A Life That Matters

I received this email last week from my friend Gloria and it stuck out in my mind for several days, so I thought some of you might enjoy reading it as well. I feel like we take life so lightly; it's almost like someone owes us something; or we think we're going to be here forever. The opposite is so true. No one owes me anything, I'm the one that had a debt that I could not pay. Jesus paid it all for me with his precious blood. He gave His life for me; the least I can do is live for Him. The reality of not living forever upon this earth becomes more real to me each day of my life. I think of all the people who were in my life for so many years, and now they are gone. It's just a process. When I was a little girl, my grandparents were at the season in life that my parents are now, my parents were in the season of life that I am today. We have a gift from God called life. Alot of "LIFE" that happens is beyond our control, but how I act and the choices I make is in my control. My attitude is in my control. My words are in my control. What I do for others is in my control. Even my smile is in my control. There should be a purpose in our lives, not just every now and then, but each precious day we are blessed with. I'm not around others outside of my family each day, but my attitude at home is very important, and contagious I might add! Am I teaching by example that my actions are important to God? Am I teaching by example that I am a servant of Christ and therefore to others? Am I kind? Do I love with actions, not just by words? Am I a vessel of honor? I read somewhere that Today is called the Present because it is a gift. Unwrap the gift of today. Choose to bless, choose to love, choose kindness, choose God's way, choose to serve God. Acts 26 tells about when Paul was being tried before King Agrippa. King Agrippa told Paul that he could speak for himself. Then Paul stretched out his hand and said for himself: verse 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Well, I choose to think myself happy, no not in a silly-whimsical way, but I think myself happy due to the joy of my salvation. True joy and peace comes from WHO lives within me, not the circumstances around me. I desire to live a life that matters.

A Life That Matters

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.

All the things you collected,

whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owing.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from or on which side of the tracks you lived.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what WILL matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?

What WILL matter is not what you bought, but what you built;

not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion,

courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,

but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories,

but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It is not a matter of circumstance, but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

Choose to live for Jesus.

New Union Missionary Baptist Church 110th Anniversary

1899-2009

New Union Missionary Baptist Church in Halltown, Alabama is an important land-mark in my families life and in our history. Because of the people of this church, my husband's family accepted Christ as their Savior, which gave my husband a christian home to grow up in, which has made a difference in the kind of husband and daddy he is. Christ does make a difference in ones life! Scot's grandparents raised their five children in the Halltown community. They were hard workers and good citizens, great family people, but they were not church goers. Scot has talked to some of the older people in the community and they shared with him how they had prayed for his mothers families salvation day in and day out. Scot's Aunt Brinda was the first one to get saved. Some friends invited her to church. I can't remember the order of salvation for the rest of the family, but I do know it made a difference in Brinda, and she went home and spread the good news. Eventually, Pa-Pa and Ma-Ma and the other three children at home got saved and baptized. Scot's mother and daddy were already married and moved to another state. My mother-in-law said that when she'd receive letters from her family, she could tell something was different about them. Later, when Scot's parents moved back to Halltown, two of the men from church visited Scot's home and led his daddy to the Lord. Scot then had a christian home. He had a drug problem! He was drug to church every time the doors were open! New Union Church is where Scot was saved and baptized. It's also the place Scot and I were joined in matrimony almost 24 years ago. It's the place we've said 'See ya later' to two of his grandparents, it's the place that welcomes us with open arms each time we visit. We are thankful for New Union Church and for the 110 years it's stood as a Light for Jesus on the hill in Halltown. Sunday, March 22, we attended their anniversary celebration. What a blessing to hear the testimonies of people who have been there for many years. They all had one comment in common. They all bragged on the Lord. They gave Him the glory for all the things the church had accomplished through the years. Some told about the days they worshipped with the windows open in the summer and warmed by the old wood stove in the winter time. They reminisced about all the people that had been saved and all the loved ones they had grown up with and worshipped with at New Union. It was just a lovely day of celebration and of thanksgiving to God who blessed this precious church down through the years.

Mrs. E. Armstrong

H. Fowler
C. Lindley

S. Bolding

J. Massey

Mrs. L. Brown

W. Ashley

Choir

(Special singing for the afternoon)
The King's Messengers

Pastor G. Philame and Choir Director J. Massey
Special speaker for the afternoon was former pastor Bro. Jim Jones

Bro. Jones and Scot-

Bro. Jones was pastor when Scot was a teen-ager.

I Am A Kept Woman

Dear Blogging Friends,

Do words ever seem so far away that you just can't seem to reach them? Or do you ever have so many words in your mind and heart, there seems to be a war going on, so you just don't choose to write any of them? Well, that is how I've felt the past few weeks. You can tell it by reading my blog I'm sure. I'm not feeling bad about this; just felt like sharing I guess. Maybe these are the words I'm meant to share. I am usually such an upbeat, positive person. I find such joy in the simple things of life; most days I can hardly contain myself. I mean, if I let out what's inside, it could get embarrassing most days! Even though words escape me right now, seems like I've gotten some really good e-mails lately that I have enjoyed sharing with you. I hope you've been blessed by the meaning or lessons taught in these posts. I appreciate my friends for sending me these blessings! Gloria sent me the following. I felt like each woman could identify to at least one of these and it might bring some hope to you. I am a KEPT woman; what a blessed thought! I love Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I have been studying a couple of different subjects lately, so I'll get back to writing soon. Just bear with me and keep visiting me at Life By George. I sure appreciate you. ~Liesa

I Am A Kept Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I

would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose

mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,

But the LORD kept me moving.

And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places

whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land;

for I will not leave thee, until I have done that

which I have spoken to thee of. Genesis 28:15

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I

felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut.

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:

but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 13:3

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,

But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on,

the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc..,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong!

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!

I'm blessed to be 'kept.

I'm 'Kept' by the Love and Grace of God!

When Your Hut's On Fire

When Your Hut's On Fire..

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going badly, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

(Turn your speaker up and listen to the song on my playlist) Be blessed!

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

*Thanks to my friend Rachel for emailing this to me.

Taters

Some people never seem motivated to participate,

but are just content to watch others do the work.

They are called "Spec Taters".

Some people never do anything to help,
but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work.
They are called "Comment Taters".

Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do,
but don't want to soil their own hands.
They are called "Dick Taters".

Some people are always looking to cause problems

by asking others to agree with them.
It is too hot or too cold; too sour or too sweet.
They are called "Agie Taters".

There are those who say they will help,
but somehow just never get around

to actually doing the promised help.
They are called "Hezzie Taters".

Some people can put up a front

and pretend to be someone they are not.
They are called "Emma Taters".

Then there are those who love others

and do what they say they will.
They are always prepared to stop whatever

they are doing to lend a helping hand.
They bring sunshine into the lives of others.
They are called "SWEET TATERS".

I'm thankful for all the SWEET TATERS in my life!

Words

Go here for today's post:
http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesday-in-word-words.html

Have a blessed Wednesday. Thanks for spending some time at LifeByGeorge!

Globetrotters

Last night, our family went to Tupelo and saw the Harlem Globetrotters. We enjoyed a night of good humor and talent. They were playing against the Washington Generals (surprise!) ha.

Scot & Cale in line
Noelle & me before the ballgame
(Mom without make-up!)

The Harlem Globetrotters!!!! YAY.

Justice prevails! Final score.

Of course, we always run into people we know.

Noelle and Kalie

Cassandra and Andrew

We also saw Mrs. Lona with her grand-daughter, the Harris family, and the Humphres family.

I Know He Watches Me

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

~Matthew 6:25-34 (Words of my Lord and Savior Jesus)

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

- Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

Anyway

I love the words to this song. Turn your speakers up and you can hear it on my playlist.

Anyway

You can spend your whole life building

Something from nothin'

One storm can come and blow it all away

Build it anyway

You can chase a dream

That seems so out of reach

And you know it might not ever come your way

Dream it anyway

God is great

But sometimes life ain't good

And when I pray

It doesn't always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway

I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy

It's hard to believe

That tomorrow will be better than today

Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart

For all the right reasons

In a moment they can choose to walk away

Love 'em anyway

God is great

But sometimes life ain't good

And when I pray

It doesn't always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway

Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing

A song you believe in

That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang

Sing it anyway

Yea, sing it anyway

Yeah, yeah!

I sing

I dream

I love anyway

Song writers: Mcbride, Martina; Warren, Brett; Warren, Brad

Ham & Rice Soup

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? It's rainy and cold here in Mississippi once again. I had enjoyed the spring like weather earlier in the week, but BRRRR, it's cold again! I'm not complaining though; got the fire going and the coffee on, so all is well. I'm sharing a recipe with you that my mother in law shared with me a few months ago. This soup is very hearty and filling. Hope you enjoy some on a cold day, or a warm day!

Ham & Rice Soup

1 6 ounce wild rice (I use Uncle Ben's)

1 small onion

2 TB. margarine

1/2 cup flour

3 cans chicken broth

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 cup milk

1 pkg. diced or cubed ham

water chestnuts, (sliced fine)

Cook rice.

In separate pot, melt butter, saute' chopped onion. Add flour, slowly add broth, stirring continuously, bring to boil. Slowly add milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in ham, rice, and chestnuts.

Simmer 30 minutes. Enjoy! This is very good left over.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

In life, sometimes we get comfortable; everything goes well with our job, family, church...daily life is, you know?....good! A strong-brisk storm comes along unexpectedly and it causes us to search ourselves. WHO am I serving? WHY am I serving? WHAT can happen to make me quit serving? I have dared to go deep within my heart, soul, and mind lately, which is very helpful and enlightening to do every now and then. As a matter a fact, it will either bring out the best in you, or the worst in you. It will tell the tale, as my mother would say. We can learn a lot from being in life's sea when the waves are rocking our boats fiercely. My recent soul searching has increased my faith. You know how you really don't know how you will feel or react until you come face to face with circumstances? I can say, I would do this, or I would do that, but the truth is, I really don't know until that circumstance comes knocking at my door. I'm happy to report that I do know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day. I'm happy to report that I serve God because He is worthy, and thus far, I am weathering the storm and am not jumping ship. A song I like says... 'When the storms are raging, I'll not be afraid. God holds me in the palm of His hand. When my ship is drifting and sails are frail, God holds me in the palm of His hand.' I'm thankful for the check up I've had, although painful, my faith and my hope has been increased, and I can pass the good news on to you, there is peace in the midst of the storm all because of Jesus. Another song says...'I will serve Thee because I love Thee, You have given life to me. I was nothing before you found me, You have given life to me. Heartaches, broken pieces, Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary, Your touch was what I longed for, You have given life to me.'

Between You & God

People are often unreasonable and self-centered,

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,

People may accuse you of ulterior motives,

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you,

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous,

Be happy anyway.

The good you do may be forgotten tomorrow,

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

And it may never be enough.

For you see, in the end,

It is between you and God,

It never was between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

Supper With Friends

Thursday, my friend Lisa called and said they would be eating supper at Cracker Barrel that night and wanted to know if we could join them. Well, who can pass up CB? Seriously, I couldn't' t pass up a time of fellowship with our dear friends! We only got to visit for a little over an hour, but I felt like the Lord had worked this visit out for me, because it was just something I needed. God is so good like that! Oh, and another way God is good is He gives us opportunities to share His precious Gospel with others when we least expect. We got to CB before the Monks did. I had told my family on the way that if we got there first, I wanted to hurry in and buy a little ceramic butterfly dish for Lisa. She collects butterflies. I went in and made my purchase and asked the lady to wrap it. The lady that wrapped the dish talked the entire time she was wrapping. I then joined my family on the front porch and rocked until the Monks arrived. We stood out on the porch hugging and talking for a few minutes. Lisa handed me a pretty box and told me belated happy birthday, and I handed her the gift I had bought her and said, "Happy just because". She opened her gift and loved it of course and we went on in to register our names. I stood in line to register while everyone else visited. While I was standing in line, the lady that had wrapped the butterfly saw Lisa holding the box, and the lady told Lisa that the butterfly was pretty. Lisa proceeded to tell the lady that she collects butterflies. The lady then asked Lisa if they brought her good luck and that opened the door for Lisa to witness to her. Lisa collects butterflies because of our salvation. When God saves us, He makes new creatures out of us. (Behold, all things are new) The lady said, "Oh, like the caterpillar becomes a pretty butterfly". Isn't that neat!? Go to Lisa's blog 'Butterfly Place' http://heswhy.blogspot.com/ She just started a blog, and I promise you, she'll bless the socks off ya! She's been a God-send to me.

While we were waiting on our friends to arrive...

We all did a little rockin'


and smilin'.

Friends arrived!

Liesa & Lisa

Bro. Tony & Cale

Noelle & Natalie

Bethany & Lisa

Yummy smelling pineapple-mango candle and pretty box

Thank you Lisa!

Snow Day In Mississippi

Beautiful views from my front door

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Daily Bible Reading

How is it I fail in something that should be so easy? I had been so disciplined reading the scheduled daily Bible readings until a few weeks ago. It's no one's fault but my own, but the week my son was so sick, I missed a day or two, and then, it was hard to get back on track. I still read my Bible, but just haven't kept up with the schedule. I had been posting the weekly schedule on my blog, but since I'm behind, I thought I wouldn't post it. But, if anyone was keeping up with the schedule that I was posting, if you'll leave me a note, I'll send you a schedule. I'm not quitting, I'm just not up to date on this and I felt like a hypocrite posting the schedule when I'm so far behind. As my husband would say, "You're not the pope". But, there is my confession! Ha. Pray for me that I do better. By the way, if you're reading Life By George today, thanks for dropping by. I appreciate all my friends in Blog-Land!

Talk Of Him

Click here for today's post:
http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesday-in-wordtalk-of-him.html

Birthday Eve

Here, Take this! ha.

This is my friend Chrissy. She's one of those friends that brings out the goofy in me! Chrissy, her husband Robert, their daughter Kanah, and Kanah's friend Anna came by with goodies! (2 pretty tops) This family was members at the first church Scot pastored over 10 years ago.

Kanah picked out an orange-vanilla candle just for her Gi-Gi

I got up Sat. morning and saw this box on the bar! My sweet husband had left me a note that said, "Your birthday gift is in this box. Don't open until we all get home. Have a nice day!"

Yea right!!!! I knew they didn't trust me enough to leave my gift on the bar with me home alone! I had the scissors in my hand about to make the first cut and I thought, I bet they are pulling one on me. I bet when I open it, there's a note that says, "Gotcha!" or something, so I was a good girl and I resisted temptation. If you know me at all, you know that me and an unknown gift in the same room is a dangerous situation. Not knowing what is in a package really really gets the best of me! I was so proud of myself. Then, that afternoon when I did open the box (after everyone was home), Scot told me I had passed the test. I really was proud then! But, come to find out, the gift was not in the box that morning, they had put the gift in the box that afternoon while I was getting dressed! See, I told you they didn't trust me in that situation! ha. I can't say I blame them! I really have the bestest family!

Oh no you didn't!

Cale, Kanah, Scot, Robert, Anna, Noelle, & Chrissy

Scot, Noelle, and Cale gave me this! Isn't it beautiful? They wanted to get me a PINK one, but couldn't find one. I love the red though. They also gave me a case, battery charger, and memory card for it! Then, Scot, Noelle, and Cale took me to Los Com padres for supper!

My supper!

Scot & Noelle

Me & Cale