I knew I should have taken a picture of my daffodils this past week. They were looking especially beautiful atop the rock wall of my two level garden Mark built for me. I was enjoying pictures of other friends' blooms on facebook messages and we are all so grateful for the warmer weather and the signs of Spring that are abounding. And, even though it got cold last night and the daffodils are bowing their blooms, I know there will be something of a recovery for them. Yes, it is my favorite time of year.
Kentucky has made it to the Elite Eight. We haven't had any real problems as of yet. Hampton, check; Cincinnati, check; and even West Virginia, who knocked us out in 2010, check check. I love being excited about the upcoming game and being able to talk to people that usually don't even pay attention to sports, about the game. I love watching the game and seeing the comments made on facebook from friends all over who support the BBN. I love the feeling after we win a game and hearing from family and friends who call because they know what big fans we all are. Yes, it is my favorite time of year.
I enjoy when God sends me a message through a silly little coincidence. I got one today. I usually perk up and try very hard to listen to what He is wanting me to do with the nudge He's just given me. Well, I did send my son a voice mail because, he is always on my mind anyway, and I am also writing this blog....so here goes. Today's Upperroom devotional reading was about Jesus arriving in Jerusalem," riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey". (Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9) Tomorrow is Palm Sunday! Yes, it is my favorite time of the year!
The writer, from Massachusetts, wanted to share the feelings that she had sharing her testimony on Palm Sunday to her church congregation. She told them that their pastor had led her to Jesus and that the gift of salvation brings hope and healing. Aren't these two things that we all need? She continued, "that serving in God's kingdom brings purpose and peace". Those words stuck with me as I went on with my day. As I continued my morning ritual of feeding dogs, then finishing up dishes, etc. I watched and listened to some sports shows, after all, they talk about the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats a lot right now. Then a phrase caught my ear coming from the TV. It was that TV lawyer, Attorney John Morgan from Morgan and Morgan. He simply stated that because he had defended only injured people during his career, he had awoke every day with a purpose. Because of the work he's done, he has peace. I thought Wow, I just read those words. Do you get the significance of that coincidence ? God just wants me to share the message that we all need a purpose and that fulfilling our purpose will give us peace. Serving God brings us both. If we understand that we are here to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others through loving and serving others, then we will receive the peace of our salvation, which includes eternal life with Him. I can personally attest to that, because I have both!
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, followed by Holy Week, including Good Friday and Easter. We live because He died for us!!!! It is my favorite time of year!!!
Have a great day and stay safe. luv, Susan
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
I LOVE MARCH MADNESS
Today is gameday for the Big Blue Nation. To say that I'm excited about the game that starts in an hour is an exaggerated understatement. Kentucky beat Florida yesterday in their first game of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Today we play Auburn. Auburn's coach is Bruce Pearl who was previously Tennessee's coach before he broke some recruiting violations and lied about it. What looked like a great fit for him in Knoxville ended abruptly. We had the opportunity to watch him coach when we lived in Henderson, Kentucky. He coached the Screaming Eagles of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. They had awesome teams year after year and usually scored over 100 points when we attended games.
My cousin, Deb Pope, was on the women's team at USI, so we went to quite a few games over her four years there in Evansville. I always wondered why such a talented and motivating coach was still in Division II and eventually learned of an unflattering history of causing problems for other teams, primarily Illinois, and being apparently black balled for many years from Division I. Eventually, though, he was able to impress enough schools that he got back into the game and I think came back to the big basketball league when a Wisconsin school gave him the opportunity. After taking them to Big Dance, he was given the chance of coaching in the SEC.
Anyway, we face his team today, who in the regular season lost four games in a row and followed that with three wins in three days in Nashville at the SEC Tourney. It seems he told the press that, at the beginning of the tournament run, his Tigers could beat any team in the SEC except Kentucky. Yes, he's still a motivational genius when it comes to encouraging his players to really give it their all. After watching them over their past two games, and especially last night, I'm beginning to get very nervous about this match up. Not only did Pearl refer to his players as midgets, it appears their best player is a strong Christian who gave all the glory to God after the game last night. That really makes me nervous. As much as I love our team, I haven't heard that from them in a while, though I believe they feel that way. Always good to hear it.........................................Go Big Blue!
Today's Upperroom devotion was called Hidden Treasure and is directed at Bible Study Groups. I have to share the hidden treasure we studied during this weeks Bible Study Fellowship that I attend with my sister. We are still studying Moses, but were taken to the New Testament for a comment Jesus made in the middle of his night time visit and discussion with Nicodemus. This section includes one of the most familiar Bible verses ever, John 3:16. I've mentioned in previous blogs that it was the first verse I remember memorizing and reciting it in front of my church congregation so many years ago. However, the study of Moses in Numbers 21:9 led us directly to John 3:14. I know I had read through this story of Nicodemus' visit many times, but had never noticed this unusual reference to Moses lifting up the snake in the desert. And further research led me to Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent, when he tempted Eve into biting into the forbidden apple. Genesis 3:15 helps me understand why I've always been so disturbed by snakes and have found myself in battles with them on several occasions. I've also blogged previously about one of those incidents.
Its getting really close to game time, so it's time to get into my gametime mode. Yesterday I was only able to watch the recording of the game, as I had an International Homemakers Luncheon scheduled with my good friend, Mildred. It was wonderful. I hope you enjoy the day doing whatever you find to your liking. I'm gonna go watch the Wildcats, hopefully, win.
Take care. luv, Susan
My cousin, Deb Pope, was on the women's team at USI, so we went to quite a few games over her four years there in Evansville. I always wondered why such a talented and motivating coach was still in Division II and eventually learned of an unflattering history of causing problems for other teams, primarily Illinois, and being apparently black balled for many years from Division I. Eventually, though, he was able to impress enough schools that he got back into the game and I think came back to the big basketball league when a Wisconsin school gave him the opportunity. After taking them to Big Dance, he was given the chance of coaching in the SEC.
Anyway, we face his team today, who in the regular season lost four games in a row and followed that with three wins in three days in Nashville at the SEC Tourney. It seems he told the press that, at the beginning of the tournament run, his Tigers could beat any team in the SEC except Kentucky. Yes, he's still a motivational genius when it comes to encouraging his players to really give it their all. After watching them over their past two games, and especially last night, I'm beginning to get very nervous about this match up. Not only did Pearl refer to his players as midgets, it appears their best player is a strong Christian who gave all the glory to God after the game last night. That really makes me nervous. As much as I love our team, I haven't heard that from them in a while, though I believe they feel that way. Always good to hear it.........................................Go Big Blue!
Today's Upperroom devotion was called Hidden Treasure and is directed at Bible Study Groups. I have to share the hidden treasure we studied during this weeks Bible Study Fellowship that I attend with my sister. We are still studying Moses, but were taken to the New Testament for a comment Jesus made in the middle of his night time visit and discussion with Nicodemus. This section includes one of the most familiar Bible verses ever, John 3:16. I've mentioned in previous blogs that it was the first verse I remember memorizing and reciting it in front of my church congregation so many years ago. However, the study of Moses in Numbers 21:9 led us directly to John 3:14. I know I had read through this story of Nicodemus' visit many times, but had never noticed this unusual reference to Moses lifting up the snake in the desert. And further research led me to Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent, when he tempted Eve into biting into the forbidden apple. Genesis 3:15 helps me understand why I've always been so disturbed by snakes and have found myself in battles with them on several occasions. I've also blogged previously about one of those incidents.
Its getting really close to game time, so it's time to get into my gametime mode. Yesterday I was only able to watch the recording of the game, as I had an International Homemakers Luncheon scheduled with my good friend, Mildred. It was wonderful. I hope you enjoy the day doing whatever you find to your liking. I'm gonna go watch the Wildcats, hopefully, win.
Take care. luv, Susan
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