GOD AT WAR - Book #13 for 2013

Finished book #13 - gods at war by Kyle Idleman.  This is the second book by Kyle I have read, the first being Not a Fan which I read in 2011.

Kyle is one of the younger Pastors that tells it like it is, and I like that. This book is about the Gods we are at war with and hit home on many levels. 

The part I want to share is in the Chapter 12 "The God of Family" because as mothers this is one we struggle with.  

"After taking time to reflect on it she became convicted that her children had become false gods in her life. I asked her what led her to that conclusion.  She explained that it wasn't that she made them too much of a priority, she said; it was more about letting them control her.  Her children, and what was going on with them, determined whether or not she had a good day.  If they behaved themselves and didn't throw any tantrums, she could feel good about life.  Otherwise she could not.  If they were happy, she was happy.  If they were upset, she was upset."

Her children had the power to fill her with anger or peace, with disappointment or joy.  She realized that they were controlling who she was as a person and who she was becoming as time passed. This is exactly what a false god does:  it recreates us in its own image."

WOW!!  This can also be true of us mothers, even when our children are adults if we don't first and always keep our eyes and focus on JESUS!!!

The book contains 13 chapters divided in 4 parts, gods at war, the temple of pleasure, the temple of power, and the temple of love.  I would highly recommend this book. 

Fi

BLOGGING FRIENDS - EXTENDED!

I love blogging!!  It literally has so blessed and expanded my life. Since beginning my blog on 1/21/07, my word 6 years & 4 months ago!!, I have been privileged to meet 13 blog friends in real life.

I have a special relationship with this young mother, Kristie.  I first meet her in Albuquerque, where she lived, when we visited there in 2008.

Here is our "meeting" picture - Kristie, her son Jamie & daughter Katie and yours truly.

In 2010 Kristie and her 5 children moved to Tulsa.  Mickey & I went over to her apartment and visited with her and all the kids one day.  We took lots of pictures and I've looked and looked, to post one here, and can't find them :o(  Suzette became ill shortly after that and I was so involved and then "life happened" and it had been F-A-R to long since we'd met and talked, although we keep in touch with fb.

 So, we met for lunch last Thursday at 11, because we wanted to beat the rush and also knew an hour wouldn't be long enough to catch up on all we had to talk about!!!  She is just as pretty and sweet as ever.  

We both had luscious, healthy salads.   Here is my cranberry, chicken, etc. salad.  So big I ate 1/2 and took 1/2 home.

Thanks for a special time, Kristie!!  We both determined we would not allow such a long time between visits again.

LIFE AT OUR HOUSE IS NEVER DULL

ESPECIALLY WITH A VERY DETERMINED HUSBAND!!!

We HAD a beautiful Japanese Maple tree at the corner of our home.  It died this past winter and Mickey cut the branches back and then began to try and get the stump out of the ground.

He dug, and he dug, and he dug for several days. Then he got tied a large chain to his S-10 pick-up and tried to pull it out of the ground to no avail.  I told him, "Just forget about trying to get it out. We'll just plant some things around it and use the stump as a center piece."  Well, he was not going to have any part of that clever idea!!

So today one of our neighbors will a lot bigger pickup came down to help.  The first thing that happened was it broke Mickey's large metal chain that they were using.  Never to be beaten another neighbor, who had gotten involved at that point, went to his garage and got a very strong leather belt strap that he had.  They doubled the belt onto the truck hitch and tree stump and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Got it out!!!!

 Back view

Another back view. 

Now, the next step is to go to the nursery and decide what we are going to plant across the front of the house and in this corner.  We are wanting to get some permanent scrubs that do not have to be replaced each and every summer, plus replacing this Japanese Maple.  When this project is finished - in the weeks to come - I'll post the finished results.

Yes, I have a VERY determined husband that sticks with a project until it is accomplished. 

TREASURE - On Earth & in Heaven

Tomorrow (May 19th)is the 2nd year anniversary of our Suzette's departure to Heaven. I have been struggling this past week and in tears many times.

Friday night our son, Marc, called to invite us to meet him and Grandson Aric at Egg It On for breakfast Saturday morning.  We met at 8:30, enjoyed a wonderful meal & time together and then they came over to the house to check out something on Mickey's on-line X-Box Golf Game.

At least that was the pretense~~~because after they had been here awhile Marc pulled this out of his pocket with, "I know what tomorrow is, Mom, and I wanted to get you this charm for your bracelet."

A beautiful woven silver charm for my PanDora to represent our family "woven together" in love and eternity.

Of course the tears were falling before I could even get it open.  I am so thankful for the treasure of my children and yes, even one leaving us prematurely can never break the unity of this family that God has "woven together".

Suzette, you are so greatly missed by ALL of us,

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."  I Thessalonians 4:13 

Yes, this family has love and this family has hope and I'll see you again, Suzette. 

FUN & FRIENDS

Our friends, Bill & Jennifer, hosted a Kentucky Derby Party today.

 I went to the Salvation Army Thrift Shop and bought myself this lovely hat.  One MUST have a hat to attend the Derby.

 We all picked out a horse who we thought would win.  Here Jennifer is handing out the awards to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th winners.  Kaylee had the winner and got the Derby Roses.

Larry was #2 & Gary #3 and they both got candy bracelets.  Judy was 4th and got a candy bracelet & necklace just because she was the female.

Female attendee's 

(left to right) Tracy, Melissa, Judy, Susan, Jennifer & Kaylee

Failed to get a picture of the guys, although Bill had on a cowboy hat and Josh had on a leather hat.

We snacked, watched the race and had a really good time.  Nothing like good Christian friends & fun.  

Thanks Jennifer & Bill~~~~

Damascus Count Down - Book #12 for 2013

I normally am not a fictional novel reader.  I prefer to read Christian books along the teaching and inspirational line. One of my exceptions is each and every novel written by Joel Rosenberg.  I began reading his books back with the publication of his first, The Last Jihad, written in 2005. I am one of those avid fans who awaits his latest book.

This was #10 for us and I just finished it  Saturday.  As usual Joel has left us hanging on the edge awaiting his next book and the continuation of this fantastic series!!!!

If you have not read Joel's books I encourage you to start with the first and follow this story in each and every book.  His books are truly those that, once I start it, I can hardly put it down. I'm always a little sad to see the current one end.