Thankful Thursday

Random things today, but thankful nonetheless...

1. I am extremely thankful for blogging! Here's why: About 5 months ago I was unloading groceries from the car and heard myself say outloud, "Lord, I wish I had a girlfriend to talk about You with!" You see we are fairly new to our community and I've discovered that it takes about 3 years to really make friends and break into some of the circles of friends that are already established. Are you with me? Because of my blog within 5 months of my voicing that desire and praying about it -- not every day -- but many times over the past few months, I have been reaquainted with my old friend, Patty. We haven't seen each other since 1982 or so. I have a new friendship with Leigh. A very strange dynamic indeed, because today she called me out of the blue on my cell phone and I felt like I was talking to someone I had known for decades!! Love it! And, before you think that my friendships are all in cyberspace, God has sent me a unique friendship in Sara. Our children were in Kindergarten together and just recently she and I have begun to get to know each other. Her husband is deployed to Iraq and God has given me some really great opportunities to help her in small ways! I love that God heard the cry of my heart and, in His time, provided me with some sweet new relationships in some rather uncommon ways! I love Him so much for loving me so much!

2. Loving my husband so much right now and thankful for him! I can always count on something to come out of him that makes me laugh. I love that he loves to sit outside and watch lightning with me. That's what we did tonight for an hour or so. What a joy! He is a great gift to me!!

3. I'm so thankful for the Word of God - It really is Life to me! I don't sit and read it all day like I would love to do, but I love that everytime I open it something falls off the page and right into my lap. This week it was II Corinthians 12:9!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Angela Thomas spoke a word of encouragement over a friend this weekend at a conference where we were leading worship using this scripture. My friend is battling some pretty serious medical issues and just let the mask down and voiced that she is struggling -- with fear, worry, doubt, dread, etc. This scripture is so familiar, but sometimes we stop short and fail to realize that, yes, when we are weak He is strong, but when we let others see us transparent and when we boast in the weaknesses that we are facing or confess them, His power rests on us and we become stronger and stronger. It's not just in being weak that His power is made perfect, but it is in the confession of those weaknesses before others and allowing them to minister to us -- THAT'S when His power infuses us!

4. I'm thankful for "Christmas in July." My choir is going to premiere Travis Cottrell's new Christmas Worship Musical, "All Bow Down" for about 600 Worship Pastors and their families next month. I just found out yesterday that I am going to be able to go. That means I have to learn 15 songs, by memory, in about 18 days!! I'm just thankful for the opportunity to go and worship with my choir. I gave it a listen today and it is so powerful and so worshipful. Pray that I can learn all of this music in such a short amount of time!! And as a bonus, I will see Patty for the first time in 25 years!!! I cannot tell you what that means to me.

5. Lastly, I'm thankful for exclamation points!! Have you noticed how much I've used them in this one post?? I love that my life is full of exclamation point moments. God has blessed me way too much to end my thankful list with simple periods. Oh no, He deserves a HUGE SHOUT OUT!!!!

So there you have it, my Thankful Thursday, random as it is!

But wait, there's more...I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS SCRIPTURE!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

Blessings,
Dori

It's Like Thunder...and Lightning...

I love when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes and my house gets darker and darker. Call me strange, but I get a great kick out of it! My 6 year old sweetie pie does not. So as we have watched a quick storm a'brewin' and she said she hated the lightning and was scared, I quickly resorted to theology...

GOD'S BOWLING AND EVERY TIME IT THUNDERS HE MAKES A STRIKE!

Okay, that's not good sound theology, but it has provided me with a little joy this afternoon as I have heard her shout from upstairs every time she hears a boom...

God just made a strike again!!

To be honest, God does have a history of sending thunder and lightning right before he does something so powerful and so amazing and so full of grace. Listen to this:

Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered [the enemies], great bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:12-19)

Wow! He bowled a perfect 300 with that on this little old house in Tennessee this afternoon!

Blessings,
Dori

It's VBS Time in Tennessee!

My sweet, sweet Pastor's wife from my childhood, Miss Nancy, e-mailed me this morning for some words to a song that we sang together 20 years ago or more. She reminded me that it is Vacation Bible School time in Tennessee, of which I was TOTALLY aware of. June never rolls around that I don't remember the feelings of going to VBS for a week -- the songs, the Bible stories, the Bible verses, the Missions stories, the cookies, the Kool-aid, the 98 degree weather in the shade, the crafts...

So here is what I wrote to her upon receiving her reminder:

Yes, I got LCC all dressed this morning for VBS... and I sang all the way to the church...

"Bible School, Bible School
Everybody ought to go to Bible School
Bible School, Bible School
Everybody ought to go to Bible School...

Welcome, welcome,
Everybody's welcome,
Welcome to our Bible School"

She thought I was crazy, but it sure made me feel good!!

One thing that I have noticed about VBS is that the crafts have gotten a little more elaborate! We were happy with just a few toilet paper rolls, macaroni noodles and glitter....but that isn't good enough anymore! I'm quite sure Martha Stewart is also in the VBS craft curriculum business. I never empty out toilet paper and toss the little roll into the garbage without feeling a little guilty -- I always think, "Now surely someone could use this to make something!" Sadly, most of my rolls go to the recycling center. But I'm thinking that LCC and I might just make something out of one this afternoon. After all, LCC cannot be denied the joy of using something that has been sitting beside an open, flushing toilet for several days and making a place card holder or something like that for the dinner table. Right??? :)

There is nothing more evangelistic and life-changing for children than the opportunity to attend Vacation Bible School. Memories will be made that will last a life-time! Thousands and thousands of children will be hearing the Gospel over the next few weeks. There will be over 1,000 at my church alone during the next 5 days! Pray specifically that God will raise up Mighty Warriors among these little ones. If you have a chance to send your children to a great VBS program or volunteer at your local church you will be blessed!

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:1-5)

Blessings,
Dori

A Fun Weekend

What a weekend I have in store...

First of all, I get to celebrate my husband's big day this weekend! He doesn't like to make a big deal about his birthday -- but I do! I love to celebrate the day he was born and I am so thankful that he was handpicked by God for me. Happy birthday, my love!

Second of all, I have the opportunity to lead worship with a small team from my church tomorrow at a women's conference. The speaker is Angela Thomas and I'm really excited because I've never heard her speak before. These opportunities are wonderful for me. The truth is that I don't care near as much about the opportunity to sing as I do the chance to hear some really great speakers. So I'm excited about tomorrow! I'm going with an expectant heart for a Word that is specifically for me.

Thank you, God, for my sweet husband. He is the greatest joy to me. Having a marriage that You so clearly orchestrated and that You so deliberately sustain through good times and bad is nothing short of a miracle and I thank You. Bless Him, Lord, with fullness of joy and an overwhelming love for You. I also want to thank You, Lord, for chances to make Your Name famous through this small gift of music that You allow me to use from time to time. It is a delight for me and I pray that it is a sweet aroma to You. Thank You that, in times past, these opportunities have come at just the right time for me...when I am need of direction, encouragement or just a Word to sustain me -- the weary! I'm amazed that You love me, Lord, that much.

Blessings,
Dori

Summer Days and Off-Track Ways

I've discovered that I'm not a very good Summertime Blogger! Seems there are too many other things to do in the summer and, of course, the kids are home. Something about having them home for the summer brings a sense of urgency to do things that can't normally be done with the day-to-day responsibilities of school. So, I'm not deliberately not blogging and staying in touch with you all. It's just that there are so many other things that are vying for my time.

I am finding blogging can be habit-forming and I can spend far too much of my day writing on my blog, changing the appearance of my blog, reading other blogs, wishing mine looked like theirs, wondering who designed their blog, thinking of ways I can make mine like theirs, wondering why I haven't gotten as many comments on my blog, trying to decide if a comment is appropriate, responding to comments so people don't feel like I don't acknowledge them, etc. All the while the house is a mess, the kids have watched way too much tv, the pool hasn't been used in days, laundry is piling up, I haven't exercised in forever, God's Word hasn't been cracked in days and life is passing me by -- but, hey, my blog looks good! What's up with that???

Don't get me wrong! Blogging has been one of the biggest blessings in my life lately. I've met new friends and gotten reacquainted with some long lost ones. I've learned new things about my sister-in-law -- he he! I've received encouragement just when I needed it from some very Godly sisters in Christ. It's been great! But I'm feeling a little off course and needing direction on what is the proper way to balance it all.

Ever have a day when you suddenly realize you’re way off track?

God sends a rescue boat into such days.

Jesus positioned higher than the waves
and enjoying a clear view of the shoreline, offers us his oversight:

“Need help getting back on course?”

Wise are the ones who nod
and swim in the direction he points.

~~Max Lucado from Everyday Deserves a Chance

Jesus, I'm sorry that I've ignored Your Word and opted for spending time reading what others say about Your Word. Help me to balance life better -- spending time with You in prayer and letting You speak to me, taking care of my family that You have given me, reaching out to others in the flesh who need ministering to, and, yes, in blogging, too. You are up above it all and know what is the direction that I should take. Help me to be the wise one, choose the better thing, and swim in the direction that You are pointing to. Thank you for loving me that much that You want to lead me in such specific ways.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

Have a blessed weekend! Enjoy your family! Find fullness of joy in the presence of Jehovah!

Blessings,
Dori

I'm No Sarah Jessica Parker

(Mom & Daughter watching television while brushing daughter's hair)

SARAH JESSICA PARKER: Try new Garnier Wrinkle Lift. Smooth your wrinkles in just 14 days. Packed with ginger & essence of cherries. Visibly reduces wrinkles & makes skin firmer.

DAUGHTER: Hey, Mom...you need to get you some of that stuff.

MOM: Oh, really, LCC. Do you think I need it?

DAUGHTER: Yeah, your skin is kind of bumpy and you want to look like that girl, don't you?

What can I say? I can't deny it! I'm no Sarah Jessica Parker, but apparently for a retail price of $13.95 I can be!

I'm not sure but I think the Word says I can get the same effect by just asking...

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance. (Ecclesiastes 8:1)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

Take THAT Sarah Jessica!

Blessings,
Dori

I am the Vine...

Perhaps I've shared this story before, but because of what happened today you will have to humor me!

About 8 years ago, when my son was about 2 months from turning 3 years old, I was taking Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby at my church. The course has scripture memory involved and the first verse was:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Because I was a relatively new mother with one child and I involved my youngster in EVERYTHING I did, I would also involve him in my scripture memory. I would say a few words of the scripture and have him repeat it back to me. He was an early talker and this was pretty easy for him. We made this "our thing" during the course of taking that study. After that first week, we were videoing our little guy (as we were prone to do) and I said, "Son, let's say our scripture for Daddy! Repeat after me, 'I am the vine...'" He looked at me (and the camera) and said, "No Mommy, I do it!" Then, to our amazement then and now, he said the verse verbatim not missing a single word. He had no help from me whatsoever. I was shocked and amazed and still think of that night almost every week. I especially think of that whenever I make excuses for not memorizing scripture. If a 3 year old can do it, anyone can do it!

Fastforward all these years later...

I dropped my son off today at the church for a summer Bible study that our Children's Ministry intern is doing for the boys who are in 4th through 6th grade. When I picked up JT, he got in the car and said, "Mom, you aren't going to believe what our memory verse is for next week." You guessed it!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

With great delight, he remembered the verse. He remembered the story of his learning it all of those years ago. He is learning the lesson. He is still hiding the Word in his heart.

My prayer is that in the months and years ahead, as he grows from being a child into a young man, he will never forget that nothing is impossible and everything is possible if he stays connected to the Vine.

Blessings,
Dori

Thankful Thursday

I haven't posted a "Thankful Thursday" in a couple of weeks, so here goes:

1. I'm thankful for my little girl! If you look at my past posts you will see that I have referred to her as a challenge, a fireball, a drama queen, a "fit thrower"....and so on. Can I just say that I don't know how or why now, but God has matured this little thang over the past three weeks? She has been the greatest delight to us. She makes us laugh because she is quite witty. She has been patient, kind, respectful...controlled. I'm sure I will still have challenging days with her and I'm sure there are more dramas to be performed and more fits to be thrown, but for now I'm resting in the peace and joy that this season has brought to my life. Lindsey is my baby I thought I would never have. That, in and of itself, is something to be thankful for. So, I'm thankful for the little blonde-haired, blue-eyed bundle that is still sleeping peacefully beside me this morning.

2. I'm thankful for my husband. I watched him walk out the door this morning and realized what a drudgery it must be some mornings to have to get up and go to work and listen to me talk about how we will be at the pool by 10:00 am! He does it all so we can have just what we need and so I can be with his children during the day. What a delight he is! He is the love of my life! As we were sitting in our Bible study class Sunday morning praying for a young father of 4 children who just lost his very young wife to ovarian cancer, all I could do was cry! We prayed because this man is just at a loss without her and I could feel that emotion overwhelm me. What would I do without Butch? Who would make me laugh on those challenging days when I'm tempted to curl up and give up? Who would I go to when I just need a hug or a kiss? I can't imagine the void that I would feel. I love him so and I'm so thankful that God chose me for this man!

3. I'm thankful that my son will be home tomorrow from church camp! I have had some moments when the enemy has tried to make me fear things that could happen, but probably won't. I hate it when he does that!! But this post is about giving thanks and I'm getting off track... I'm thankful that Taylor was able to go and I am still praying that even in this last day and half that God will do an amazing thing in his life -- one that he would not have even imagined and one that will stay with him for the rest of his days!

4. I'm thankful for my God who could have given up on me when I failed Him so miserably! I am thankful for mercy, grace, love, and that He pursues me and is thinking about me all of the time! All of the other things listed above are things I would have never experienced without such a wonderful Savior. I posted on the LPM Blog that I was also thankful for do-overs and I wonder how many do-overs God has given me that, for whatever reason, I didn't even acknowledge or thank Him for? Thank you, God for always giving us second, third, fourth, fifth -- you get the picture -- chances!

How about you? Have you thanked Him today?

Blessings,
Dori

Let it Rain...

I've got rain on my mind this morning...

The crunching sound my grass makes when I walk across it is a tell-tale sign that something is missing in our little portion of Southern Middle Tennessee. What once was a luxurious and lush green lawn is now just a mess of dry, brown grass. Interestingly enough, the weeds are thriving, depleting every ounce of moisture in the dry, cracked ground.

I've got rain on my mind this morning...

If I'm not careful and don't drink in the Living Water, the sound my heavy heart makes is a tell-tale sign that something is missing. What God intends to be a thriving, growing Promised Land can quickly become a dry, parched, hard soul. Interestingly enough, the weeds are what will thrive -- thorny, all-consuming weeds that choke out the Word of God and make me unfruitful.

I've got rain on my mind this morning...

God, rain down on us. Let us crave Your Spirit more than we crave the air that we breathe and the rain that falls on our lawns. We need You, God, You are the Living Water -- the only thing that matters.

I've got rain on my mind this morning...

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it. (Isaiah 45:5-8)

Blessings,
Dori

Glidin' in the Grove

Okay, so most of you know that I am a die-hard student of Bible teacher, Beth Moore. I've been facilitating her studies since her big-haired days of "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place" in the late 90's. Interesting, how she's gotten a "re-do" on that study with new videos and all -- wonder if her hair had anything to do with it?

Anyway, the reason I decided to write a post called "Glidin' in the Grove" is because yesterday I had me some church -- sittin' by the pool! I was basking in the sun, watching my sweet girl splash around in the water as if it were just created that morning and especially for her, and had my iPod blaring with an mp3 I had downloaded from the Living Proof Ministries website.

In the lesson I was listening to, Beth was teaching that we have developed a safe place with our relationship with God -- a place of "glidin' in the grove." We are saved and that is for certain, but we have gotten comfortable with Who we believe God to be and what we believe God can do based on past circumstances and what we have been taught by mainstream religion. Now, Beth was clear -- she is a "church girl" and so am I. I am as loyal to my denomination as anyone could be because I trust in the interprettation of scriptures and our belief that God's Word is true, that it is the inspired Word of God, and that everything that is written -- from Genesis to Revelation -- is completely useful for teaching us and guiding us. But her point was that in our attempts to understand God, we have limited Him. We have stopped asking the impossible because we just haven't experienced it yet and we want to be safe and only ask for the things that we know will probably happen anyway.

That's "glidin' in the grove."

I don't want to glide in the grove anymore. I want to believe that my God really is Who He says He is and can do what He says He can do. I want to dare to ask, "Show me Your glory, Lord" and see Him do it. I don't want to not receive because I didn't ask! I want to end my life knowing that I asked Him to delight me in every way and that I wasn't afraid to ask for something huge and impossible. Can you imagine the things we have missed along the way? Can you imagine what amazing and wondrous things He wanted to do on our behalf but didn't because we simply didn't ask?

I was thinking about this passage in Joshua:

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." (Joshua 3:5)

I want to be among the ones that God is asking to be set apart because He wants to do something that is so incredible we will be amazed! How about you? Are you glidin' in the grove or are you preparing yourself because your Amazing God is about to be wonderful before your very eyes?

Blessings,
Dori

Lifting Up My Eyes

I was just reading from my One Year Bible and today's highlighted scripture is from Psalm 121, perhaps one of my favorites. Any Psalm that is completely set to music, almost verbatim, is extraordinary and our choir sings this Psalm from time to time. It's always a powerful time in our congregation. There is just something about singing the very words of God.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
From this time forth, and even for evermore.

~~Psalm 121 KJV

Sometimes it just takes lifting up our eyes to find our help. When worries and problems come, our first reaction is to lose our focus and become downcast. Even our physical posture changes and we hang our head -- sometimes in shame, sometimes in disbelief, sometimes in defeat, sometimes in sorrow.

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. (Psalm 3:3 Amplified)

When I want my children to focus on me and really listen intently to what I need to say to them, I take their face in my hand and make them look at me. I can imagine God comes to us, His children, gently cups His sweet hands underneath our chin and says, "Child, look at Me. I need you to listen to Me. Look to me for I am your very present Help in time of need."

Does your head need lifting today? Look to Him. He is your glory -- the only good thing in you. He is your Protector, your Shield, your Defender, your Waymaker and, yes, He is the lifter of your head.

Have a blessed day in Him,
Dori

A'Camping He Will Go...

Well, I have just been shopping for my son to go to camp next week. It is church camp and I'm praying for big things for him next week. This is the first time he has gone to camp and he will not be able to call home unless it is an emergency.

Just started me to thinking that I have not had that many consecutive days without a conversation with my firstborn. It's going to be tough on this Mom and Dad to wave goodbye and wait 1 day, then another, then another, then another...do you understand what I am saying? I will put my 11 year old, who I watch over like a mother hen, on a bus with 100 or more other children his age and say goodbye for 5 days! He may bug the snot out of me some days, but 5 days is a long time not to hear "I love you, Mom" or just feel his long arms wrap around my neck when I'm sitting at my desk working or standing in the kitchen cooking.

But He has a Father who is way more protective than I am over him. His Abba Father watches him even more closely than I and these days were prepared for him in advance. I know He has something special for Taylor next week and I can't wait to see it unfold!

Some time back, I was reading in the Psalms. I felt really burdened for God to give me a scripture to pray over Taylor. And, as is sometimes the case, I couldn't stay awake long enough to have anything "hit" me. So after I had dosed off for a few minutes, I opened my eyes and they landed right down on this passage in Psalm 86. God really did say to me, "Pray this for Taylor." From time to time I will think of it and do that. But I honestly think it is "for such a time as this." So next week as he goes off to camp, I'm praying that God will teach him truth and that he will learn to walk in it.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)

If you think about my boy -- if his name or this post crosses your mind -- would you mention His name to God for me? Ask that the Holy Spirit will set him on fire this next week and that Taylor will come back with a fiery love for God that nothing or no one can put out. Pray that Taylor has a lot of fun in the process!

Blessings,
Dori

P.S. Mom could use a few extra prayers, too, if you happen to think of me! :)

Be Amazed

I'm so sorry, my sweet friends -- the one's who are faithfully typing in the name of my blog in your browser and STILL looking at a Memorial Day post! I haven't intentionally ignored you. It's just been the first week of summer with the kids at home. It's also been the first week of many, many busy weeks doing my freelance work -- I'm working on a convention that is coming up at the end of July. I'm still trying to come up with a schedule that works for me and my family -- so that my house doesn't fall apart and I still get it all done. So, I haven't been not wanting to blog, I'm just trying to find a schedule to blog that works and doesn't keep me on the computer all the time.

But I just read what Beth had to share today -- transparency at it's finest -- and it reminded me that it was time to update the old blog. So, I opened up my One Year Bible this morning and the highlighted passage in the reading today is one that amazes me everytime I read it.

There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book. (John 20:30 Amplified)

And the scripture that really drives this point home:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written. (John 21:25 Amplified)

Do you fully get the picture of what John was trying to tell us? We don't know THE HALF OF IT! As miraculous and glorious the life of Jesus is and the power that it represents in our lives, there are just some things we won't know until we get to Heaven and see Him face to face. I wonder if He will tell us everything that happened or if some wonderful, heavenly plasma screen will come down and show us the biblical epic of all time -- one that gives The Ten Commandments a run for it's money?

John shows us example after example of how Jesus met the needs, body and soul, of the people of His day. He healed the sick, gave the blind sight, the crippled were able to walk again and the dead were given new life. He met women who had been beaten by life’s circumstances and called them daughters. He befriended men who had lived a life of deceit and self-righteousness, changing them forever. Yet, scripture tells us that John experienced far more, more than we will ever know on this earth, from simply walking beside Him on a daily basis.

I want to know my Savior in that way. I want to walk daily where He walked, learn from the sermons He preached, and experience the grace that only He gives. I want to see his fingerprints on my life. I want to take in all He has to offer, knowing that He gives that and so much more. I want to be able to say that, in my life, Jesus Christ does so much more than I could ever write in a book or on this blog; more than any book could ever hold!

A scripture just popped into my mind that I haven't thought of in awhile. It's the kind of living that I want to do today -- I want to watch and be amazed at my Lord today and know that there is still far more than the eye can see or the ear can hear or any mind can conceive! Will you join me?

"Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. (Habakkuk 1:5)

Let me hear from you! I miss you and it sure is good to be back!!

Blessings,
Dori