Pledgarism

Ok, I was reminded of a song that has been dear to my heart since I heard it...maybe it will minister to someone else as well:

If You Want Me To

by: Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

So if all of these trials bring me closer to You

Then I will go through the fire

If you want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When You lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through

and I will go through the valley

If You want me to.

Written by KYLE MATTHEWS, GINNY OWENS

UNIVERSAL MUSIC MGB SONGS

This is my heart....and I know it is the heart of many....but sometimes we need to remind ourselves that this is truly how we feel...instead of letting the enemy or ourselves get rooted in there and try to make us believe things about ourselves and our walk, that really are untrue. Again, I hope this song ministers to someone.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Renewing Our Minds

We had a great bible study last night. We are studying (via a video series by Chip Ingram) Romans 12...and last night was about the renewing of the mind. We were asked what the most effective means of renewing our minds were in our own personal lives, and also challenged to be in the bible at least 15 minutes a day this week. Of course, the most renewal of my mind occurs when I read His word...but we all challenged ourselves to think beyond that....we can't be reading every minute of every day, although, frequently throughout the day, we need a renewing of the mind...so how do we do it...each answer being a personal answer. Many interesting responses from the group...it was quite enjoyable. For ME, I get up in the morning and walk, and I have an iPod, so I can listen to preaching every morning on my walk....I also, during the day, like to listen to some sort of praise and worship music, some sort of christian music...but most of all....I look like the crazy lady because I find my self in constant communication with God. I am ALWAYS talking to Him, frequently out loud. I KNOW, for me, being in constant communication with my Lord, keeps my mind from thinking things I should not be thinking, desiring things, I should not be desiring and putting into action things I should not be putting into action. Don't get me wrong...I make STUPID choices, say stupid things...etc...we do have a battle....but God knows that or He would not call it REnewing of the mind...so, I take those thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ...and renew my mind with Him.

How would you describe your most effective mode of renewal of your mind?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Redwood Creek Part 2

What a busy week we have had...we did finally make it up to Redwood Creek this weekend...almost all of us. Tom was working, so it was just Erik and I and the little ones...the previous pictures I posted were from a year or so ago and over the winter, the weather ruined our canopy that was on our deck, so here is another picture with what we did this weekend. Of course, it looks better when you are actually there. We opted for a screened tent so we can easily take it down at the end of the summer and not have to worry about the weather.
We had a nice time getting a couple of things done, there is still a little bit to get done, but it won't take long. We have decided (THANK THE LORD) to not do a whole lot this year...we would like to just actually enjoy it instead of working it the whole summer.

Anyway, just thought maybe you would like to see the update on the property. Can't wait to enjoy it as a family....and can't wait to enjoy it with friends....hint hint!!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Redwood Creek

Today is the first day of a new week....one that should prove interesting...why interesting....I would have to ask if you have met my husband....he is interesting indeed!! I love him with every fiber of my being, and he certainly makes this life we live a roller coaster ride, with very few stops. The sun is out...which means he pretty much has one thing on his mind....REDWOOD CREEK!

Redwood Creek is a wonderful place that is owned by the Jackson Family, and it's big enough that we all can stake out our little piece of land and do what we want with it. It's right on a creek with a great swimming hole, sitting near the bottom of a beautiful valley.

My family and some friends have worked very hard to make our little section what it is now. It's beautiful, we are blessed. All that being said....my dear, wonderful husband gets slightly obsessed at this time of the year and most of our talk is Redwood Creek talk....it is currently 9:30 in the morning and he should have left for work an hour and a half ago....but instead got caught up in Redwood Creek talk. In the past, and creeping into the present, is the sheer frustration I get when all he wants to talk about is Redwood Creek...I don't know why, but it just irks me. As I start the feel the fingers of that frustration creep up on me this morning, I also felt the Lord "creep" up on me too and remind me of a couple of things: 1) I really do love Redwood Creek and feel incredibly blessed to have access to it. and 2) He is my husband and I need to honor him, and sometimes honoring him means listening with great intent to his million and one plans for our little slice of land down there, and then listen to him change his mind a million and one more times, and know that in the end it will all work itself out...I just need to be patient. Honoring my husband is the most important thing to me in all of this...we may not see eye to eye, we may have totally different idea's on what to do, but honoring him means letting him know my idea's and conceding to what comes out in the end.

Tawny asked in her blog if we ever annoy ourselves....and I will give a hearty YES to that....I annoy myself when I fall into wanting things MY way, and forgetting that this life is not all about me, that I have a Lord to live for, a husband to honor and respect and love, and children to adore and raise to HIS glory...I do fit into all of it, because when I live for all of the above...I AM living for me, just not ABOUT me!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Thankful

I love going to Medford and seeing my friends. I always miss them terribly when it's time to come home...but I am so blessed to be able to go and visit them. We brought back Tom's truck...so he is in hog heaven right now!! And now it's official....Tom is a under contract and is a future soldier of the United States Army! I am so proud of him...and still going through this time of disbelief that he is growing into a man. He is only 17, so he does not ship out to boot camp for a little over a year, but there is much for him to do in the mean time...and he is ready for it. What a busy weekend it turned out to be.....tooo short of a visit to Medford, and a son joining the army....almost makes my head spin. I am so thankful at how good God is to me, and my family. He always takes care of us, no matter what the circumstances may seem....He ALWAYS comes through....Thank You Jesus!!
Well, I must get going on my daily lineup....have a wonderfully blessed day!