Summer changes

The past three weeks have been pretty busy at our house.  What seemed to start off as a really exciting summer has quickly turned to a different but still busy summer.  


My mom hasn't been herself lately.  Still kicking, but she has new issues that we have not dealt with before and they are getting the best of us.  With all of that going on we have made changes in our every day lives to help her and I am beginning to see what is truly important.  I have never really been a "things" kind of person anyway, so that really hasn't changed.  But family has always been important to me, and it is even more so now.  


Every day has it's own challenges, some days are good, some are more difficult.  


Either way, I am there, on the good days, and the bad.  Because that's what you do for your family, you're there when they need you.  

What must I do?

This week in Bible study we were talking about the passage in Luke 18:18 regarding the rich man who asked Jesus, "What must I do to get into heaven?"

As we went over the scripture, I noticed that when Jesus answered the man, he told him that he needed to obey the commandments, don't steal, don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't lie, and honor your father and mother.

After he said that, the man said, I've been doing these things since I was a child.

Then Jesus says, there is still one thing you aren't doing, sell all that you have and give it to the poor.  Then, come and follow me.

With that, the man went away, very sad.

That's what gets me, the man was very sad, maybe he was sad because he thought he was doing good, maybe he really was a good man, but unfortunately, he must have thought  a lot of his things also. 

With this story we don't hear the ending, we don't know if the man did go and sell his things and follow Jesus.  One of the things that leads me to believe that the rich man was a good man is because when he walked away sad, the other people in the crowd said, if it is that hard, how can anyone get into heaven? 

That kind of lead me to believe maybe he was one of those people who are just good people, and maybe he felt he didn't really need to do anything special, because in his eyes he was good enough.  If we could just be good, then why would we need grace? 

Know anyone like that?  This week I watched The Case for Christ, and I was amazed at the introduction with so many people who didn't really think they needed God.  I have to say I was a little blown away.  But it is a good movie for someone who may feel like they need some kind of evidence regarding the bible.  Personally, I just believe it.

So anyway, maybe the man did sell his possessions, maybe he came to realize that even with all his wealth and his possessions something was missing.  A peace and joy that can't come from things of this world.  They come from knowing the Lord.

Holding on to Gods Word

The grass dies and the flowers fall,

but the word of God will live forever.

Isiah 40:8

Happy Fathers Day!!

Happy Father's Day!!

You are such a great husband I always knew you would be a wonderful father.

You are patient and understanding, not just with the kids but with me as well.  You are encouraging when I come up with a project that you have to help me with, and you don't really complain about it.

You are a loving father.

You have always put family first and they will remember it one day, even if they don't think about it that much right now.

You are never too busy to take time to play with your kids.  Even after long days at work, you still have time for your family. 

You always make time for things they love, even when it takes us away for weekends at a time.

You have shown them the rewards of hard work and how good it can make you feel.

Happy fathers day to a dad who deserves a great one!

You teach them even when you don't realize it, and they may not act like it now, but they will appreciate it when they have kids of their own.

 

How do we increase our faith?

We are still in Luke in our bible study and the more I learn the more I want to learn.  Last night one person said, for everything I learn, it makes me want to ask more questions.

I bet that's exactly the kind of response the Lord wants us to have.  He wants us to crave learning more about him, wanting to get to know him on the most personal level.

Anyway, last night we were in Luke 17, where the apostles ask Jesus, "How do we get more faith?" 

The hardest times to hold on to faith is when we are hurting the most.  What should we do to make the hard times a little easier?  What do you do? 

In Jesus' response to the apostles, he tells them we have to exercise our faith, kind of like a muscle.  If we use it, it will grow.  If we seek God's word, spend time with him in prayer, he will never leave us. 

What a promise, he will never leave us.  That's right, he won't and knowing that we can face anything. 

Remember, God is good, all the time.

Just for your Information

If you have a parent or grandparent who may seem to be forgetful or just plain not making any sense, here's something to think about.

Most importantly, Treinkman says that caregivers can’t be too careful when they notice a change in behavior in an older adult, no matter how subtle. “Falls, confusion, new onset of incontinence in someone who had been getting to the bathroom, decrease in appetite,” she says, “any of these can be a sign of a urinary tract infection…for a caregiver, it really requires a detective-like index of suspicion.”

Hhmmmmm, I see.

Gone Fishin!

Not long ago, the guys went fishing, again.  This is some of what they caught.

They are a mixture of sheepshead, and black drum.

Here's Mr. Wonderful holding the sheepshead.  While they are good eating, they have a little quirk that you don't really see much on fish.

They have really big teeth.  They actually look like a sheep's teeth so that is why they are called sheepshead.

He/We did it!!!

And I didn't even cry!

Wordless Wednesday

Getting ready for Graduation!

This week has been kind of busy, because this Friday, my sweet baby boy graduates from high school.

 I know, I can't believe it either,  sniff, sniff.

But we have to let them grow up don't we?

 Don't we?

Oh well, I'll have more pictures tomorrow of Mr. Wonderful's fishing trip.  These fish are definitely something to see!

Cow on the loose!

   Look what just wandered into the yard!

Staying Focused

One of the things that we have talked about lately at Bible study has been how important it is to stay focused.  

When I was first beginning my relationship with Christ, I thought it didn't really matter what kinds of things I surrounded myself with.  I didn't feel the need to listen to christian music every time I was in the car.  I guess I didn't see that it really mattered what I put in my head.  Like with TV, or music, that kind of thing.   But now, I think it does. 

Now, keep in mind this is just my experience, and I am soooo not perfect, just ask anybody.  I have a love for all music, everything from Carrie Underwood to Kid Rock. Yes, I know, he has a potty mouth, but I think he has a great voice, just listen to one of his slow songs.  Yes, he does have a few slow songs.  Anyway, I guess that's one of the good things about getting older, you realize you're not as smart as you thought you were.  I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.  It happens more times than I like to admit.  So now, I try to pay more attention to what I am feeding my brain.  I like to watch uplifting shows, listen to happy music, I am learning to surround myself with people who are encourager's.

Now that doesn't mean I don't mess up, I do.



But I also know that when the world is getting crazy, and I need to spend some time with the Lord, maybe I should switch my station to KLOVE, or spend a little extra time reading my bible.  I actually have my radio station on KLOVE right now.


I have realized that if I spend more time with things that encourage my faith, it is a little easier to stay focused.  I think if we can remember that our relationship with God should be our first priority, then we can trust that he will take care of the other stuff in our lives.