It is June 10th but two years later!

oh my, I missed it by one day ! It has been exactly two years and one day from my last post. THAT is pretty bad, I must admit. Apologies are sent to anyone who may have been reading, or should I say "tried to read" and missed my postings. I doubt that there is anyone but just in case I send my "I'm sorry". Ok, so what has been happening in those missing two years? well, let me see, I gained a daughter last year ! She is truly a blessing as are her family members who are now linked to our family. She is a great life partner for my second son. First son and his wife (also a blessing) now live across the pond, the Atlantic one. We went on vacation to visit them and had a wonderful time exploring parts of England. Number three son is still in grad school and enjoying research. Only daughter finished one college and is now at an art school. She has grown so, spiritually and in maturity. I kid her that she is now an "18" year old adult but she is truly a very mature 21 year old. (shhhh, don't tell her that I acknowledged her age. She will always be my little girl. At least she is still shorter than I).
I am still involved with the First Place 4 Health program that I wrote about in my previous posting. Two years in the program because it is soooo good. I lost 50lbs in the first year and have stalled lately but the Bible study continues to be very good. It is amazing how often those readings really hit the nail on the head for ME at that moment. Of course that is how it is when you seek Him and let His Word speak to you.
I started jogging two years ago as part of my FP4H program's physical activity requirement. It is not my favorite activity but I was able to run, not walk, in a 5K that fall which was quite an accomplishment. We did a family 5K on Thanksgiving day 2008 in VA with 5 of us running. I haven't gone running since though my DIL just participated in a 5K this past weekend bettering her time. Son #2 is very physically active and would love to do a marathon some time.
Last year I spent several months painting murals in our church's new addition. But then my art seemed to slow. Lately I have been working on the summer curriculum for Sunday School. It involved reworking a student workbook of activity pages ( I last taught this over 10 years ago for the 9 month AWANA program) and planning out the lessons for our 12 week journey on the Bible History Highway. We started this past Sunday with about 30 children in grades 1-3.
I continue to dance with the Timeless Tappers with "dance outs" at various nursing homes, dinners, luncheons, etc. It is fun exercise and love to make the residents at the nursing homes smile and nod along to the music. We do get some comments like "The legs, look at those legs!" which make us chuckle. We are all "seniors" (over 50) but to them we are young ones. I am the youngest in the group by about 10 years with a couple well into their 70s. I hope I am still dancing when I am that much older.
My love and I have become more active in the summers since last posting. We enjoy kayaking and biking, though his bike rides are 30 or more miles at a time. I can't go that long as my wrists and tush don't hold out. But I do enjoy the kayaking and will often go off by myself during the day time. I love the graceful feel of gliding thru the water, exploring small creeks is my favorite.

We have been truly blessed these past two years and look forward to what He has planned for us in the time ahead.
"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
Whatever the road ahead has for us, I know that He will be with us and guide us thru. I hope and pray that you, too, have that assurance.
Blessings
tlc

I am still around

I am sorry if you have been looking for me. I haven't posted but that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading God's word. I have just been involved with a program called First Place. It is designed to help us keep our focus on God and His being 'First Place' in our lives. It is a weightloos/fitness/nutrition/Bible Study/Prayer based program. I joined a group of other women traveling this road. It requires 7 days/week of quiet time (involving Bible Study, prayer, Scripture reading and memory work), at least 5 days a week of physical activity, and I must record EVERYTHING that I eat. It has been a great time of fellowship/support/encouragement from the other ladies in the group. I have learned A LOT. And I have changed the way I look at food. I was totally oblivious to the fats in my usual diet. I am really trying to change the way I cook and choose my foods. I was not excited about starting this program, especially when I learned of the food record I would have to keep (and turn in each week) the weekly weigh-ins, and the nutritional allotments I would have to work around. But I also knew that God was calling me, no make that 'demanding' me to sign up. I started the program, kicking and screaming in rebellion, but within the first week God had changed my heart. I actually look forward to those weigh-ins and the weekly meetings. Most of us arrive early, and we spend quite a bit of time laughing as we share experiences and lessons learned. It was set up to be a 10 week program but as that time period is drawing to an end many of us are already planning on how we will continue with it. I am down 20lbs so far with more to go. I had the joy of packing up my size 16 clothing for donation and look forward to doing the same for my size 14s before the end of the summer. I have been blessed with accountablity and encouragement from my spiritual sisters and my husband who is also working on losing weight. God has blessed me beyond measure and I look forward to seeing what He has planned for me. Obedience may not be fun at first glance but it brings the truest joy.

returning.....

I have not posted for a while, as you can see. I have not stuck to it. And I can feel it. I have lost that sweetness, joy, and close tie (not with this blog but with my close walk with the Lord. Why do I do it, allow myself to seek my own pleasures when I know that the real joy is in obedience. Those fleeting pleasures are paid for in many ways. My body and spirit carry the consequences and it isn't worth it.

Today I read Philemon, a short book written by Paul while imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. He tells Philemon that Onesimus is returning to them. Apparently, Onesimus was a slave that ran away from them and may have even stolen from them. They are to not only allow Onesimus to return gut they are to welcome him back as they would welcome Paul himself, not as a slave, but as a brother, a fellow believer. Any wrongs that he may have done are to be charged to Paul. Once a run away slave, perhaps a thief, now referred to as "beloved brother", not because of what Onesimus did, but because of Paul's request. I too, can look forward as being accepted and forgiven. I am even "beloved of God" because I have an advocate, one who has accepted me and has taken on the cost of my sins. I can return to the welcoming arms and sweet joy of Him who loves me. and so I return........

gee, I had this post all typed out this morning but then had computer trouble and lost it all. Oh well, I still had my time in the word Titus 2:11-15 It is about how we are to be denying ungodliness and worldly desires (ooo, that's a hard one) and to live sensibly, righteoulsy and godly in the present age. The last verse in this chapter "Thse things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." reminds us to stand firm, grounded in Him.

I have also had the lyrics to a song going thru my head that ties in well.

Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another (idol)

Oh Lord let us be a generation that seeks
that seeks your face, oh God of Jacob.

Jacob was not the ideal person, but God knew who he could become. A new name, Israel, and a new heart - he became a leader of God's people. Our God is a God of second chances. He offers us a new beginning.

adorn

Titus 2 gives very clear descriptions of how we should live. As an 'older' woman I am to be reverent in behavior (not necessarily stodgey), not a malicious gossip (that is easy to slip into), not a drunk (okay, that's an easy one for me)teaching what is good (I try to do that) encouraging young women to love their husbands, love their children, be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind and subject to their husbands, so that God's word is not dishonored. Gee, kinda dumps some responsibility on me. I'm not only responsible for my own actions and training up my children but I am to be training up other women. So, essentially, that 'mom' thing continues, now instead of the link with my sons it is with young women. I see. I am to still love and guide my sons but they are to be lead by men now. And my husband's job as a father to our daughter has shifted a bit, well I guess it has been in transition for a while. She needs the leading of women now. Her dad will still be her dad, but she is old enough that some of her training now should be by women. When does this transition start? Is it in highschool? Do the teen years just cry out as the time for other adults to become involved in their lives? This isn't a new idea - youth groups are in fact the beginning of that transition. Elementary children have attahments to teachers but not in the same way. Their parents are still their leaders, teachers their friends. But those teen years when kits get restless and seek out other people's ideas. That is a crucial time. Who will they find? Who will they follow? Who will know when they are in the depths of despair (but wearing a mask well) The Lord has opened my eyes, once again, to the need for mentors - old and young, for teens and men & women.

I don't know if He is calling me into that ministry but He has certainly pointed out that I should live my life so that I show "good faith so that they (I) will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every resptect. I love that verse (Titus 2:10) I do want my life to adorn, bring extra interest to, the doctrine, teaching, love, of God. Who wouldn't want to be a lil bling for Christ? LOL

Who do I serve?

"Paul, a bod-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those hosen ofGod and the knowledge of the truth which is accordign to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who canot lie, promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word in the proclamation wit which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior..." Titus 1:1-3 Bond servant - what does that mean? I am not sure but it makes me think... I have chosen to have a master. Well, in a way. God is Lord of all, but some of us have chosen to recognize that and live as His servants. But, do I? In my mind and heart the answer is 'yes'. But do I live that way, daily. Do I act as though I am a servant - putting my master's desires before my own? I know that my master deserves the place of honor and I know that my master's leading, wisdom, orders, are the best. But do I live and act that way? As His servant I have been entrusted with the knowledge of godliness and the hope of eternal life. I have that knowledge but do I treat it with honor, as a special gift? I need this daily reminder to deny myself, stop serving me, and keep focused on Him, His desires, not mine. Why am I so often foolish and choose to follow my fleshly desires. How can I so easily turn aside from His path? Deep down in my heart, I want to follow Him, but I stray. "Choose this day whom you will serve" Today - Lord - help me follow, serve, You.

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14 Can't you just picture this, standing before the vast oceans. The mighty roar of the waves,the horizon that goes on and on, making your own thoughts small and trivial. We see His glory in His creation and yet many do not know Him. The time will come that even they will see and know His Glory. But will it be too late? Habakkuk wrote this while surrounded with corruption and despair. Yet he was able to see beyond the misery, filth, betrayal. He saw the redemption that is to come. He saw the hope. "Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit, and though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 Not only do I want and cling to that hope, but I want others to have that hope as well. Lord, help me to be usable by you to reach the hearts of those without hope.