A child of God- beloved, holy, righteous, blameless, healed, forgiven, brand new, sheep, salt, light, a branch, temple of God, reconciled, a saint, God's workmanship, hidden with Christ in God, an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life, a partaker, a living stone- crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives IN ME!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Nicky Baby, 45!
What can I say about this dear man?
I guess what is in my heart right now is how he continues to just- grow- as a husband. My Nick, he is a nurturer. Now, if you asked him if he is a nurturer this is what he would say, "What does that even mean?"
: )
He has NO idea how good a husband he is. He has NO idea he IS one who nurtures, tends, cultivates, loves easily, loves fully. Nick is like a gardener that tends the garden of our marriage because it comes naturally to him and from him. It's just him. And you know what that does to me?
Nick's tender care just causes me to grow to be the wife, mother and woman that God created me to be. Without Nick, I wouldn't be who I am today.
Nick, knows how to love and show love. How I need to be loved. I don't know how he does it, but he does.
I will tell you something else. Nick is not the type of man that opens his Bible and reads it every morning. Or every day. He is not some "theological" guy. That used to upset me. I wanted him to our family's "spiritual" leader or what I thought a "spiritual leader" looked like. But I what I REALLY wanted was a "theological" leader. But that is not Nick. Yet, he IS the spiritual leader in our family. Nick loves fully. Nick has joy despite the circumstances. Nick lives in peace. Nick is patient. Nick is kind. Nick is full of goodness. Nick is faithful. Nick is gentle. Nick can control his tongue, his thoughts and his actions. Now, if that is not a man full of the Spirit, then tell me what man is?
When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I see Nick all in those verse. Patient, kind, not jealous, not bragging, not arrogant, doesn't seek his own, not provoked, doesn't take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, Nick rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. His love never fails.
This is the man, through Christ in him, my husband has grown into since the year 2000 when he placed his faith in Jesus. He is just wonderful and I am so blessed!
Don't get me wrong, he is NOT perfect- my goodness, how could he be? He is married to a woman that can get in the flesh in a flash! : ) We have fusses and ups and downs. Our marriage isn't perfect. Now, I will say it is better than it's ever been. We've shared and loved and fought a lot these last 25+ years of marriage. Times were hard and lean. Times have been easy and fruitful. Joy and sorrow.
But that is LIFE and marriage. But God. Oh that holy "but" again, but God! Our Center, our Foundation! Psalm 31:15a says, "My times are in Your hand"-
No matter what, He goes before us. He IS with us. He lives in us.
I guess what is in my heart right now is how he continues to just- grow- as a husband. My Nick, he is a nurturer. Now, if you asked him if he is a nurturer this is what he would say, "What does that even mean?"
: )
He has NO idea how good a husband he is. He has NO idea he IS one who nurtures, tends, cultivates, loves easily, loves fully. Nick is like a gardener that tends the garden of our marriage because it comes naturally to him and from him. It's just him. And you know what that does to me?
Nick's tender care just causes me to grow to be the wife, mother and woman that God created me to be. Without Nick, I wouldn't be who I am today.
Nick, knows how to love and show love. How I need to be loved. I don't know how he does it, but he does.
I will tell you something else. Nick is not the type of man that opens his Bible and reads it every morning. Or every day. He is not some "theological" guy. That used to upset me. I wanted him to our family's "spiritual" leader or what I thought a "spiritual leader" looked like. But I what I REALLY wanted was a "theological" leader. But that is not Nick. Yet, he IS the spiritual leader in our family. Nick loves fully. Nick has joy despite the circumstances. Nick lives in peace. Nick is patient. Nick is kind. Nick is full of goodness. Nick is faithful. Nick is gentle. Nick can control his tongue, his thoughts and his actions. Now, if that is not a man full of the Spirit, then tell me what man is?
When I read 1 Corinthians 13, I see Nick all in those verse. Patient, kind, not jealous, not bragging, not arrogant, doesn't seek his own, not provoked, doesn't take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, Nick rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. His love never fails.
This is the man, through Christ in him, my husband has grown into since the year 2000 when he placed his faith in Jesus. He is just wonderful and I am so blessed!
Don't get me wrong, he is NOT perfect- my goodness, how could he be? He is married to a woman that can get in the flesh in a flash! : ) We have fusses and ups and downs. Our marriage isn't perfect. Now, I will say it is better than it's ever been. We've shared and loved and fought a lot these last 25+ years of marriage. Times were hard and lean. Times have been easy and fruitful. Joy and sorrow.
But that is LIFE and marriage. But God. Oh that holy "but" again, but God! Our Center, our Foundation! Psalm 31:15a says, "My times are in Your hand"-
No matter what, He goes before us. He IS with us. He lives in us.
Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a
time for every event under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
We have experienced all of these times. But...God. Oh Jesus, thank You, for my dear Nick. For the man he is because of You. Bless Him, continually with Your Presence.
John Waller, The Marriage Prayer
John Waller, The Marriage Prayer
February 15th, 2014 Myrtle Beach Marathon
Well I just ran my first and only marathon although it was technically 26.44 miles! It was so hard! I though that with myrtle beach being flat that it would be easier. It was not. My legs didn't get a break (Cody says)- and by mile 20 my thighs had had enough. Mile 23 the stress fracture in my right foot made it hard to run and walk. The wind was hard and relentless. My hands were numb from cold. My socks still wet from the morning rain. My time was 4:24 but that was not my goal of 4:15. My severe leg and foot cramps just wouldn't let me run the last 6.2 as fast as I wanted.
But my sweet and awesome husband! Wow! I can't tell you what a great encourager he is! At mile 12.5 he was waiting with snickers and water. At mile 26.44 he was there to hold me as limped across the line. It was worth it just to see the smile on his face when I finished!
I am posting a pic but I look terrible in it! But it's then only one I have! Lol but hey not too many people look their best after giving it all they got for 4 hours and 24 minutes!
For all my dear and close family and friends who prayed with me through this- I seriously would not have finished without you holding me up! That's a fact! Thank you from my aching feet to my sweatridden head!
And yes, I can barely walk!!!! Lol
But my sweet and awesome husband! Wow! I can't tell you what a great encourager he is! At mile 12.5 he was waiting with snickers and water. At mile 26.44 he was there to hold me as limped across the line. It was worth it just to see the smile on his face when I finished!
I am posting a pic but I look terrible in it! But it's then only one I have! Lol but hey not too many people look their best after giving it all they got for 4 hours and 24 minutes!
For all my dear and close family and friends who prayed with me through this- I seriously would not have finished without you holding me up! That's a fact! Thank you from my aching feet to my sweatridden head!
And yes, I can barely walk!!!! Lol
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Way back in 2007....
Way back in 2007 our church youth group went to my hometown of Liberty, Ky. There we spent the weekend with the youth where my cousin was the pastor.
On the last night our youth pastor, Will Gunter, used these verses:
On the last night our youth pastor, Will Gunter, used these verses:
Hebrews 12:1-3
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses
surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which
so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that
is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has
endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow
weary and lose heart."
Now, I don't always remember the main verses used in a sermon. Only a few times in my life can I recall the sermon and verses. But these verses have made a huge impact on my life since that night.
There is so much we could glean from these verses but I am going to cut straight to the POINT of these beautiful words-
FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS!
I need that today.
With my eyes on Jesus, I will run with endurance the race set before me. Laying ALL aside, fixing my eyes on Jesus and not the "stuff" of life because if my eyes are on the good and bad...I will certainly lose heart.
Jesus, my Endurance. Jesus, with eyes fixed on Him, I will not grow weary and lose heart. I am His joy!
Lord willing!
This time tomorrow, Lord-willing, I will be on mile 3 of my first marathon! Oh my....getting anxious and excited!!!!!
I ran 5 miles this week, then because of snow and ice, I couldn't really run. So I rode my stationary bike 10 miles. Cody and I got in a 2 mile run/walk in the heavy snow. Allison and I got in a 2 mile walk in the snow!
That consists of my training this week.
But, you know, even the Lord had that in His mind for me...
Why?
Because this was SUPPOSED to be my easy training week! He gave me an easy week, at just the right time. Through out all of my training...He has been there.
On days when I had a long run planned- the weather cooperated. Hmmm.....another gift from God. A couple of days it was really cold but it didn't hinder me like storming or snowing would.
Yes, He has been with me ALL ALONG.
Thank You, Jesus!
I ran 5 miles this week, then because of snow and ice, I couldn't really run. So I rode my stationary bike 10 miles. Cody and I got in a 2 mile run/walk in the heavy snow. Allison and I got in a 2 mile walk in the snow!
That consists of my training this week.
But, you know, even the Lord had that in His mind for me...
Why?
Because this was SUPPOSED to be my easy training week! He gave me an easy week, at just the right time. Through out all of my training...He has been there.
On days when I had a long run planned- the weather cooperated. Hmmm.....another gift from God. A couple of days it was really cold but it didn't hinder me like storming or snowing would.
Yes, He has been with me ALL ALONG.
Thank You, Jesus!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
GREAT days!
We have had 3 GREAT days during this "snow storm"! I have LOVED having all of my kids under the roof for the FIRST time since Allison and Ben got married! 607 days since Allison has slept in her room! She stayed the other night when the youth girls were here but she slept in Johnie's room.
We have ate and played and watched TV! I am so blessed and I am so thankful for these days! I am filled to the brim.
Now, Cody as gone back to Upstate and Allison and Ben have returned to their little house. The snow is melting...and tomorrow
we leave for Myrtle Beach...
and then my first Marathon, 6:30am Saturday morning!!!!
Whoo Hoo!
We have ate and played and watched TV! I am so blessed and I am so thankful for these days! I am filled to the brim.
Now, Cody as gone back to Upstate and Allison and Ben have returned to their little house. The snow is melting...and tomorrow
we leave for Myrtle Beach...
and then my first Marathon, 6:30am Saturday morning!!!!
Whoo Hoo!
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