Sunday Mornings Are My Favorite

I love Sunday morning worship. Yes, we have an amazing song service (yea Andrew!). And yes the sermons are always just what I need to hear (thank you, Karl!). But one of my FAVORITE things is looking around at all our beautiful young families. I start out counting how many babies we will have in our Cradle Roll Bible Class in just a little while. We are averaging 13-14 babies every Sunday now. Cradle Roll could be another entry by itself: I take photos each week to email to our moms. What an honor and blessing to work with our babies each week.

Another favorite part is when one of our young boys goes up to the stage/podium and reads a scripture just before the minister starts the sermon. Surely the young boys would be nervous, but they certainly don't seem to be. Perhaps it could be because of the prayers of his proud parents (and usually grandparents) - who are most likely reciting verbatim beneath their breath the scripture he is reading because they have all practiced every day all week for this very moment. Even his younger siblings are anxiously awaiting his return to their pew so they can give him a congratulatory hug.

So yes, Sunday mornings are my favorite. Hard to get up, but still my favorite. Get to go to church: sing songs of praise, hear an uplifting sermon, mingle with the family of God, and get quite a workout with at least a dozen infants.

The above picture is a photo of the young boys sitting in front of me Sunday morning. I could not resist pulling out my camera for this shot when one friend put his arm around the other.

I Like To Move It, Move It......NOT!!!!

So the title of this blog entry is referring to EXERCISE...yes, I said it: the 'E' word. My sister and her daughter have lovingly invited me to join them on Saturday mornings (as well as one afternoon during the week) for a light workout. I say LIGHT - only because it only takes us NINE minutes to complete, but have been assured by the medical professional in charge that each workout is the equivalent of 45 minutes on a treadmill. I'm sure nine minutes sounds like a breeze to many people but tell that to these 49.99 year-old legs that have not RUN since AT LEAST 6th grade P.E.! Not to mention these poor LUNGS - which even though I've never smoked a day in my life nor been anywhere near a coal mine, I fear I may have two 'black' lungs (isn't that a disease?).

But we only run for 1/4 of the "routine" as my sister enthusiastically calls it. In fact, my sister calls me Thursday pm to tell me about the "routine" they learned. Okay, silly me, I'm thinking high school DRILL TEAM routine, so SURE I can do that - sign me up:) Whatever!! Oh and I now have an entirely new set of adjectives for joggers/runners: crazy, disturbed, insane, looney, etc.

But I am determined to go back for more punishment because my kids tell me I will feel better and have more energy. I've also heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I suppose that remains to be seen.

Attn: The UN-Courageous

This is an open prayer for all the UN-COURAGEOUS spouses out here. It will refer to the men even though I know there are wives & mothers who do the same thing.

However, I have personal experience when my husband of nine years did not come home from work one night. That weekend he decided to walk out on me and our three young children (ages 7, 5, and 2). I spoke with him before he actually moved out. I was told we were a burden to him. It's been over 22 years, and there are just some words that will never be erased from your heart.

Since then God has truly "blessed the broken road" and lead me straight to Brady who married me five years later. He has graciously become the dad he didn't have to be; walked 'our' daughter down the aisle when she got married; being Gramps to our grandchildren; being the financial, emotional & spiritual support needed in our family.

Wow - I really did get sidetracked. Here's my prayer to the husbands who have suddenly proclaimed they no longer and/or never did love their wife, who are tempted right now to walk out of their marriages, wives and lives of their children:

Dear Lord,

I pray now for You to grab Satan and the stronghold he has on this man's heart. I pray that You reclaim him as Your son and that he run back to You as his Father and also back to his wife. Praying for Him to put away all foolish notions in his mind: whether it be due to depression, sickness or stress. I pray for all the amazing memories of falling in love with his wife to come flooding back. Memories of their wedding day, starting their family, building their home together. Memories of raising their children together in YOUR church, Lord, to trust and love You. May all these precious memories HAUNT him until Satan's evil ideas of leaving his family flee his mind.

May he fully repent to YOU first, Lord, and then to his wife and precious kids. Please torment his mind with thoughts and pictures of his children growing up until he realizes that YES he DOES love his wife and always has - even in the dry spells.

Remind him to be THANKFUL for his family: his most prized blessings of all. Without them, he has NOTHING of value on this earth. Please bring people into his life 24/7 that will lead him back to his family: whether he's at home, at work, the store, wherever he may be. May even HIS family be supportive of his wife & kids and be praying for full reconciliation of his spirit to You and his wife.

Again, praying fervently for Satan's hold on him to be broken - no, CRUSHED!- and for a hedge of protection to be placed around his heart.

Lord, I know I've prayed a lot for this husband, but my heart is so heavy right now for his wife. Please place Your big, warm, loving arms around her & the kids. Help them each feel Your reassurance that IT IS WELL. Let them know Your peace, sweet peace.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your son and all You give us each day. Without You we would not survive days and trials such as these. Please bring a smile to this wife's face today just knowing she IS loved and special to so many.

In Jesus name. Amen.

If You Can't Say Anything Nice....

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

A simple life-lesson taught to most of us as very young children. However, I've noticed there are many adults that do not adhere to it.

I know we all have the occasional bad day when things do not go our way. This saying reminds me more of gossip and mean-spirited, malicious talk. Some may see it as "innocently" passing on information. FYI: just because it is true doesn't mean you have to repeat it.

Next time you are tempted to pass on some juicy tidbit of gossip or news, STOP. Think how you would feel if YOU were on the OTHER end.

Hmmm, that brings me to another very important lesson: The Golden Rule (treat others - EVEN IF THEY AREN'T IN THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU - like you want to be treated).

Go - spread the word...