Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Staying True.....
God showed me something today and it really spoke to my heart so I wanted to share it with you guys. It may not come across to you the way it did to me, sometimes those lessons from my Lord are just for me but I trust you'll at least see where I'm going with this.
Today was the first day for Hope and Hannah to wear their JROTC uniforms to school. Hope is the Group Commander of the JROTC program at Rockingham County High School. This is Hannah's first year. As they stood next to one another in uniform for a picture (yes, you know I had to take a picture...even though they were running late to school...lol) I couldn't help but notice how different their uniforms were. Oh, they were both dark blue pants and a light blue shirt. They both had to have their shirts tucked in and both had to wear belts and have thier shoes shined but there was an obivous difference. Hope's shirt was dripping with ribbons, metals, and chords that she has obtained over her years of service in the program and all that Hannah had was her small nameplate. Are they both in the program....absolutely! Are they both JROTC cadets.....Absolutely! The difference is that Hope has weathered some challenges and worked hard to obtain the ribbons she has. She has had to prove herself and work hard for each one of them. She has never been satisfied with what she has but has kept working to obtain more and more. She was in the top 6 last year but strove to be Group Commander this year. She had to write a letter of intent and interview with the JROTC Colonel and Seargents.
Here's the comparison; if we have called on Jesus to save us then we are ALL His children. That's settled. The difference is, some of us have weathered some storms and came out victorious by his grace and mercy. Some of us bear the marks of experience and determination to do His will. You know, when Hannah has had any questions about the program she has come directly to Hope and asked her to clarify it or her opinion. She knows that Hope knows by experience a lot more than she does. She looks up to her. You know, in Titus it tells the Aged women to teach the younger women. Why? Because they have obtained some ribbons of the faith and can give counsel and instruction from experience.
What if Hope suddenly decided to quit the program or maybe not drop out but just stopped striving. What if she became satisfied, complacent if you will, with her position. What kind of message would that send to all the cadets under her? I know for a fact that it would hurt Hannah and confuse her because of the passion and pride Hope took in her position. We should NEVER stop striving to be more like Jesus! There are people who are "new" to the "program" of faith that are relying on us! Paul took Timothy under his wing and called him a son in the faith. He trained him, lived by example in front of him and encouraged him to be all he could for Christ.
Now if you think all those ribbons came easily or without hard work you are mistaken. I have seen Hope train for the Marine Competition by doing over 100 sit-ups everyday, running, push-ups, flutter kicks, etc. There were days she could hardly move she was so sore and her muscles were screaming at her to STOP!! But she didn't! She knew the intense training was required if she were to be a fierce competitor. Listen dear sisters, no matter how much the world or satan screams at you to stop, don't listen! Keep training, keep reading the Word, kneeling to pray, praising Him with song, inspecting your heart. Keep it UP!!! There are many depending on us!
Another comparison I saw was when I thought about how Hope really wanted the Group Commander position this semester because she KNEW it was her last chance....she graduates after this semester and she wanted to finish being the best she could be. You know, we aren't promised tomorrow, God's word tells us that so we really need to strive to be our best every day!
If you are a more mature christian take that seriously! You are more important than you know to the future maturity of those young ones in the faith.
Today was the first day for Hope and Hannah to wear their JROTC uniforms to school. Hope is the Group Commander of the JROTC program at Rockingham County High School. This is Hannah's first year. As they stood next to one another in uniform for a picture (yes, you know I had to take a picture...even though they were running late to school...lol) I couldn't help but notice how different their uniforms were. Oh, they were both dark blue pants and a light blue shirt. They both had to have their shirts tucked in and both had to wear belts and have thier shoes shined but there was an obivous difference. Hope's shirt was dripping with ribbons, metals, and chords that she has obtained over her years of service in the program and all that Hannah had was her small nameplate. Are they both in the program....absolutely! Are they both JROTC cadets.....Absolutely! The difference is that Hope has weathered some challenges and worked hard to obtain the ribbons she has. She has had to prove herself and work hard for each one of them. She has never been satisfied with what she has but has kept working to obtain more and more. She was in the top 6 last year but strove to be Group Commander this year. She had to write a letter of intent and interview with the JROTC Colonel and Seargents.
Here's the comparison; if we have called on Jesus to save us then we are ALL His children. That's settled. The difference is, some of us have weathered some storms and came out victorious by his grace and mercy. Some of us bear the marks of experience and determination to do His will. You know, when Hannah has had any questions about the program she has come directly to Hope and asked her to clarify it or her opinion. She knows that Hope knows by experience a lot more than she does. She looks up to her. You know, in Titus it tells the Aged women to teach the younger women. Why? Because they have obtained some ribbons of the faith and can give counsel and instruction from experience.
What if Hope suddenly decided to quit the program or maybe not drop out but just stopped striving. What if she became satisfied, complacent if you will, with her position. What kind of message would that send to all the cadets under her? I know for a fact that it would hurt Hannah and confuse her because of the passion and pride Hope took in her position. We should NEVER stop striving to be more like Jesus! There are people who are "new" to the "program" of faith that are relying on us! Paul took Timothy under his wing and called him a son in the faith. He trained him, lived by example in front of him and encouraged him to be all he could for Christ.
Now if you think all those ribbons came easily or without hard work you are mistaken. I have seen Hope train for the Marine Competition by doing over 100 sit-ups everyday, running, push-ups, flutter kicks, etc. There were days she could hardly move she was so sore and her muscles were screaming at her to STOP!! But she didn't! She knew the intense training was required if she were to be a fierce competitor. Listen dear sisters, no matter how much the world or satan screams at you to stop, don't listen! Keep training, keep reading the Word, kneeling to pray, praising Him with song, inspecting your heart. Keep it UP!!! There are many depending on us!
Another comparison I saw was when I thought about how Hope really wanted the Group Commander position this semester because she KNEW it was her last chance....she graduates after this semester and she wanted to finish being the best she could be. You know, we aren't promised tomorrow, God's word tells us that so we really need to strive to be our best every day!
If you are a more mature christian take that seriously! You are more important than you know to the future maturity of those young ones in the faith.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
He is so FAITHFUL!!!
I'm home safe and sound! I have spent over 28 hours in the car in the past two weekends and yet I traveled all that way without any scares on the road or any car problems, etc. God is so good! Mom is home and made the trip well. We all enjoyed her visit and look forward to another one next year. (She's planning on staying 2 weeks then!)
I sure was glad to see Hwy 158 and know that I was almost home. I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA!!!! Thank you Lord for moving us here!
I do have another praise...I did get to spend the evening with Julie, one of my dearest friends and we had a blast! She is such a joy to be with! I'm so glad it all worked out!
I'm off from work tomorrow to recover....another praise for that! I hope you all have a GREAT week!
I sure was glad to see Hwy 158 and know that I was almost home. I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA!!!! Thank you Lord for moving us here!
I do have another praise...I did get to spend the evening with Julie, one of my dearest friends and we had a blast! She is such a joy to be with! I'm so glad it all worked out!
I'm off from work tomorrow to recover....another praise for that! I hope you all have a GREAT week!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
On the Road Again........
I'm dreading being on the road again.......lol....don't think that was how the old country song went by Willie Nelson but that is how I'm feeling. I'm dreading the 14 hours of driving I have ahead of me this weekend. Please pray for a safe, quick trip as I take Mom back to Rossville, GA. I had hoped to see some more of my girl friends while I was there tonight but I'm not going to get an early enough start, or at least it doesn't look like it. I just can't get myself in gear this morning. lol.
I hope you all have a blessed day in the Lord's house tomorrow. I sure will miss it!!!
I hope you all have a blessed day in the Lord's house tomorrow. I sure will miss it!!!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Psalm 107:1-2
"O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy."
I SAY SO!!! I am redeemed! PTL! He is good and his mercy does endure. How do I know this? Because I am a recipient of that mercy every day. He understands my humanity and loves me in spite of my failures and flaws. He is a God of compassion, correction, restoration and mercy! Oh what a Savior. "Bethlehem, Calvary, all of this tells, Oh what a savior is mine, giving his life a poor wanderer to win, Oh, what a savior is mine. Oh what a savior, Oh what a savior, Oh what a savior is mine! Unto the uttermost, he's wonderful and glorious, Oh what a savior is Mine!!!!!"
He worthy of our praise. Not only in speech but in action....in our manner of life....praise Him!
Let each of go start tomorrow with a thankful heart that he has given us another day, and live life for Him....surrendered to him a living sacrifice!
Oh yes.....and if you live close enough to Greensboro, meet with us at Gospel Baptist tomorrow night at 7:00 for the ladies Bible study! Let's grow together!
Love to you all!
I SAY SO!!! I am redeemed! PTL! He is good and his mercy does endure. How do I know this? Because I am a recipient of that mercy every day. He understands my humanity and loves me in spite of my failures and flaws. He is a God of compassion, correction, restoration and mercy! Oh what a Savior. "Bethlehem, Calvary, all of this tells, Oh what a savior is mine, giving his life a poor wanderer to win, Oh, what a savior is mine. Oh what a savior, Oh what a savior, Oh what a savior is mine! Unto the uttermost, he's wonderful and glorious, Oh what a savior is Mine!!!!!"
He worthy of our praise. Not only in speech but in action....in our manner of life....praise Him!
Let each of go start tomorrow with a thankful heart that he has given us another day, and live life for Him....surrendered to him a living sacrifice!
Oh yes.....and if you live close enough to Greensboro, meet with us at Gospel Baptist tomorrow night at 7:00 for the ladies Bible study! Let's grow together!
Love to you all!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Praise the Lord!
He gave me a safe trip down to Ga yesterday and back to NC today. I now have my mom with me for a week! God was good and the trip seemed easy and the traffic wasn't bad at all! He is so good! Praise His name!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
School is back in Session!
Here are some pics of the 1st 2 days of school. Hope didn't want just 1st day pics because she had to wear her uniform....lol. I can't believe she is a Senior and Hannah is a freshman! WOWSERS!
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