Halloween 2009

My kids went as the "Dynamic Trio" this year.  How cute!

Halloween Home Alone!

Since I have had the flu and have missed work the past couple of days.  I have to stay home while everybody else has their trick or treating fun.  My fever went away through the night so I'm not contagious anymore. I still don't want to be around anybody though. 

I do have candy ready just in case somebody might come to the door.  The thing that stinks is there might be nobody come to the door.  Our town here is a Christian based community, so they all do trunk or treat.  Which I don't like because I am a traditionalist. I like the kids coming to our house and getting their treats.  But, as a parent of 3 kids I can understand the safety part of doing this.  Plus, it is an outreach for the churches which is good.  The churches need to show they can come outside of the building and show others we are friendly and loving and not a bunch of judgemental rats. 

I have a lot of good memories of halloween.  I remember most of my costumes that my mother made for me and my sister.  The best but worst costume she made for me was Yoda from Star Wars.  It was made well, but she used burlap for the material. I scratched all night long. You had to be tough in our neighborhood to go treating.  It was nothing but hillsides.  I believe it was the only time my Dad got exercise.  We would do our neighborhood and then go over to my  Papaw's and go through their neighborhood.  We were very tired by the time it was all over but it was good times I will always cherish forever. 

Fighters in the ring of life.

Today I was diagnosed with Influenza A.  I have really felt bad the past couple of days, and really hope it goes away soon.  I really can't afford to miss work.   I was thinking the other day about how healthy I have been over my life.  I have never spent a day in the hospital, never had a broken arm, even though I deserved one.  I often think about those who have spent the majority of their life in the hospital.  Especially the little children in hospitals like St. Judes.  Many fighting for their life before they even have a chance to live their life.  I have been praying for this lady here in Searcy.  She has been fighting cancer for the longest time. 

Her sister is a teacher at Harding Academy and has really helped her during her battle.  She often keeps us updated through Facebook on her condition.  Some of the people in this world we call heroes aren't really hroes.  It's people like this that are my heroes.  Fighters in the ring of life.  The little infants and children who fight daily to stay alive and want to enjoy life like every other child.  I often wonder why little children have to suffer or good people like the lady I mentioned above have to go through such struggles to live.

Many would rather the murders and child molesters suffer more then those good people.  But that is not how life works here.  It's unfair, but those of us who call upon the Lord know there is a better place.  A place that is beyond our imagination, no sickness and no pain. I pray for those who are fighting sickness and disabilities to keep fighting.  You are my heroes!

Quilt Of Holes

This is beautiful!




Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes,creating an image, the face of Christ.. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life ...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'
I need this back. If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need. - Author Unknown

Missing My Grandmothers

Yesterday we had Grandparents day and it was a wonderful time at Harding Academy.  I looked at every grandparent and saw their great joy and pride they had in their grandchildren.  The relationships between the kids and their grandma and grandpa is a special one.  It's amazing to see the glory of the Lord through this relationship of human beings.  I know my parents are proud of my children and who they are and how wonderful it is for them to be here and be around them.  This is love at it's best.

I always get kind of emotional on grandparents day.  I some times feel a little jealousy, because my kids know both sets of their grandparents and I never did.  I never knew my grandmothers.  My dad's mother I vaguely remember and my mom's mother died when my mom was young.  So i often wonder what they were like, what their voices sounded like.  How loving they would have been?  Or what kind of cookies they made? Would they be proud of me?  I really don't know a whole lot about them, But I know they were very kind and loving women.   Just to hear them say my name would be a blessing.  I do long for the day when we will all be together and we will all share eternity together.  At least believing in a loving and kind God there is hope to see those from the past again.  There will be no pain, no fears and no sadness.  What a great day that will be.  Take time to remember the people in your family you never met and be glad we'll see them in heaven.

A Peace of Mind.

This morning we talked about peace. How do you find it or describe it?  My answer to this two part question is simple.  I think we all need to find a peace of mind.  Our minds need to slow down and think of  things other than the worries of today and the future.  We have no control over what is in the future or today.  It comes as it happens, our ability to handle the terrible situations means we must take it on with God by our side.  We must start today in being deep rooted in our beliefs and the word of God.  As we are rooted well in our faith and our knowledge of God's word the battle will not seem so overwhelming. I have done this well.  I truly believe I can handle some tough situations just because I have a tough faith and good understanding I am not alone.  God is with me and you.

Now worrying is not my thing.  I have my fathers genes, he is chilled out about everything, but I am nowhere near his calmness.  I have some of my mother's genes also.  I won't get into that. :)  But a peace of mind I am working hard on, I really believe that all things work out for those who believe.  I try not to focus to far ahead in the future, I just see what the day will bring.  I have always believed that worrying is someone else's problem not mine.  Nothing really gets me frazzled and I focus on what I might be able to do to make the problem less of a hassle.  That usually works.  But our mind needs to slow down a lot.  I know we all  have pressures in our families, our workplace and other areas of life, but we need to offer our problems to God.   I got a little worked up this weekend because my heart started its funny heart beat and I couldn't understand why it was doing it. I'm on medicine, but I prayed and it has since quit doing it.  A relief!

With all the things going on in our world it adds to the stress, but I decided to turn off the 24 hour news stations and just ignore all the lies they state to get their ratings up.  The news stations bring a lot of garbage to us.  It's to the point where you can't believe anybody on there.  So it's gone from my TV, and life has been less of a worry.  I read a lot of Christian living books, these books have brought peace to my mind.  I have a list of them in the right hand column on this blog.  They are defintely worth reading.

As I look at this picture of pumpkins I get a good sense of relief looking at them.  I believe God gave us holidays and the decorations that come with them to give us relief, a peace of mind.  Fall is a sign of change in our world and our lives.  Just like in our own lives we can have a season of change every day, if we allow it.  God wants us to change for the good in all things.  To become better at life and better in him.  To find that peace of mind that only he can give.  Give yourself a break and do something great.   Take time to help others and give them some peace in their mind.  Make room for God and he will clean out those worries on your mind.  Be blessed with peace in him and you will find things will be better.

To My Darling Shannon. Happy Tenth Anniversary!

Hard to believe this is us 11 years ago.  Young and in love.  Today marks our 10 th wedding anniversary, and I am thankful.  Our story started one night when her friends and her boyfriend at the time came over to our apartment.  I didn't know who she was then, but I had my sights set on her.  About 6 months later she was single and we finally got together and have been together ever since.  God started writing our story, and what a great story it has become.  Three kids full of great energy and a cat.  God has blessed us in so many ways we sometimes have missed  the blessings he has given us. 

We are a simple couple, we often hide behind the scenes and hang out with our children.  I enjoy having lunch with her while the kids are at school and we just enjoy being with each other.  We've had our arguments and days of just needing to be away from each other, but we always have a great love that bonds us together.  I am thankful for God and His ability to put certain people together for a reason, his reasons.  I believe he has blessed me with a perfect girl, someone who loves life and wants the best for all of us.  She is my dream that finally came true, my princess whose love will ever consume me.  Today I am thankful for her love, and her willingness to love me as a complicated man sometimes.  May God bless our marriage! I love you , Shannon