Love Remembers

I've been listening to a lot of Craig Morgan recently. That's not surprising since Mark and I recently attended one of his concerts. Many of his songs can truly resonate with me. One in particular is Love Remembers.

As I reach middle age, I'm experiencing a problem with my memory. Sometimes, when I'm speaking, I can't even remember the words I need to finish the sentence I started. How frustrating is that? As a Christian, I know the importance of having memorized Bible verses available to defend against temptation, depression and simply, the world. Unfortunately, my brain is not wanting to memorize these verses that I want to bolster my aresenal of spiritual defenses. Many times I have to rely on the overall theme of the many Bible verses I have read. I hold onto those themes I've read over and over. Jesus made that easy for us when he simply stated, "Love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself". Great, if we do that, we're on the right track.

And, thankfully, I do remember the first verse I did memorize when attending Herrington Methodist Church in Bourbon County when I was really young. That one is one of the best, John 3:16. It has to be the most amazing verse there is. "For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten son, for whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." I'm so thankful that it is there imbedded in my mind. I am constantly amazed at His love for us.

Well, I'm going to try to remember what all I need to do today. I am thankful for the beautiful sunshine streaming through my windows, even though it does illuminate all the little pawprints on them. I am thankful for the four little white doggies that made them as well.

I hope you remember to have a great day and remember the One that gives us everything worthy of our thanks. Have a great day, luv, Susan

First Annual Hanging of the Greens

I hope you had a great weekend. Things went well here. The weather was actually mild Sunday after being rather chilly on Saturday. I got to spend time with my family after a slight scare with my Dad. He's fine, just gonna check out a few things to make sure.

Last year, after Christmas, I shopped for greenery and lights in anticipation of decorating this new house for the Christmas season. I decorate with lifelike evergreen and white lights. To me, the greenery represents new life and white lights, well, Jesus, of course. I was especially delighted last year when we were able to rescue a large artificial Christmas tree from the trash. I knew, after buying the artificial greenery, this discarded tree would do quite nicely.

Well, yesterday, Mark and I spent a couple hours on the deck and we transformed the formerly trashed tree, into wonderfully lit decor for the outside of our home. Mark was just happy that he didn't have to climb any roofs; that had initially been his job at our previous house, but, eventually, we settled on icicle lights around the garage, since that was the first thing you saw of our Henderson home when you came around the corner to our street. Now, here in Scott County, our neighbors driving by will see our deck railing all lit up each night this Christmas season. I'll tackle the inside of the house after Thanksgiving.

I want to mention a couple Bible verses this morning. One is from yesterday's Sunday school class, Ezekiel 34:16 and the other is from today's upperroom reading, Psalm 147:2-3, and 6. They both speak of our Lord, our shepherd, as He gathers his scattered strays, binds up the injurred and cares for the weak. These verses also mention how He also retaliates against the wicked and self-centered. We serve a loving God, but it's not easy to ignore that we also serve a just God, who doesn't ignore the behavior of those who do not consider the rest of the flock. It is my hope and prayer that you consider and love all your neighbors the way our Father in heaven has asked us to do.

It is a very wet, dreary day here in Georgetown. We won't be walking, but that's okay as I have my shopping to do today, my cleaning tomorrow and my cooking to start on Wednesday.

You have a great day, luv, Susan

God Must Really Love Us

This is a difficult time of year for me. Like I've mentioned before, I really enjoy the beautiful colors of Fall, but dread what is coming. Well, it's here. Bare trees and cold, dreary days. It kind of puts me in a funk of sorts. These days, it's easy to feel depressed. I am so thankful God takes me aside, when I let Him, and reminds me how much He loves me.

Friends from Henderson called recently. They asked if we were interested in going to see a concert by Craig Morgan. Well, have I mentioned that he is one of my top three faorite Country performers? I really enjoy Brad Paisley, Josh Turner and Craig Morgan. I've been impressed with how they give God the glory for their success and include His message in their songs.

Craig did not disappoint with his concert, he is truly a down to earth, kind hearted, compassionate , family man. A true Christian who is experiencing God's goodness in his life and enjoys sharing his faith with his audience. Can you imagine experiencing the hymn, Amazing Graze, at a casino concert? It was wonderful. The crowd was so appreciative of every mention he made of how God works in his daily life.

I also am grateful that God is watching over me and my family. How wonderful that Thanksgiving is right around the corner to spotlight that gratitude we should all have for the things God gives us, gratitude we should be expressing daily. This morning, I just read in Psalm 34:10, ...those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. That is so true when we allow God to be active in our lives.

I was so blessed to be able to take my doggies for their walks yesterday, today we'll have to get our exercise in the yard and in the house, don't think it's gonna get above freezing, but the sun is shining! It is a reminder to me that "Light has come into the world" (John 3:19) Let us rejoice.

Have a wonderful day, hope you stay warm and continue to stay in His light. luv, Susan

ps, I get my wonderful Bible passages each morning from the Upperroom. They offer them daily at their website, www.upperroom.org .

pps, Craig Morgan's new single is God Must Really Love Me. It is on his new CD, That's Why.

Saints Alive !!

I have been blessed with some beautiful people in my life. God has placed them there every turn in the road. Many have passed on and I look so forward to seeing them eventually when my earthly life's journey is complete. But, thankfully, many are available to me still, some are my friends, some family, some I get to see on a regular basis, others I simply get to touch base with occasionally. But right now I want to share about my friends June and Sharon.

They are the most awesome two individuals that I have come to love and respect at my church. They are wonderful role models to say the least. June, the mom and Sharon, her daughter teach us lessons of love and service through everything they do. Most recently, they are heading up a project at church for the Franklin Graham's shoebox ministry. It's called Samaritin's Purse and sends shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and other goodies to children around the world.

Today I will be going to town to shop for and then wrap a few boxes. I am sad to say I won't be able to attend the churchwide wrapping tomorrow night. That is a disappointment for me. I know they'll have a great time at church getting these boxes ready.

If you get the opportunity to contribute to this worldwide project, make an effort to join. I believe it to be a really special way to minister to children around the world.

I'm looking forward to taking a walk later today when the rain is over. I'm really enjoying the neighbors I see along the way.

I hope you got to see part of the CMA's last night. I continue to find inspiration in performers like Brad Paisley, George Strait and Trace Adkins. Too bad we didn't get to see my other favorites, Josh Turner and Craig Morgan, perform. You can see Josh Turner in the movie about Billy Graham's life, which I believe is out or will be out soon.

Have a great day, luv, Susan

Take A Knee

I hope everyone had a chance to see the UK/Georgia game. It was something else. Of course the outcome was hard to take, but no one can say that it wasn't an exciting game to witness. It reminded me of last years final regular season game against Tennessee. Didn't Andre Woodson have us really close to finally beating the Vols? If I'm not mistaken, the game ended with an interception and Andre was devastated. My sister and I accidentally crossed paths with him under the stadium as he left through a side entrance. He was inconsolable.

As the game ended Saturday, I watched Randall Cobb crumple to the field as his ill-conceived final pass was intercepted. I felt the same pain radiating from that young man as did from Andre last year. Flash forward to a smiling, celebrating Andre Woodson at the end of the Music City Bowl in Nashville. I'm just glad that Randall's mom was in town for the game. I hope he can envision many happy endings in the future with UK football.

A couple years ago I was able to enjoy a movie called Facing the Giants. I believe it was produced by a church somehow. Except for one scene where the coach pushes a player beyond his physical limits, I was very impessed with the movie and it's overall message. I was also surprised to see a familiar face make a cameo in the film. Georgia football Coach, Mark Richt, appears in a scene as himself. I thought that was such a positive message to send. I just hoped that he realized that from then on, he would be watched for his behavior on and off the field.

As disappointed as I was with the final outcome of the game, I was uplifted at what I saw on the field. As the Georgia quarterback took a knee for the last two plays of the game, it became painfully clear that UK had failed at it's attempt to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs. As the dejected Kentucky players left the field, and the disappointed fans left the stadium, the Georgia Bulldogs took a knee at the center of the field and had a prayer.

I continue to pray for the young men on the field and try to remember His will in all we do. Saturday did not give UK a win in the books, but I believe His will was accomplished and good things will come from what did transpire at Commonwealth Stadium.

Have a great day, luv, Susan

GOD BLESS OUR PRESIDENT ELECT

I can't help but feel pride in our country as it elected our first president of color. I pray for this young husband and father as he takes on what is arguably the most difficult job in the world, at what may be the most difficult time of our lives. He faces an economy that is struggling and wars on two fronts. I pray that he has the wisdom, the guidance, and the discernment that only our God can give.

It is going to be the most beautiful day today and tomorrow. God is truly blessing us with magnificent days to enjoy. Thank God for all our many blessings!!

Let us pray for God's wisdom, guidance and discernment in all we do. He is an awesome God. Everything is possible for Him. He took the most active of all Christian persecuters and remolded him into the most revered Christian of all time. Like I said, He is an awesome God! Don't underestimate His power and the love He has for His children. God Bless America! God Bless our president-elect, Barack Obama!

Have a great day, luv, Susan