I started this story three weeks ago and, due to technical difficulties, haven't been able to finish it until now. If you haven't read the previous post, please scroll down, as this is a continuation of my dad's final days with us.
As per the previous post, my dad got checked into Baptist hospital in Lexington, on Saturday, May 21. By the time I arrived on Sunday, he was still alert and himself. The doctor informed us that his tests revealed that he apparently wasn't going to improve. After living the past year on oxygen and being very limited in his activites for more than two years, it looked like we needed to start our final farewells to our dad.
He was hooked up to all the vitals' moniters and we could keep track of his heart rate and his oxygen level. It was important to keep his heart rate down and his oxygen rate up. This was fine until Monday night when he started trying to remove his oxygen mask because he couldn't breathe. I'd struggle with him to keep it on, then the nurse would also continue to reason and work with him. This made the oxygen go down , the heart rate go up. They increased medication to calm him . This helped, but limited his being able to respond to us as he had been.
Because we had been concerned for years about his salvation, I had come prepared with my church hymnal. Daddy had taken us to church in Argenta, Illinois and then in Fort Worth, Texas. Finally, when we arrived in Paris, Kentucky, we attended a little country church because our dear friends, Walt and Catherine attended there. We are all from Argenta, originally. Daddy and Walt worked together in Illinois and our families are very close. Anyway, we attended church regularly at Herrington Methodist until sister Kathy and I decided we would prefer attending the Methodist church in town, as we went to the city school. Daddy wasn't okay with this, but he allowed us to switch, he just quit attending church altogether. As the years went by, he also began expressing doubts concerning his Christian faith.
Back to the hymnal, I remembered that the altar call each week from Reverend Marshall Crouch, at our little country church, was always to "Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling ", so when I was alone in the room with my dad, I sat down next to him and sang each of the four verses softly into his ear. I figured if anything would stir his faith, that pleading hymn would. I believe that it was about Tuesday when they decided to turn off the monitors that told us what the oxygen and heart rates were, even though the nurses knew them at the desk.
When Daddy's medication would wear off, he would again begin to struggle and at one time, they called in a code, asking for help. This was upsetting all the way around, as many nurses and orderlies came in to restrain him from struggling with them. But, suddenly, in the midst of this awful moment, he said I'm trying to get to Heaven and you all won't let me." Of course, I grabbed his hand and said that nothing could stop him from getting to heaven, as long as he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. That was exactly what I had been praying for, something that would assure me that my dad was again open to accepting Jesus as his savior and having faith that he could go to heaven, even though he didn't understand it all.
This has been my story of my dad's final days. He passed away, peacefully, Wednesday, May 25th. My mom was right there with him. He had an amazing 90 years of life. He enjoyed 69 years and four months of marriage with his wife, Betty Ann. I personally, had the best Daddy for sixty years, my sisters had him a little longer. My mom, we three daughters, his sons- in-law and his grandchildren have so many wonderful memories. We all miss him so very much, but thanks to His wonderful grace on us all, we know that we will see him again in Heaven. For that, I will be eternally grateful.
Have a great day, stay warm and stay safe. If you're interested in the four verses of "Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling", just let me know and I'll post them. luv, Susan
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
MY DAD, Appreciate One Day At A Time
The last time I posted on my blog, I, for the most part, considered my life to be just about perfect. I was watching my grandson a couple times a week, visiting my folks at least once a week with him, and enjoying a good life filled with family, friends, volunteering and an awesome church life. Then the latter part of May rolled around and things took a very stunning change. My dad, who had suffered with Pulmonary Fibrosis for over a couple years reached it's final stage. Daddy said on our Thursday visit that he felt really awful, worse than he had felt throughout his ordeal. Mom tried to make a doctor appointment, but was unable to and was told that if he continued to feel bad, bring him to the ER. She did, after some treatments, he was sent home feeling somewhat better.
Mark and I had a friend's wedding reception to attend on Saturday in Indianapolis. Knowing Daddy had been going back and forth to the ER for months now, we attended the reception. On our way home, sister Kathy told me that Daddy was in the hospital after feeling bad all day Friday and decided to check into Baptisit Hospital in Lexington. After getting home late Saturday from Indy, I made it up to the hospital Sunday. They were testing him out and he was trying to watch the French Open Tennis Tourney on TV. He was still being his ornery self and when the hospital chaplain came in, he told him that he didn't put a lot of emphasis on all that, but let him say a prayer for him. I was at a loss, at what to do to get my dad to make his profession of faith in Jesus and accept his salvation for his sins from God's precious son.
I have to interject here that I had been studying the book of Revelation at our BSF study each week and it had made it crystal clear that God was giving us the free will to make the decision of acceptance or rejection of His son, Jesus Christ. Because Daddy and I travelled to the Regional basketball tournament in Winchester, I took that opportunity with just the two of us in the car to explain the eternal weight of that decision. That was a tough talk to have with him and after listening to me for some time, he finally said that he didn't want to talk about it any more. Kind of how he dismissed the hospital chaplain just weeks into the his future.
Back to our time at the hospital in May, things starting looking really bad as results of his tests were coming in to his doctor. The conversation wasn't sounding good as he explained things to us. Daddy said that he had hoped to make it to January so he and Mom could celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. His doctor paused and said, "Let's just appreciate one day at a time." Guess we all knew what that meant, as silence filled the room.
As this story will continue, I'll wish you a great day in this new year of 2017. I've been recently spending time back in hospitals these past two weeks as a friend of mine is ill. I was brought back to the computer today because I'm trying to find directions to a friends house tonight. I hope by the next time I get on here, I'll have the opportunity to continue my dad's story. In the meantime, stay warm, safe and enjoy your blessings. luv, Susan
Mark and I had a friend's wedding reception to attend on Saturday in Indianapolis. Knowing Daddy had been going back and forth to the ER for months now, we attended the reception. On our way home, sister Kathy told me that Daddy was in the hospital after feeling bad all day Friday and decided to check into Baptisit Hospital in Lexington. After getting home late Saturday from Indy, I made it up to the hospital Sunday. They were testing him out and he was trying to watch the French Open Tennis Tourney on TV. He was still being his ornery self and when the hospital chaplain came in, he told him that he didn't put a lot of emphasis on all that, but let him say a prayer for him. I was at a loss, at what to do to get my dad to make his profession of faith in Jesus and accept his salvation for his sins from God's precious son.
I have to interject here that I had been studying the book of Revelation at our BSF study each week and it had made it crystal clear that God was giving us the free will to make the decision of acceptance or rejection of His son, Jesus Christ. Because Daddy and I travelled to the Regional basketball tournament in Winchester, I took that opportunity with just the two of us in the car to explain the eternal weight of that decision. That was a tough talk to have with him and after listening to me for some time, he finally said that he didn't want to talk about it any more. Kind of how he dismissed the hospital chaplain just weeks into the his future.
Back to our time at the hospital in May, things starting looking really bad as results of his tests were coming in to his doctor. The conversation wasn't sounding good as he explained things to us. Daddy said that he had hoped to make it to January so he and Mom could celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. His doctor paused and said, "Let's just appreciate one day at a time." Guess we all knew what that meant, as silence filled the room.
As this story will continue, I'll wish you a great day in this new year of 2017. I've been recently spending time back in hospitals these past two weeks as a friend of mine is ill. I was brought back to the computer today because I'm trying to find directions to a friends house tonight. I hope by the next time I get on here, I'll have the opportunity to continue my dad's story. In the meantime, stay warm, safe and enjoy your blessings. luv, Susan
Friday, April 8, 2016
I LOVE MY COUSINS
Years ago, I made a conscious decision to grow closer to God. I have spent my time since then not letting anything hinder my efforts to try to do the things that I have felt God leading me to do. These things include, praying, attending church and supporting my church family, taking Bible studies, volunteering to help others and trying, trying to be as Christ like as I can be. Yes, I fall miserably short on that last one, but I'll continue to try. Writing this blog is a continuous struggle to reach out to others, but I'll continue to try.
Today's UpperRoom lists "My Cousins" as the prayer focus. I was just telling my homemakers club yesterday how much I love social media because it enables me to reach out and stay in touch with my cousins, whom I love dearly. They are my reminder of my grandparents, their home and the awesome times we had in their loving embraces as children. We are spread out all over the country now, and I yearn for the opportunities to be with them all.
The devotional reading also reminded me of the awesome message in the story that Jesus told his followers of the workers in Matthew 20:1-16. The owner of the vineyard spent an entire day hiring workers for a denari to work his vines. Some were hired in the morning, some later in the afternoon, and some much later, with only an hour left to work. At the end of the day, he told the foreman to pay each man, the last hired would be paid first and the first hired would be paid last. Each received the promised denari for their work. Many of those who had been working since early morning were upset that they had not been paid more, yet the owner clearly stated that he paid what he had promised. Does this seem fair to you?
God offers us eternal life for accepting his Son as our Holy Savior and working in His kingdom spreading his awesome story. It doesn't matter if we accept Jesus early in our lives and spend many years spreading God's word, or if we acccept Jesus on our deathbed, we all will receive eternal life for the acceptance of our Holy Savior Jesus. It may not seem fair, but it is the Good News of Jesus Christ that you've heard about.
I hope you have a great day. The Upperroom is available at www.upperroom.org. Or, I could mail you a copy if you ask. Again, enjoy a great day and stay safe. luv, Susan
Today's UpperRoom lists "My Cousins" as the prayer focus. I was just telling my homemakers club yesterday how much I love social media because it enables me to reach out and stay in touch with my cousins, whom I love dearly. They are my reminder of my grandparents, their home and the awesome times we had in their loving embraces as children. We are spread out all over the country now, and I yearn for the opportunities to be with them all.
The devotional reading also reminded me of the awesome message in the story that Jesus told his followers of the workers in Matthew 20:1-16. The owner of the vineyard spent an entire day hiring workers for a denari to work his vines. Some were hired in the morning, some later in the afternoon, and some much later, with only an hour left to work. At the end of the day, he told the foreman to pay each man, the last hired would be paid first and the first hired would be paid last. Each received the promised denari for their work. Many of those who had been working since early morning were upset that they had not been paid more, yet the owner clearly stated that he paid what he had promised. Does this seem fair to you?
God offers us eternal life for accepting his Son as our Holy Savior and working in His kingdom spreading his awesome story. It doesn't matter if we accept Jesus early in our lives and spend many years spreading God's word, or if we acccept Jesus on our deathbed, we all will receive eternal life for the acceptance of our Holy Savior Jesus. It may not seem fair, but it is the Good News of Jesus Christ that you've heard about.
I hope you have a great day. The Upperroom is available at www.upperroom.org. Or, I could mail you a copy if you ask. Again, enjoy a great day and stay safe. luv, Susan
Sunday, March 27, 2016
BECAUSE HE LIVES
I just read my UpperRoom devotion with the sunrise peeking through my window. This is my second attempt at a blog. Yesterday's disappeared. I am wishing you a beautiful Easter Sunday. I have been enjoying my special Easter music this week. My favorite is "New Again" performed by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, an emotional conversation between Jesus and Mary prior to the crucifixion. I've seen it on YouTube many times, with the visual from The Passion. Jesus Christ Superstar is also my go to for Holy Week. I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but having seen the rock opera in the eighth grade at Memorial Coliseum, it's always been special for me.
This is always my favorite time of year, preparing for Easter and Springtime weather and enjoying basketball, as the Cats make their final charge toward the Final Four. Sadly, this year, UK finished up the first weekend of the three week tournament and we are currently hoping we have some players left to help the new recruits out next year. Our women also ended the second week. Oh, well. It is still my favorite time of year, just not quite as exciting.
This morning at church, we will spend the first hour singing our favorite hymns while we decorate a cross with beautiful cut flowers. At the end of the hour, we'll have a "living cross" at the altar and then have our Easter sermon. This will be our minister, Evan's last Easter Sunday, he and wife, Emma, will be moving on at the end of May. We've had four ministers during my seven years at our little country church and they've all been awesome. Love them all!
I'm looking forward to Easter dinner and hopefully an egg hunt at my sister, Pam's in Lexington. It's a fun time for all the family. MJ is quite the entertainer and we have other little ones that will enjoy this annual tradition.
I've been able to read through an additional Bible Study on the crucifixion of Jesus and simply wanted to share one stunning event that took place as Jesus died on the cross. The curtain that was made according to God's instructions given to Moses in the book of Exodus hung in the Tabernacle of the Temple. It was elaborately woven with purple, scarlet and blue yarn and measured sixty feet long and twenty feet wide. Because of the elaborate designs worked into the fabric, it was as thick as a man's palm.
At the moment when Jesus exclaimed "It is finished" from the cross, this massive curtain was torn from top to bottom. It had been the barrier that kept God's presence separate from the priests and the Jewish people. As this barrier was now removed, because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, we are now able to be with God. Jesus can now live in us. God dwells with His people, through His Holy Son, our precious lamb.
I wish you an awesome Easter. Enjoy the baskets, the bunnies, the chocolate and the egg hunts. And take time to thank the Lamb, that's what Easter is all about. luv, Susan
This is always my favorite time of year, preparing for Easter and Springtime weather and enjoying basketball, as the Cats make their final charge toward the Final Four. Sadly, this year, UK finished up the first weekend of the three week tournament and we are currently hoping we have some players left to help the new recruits out next year. Our women also ended the second week. Oh, well. It is still my favorite time of year, just not quite as exciting.
This morning at church, we will spend the first hour singing our favorite hymns while we decorate a cross with beautiful cut flowers. At the end of the hour, we'll have a "living cross" at the altar and then have our Easter sermon. This will be our minister, Evan's last Easter Sunday, he and wife, Emma, will be moving on at the end of May. We've had four ministers during my seven years at our little country church and they've all been awesome. Love them all!
I'm looking forward to Easter dinner and hopefully an egg hunt at my sister, Pam's in Lexington. It's a fun time for all the family. MJ is quite the entertainer and we have other little ones that will enjoy this annual tradition.
I've been able to read through an additional Bible Study on the crucifixion of Jesus and simply wanted to share one stunning event that took place as Jesus died on the cross. The curtain that was made according to God's instructions given to Moses in the book of Exodus hung in the Tabernacle of the Temple. It was elaborately woven with purple, scarlet and blue yarn and measured sixty feet long and twenty feet wide. Because of the elaborate designs worked into the fabric, it was as thick as a man's palm.
At the moment when Jesus exclaimed "It is finished" from the cross, this massive curtain was torn from top to bottom. It had been the barrier that kept God's presence separate from the priests and the Jewish people. As this barrier was now removed, because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, we are now able to be with God. Jesus can now live in us. God dwells with His people, through His Holy Son, our precious lamb.
I wish you an awesome Easter. Enjoy the baskets, the bunnies, the chocolate and the egg hunts. And take time to thank the Lamb, that's what Easter is all about. luv, Susan
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
STILL, THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR
I am so very happy to report that the groundhog was right when he predicted an early Spring. We have enjoyed beautiful warm days in the past month or two, but Winter has always reared it's ugly, snowcovered head. The last snow day was a mere six days ago when it was really coming down here in Central Kentucky, while MJ and I were at our monthly Homemakers meeting. Thankfully, the snow didn't stick around and now, it appears, we have at least a two week jump on official Spring. After hanging towels and jeans outside to dry, I walked around toward the garden and was stunned to see daffodils ready to bloom and some hyacinth already blooming. Thank you, God, for an early Spring.
Because I only posted eight blogs in 2015, you might make the assumption that watching my little grandson takes more time than I thought. Well, yes, it does, but it has more to do with simply enjoying my time with him and trying to get caught up when I don't have him. Unfortunately, his new daycare does not have a two day a week program available for him, so I have lost watching him on Mondays. I thought since I'm down to watching him two days a week, I might be able to squeeze in a blog a week, maybe.
I've mentioned previously that my Sunday School class has been working our way through Beth Moore's Daniel Bible study. The study took us into some prophecy and we actually spent time visiting Revelation. In addition, my Bible Study Fellowship this year has been studying Revelation. Before these two studies, I had always avoided Revelation, wanting to learn more about the rest of the Bible before I had to learn about the final chapter. It was actually a shock to me when I realized that the second part of the Daniel study was all about prophesy, thus going hand in hand with the final book as well. You might guess that I'm taking both of these studies very seriously.
The rest of my life is going along quite nicely. It is now early March, and Easter is just around the corner at the end of the month. It's time for me to start getting all my tax stuff together, so I can start thinking about spending more time outdoors. My dad turned ninety last month and we are all so blessed to have him still with us and in mostly overall good health, with the help of oxygen. He and I even made it over to a couple of the regional tournament games to see Paris win, then lose. And we have also been counting our blessings with my mom's health as she is cancer free after that terrible scare of cancer in her colon last year. She's bounced back better than you'd expect any eighty eight year old woman to do. MJ and I really enjoy going to Paris most Thursdays to visit them. They also celebrated their wedding anniversary in January. They've been married sixty nine years. Again, we are so blessed.
Like I said, I've got tax stuff to gather and beautiful weather to enjoy, so I'm gonna wrap this up. Hopefully, I'll get back to it before long. In the meantime, you have a great day. And, with the SEC Tourney starting this week......Go Cats!! luv, Susan
Because I only posted eight blogs in 2015, you might make the assumption that watching my little grandson takes more time than I thought. Well, yes, it does, but it has more to do with simply enjoying my time with him and trying to get caught up when I don't have him. Unfortunately, his new daycare does not have a two day a week program available for him, so I have lost watching him on Mondays. I thought since I'm down to watching him two days a week, I might be able to squeeze in a blog a week, maybe.
I've mentioned previously that my Sunday School class has been working our way through Beth Moore's Daniel Bible study. The study took us into some prophecy and we actually spent time visiting Revelation. In addition, my Bible Study Fellowship this year has been studying Revelation. Before these two studies, I had always avoided Revelation, wanting to learn more about the rest of the Bible before I had to learn about the final chapter. It was actually a shock to me when I realized that the second part of the Daniel study was all about prophesy, thus going hand in hand with the final book as well. You might guess that I'm taking both of these studies very seriously.
The rest of my life is going along quite nicely. It is now early March, and Easter is just around the corner at the end of the month. It's time for me to start getting all my tax stuff together, so I can start thinking about spending more time outdoors. My dad turned ninety last month and we are all so blessed to have him still with us and in mostly overall good health, with the help of oxygen. He and I even made it over to a couple of the regional tournament games to see Paris win, then lose. And we have also been counting our blessings with my mom's health as she is cancer free after that terrible scare of cancer in her colon last year. She's bounced back better than you'd expect any eighty eight year old woman to do. MJ and I really enjoy going to Paris most Thursdays to visit them. They also celebrated their wedding anniversary in January. They've been married sixty nine years. Again, we are so blessed.
Like I said, I've got tax stuff to gather and beautiful weather to enjoy, so I'm gonna wrap this up. Hopefully, I'll get back to it before long. In the meantime, you have a great day. And, with the SEC Tourney starting this week......Go Cats!! luv, Susan
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
CHANGING SEASONS, THANKING GOD
We are enjoying the final days of summer here in Central Kentucky. Football has started and we attended the newly renovated Commonwealth Football Stadium on Saturday and watched the Wildcats defeat the ragin' cajuns. It was a lot closer than we would have liked, but a win is a win, and we're gonna keep rooting for Coach Stoops and his troops.
I can hardly believe that my little grandson, MJ, is almost eight months old, he's the center of my universe right now, as I try to muddle through my life, doing what God has planned in advance for me to do. I believe watching MJ three days a week is exactly one of those things. I don't know what I'd be doing if it wasn't watching him on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays.
Right now, my family is making it through something of a health crisis with my mom, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her colon last month. After successful surgery to remove it, "Thank you, God", she has had something of a setback after her incision beccame infected. Right now she is back in the hospital, after being home a week, so they can get her back on the right track. I know that God is watching over us all, so I can feel at peace that He is in control.
I continue with my volunteer positions at church, the Amen House and Homemakers. Actually, homemakers was on hiatus for the summer and we picked up where we left off just this past Thursday. Our club struggles with age and health issues. MJ enjoys being at the meetings and I think they all enjoy seeing him there as well. We are also at the Amen House on Mondays, though I don't get a lot accomplished, except when my friend, Pat, holds him because she loves babies. Then I can sort clothes or whatever needs done and her spirits are lifted some.
My Sunday school class continues our journey through the Beth Moore study on Daniel, which has surprisingly for me, also taken us to Revelation. As Beth often says, our heads can be spinning with all of the information about the prophecies in these books. And, coincidentally, the BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) that we are beginning next week is on, what else, Revelation. If you know me, I pay attention when God presents me with coincidences.
Everything else in my life is stable. I am so blessed with all the opportunities that God places before me through the people and events in my life. I'm going to enjoy this beautiful, yet hot, summer day and continue to count my many blessings. Now that Fall is almost here, and it's a time of new beginnings for school and activities that have been on the back burner all summer, I am going to make every effort to remain faithful with my blog, whether anyone reads it or not. If I can encourage one of my friends in some way to strengthen their relationship with God through the things they read, the music they listen to or the things that they experience, I'll feel that I have fulfilled some of my purpose.
I hope you have a great day! Stay safe. luv, Susan
I can hardly believe that my little grandson, MJ, is almost eight months old, he's the center of my universe right now, as I try to muddle through my life, doing what God has planned in advance for me to do. I believe watching MJ three days a week is exactly one of those things. I don't know what I'd be doing if it wasn't watching him on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays.
Right now, my family is making it through something of a health crisis with my mom, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her colon last month. After successful surgery to remove it, "Thank you, God", she has had something of a setback after her incision beccame infected. Right now she is back in the hospital, after being home a week, so they can get her back on the right track. I know that God is watching over us all, so I can feel at peace that He is in control.
I continue with my volunteer positions at church, the Amen House and Homemakers. Actually, homemakers was on hiatus for the summer and we picked up where we left off just this past Thursday. Our club struggles with age and health issues. MJ enjoys being at the meetings and I think they all enjoy seeing him there as well. We are also at the Amen House on Mondays, though I don't get a lot accomplished, except when my friend, Pat, holds him because she loves babies. Then I can sort clothes or whatever needs done and her spirits are lifted some.
My Sunday school class continues our journey through the Beth Moore study on Daniel, which has surprisingly for me, also taken us to Revelation. As Beth often says, our heads can be spinning with all of the information about the prophecies in these books. And, coincidentally, the BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) that we are beginning next week is on, what else, Revelation. If you know me, I pay attention when God presents me with coincidences.
Everything else in my life is stable. I am so blessed with all the opportunities that God places before me through the people and events in my life. I'm going to enjoy this beautiful, yet hot, summer day and continue to count my many blessings. Now that Fall is almost here, and it's a time of new beginnings for school and activities that have been on the back burner all summer, I am going to make every effort to remain faithful with my blog, whether anyone reads it or not. If I can encourage one of my friends in some way to strengthen their relationship with God through the things they read, the music they listen to or the things that they experience, I'll feel that I have fulfilled some of my purpose.
I hope you have a great day! Stay safe. luv, Susan
Saturday, March 28, 2015
THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR
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
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
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