know that God sees my life and He knows my heart and even when I don't know what to say or do, He looks down at me and knows that I am His child and He loves me unconditionally.

If you are reading this blog, the only thing I ask of you it to know that God is real and He is the only person who can save you from going to Hell.  He only asks that you reach out to Him and confess your sins to Him and believe He will remove them from as far as the east is from the west and He will forgive you and create in you a new person; His child.  Know Him, Seek Him, Ask Him, Recieve Him!

Happy Turkey Day to all!!

Its Sunday morning and it seems like the weekend just started! We went camping this weekend, weather was awesome and the view was beautiful. God is so good to all of us and enriches our lives with friends and family and the wonderful things He created.  I was so reminded of all these things this weekend as we spent time with family and my two grandsons.  We missed our oldest son and his wife and our granddaughter, but they were gone on a trip to celebrate 10 years of marriage! So blessed!! just a note: youngest son and his wife will be celebrating 5 years of marriage in a few weeks! Am I a proud blessed Mom or what! All because of God's amazing love and grace.

I was thinking about what I wanted to post today and a verse in my morning devotion touched my heart, James 1:2-3(NASB) Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance."  I have a few people in my life who seem to have a lot of trials in their lives right now and some handling better than others.  I know that in my life I sometimes feel overwhelmed by trials and tests but most times, but not always, I try to see what God wants from these tests, what does He want me to see and how does He want me to respond.  I think sometimes, He just wants us to start growing up, He doesn't want us to be babies in His word from "birth" on, He wants us to start desiring the meat of God's word.  My husband is leading lessons in spriritual growth in Sunday School and I so wish I could sit in on them. 

God allows things to happen in our lives for a reason, or purpose.  We have to use His word to help us discern what it is He wants or doesn't want.  If I feel like I can't catch a break or my life is out of control God and His word reminds me to Be Still and remember He is God and can take care of everything or will make it easier to handle if it is something He wants to show me.  It is all in how I respond and react.
Here is an example:  I have started menopause and let me tell you, the hot flashes are probably the worst part so far.  At first I thought it would just be a temporary problem but appears that it may stay around longer than I would like!  I am trying to figure out what I can gain from the experience.  The conclusion I came up with is that God made me, I am not the only woman who will or is going through this and I need to handle it with Godly grace (as much as possible with sweat running down my back!) and to just remember that He will give me comfort and assurance that He is with me.  The hardest thing so far has been these mood swings that come out of nowhere! My poor loving hubby gets all the brunt of those, sorry sweetie, it isn't personal! I am trying to read my bible more during those times and pray because I know they will pass and it is just temporary.

That is what we all need to remember when trials and tests come upon it to ask God what he wants from us.  Is he showing us how to grow, is it for the benefit of others to see how we handle things or is it just to remind us that He is our Father and He wants us to lean on Him and not the world.  I know that it is hard sometimes but if God is our Saviour and Father then we need to reach out to Him, even when we don't feel like it.  We have no reason to ever be mad at God for anything.  He is in control of everything and it is very disrespectful for us to think that we know what is better for us than He does.  He created us and knows how we will react to each situation.  Think of the last time you went through something difficult:  How did you react? Did you respond??
Well time to get ready for church! Blog to you soon!

October 24, 2012
Happy Wednesday! I always like Wednesdays because the work week is half over and its mid week church, which helps me get through the rest of the work week.  I need that extra dose of fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ to push me through.  Gives me a little boost.
We had our ladies fellowship last night at church and I was so blessed by these awesome women God put in my life.  We shared our favorite verses from the Bible and it was such a refreshing night.  I wrote them all down because I want to put them into my mind and heart this week.  These ladies are so different and unique and I can't image not having them in my life.  They are have such different personalities, which is great, because I know just which one to reach out to when I am in need whether spiritually or just need a hand to get something done.  They are my best and dearest friends.  You know I am thinking above our service to one another today and how we should always have a servants heart.  That is the example that Jesus set for us.  Even though he was God, he washed the feet of the disciples, he met the needs of those who reached out to him throughout his short but powerful ministry.  Sometimes it is so hard because we let the world creep into our thoughts and hearts and we begin to feel like we are more deserving than we are.  We begin to think, "Well, I work hard and do all this good stuff, I need someone to do stuff for me. "  I call that, "Stinkin Thinkin".  That is worldly thinking.  God wants us to have the heart of a servant, not a heart that HAS to serve because we are told to, but one who WANTS to serve.  Servants in bible times were considered part of their owners family.  We as servants of God are part of his family and as we strive to meet the spiritual and physical needs of others, we are showing God in our lives.  I need to remember that each and every day because if I am always Stinkin Thinkin, how can others see Christ in my service and my testimony.  They won't be able to see past my attitude and my actions.   I am praying that I will remember that I am a servant of Christ and serve those around me with a cheerful heart.  This includes towards my Hubby, my church, my coworkers, anyone I come in contact with.  Galations 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. "  Woo Hoo! Happy Wednesday!

October 23, 2012
Ok, so have you ever had one of those weeks or months that your life seems to be out of control? It seems like I am having one of those weeks/months, not sure how long it has been going on. Ugh! I have millions of things on my mind and just as many things I want to do. I always say that no one wants to get into my head because it would wear them out. Not that it is full of bad things, just lots of brain post it notes everywhere. Sad thing is, can't recall half of the things on my brain to do list most of the time.  I guess that is why I am calling my blog, There is life after Forty, because there most certainly is much more life to live and give. 
I sometimes think I am busier now than I was when I had my 2 boys still at home.  Maybe it is because I am more involved with my church and with family and grandbabies.  My job requires more of my time too.  I completely understand when Moms say they are worn out. I remember those days. I remember staying up till midnight just so my dishes were done, laundry was somewhat caught up and just so I could have a litte peace and quiet.  Hubby and I raised our kids mostly on our own. We always just figured they were ours to raise and so if they couldn't be where we were, we didn't go.  We spent most of our time, together.  Today's families are so busy it seems. I know it is just me and hubby and we are busier than we ever have been and I know that without kids it is hard so with kids, even harder.  Sometimes you just have to say NO to things that you want your answer to be YES instead.  I have to remind myself what is my God given role:  To love God with all my heart, to love and respect my husband and meet his needs, to nurture and be an example to my children and grandchildren and to serve God in my local church.  Now, once I have done those things to the best of my ability, then I can do other things.  I am not saying that we should not reach out to those in need, that is the furtherst thing from my thoughts.  To me that is part of serving God.  To reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Being hospitable to those in need.  I am just saying that there are a lot of things out there that I have to say, " Sorry, I just can't help with that". I have priorities and when I deviate from them, my life looks like 10 different color cans of paint have exploded in my little mini van!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess my blog message today is:  Watch your life, Make sure that you start every day with God and His words to you. He will always have an answer for whatever is on your heart.  I tell me Sunday School class:  If you are not praying, and you are not reading your bible, you are not having fellowship with God because He speaks to us through His words (Bible) and we speak to Him, through our prayers.  Remember that God always comes first, if He doesn't, you need to do some rearranging of your paint cans! Psalm 90:12:  "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom."  Make each and every day count for Christ!!!

Wow! I am writing in my Blog! Of all the words I ever thought would come out of my mouth, those weren't it!  Well, let me tell you a little about myself and why I felt led to start this journey of blogging. 
I am a Baptist Girl, saved by grace through faith.  I love God above all else and I strive to serve Him every day. I come so short of what He wants me to be and do but I am so thankful that I am His child and that He picks me up, dusts me off and sets me on the solid ground and off I go again. 
I am married to the most wonderful man in the world! He loves God and he isn't afraid to stand up for truth.  He thinks I am still the sexiest thing ever(although he does wear bifocals now)even though I'm not, and he never forgets to tell me that he loves me! We have been married almost 30 years and I almost can't remember not being his wife.  We have two wonderful boys who we couldn't be more proud of and we also have two beautiful girls that we didn't have to raise, but because they loved our boys, they became our girls.  In case you didn't get all that, they are our daughters in law who we love dearly too.  So far we have 3 of the most beautiful, sweet, adorable grandbabies.  Each one of them holds a special place in this Grandmaw's heart. We also have 3 puppies and a cat and 2 guineus (not sure I am spelling that even close to right).  Yes, we are those people who have pets and talk to them like that have a clue what we are saying to them, but we love them anyway.
I adore my church family.  They are always there to support us and the walk in truth with us.  We have such sweet fellowship with each and every one in our Landmark Missionary Baptist congregation. 
I have so much I want to share with anyone who reads this blog.  God is such a real part of my life and even though I am almost 50 years old, I still learn from His word every day and I want to share what I learn and also look forward to hearing from others too.

I am an empty nester I guess. Our kids are grown and though we live in the same town, they are on their own.  I hear about so many women that seem to fall apart after their kids leave home but I guess I am not one of those women.  When our youngest son got married and moved out to start his own family, I had a sense of accomplishment.  God had entrusted in me these 2 boys to raise in the nurture and admonishion of God. That day, I fulfilled that task.  I had done and said all I could to get them started in the lives they were meant to live. You see, from the day each of them were born, I prayed that God would give me the ability to raise them according to His will.  I know that Gene and I were not perfect parents and that we made mistakes, said things we wish we hadn't and reacted in ways we wish we wouldn't have, but we tried to show them God in our lives.  We tried to instill in each of them the need to serve and love God above all else, and I know that they are my boys, but I watch their lives and I see God working so I know at least part of what we taught them, sunk in.  They are both active in God's service as well as their wives and my awesome grandbabies.  There is a saying that goes something like this:  " This in no greater joy that to hear that your children walk in the truth".  Oh, how it touches my heart and makes me so grateful to God for His blessings and fulfullment of His promises.  Of all the wonderful things that my kids do, when I see them serving God, that is what makes me the proudest. 

As you can tell, I'm a little sappy, sorry, just how I am.  I am at the point in my life that I am very set in my ways, but not afraid to try new things and listen to new ideas, hence the blog.  But just because I am not 20 anymore and I don't have some fabulous career that doesn't mean I am not happy. I am overjoyed with life.  I am starting my treck through menopause and I am still happy.  A little frustrated but happy!  God is so good and He knows everything about me.  He knows how to listen to my heart on those days I just don't know what to pray.  He brings verses to my heart when I need them most.  He makes my life complete.  That is why I am happy.  I hear so many people today talking about all the things they don't have or they need to make them happy.  It is all a worldly lie.  God is the only one that can provide true happiness.  Now, do I get down and have my pitty parties and become discontent with my life? SURE I do, its my human nature;  but I also have a spriritual nature that reminds me that God is all I need for true happiness. He reminds me of all the things he has done for me and in my life.  I think that is the greatest lesson I have learned from God is to remember to sit down and count my blessings when I get all caught up in the world.  Count all the times that I had food to eat, clothes on my back and a place to stay warm and dry.  Thank you Lord for your wonderful blessings in my Life.  May I never forget what you have done for me and help me never forget to thank you for the things that lay ahead of me.  Life is great, even at 49 and I will continue to share it with whoever wants to listen.  My verse today was 1 Peter 4: 1&2 that reminds me that I am to please God, not this world and the things in it. Have a great night, talk to you tomorrow!