Church Almost Done

OH MY! Are we gonna have church in here!!!

Read Full Post »

Awesome God

God Continues to do Marvelous Things!

Baptismal Service Thursday July 26, 2006

Thanks to the Brewster’s for the use of their beautiful pool.

We are in the process of raising the money for the baptistry in our new church. It won’t be long until we can baptize at church but in the meantime time the pool will work just as good. Sins are still washed away in Jesus Name.

Mattie and Danielle have both received the Holy Ghost and now are baptized in His precious Name.

Daniel, Minuet and Dominic graduating from

Christian Development Classes

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

The Best Gift for Your Kids

The most important thing you can do for your kids (whether pre- or post-adolescence) is not giving them great advice, administering perfect discipline, being consistent 100 percent of the time, being their best friend, or even having the perfect “parade of homes” family. The best thing you can give your kids is the consistent, solid assurance that you love your spouse beyond a shadow of a doubt. Moms and Dads should consistently send the message that “although we’re not always perfect and we argue and hurt each other’s feelings from time to time, we are going to be here, together, for you.”

One of the major fears of school-aged children is that their parents will divorce. Many of these children are routinely exposed to negative news and unsettling change. They hear that their friends’ parents are splitting up or that their favorite celebrity is getting a divorce, and they wonder if their parents are next. Many children experience a “when, not if” type of anxiety on a daily basis, fearing their parents will be the next statistic.

Because of these uncertainties, your children need to know that you and your spouse love each other and are committed, permanently, to each other. Your kids need to know that you are going to stick it out even through the tough times.

Instead of giving your children costly material trinkets — which marketers tout as “must haves” — give them what every child really needs: the assurance that Mom and Dad are in this for the long haul. Do whatever it takes to make your marriage thrive: swallow your pride, go to counseling or a marriage retreat, give up a hobby, throw the TV in the dumpster. . . whatever! Just do it. Your kids will thank you.

 excerpt from Mitch Temple

 

Read Full Post »

Can You Sleep While the Wind Blows?

I am posting this again.  The first time I posted this was 7/22/2006.  It has been one of the most visited of my posts.  I hope you enjoy and that you come in contact with the Master of the wind today.  

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the sea, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him. “Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.

Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, “Get Up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir, I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.

Everything was tied down.

Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant,

so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

MORAL OF THIS STORY

When you’re prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm.

We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.

We don’t need to understand, we just need to hold His hand

to have peace in the middle of storms.

When I read this story I was reminded of a couple of songs my mother use to sing. One said, “I know the Master of the Wind. I know the maker of the rain. He can calm the storm, make the sun shine again. I know the Master of the Wind.” The other one had words like, ” ’til the storm passes over, ’til the thunder sounds no more, ’til the clouds roll forever from the sky…hold me fast let me stand in the hollow of thy hand. Keep me safe, ’til the storm passes by.”

For as long as I live, I will remember Mother sitting at her piano and singing that last song, “hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of thy hand….” as she battled cancer in her body. Her voice was very weak but her spirit was strong because she had secured things between her and her maker. I could tell and so could everyone around her that she was not afraid of the stormy winds blowing in her life. Thank you God for a mother that really did KNOW the Master of the Wind.

Read Full Post »

Presidential Prayer Requests

PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER REQUESTS
FOR JULY 20, 2006

As violence escalates in the Middle East, pray for the Spirit of God to move with strength and power to stop the hatred and contempt that fuel the conflict. Pray for peace to come to that region and for the killing to stop. Pray for President Bush as he works with world leaders to bring the influence of the international community to bear on the crisis. Pray for the protection of innocent lives in every part of the Middle East. Pray for a resolution to the conflicts that are driving this crisis—for God’s kind intervention and for innocent lives to be protected.

Pray for Secretary of State Rice as she meets with U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan who has just returned from a fact-finding mission to the Middle East. Pray for Dr. Rice as she discerns the best time to visit the region.

Pray for the thousands of Americans who remain in Lebanon—for their protection and swift and timely evacuation. Give thanks for the effort by our military as they facilitate the transport of citizens. Pray that this will be done in a safe and orderly manner.

Pray for the President as on 7/20 he meets at the White House with Salva Kiir, First VP of Sudan and President of Southern Sudan, to discuss the development of that nation’s peace agreement and government. Also on 7/20, he will speak to the NAACP annual meeting in Washington, D.C. On 7/25 he meets at the White House with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to discuss the security of Iraq, global cooperation, the partnership to build democracy and ongoing efforts against terrorism.

As another tropical storm forms in the Atlantic, pray for it to defuse, for the protection of all who live along coastal areas, and for a mild storm season.

Pray for our troops as they serve in many locales and circumstances, serving our nation and the nations of the world. Pray for their protection and for the provision of their needs. Pray also for families who sacrifice for our freedom while a loved one serves, that they will have their needs met and will know the gratitude of our nation.

Read Full Post »

Bridal Portraits

Yesterday was a day to remember.  Danelle had her bridal portraits made. She was absolutely ravishing! Andrea you did a beautiful job with Danelle’s hair. You were an incredible help in every way. We couldn’t have done it without you. Had fun too. We went to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco because their lobby is beautiful. It is Old World charm and that is what Danelle wanted. Her photographer was great. He took a whole lot more pictures than what I thought and had great ideas. Thanks, Abel. The concierge of the hotel was incredible. He made sure we had plenty of water the whole time we were there and he even went down the street to a special coffee place and brought Danelle back a cup of fresh coffee, with a cloth napkin so she wouldn’t spill on her dress. Thanks, Marcos! Also, a big thank you goes to David, the general manager of the Sir Francis Drake for making us feel welcomed. I hope we didn’t disturb your guests to much. I think everyone that came through enjoyed the picture taking right a long with us. They all thought Danelle was beautiful too.  Well, I would love to post some pictures but that would spoil the big day, so you will have to wait until after August 25th. Sorry. Yes, I did get one of her drinking the coffee. It is adorable. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU goes to Tena and Mom 2 (Cassandra) for bringing the dress. Oh my, I do hope we don’t have to iron that one ever again. You guys were a major help and I really appreciate it. Maybe the Hot Fudge Sundaes helped a little. And why oh why did we not remember to put the top down on the convertible????

Read Full Post »

Driving to Fast?

How you Know You’re Driving to Fast

 

Read Full Post »

Where Two or Three?

Mt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

Do You think this would work?

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

Advice from an Old Farmer

*Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight
and bull-strong.

*Keep skunks, bankers, and lawyers at a distance.

*Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

*A bumble bee is considerably faster than a
John Deere tractor.

*Words that soak into your ears
are whispered…not yelled.

*Meanness don’t jess happen overnight.

*Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

*Do not corner something that you know
is meaner than you.

* It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

*You cannot unsay a cruel word.

*Every path has a few puddles.

*When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

*The best sermons are lived, not preached.

*Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t
never gonna happen anyway.

*Don’t judge folks by their relatives.

*Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

*Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.

* Don’t interfere with something that ain’t
a botherin’ you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome
of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing
to do is stop digging.

* Sometimes you get and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.

*Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot
easier than puttin’ it back in.

* If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Read Full Post »

Been To Busy

Well, it seems like I have been running my head off the past little while. I’m trying to get everything ready for the wedding. I don’t know why Matthew and Danelle don’t take us up on the “offer” to just go to the Justice of the Peace. LOL Just kidding. I think I finally found my dress today. HALLELUJAH and I talked to the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn in Gilroy and he has blocked several rooms for us at a good price. If you are not staying in Monterey or Carmel while you are here for the wedding and need a good place to stay give them a call. 408-840-7000.

We are on a 3 day prayer and fast chain right now so I may have more time to blog. It is amazing how much time we spend shopping, preparing and cleaning up when we eat. LOL When I went to the church today for my prayer time it seemed like the Lord was just waiting for me there. When I walked in His presence was so real. I love it when it is like that. Those are very precious moments because it is not always like that. I am really looking forward to this weekend. I believe the Lord is going to meet us in a powerful way. Any need can be met.

Well, those are just some of my thoughts today and remember this,

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3

Read Full Post »