Season of Life

at 03/23/09 9:05AM
Today I leave for Baytown, Texas to get my parents house ready to go on the market.

This is the end of their housekeeping days. This is a part of my season of life. When your busy in the summer of life...rarely do you think of what will be ahead. Fortunately...I have a dear friend going with me. I am an only child...so I need some help. Wilson is in a meeting this week in Georgia and Luke is with him since it is spring break.

So how does one prepare? My only suggestion....have a prayer life. There is no one greater than HE who can provide solace to the weary.
  • tommyswife
    Praying for you as you care for them. Watching mom and dad go through this was so hard and defined my teenage years. One day at a time and I think you are on track with the prayer life! :) ((Hugs 2 U))
    by tommyswife at 03/23/09 9:16AM
  • jenmurff
    I didn't know you were coming down?! Call me if you need anything! Our group meeting is tonight at Bill and Elaine's if y'all want to come. Do you need a place to stay?
    by jenmurff at 03/23/09 9:17AM
  • derbydi
    Hope the transition goes smoothly for all!
    by derbydi at 03/23/09 9:36AM
  • jenmurff
    Let me fix dinner for y'all Tuesday. Can you come out to Crosby then?
    by jenmurff at 03/23/09 9:50AM
  • justg
    I've done this...twice. It is hard, however, it is just for a season. Buy a lot of Hefty garbage bags. Breathe, say a prayer...then just get it done. A drawer at a time.
    by justg at 03/23/09 10:31AM
  • carolattheriver
    It'll be good to see you! I wish it was better conditions though.
    by carolattheriver at 03/23/09 11:06AM
  • ncreaves
    Will be thinking of you. Been there/done that. Will they be moving close to you or in with you? How is their health now? Yes, this is a new season of your life. I know you have been a blessing to your parents and will continue to be in these sunset years. Heard Wilson preach an awesome lesson Sun. afternoon. If I can get my Mom fed and ready for bed, we may try to rush over tonight too. Have a safe trip--you will be in my prayers as you chart these new waters.
    by ncreaves at 03/23/09 1:28PM
  • mamahastings
    Im there with you sister! I have been feeling the weight of being the only child myself here recently. It is a burden that I happily bear, but it still gets heavy at times. I really had looked forward to caring for them someday, I was not expecting to have to fill that role yet, but maybe you never are completely prepared for it. What will their new living arrangements be?
    by mamahastings at 03/23/09 2:16PM
  • cruisingmom
    My maiden name is Burba. I think I have my certificate somewhere. I will have to look. If not it is with my parents stuff in my sister's garage.
    by cruisingmom at 03/27/09 7:07PM

MESSAGE REGARDING THE POWER OF PRAYER BLOGSPOT

at 03/17/09 9:18AM
I am sharing this from a sister in Christ. It is very telling about what has happened to us in the church. This woman is an inspiration to me. And convinces me more than ever that we need to be more convicted about prayer.
****************************************************************


I think that prayer is not talked enough about in the Church of Christ. I grew up as a Bible Presbyterian preacher's daughter, although most of the churches were non-denominational. Prayer is so very powerful! And is definitely talked about and done more in the denominational world. I would have good friends who when I was troubled would stop and take my hands and we'd prayer about the situation. I knew that when someone told me that they were praying for me that indeed they were and I knew how powerful that was!

I think that there are those who are afraid in the Church of Christ of coming off "too denominational" in regards to prayer and have even had some tell me that they don't say "I'm praying for you" because it sounded too denominational!! To be completely honest I actually prayed more before I came to know the truth. Prayer started having limitations placed on it or at least that is what I felt. I had those tell me you don't need to pray about everything like the denominational world does - trivial things. But I feel that God is there for us no matter what and although whatever is troubling us may seem trivial to someone else is huge to us.

So it's "funny" that you actually sent this out because this is something I've really been struggling with here of late and have been breaking out of the shell and have begun to pray more often and more earnestly about everything again. May God open my heart more, my eyes to see what I need to do and my tongue to tell of His love and mercy.
  • joyinthejourney
    You are so right. We limit God don't we?
    by joyinthejourney at 03/17/09 10:50AM
  • arsenal
    I didn't seem to get it off fast enough. Too argumentative.
    by arsenal at 03/17/09 11:02AM
  • tommyswife
    I am so glad you posted this as well as I am thankful for you "Thoughts for Thursday." Prayer is something I have struggled with for the same reason.

    I belong to a moms group that has a lot of denominational members in it. But they talk about their prayer life alot and some of the things they talk about are amazing.

    I appreciate their ability to talk to God and believe that he can answer things. I think about how if my prayer life had been better, 2, 5, 10, 15 years ago, how would my life be different or how would some situation been different.

    Thanks for the encouragement to you and your friend.
    by tommyswife at 03/17/09 11:49AM
  • ncreaves
    We recently had a sister return to the Lord. One of her comments was that she was around more spiritually minded and prauerful people where she had been than ever in the Lord's church. She said they were more friendly and giving too. She is new with us so I promptly called some dear sisters to have her over and be there for her. It kinda rocks your boat to hear someone question (and rightly so) our prayerfulness and godliness. She had been with a church of God before coming back.
    by ncreaves at 03/17/09 2:57PM
  • arsenal
    I find it interesting that the largest part of our service time is spent on preaching. As most congregations pay for this I guess we want to get our money's worth. But I think this leads to a larger problem. I don't think it applies to those here but I do see it all to often, the building becomes the focus of our worship with prayers offered at the building seeming to have more meaning. Worship and prayer should be a part of our daily lives. When the NT speaks of the fervant prayer of a righteous man, no location is given.
    by arsenal at 03/17/09 6:54PM
  • arsenal
    I like and agree with the comments about the denominations. One a different subject a brother in Christ once stated, "The denominations have a better concept of grace than we do".
    by arsenal at 03/18/09 5:27AM
  • mamahastings
    Good post. The ladies in my homeschool group have really opened my eyes to heartfelt prayer, especially prayer on each other's behalf. Just the other day a friend emailed me a prayer she was saying, as she typed, on my behalf. It was so strong and beautiful and touched me to my core. In general, we seem so uncomfortable with it. I think we need to pray together more as brothers and sisters and be comfortable also praying one on one with our spouses. I think a lot of marriages are lacking in going to God together.
    by mamahastings at 03/18/09 6:12PM
  • arsenal
    Prayer question. Jeremiah teaches us that there comes a time when prayers will not work. God told him that if he prayed for the people He would not hear. A brother goes to the doctor and receives repeated warnings that unless changes are made a serious disease will develope. The brother dismisses the warnings and as predicted the disease comes. The brother asks for prayers for healing. I have serious doubts about people who create their own misery then expect God to bail them out.
    by arsenal at 03/19/09 10:11AM
  • joyinthejourney
    I cannot know how God would respond to one who willfully ignores warnings and then gets sick. It may be a situation that needed to happen so that changes in a life can be made. How many times have you seen crises in people's live change their relationship with God?
    by joyinthejourney at 03/20/09 8:14AM
  • jenmurff
    I've thought the same thing as arsenal. We(trying not to generalize but most people I know) eat whatever we want and then when someone has a heart attack we ask God to heal them.
    by jenmurff at 03/20/09 9:59AM
  • arsenal
    I agree difficulties can cause people to change but there are the cases where hearts become hardened or after the "bailout" one goes back into the same situation. As a police officer I've heard that "officer I've learned my lesson" story many times only to see the "sow retuning to wallowing in the mire". In Jeremiah, God knew the hearts of the people and previous "bailouts" had not worked. That is why prayer for them was useless.
    by arsenal at 03/20/09 10:52AM
  • joyinthejourney
    I can never stop praying for people with hardened hearts. God gives second chances...over and over. HE changes hearts. Only HE knows hearts. But remember during the time of the Judges....the people sinned over and over and God rescued them over and over.
    by joyinthejourney at 03/20/09 4:39PM
  • arsenal
    God can only change the hearts of those who want their hearts changed. Jesus quoted Isaiah, :this people honors Me with their lips but their hearts are far from me". Even Jesus miricles and teachings could not bring all of the hearts back to God.
    by arsenal at 03/20/09 5:45PM
  • carolattheriver
    Why do Christians doubt prayer? I think that we are not praying according to HIS will. We want everyone to be healthy and live forever. In my sickest of days have prayed earnestly for God to help me to feel better. I would find out what was wrong with me and my virus lasts the same 4-6 days it would have lasted for someone who isn't even a believer. Why is that? People prayed earnestly for Kim Peck, daily. She still died. Did prayer not work?
    by carolattheriver at 03/21/09 1:44PM
  • carolattheriver
    I guess what I am saying is, God does hear our prayers, he just doesn't choose to heal us like he did at the time Jesus was here to confirm the word.
    by carolattheriver at 03/21/09 1:46PM
  • carolattheriver
    I think he gives us the power to make smart decisions in how we eat, the amount of sleep we get, and the stress that we let take over our body.
    by carolattheriver at 03/21/09 1:48PM
  • arsenal
    Good points^^^^. I have many question about the way we deal with prayer. A Chriatian and a Catholic have a serious disease. Both pray and ask for prayers of healing. The Christian dies but the Caholic is healed. Now, if the Christian had lived we would say God answered our prayers. Do we say the same for the Catholic or is the Catholic's healing something that just happened?
    by arsenal at 03/21/09 3:38PM
  • joyinthejourney
    Again...I think we forget that God uses all situations for many reasons.People are going to die....thanks to Satan. I can always ask for God's healing because I believe HE can do whatever HE wants.When I pray for someone to be healed that is a Christian and they die anyway...I will search for comfort in HIS word that this person now enjoys that which I hope for. Perhaps God knew something in their future that we didn't. When others go before us that have the hope of heaven....how blessed they are. If we gain more time here on earth...then hopefully we learned the lesson of servanthood....power of prayer...and the earnest plea to tell others of Jesus.
    by joyinthejourney at 03/21/09 4:59PM
  • arsenal
    Had you told me that before? Where is he an officer? There were a few things I kept in mind. Don't know what the stats are now but when I started in police work, more firefighters were killed in the line of duty than police officers. The police actually have a lot of protection but the greatest protections are confidence and knowledge. One thing Street Survival taught us is that officers need to know when it is wiser to back away. Sometimes the greatest protection is the letter R on the police car gear indicator.
    by arsenal at 03/22/09 2:27PM
  • arsenal
    One other thing, my son has engaged in more dangerous jobs. When he first went into the Navy, he worked the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the most dangerous job in the Navy. Second, he served time in Iraq disarming bombs. He knows first hand what it is like to be shot at both with rifle and RPG rounds.
    by arsenal at 03/23/09 6:56AM

PRAYERS OF WOMEN P O W

at 03/14/09 11:06AM
I have started a new blog dedicated to women and prayer.

The reason??? I am convinced that many women fail to see the power of their prayers. Many times it is difficult for women to pray in their ladies classes....with other women...with their children.

I invite your input.

http://prayersofwomen.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
  • mamahastings
    Great idea!

    Thank you so much for your comments and encouragement. How are your Mom and Dad? Is your Dad's condition related to his eyes? I think about them so often. I would love to give all of you a big hug.
    by mamahastings at 03/14/09 1:07PM
  • mamahastings
    It's hard for me to think of them struggling. Very sad in deed. When I think of them, I still see the active, loving couple on fire and at work for the Lord. I love that I grew up at his feet in the pulpit. They have both blessed me with many wonderful memories.
    by mamahastings at 03/14/09 3:16PM
  • justg
    Honestly, there are times that I have been the 'toxic' one....convicted.
    by justg at 03/16/09 8:07AM
  • tnmom
    the games haven't started yet. I'll let you know once we have a schedule
    by tnmom at 03/16/09 4:26PM
  • mamahastings
    THANK YOU!
    by mamahastings at 03/17/09 7:08AM

IT'S TIME FOR BASEBALL!!!!

at 03/09/09 8:51PM
  • jenkegley
    I'm thinking he is taller than me! Go Luke!
    by jenkegley at 03/09/09 10:17PM
  • tommyswife
    Baseball time means it is spring time. You got a handsome boy there.
    by tommyswife at 03/10/09 7:27AM
  • carolattheriver
    It looks like he LOVES it!
    by carolattheriver at 03/10/09 8:26AM
  • derbydi
    Cool!
    by derbydi at 03/10/09 12:34PM
  • ncreaves
    I miss those days of watching our boys play sports. It is so much fun. Your Luke looks like he could knock the ball out of the park!!
    by ncreaves at 03/11/09 10:05AM
  • AlanL
    Good times... I miss them, too.
    by AlanL at 03/11/09 11:37AM
  • scubajesa
    Wow! What happened to that little boy who sat with you and Wilson?
    by scubajesa at 03/11/09 6:37PM
  • tnmom
    Kyleigh & Ella are both playing softball this year. Jason is coaching.
    by tnmom at 03/12/09 7:13AM
  • amydee
    They are! I have definitely been blessed with a wonderful family!
    by amydee at 03/12/09 10:45PM

Choosing a Mate

at 03/06/09 9:11AM
Nancy Reaveshas a new workbook out "Choosing a Mate"...letters to singles. It is composed of letters from those who have made wise choices in mates and unwise choices. It reveals the heartaches so many have gone through because decsions were made without consulting God or when they made choices while being unfaithful or unwilling to listen to wisdom.

When you know a friend or family member is about to make a serious mistake in marriage...what do you do? What do you wish you would have done/said, but couldn't do it? What did you do that made a difference?
  • arsenal
    Nancy had an interesting but not surprising article in Biblical Insights, Persecution From Within.
    by arsenal at 03/06/09 11:29AM
  • justg
    I go 'On The Record,' say my OPINION with love, then I back away. The heart wants what the heart wants. I always keep in mind that there is the possibility that I MIGHT be wrong.
    Honestly, I'm not sure, if someone is determined to marry the 'love of their life,' there is any new thing that they haven't heard. Then...in the words of Sir Paul...I let it be.
    by justg at 03/06/09 5:19PM
  • ncreaves
    What people don't always understand is that there is NO "love of your life" until your are married. Thru the years I have been frustrated by our acceptance of unwise choices. Sometimes we see the handwriting on the wall and a young adult is blind to the pitfalls that await them if they marry an unbeliever or someone who isn't spiritually strong. Like Julie, I believe we should be more proactive in our influence in a matter that caries so much importance and affects so many years of a person's life.
    by ncreaves at 03/07/09 9:45AM
  • justg
    "love of their life" is THEIR term, not mine. it is one of those buzz-kill statements, like..."we've prayed about it and this is our decision, and we are comfortable with it." if someone is determined, no matter how pro-active we are, the decision is theirs...however it turns out. it is all about choices. always.
    by justg at 03/07/09 4:41PM
  • arsenal
    Influence only works with people who want to be influenced.
    by arsenal at 03/08/09 10:11AM
  • cruisingmom
    Thanks so much for your concern and prayers Julie. :ยท)
    by cruisingmom at 03/08/09 8:54PM