Joke of the day

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him: "Lord, we don't needYou anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what You did 'In the 'beginning'!" "Oh, is that so? Tell me how." replies God. "Well," says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of You and breathe life into it, thus creating man." "Well, that's interesting, show Me." So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil. "Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God, "Get your own dirt."

Rings true

"It's not the things that I don't understand that bother me......it's the things I do understand"
Mark Twain

Forgot to tell ya

When we were at the nursing home the other day and left Louie we got to bring Imojean back to her room. She could talk but very softly and it seemed like it took everything in her. We got to her room and Levi said, "mom, she wants to go in her chair." I said, "someone will be in to help you do that right?" She voiced, "yes", and nodded sweetly with a "thank you very much." Levi said bye and see ya next week. When we went out in the hall he looked back to her room and back to me and asked,"is she going to be alright in there?" I said, "yes, that's where she lives." He said, "why?" I said, "sometimes when you get older you need to live where someone can take care of you." He then asked, "why can't a lot of these people talk and hear?" I said. "when you get older sometimes you don't hear and talk as well as you did when you were younger." I said, "someday mom will get old and you might have to push me around in a wheelchair and take me for a walk." He said, "I can't, you're too big." I said, "when I'm older you'll be a big man." He looked at me sadly and held his hand out to mine like he wanted to hold it and walk down the hall with me. It was so sweet. It reminded me of that book "Love you forever" by Robert Munsch. If you don't have it pick it up and read it to your child! It's one for your library! Even though I knew by the end of the day he would be telling me, "you're not my best friend anymore," it was a precious moment.

The most treacherous enemy

(Richard Baxter, "Self-Denial")
"People will be lovers of self." 2 Timothy 3:2 Self is the most treacherous enemy, and the most insinuating deceiver in the world. Of all other vices, it is both the hardest to find out, and the hardest to cure.

Another walk

Yes! We got to the nursing home and we were just about to pick our resident when I had to stop and put Libs up on my back. In doing this we ended up being last to pick and that meant-sleeper. It's so sad but yet you do what you can to have conversation. Our guy was Louie! Levi went up and introduced himself, "hello Louie, my name is Levi." No response. He looks at me, "mom, he doesn't talk." Oh well, we were off. Levi chatted as much as he could but Louie never responded. I saw Levi stare him down. He had a bum thumb and Levi was quick to notice. It did look pretty bad. Levi lagged behind a bit and have to have a little gag moment. He then said, "mom, I think Louie is sad because his finger hurts." I said he could be right. We also had a little moment where Louie slid forward and almost toppled out of his chair-yikes! When we neared the end Levi spotted this huge cross up on the hill. He shouted out, "yep, that's where Jesus dies on the cross." I said, "yeah, he did die on the cross and that's why he is not on it anymore because he rose again." (Thought I would use that as an opportunity to witness to anyone listening). In the next breath he said, "AND THEN THERE"S HELL.......(at this time we were almost to the end of the walk) we're almost there," he added. Hopefully no one heard him shouting all that out. We made it inside and Louie did give us a smile and a little grunt. We said goodbye and see ya next week!

Stanley Cup

Well Carolina won the Stanley Cup-believe it. It was pretty cool at the buzzer to see them win. After that I was annoyed. Everyone walking around worshipping the "silver calf." Passin' it around-acting like weirdos. Feeling famous, adrenaline going crazy, crying, screaming, drinkin' it up. Probably gonna be some big riots in Carolina tonight-good grief.

Weekend

Jace says to me when we're at the cabin this weekend, "mom, I just figured something out. You spend time with us when you're up here." Hey, how bout that? I would tell my accountability partner that if she wasn't fired. No, actually that wasn't really a great compliment. I don't have anything to do up there though and that is helpful. We jumped on the trampoline, read books, played tetherball, went fishing, played volleyball, went four-wheeling, ate and ate some more! We had a great time together even though I feel like my body is broken in pieces. Whoever thought tetherball was fun anyway? Thing'll kill ya! Napolean has serious skills. Jamie hit Jace in the face twice and Jace hit my mom in the ear-she probably got that ear ringer sound goin' off in there. Liberty is just mad she can't get the ball of the rope. Volleyball bruised Jamies arms all up and down, my thumbs, and my stomach feels like I did 400 sit-ups-gosh! Levi and Jace caught all sorts of bugs in there bugtown thing the neighbor borrowed them. At one time Levi had like 4 deer flies in there-yikes! We found a spider so big it wouldn't even fit in the bugtown-some weird mutation of tarantula. Pete put up this hammock that is like a huge trick to get on-or off maybe. We all fell out of it like 3 or 4 times-except him of course- he thinks we're just a bunch of klutzs'. Jace also got a 4-wheeler from gramps for his birthday. He and Pete are still up there. I don't know if he'll get him to come home. I had to get back and water the grass-the yard is seeded all over and is starting to lose that "adams family" look from all the work. Well, all in all it was a good weekend and I am looking forward to the morning walk and the nursing home. Levi said we get to pick a new residient tomorrow- he requested one that can talk. We'll see.

Be Like Christ At All Times

My brethren, let me say, be like Christ at all times. Imitate him in 'public.' Most of us live in some sort of public capacity-many of us are called to work before our fellow-men every day. We are watched; our words are caught; our lives are examined- taken to pieces. The eagle-eyed, argus-eyed world observes everything we do, and sharp critics are upon us. Let us live the life of Christ in public. Let us take care that we exhibit our Master, and not ourselves-so that we can say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me." Spurgeon
I want to live more realizing that there is a world watching. Believers and unbelievers alike. How can I be an example if how I am living is not a good example!!!!

Funny?

Funny how a $100 "looks" so big when you take it to church, but so small when you take it to the mall.
Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour,but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.
Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are, but how short they are when watching a movie.
Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray, but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
Funny how we get thrilled when a baseball game goes into extra innings, but we complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.
Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the bible,but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
Funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert, but scramble to get a back seat at church services.
Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks advance notice to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust our schedule for other events at the last moment.
Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything.
Funny how christians can know so much about the world and so little about God.
Funny how a church can do something totally unbiblical and people embrace it and call it grace.

Useless Doctrine?

Doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life.It is worse than useless; it does positive harm. Something of 'the image of Christ' must be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings. --J.C. Ryle

Our first walk

Hey the walk was good. Worrying about Levi was right on. When we got there we went into the gathering area where all the residents were lined up and waited to hear our instructions. As we were waiting this resident was calling for help. Well, Levi heard her and off to the rescue! He went over to her and put his finger right in the middle of her large galsses and knocked on them about 6 times with the tip of his finger and said, "hey, you were yelling for help!" After she realized he was pretty much sitting in her wheelchair she asked him his name which he told her about 5 times to no avail. Finally she leaned towards him and in a friendly but rough voice said, "I can't hear and I can't see. " He looked very sadly at her and said, "ohhh." He then came over to me and said, "mom, her ears hurt." We then picked a man wearing a hawkeyes cap and went up to him and introduced ourselves. When we asked him his name he said what I thought was "guess." We guessed Bill. Believe it-it was-people were shouting out to him all over on our walk. He's like a celebrity there. He was a really nice but he couldn't talk really but he did with his hands and he could say a few words. A lot of "yes sirs, thank yous, mmnn, ahhs, ya, beep." Levi didn't care he played 20 questions and talked about everything he knew. Now and then I would point out some flowers and Bill would acknowledge them in his own way and Levi said (only once), "I already saw those, duh!" Bill kept patting him on the head and shoulder. Levi really seemed to like him and thought his wheelchair was cool because it had a tray for his lunch and a mirror on it. That way he could keep his eye on Cbass behind us in case she was gonna try anything funny. It was a good experience for the kids especially-I am looking forward to more visits!

Pig Roast

Yesterday was the Noser family pig roast. I had a bloggin' moment. While watching John and Kristi unload the pig from the roaster Levi came over to check out Wilbur. I can still see the look on his face. It was of utmost disgust. As a matter of fact he said, "that is so disgusting." I said, "do you want some?" "No way!!" Later at home I was cleaning up out in the kitchen and I hear Levi yell, "Mom, could you cook me up some dinner, and don't make it pig!"

Monday morning walks

We are going to be taking walks with some of the residents of a nursing home in Hudson starting next Monday. I am excited at the thought of doing something for the kingdom but at the same time a tiny bit nervous. Jace has already been visiting there a couple times with another friend so I am not too worried about him. It's Levi and Liberty I am concerned about. I have decided that I will carry Liberty in a back pouch thing so she doesn't run off causing me to leave a resident alone with Levi. Yikes. I am already picturing the things he will be saying to the residents. The lady that showed us around already confirmed him as being the entertainment. I'm praying he doesn't say anything crazy or go to the bathroom right on the lawn. I will have to share in our first adventure with you next week. Keep us in your prayers. :o)

John Newton Quote

I am not what I once was!
I am not what I ought to be. Ah, how imperfect and deficient.
I am not what I wish to be. I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good.
I am not what I hope to be. Soon I shall put off, with mortality--all sin and imperfection.
Though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be--I can truly say that I am not what I once was--a slave to sin and Satan. And I can heartily join with the apostle and say that "by the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

AMEN!

Schedule

I need a schedule. Can anyone relate? When the kids are done with school or out of school it doesn't take long (like a week) before they are bored silly! I've told a friend that I needed to be held accountable to sharing one uninterrupted hour of the day with my kids doing structured things. I know this sounds all "ECFE" like and "organized mommy" like but don't get the idea I'm at all like these types of people. I know an hour seems like no big deal when they are up for 14 but it is when your like me. The first day I tried this with my kids they were like "mom, are you gonna play with us?" I said, "well, yeah?" They were like,"why?" I'm really better at directing and giving orders so they were pretty shocked. It had been really good the first few days but I've pretty much fallen off that wagon and my friend has never asked me once how it was going so I'm blaming her and hoping to start over next week.

666

Everyone realize what the date is today? I was sure that something was gonna blow up or some charismatic fanatic was gonna be claming the trumpet would be blowing at dusk. I bet there are all sorts of "prophetic" crazy things going on huh? Anyone hear any good ones? I haven't turned on the tv or looked at a paper so maybe some of you have. Let me in on all the talk!

Abominable sin!

Job's sense of sin was vastly increased by the great discoveries he had of God's majesty and glory: "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!" Increased views of God's glory had the same effect on Isaiah, and made him cry out, "Woe is me! for I am undone!" (Job 42:5-6; Isaiah 6:5). God's presence is infinite; His power is infinite; His nature is infinite; His existence is infinite; and so to sin against Him must be an infinite insult and wrong. Sin is an infinite evil.Sin is that abominable thing which He hates. He hates sin with infinite loathing.
Do we even slightly understand how much God hates sin? How He CANNOT look upon it because of His holiness. I know that I don't and that I need to. I want to. I pray that God helps me to despise my sin as He does. He is so holy and awesome!

Soundboard

Do you blogggers have this on your favorites list? You better. It's a keeper. Hope you enjoy it! I wish they had one for Kip and Uncle Rico. Maybe they do. It's flippin' sweet. http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/ndsound.php

Spurgeon quote

"The doctrine of justification itself, as preached by an Arminian, is nothing but the doctrine of salvation by works..."
I love it. It's total truth.

Garage sales

Thanks for the idea Carla. I can't stand it when garage sales are a rip. Woodbury has to be the biggest rip-off garage sales of all time! I can't believe how packed it gets. People sell things for way too much and get offended when you bargain with them. I was at this guys house who had a Wayne Gretsgy lunch box that said 25- on it. Just like that. I held out a quarter to buy it and he about threw me out on his lawn. He's like, "that's 25 dollars!!!!!!" As if I was gonna pay that for a piece of tin that was gonna get left at some park with a moldy sandwich in it! People will fight you for stuff too. It's like the day after Thanksgiving day sale at Best Buy there. Yikes! I tried a having a garage sale last year with some friends. Never again! Way too much work to end up hauling everything away! Cheap too! People don't want baby clothes-they want junk! I'll stick to shopping the sales and of course to Value Junk Mall! :o)

Glorious days ahead!

I love this weather! "Blessed be your name, when the suns shining down on me-when the worlds all as it should be(in my backyard anyway)-Blessed be Your name!" Ah! Looking forward to a fabulous weekend by the pool. Anyone gonna be around? Swing by and take a swim! We can blog face to face. :o)