What is God Really Like?

I don't know why God continues to amaze me after all these years - but He does! Tuesday evening, after my car stopped, about mid-way home (while I was STILL driving), approximately 60 mph down interstate 64 at 6:45 pm. After calling my bestie for the Preacher's phone number (he includes the name of an amazing mechanical at our Church in his sermons from time to time), I was able to reach him and get verbal HELP! When the tow truck left "the site" and I headed home - it was about 10:00 pm! Upon entering the front door, I found this amazing book in the mail box. It came as an unexpected gift - at the PERFECT TIME! (Do YOU think God watches over us? I do!)

This book is a compilation of numerous pastor's one word definitions of what God is really like. I am a reader that LOVES to read books out of order...I check out the Table of Contents and read the titles that interest me most (unless, of course, it's a novel - you just have to read every single page from cover to cover, IN ORDER). I started with Chapter 1 - one of my many favorite pastors: Francis Chan. His one word for God was STRONG. He quotes Isaiah 45:22-23 and Joshua 1:6-9 - BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! He says, "I don't know many believers who gather together and encourage each other to be strong. Peter and John astonished people with their boldness, and yet when they got our of jail, they prayed for more boldness! The body of Christ needs once again to lay hands on each other, praying for boldness and strength."

This morning, prior to picking up my repaired car, I read Mark Batterson's chapter - word of choice for God: Incomparable

He quotes Ephesians 1:18-19: ...the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. "We sprinkle a little bit of prayer and the Bible and Church on our lives and hope. Hope is good, but expectation is better. When you believe in God's incomparable power, your hopes change to great expectations." AMEN Mark!

Finally, running out of time, I finished with Andy Stanley - word of choice for God: Certain

"The question for us is, will we maintain our faith when we can't see His hand? Even though Scripture doesn't change anything in "our" circumstances, it does allow us to embrae uncertainty knowing that God is still in control, that although life is uncertain, and the world may seem uncertain, God is not."

You may wonder about the last words I read before heading out to PAY for this massive repair; THIS is fabulous: "He still has your family, your personal finances, and all the things that are worrying you to death in his hands. He still has your whole world in His hands. Of that you can be certain."

My friends, GOD IS REAL and He LOVES us!

Brooke is at Camp Rudolph This Week

The best part about my children attending Church camp is the mail! I just can't wait to create packages for them!

Oh my gosh, in the old days, I had to start mailing packages to Peter the week prior to his camp week! I would stress out wondering if he received them all - because he would ride up and back in a Church van. I wouldn't know if all the packages were delivered until he came home (and they ALWAYS WERE!).

Times have changed and I get to TAKE the girls to camp (and I LOVE doing it!). I BRING the packages with me (labeled for each day) and ask the Camp Office to include them in the regular mail call delivery! (I feel so clever - not to mention it saves a ton of money!)

Now that the girls are getting older, I can send more Spiritual gifts (along with the fun stuff and candy) - which I pray will create a special memory in their Spiritual growth. Monday's delivery included a Camp Journal for Brooke. I put all kinds of camp pictures on the front (along with a Camp Rudolph label) and included a letter about a personal growth experience I had while attending a Ladies Retreat there! I also taped special Scripture cards on several pages inside the journal (it was SO FUN to create). I so desperately want to give my children the best gift in life - a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! I can't list any of the other gifts until AFTER mail delivery each day! So I guess you'll have to wait to see what was in the rest of the packages (if I can even remember...I'm getting a bit older and forget more often!).

If you have a few minutes, I would be thrilled if you would send Brooke an email (she'll be at camp through Friday afternoon). The email address is: camper@camprudolph.org - and in the subject line, put her name: Brooke Haskins. I would love for her to get TONS of notes and letters!

And yet...ANOTHER special day!

Words can not express the feelings I have for this young man. HE is my nephew! Not only is he VERY special, his mother was an absolute SAINT! My sister, Tammy, passed away when she was 36 years old from brain cancer. Whenever I hear the expression "The good die young" honestly, I think about my sister. She was the kindest, most gentle, forgiving woman I ever had the priviledge to know. Unfortunately, being sisters - and I was the younger pain in the fanny sister - we were not given the opportunity to spend enough quality adult time together. But I did have the pleasure to spend a very special afternoon with her (while we giggled and told "SECRETS" about our growing up years). I will NEVER forget that day - and recently I realized how much I still miss her (she passed away November 20, 1996 - right after I married my husband, Christopher). Actually, the person who insisted I visit my sister that February 1996 was that man-my husband! I will be forever grateful for that visit/memory of her!

Christopher, I pray you have a fabulous Birthday! I noticed on Facebook that you are engaged too! OH MY! Where have the years gone? I remember dancing with you in my mom and dad's living room when you were a baby! On Facebook, I also found the picture below (my father passed away while making this beautiful saddle-he created amazing items out of leather-and Christopher's father finished it for him). I was so excited to see it again!

Thank you for sharing this gift with me on YOUR birthday! I love and miss you-and pray for you often!

ANOTHER Special Day...

Well, can you believe it? Eleven years ago today (5:31 pm to be exact), I gave birth to the most adorable little baby girl in the world! Her name is Kristina Elizabeth and she (and her sister and brother) are the JOYS of my life!

This picture was taken a couple of years ago while she was at Church Camp (which actually falls on her birthday every summer!). This year, she decided not to go so she could be home for her SPECIAL day!

I love you sweetie! You are my forever reading buddy!

Today is a VERY special day....

It's my son's birthday - Oh my, it's a wonder the poor child survived! I was such a fearful mother and to be honest, had never held a baby when I gave birth to him. I remember when the nurse brought him to me for the first time, I just looked at his little body. Trying to imagine how God did it! How did he create such a perfect little person while I was just living day to day. Absolutely amazing!

I continue to thank God for his life - he has been a blessing in every way!

What Matters Now in Children's Ministry

I am trying my best to come up with ONE WORD to describe my overall feelings about this book (I am a woman of MANY words, not few). This is truly difficult for me! You see, the chapter titles in this book are one word responses (answering the question - which is the title of the book - What Matters Now in Children's Ministry) - expanded into a one-page chapter by numerous experts in the field.

My first thought was Encouraging;
My second thought was Supportive;
My third Insight

You know what - I think I like that third one! This little book provides a TON of insight for parents/children's ministers/children's ministry volunteers - anyone who's interested in growing a child's faith in Jesus Christ!

I have been writing / communicating with a few of the authors and really appreciate this book! One of my main goals in life is leading my children to the Cross. Personally, I KNOW nothing else in life will give you greater pleasure than a real friendship with Our Savior! I will be adding to this post over the next couple of days (highlighting a few of the chapters and what they mean to me personally) When a post is too long, I think we tend to drift (and never finish it - possibly missing the most important part of the entire post)....

Stay tuned....

Modesty Guidelines

Thank you Victor Lee from Knoxville, Tennnessee (and Sam Luce for posting the blog article).

I am placing a copy on my girl's bathroom mirror.