Happy New Year

Today I have been taking a look back into 2008 and recalling God's goodness and endless mercy. There are so many things to be thankful for and even when things weren't going so good, we knew that God was always with us.

• I am thankful that Robert has continued to love me these 25 years that we have been together. I can be hard to live with sometimes.



• I am thankful for my two beautiful children, who are no longer children, but young adults. It has been such a blast watching them grow into the great people they are today.



• I am thankful that Robert and I both still have our parents and for their love and guidance.



• But the thing that I am most thankful for is that God continues to love me even when I am an unlovable, spoiled, ungrateful human being. The list of my shortcomings could go on and on.

Many people look forward to a new year as a new beginning. A fresh start. A do over.

We don't have to wait an entire year for a new start or a do over. Lamentations 3:22,23 says this: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

His mercy and compassion is new every time we ask for it. Praise Him that we can come before Him any time we want to and confess our sins and our less than holy attitudes and He will wipe the slate clean.

Happy New Year!



Life is Good,

Cindy

My Favorite Story

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:1-20 KJV)

I pray that all of you will have a very Merry Christmas filled with the wonder and awe of a Savior who came down from Heaven as a baby to live among us. He then gave His very life for us. He took the punishment for our sins so that we could live forever with Him.


Life is Good,

Cindy

Patience is a Virtue

Patience is a virtue. It is also included in the fruit of the Spirit. Alas, today I am not very virtuous and someone has plucked it from my fruit bowl!

My daughter and I are in San Antonio at my sisters and we are waiting on a television to be delivered. We have been waiting since 8:00 a.m. this morning. It is now 3:36 p.m. to be precise. Apparently the delivery guys do not care that we had plans. Sharon had to leave to pick up her son Connor from school. My daughter saw an opportunity to get out of the house. Someone had to stay behind. I am that someone.

Today really hasn't been that bad. Sharon has baked yummy treats all day long and I sat on the couch and smelled them. I even got to lick the bowl. And I spent some much needed time in Bible Study.

Proverbs 19:11 says that a man's wisdom gives him patience. God pointed out to me that my impatience sometimes impedes God's plan for me. I want to help God out, hurry things along. That sometimes I just need to patiently wait on His timing. Sometimes waiting on God is just what I need to show me that God is always on time. And when I am impatient it hinders my ability to be still and know God and hear His voice. I needed this lesson in patience today.


Life is Good,

Cindy

The Perfect Gift

Today was a wonderful day. I spent a couple of hours wrapping Christmas gifts and listening to beautiful Christmas CD's by Travis Cottrell, Casting Crowns and Mandisa.

As I wrapped each gift, I said a prayer for the recipient. I enjoy picking out the perfect gift and then wrapping them in pretty paper and ribbons. As I wrapped, I thought about how much time and money we spend each year on buying the perfect gift. I began to ponder God's perfect gift to us, His Son Jesus. What if God had decided that we weren't worth saving? What if God hadn't sent Jesus to die in our place?

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

God's perfect gift came to us as a "baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger". Luke 2:12





Life is Good,

Cindy

What Was I Thinking?

I keep my Christmas decorations in the attic. When you are hormonal, you forget things very easily and so every year when the decorations come out it's like having new stuff because I can't remember things from year to year.

I happened upon a black garbage bag and had no idea what treasure awaited me. Inside were two small Christmas trees made of feathers and adorned with pearls. You heard me correctly. Feathers. And Pearls.

I took them out of the bag and feathers flew everywhere. The inside of the bag looked like some sort of strange bird had molted. Did I mention that there were feathers everywhere?

Apparently these were purchased in an after Christmas sale. Which just goes to show you that just because something is on sale for half price or less, it doesn't necessarily mean that it was a good buy. I guess when that little voice of reason started screaming "No, no", I should have just walked away and said good-bye.

I tried to send them home with my 21 year old daughter, but she used the excuse that she wasn't going to decorate because as soon as finals were over, she wouldn't be around very much.

I offered the little trees to a friend who had decided not to put up any decorations this year. This friend, who shall remain nameless, (you know who you are) was not at all enthused about these trees and then made some sort of comment about my taste! I have good taste. I just had a momentary lapse in judgment. I am not sure whether she meant it as a compliment or not. Actually I am sure. It was no compliment. I started to leave the bag of trees, or at least a bag of feathers, on her doorstep while she was running errands. But she knows where I live.

I contemplated taking them with me to San Antonio next week when I visit my sister. I have carried stranger things on an airplane. She sent me home with a frying pan from the Siesta Fiesta in August. It was a very large frying pan that my friend Leah carried on because it wouldn't fit in my suitcase. And when we put it in hers we couldn't lift it. But I need a place to sleep in San Antonio so I guess I won't.


Life is Good,

Cindy

God's Word

Don't you just love the Word of God? 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us: "All Scripture is God-breathed...". I have been rejoicing over the fact that the God of Heaven loves us so much that He gave us His written Word.

In What Every Christian Ought to Know, Adrian Rogers says, "I want you to learn how to study your Bible, to make it burst aflame in your hand. Knowledge is power in any realm, whether business, athletics, or theology. But nowhere is it more true than in relation to the Word of God."

This is what I want. To be so hungry for His Word that my Bible bursts aflame every time I study it. And this is what I want for you as well.


Life is Good,

Cindy

What is the Truth?

For the past few nights I have had trouble sleeping and last night was no different. After tossing and turning for awhile I got up and got on the computer. Somehow that led me to a post about how Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.

The woman who made the post was very upset because she had been doing research and had come to the conclusion that Jesus really hadn't been born on December 25th like she had always believed. She stated that she couldn't believe that we "had been lied to and we are living with a myth." She goes on to say that everything about God is important to her and she needs accuracy pertaining to God. She isn't a Christian , is New Age and doesn't believe what the Christians believe about Jesus. She was getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday and now she can't because it isn't really on the 25th. She will never again have anything to do with Christmas. She doesn't believe that Jesus saves us, but thinks that we save ourselves. She didn't want to go to the Bible to find answers since the important detail of the actual date of Jesus birth had been left out. She was desperate to know the truth. Over 4oo comments were made pertaining to this post. Obviously I couldn't read them all, but I read enough to be deeply burdened for this woman and for several of the commenters who think that Christianity is based on lies. I stopped reading and began to pray that she would find the Truth.


Sometimes even we who are followers of Christ tend to get hung up on "details". Luke 2:6 says this about Christ's birth, "the time came for the baby to be born". We don't need to know the exact date. Just that Jesus came at the right time. In God's time.


So what is the truth? "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

Jesus is the Truth.


Life is Good,

Cindy

Sisters, Shopping and Shoes

I did not participate in Black Friday and have not for several years. I am older now and wiser and I now know that there is absolutely no sale on the face of the earth that is worth getting up for before the sun is even awake. We live so far away from civilization that we have to get up super-early to get to the stores by 6:00 a.m. And now that some stores are opening so much earlier than that, we would just have time to eat our Thanksgiving dinner and then leave to get to the stores. I am not fond of the large crowds anymore either because it generally seems to bring out the worst in people. And it brings out the worst in me. And I get testy and ornery and I lose my witness. Besides I have to go to the bathroom a lot and on Black Friday you have to stand in line for the bathroom for a loooooong time. It is just so not worth it. Anyway, I digress. I said all this just to tell you about my weekend before Thanksgiving shopping trip.


On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, Leah, Kristen and I set out for the Mall of Georgia for a little lunch and a little shopping before we were to attend a Ladies Tea at North Metro First Baptist Church later that evening. Leah is a very gifted speaker and writer and Kristen is a very gifted singer with the voice of an angel. (I am not sure why they let me tag along). We had fun at the mall and then we went to North Metro for a delicious dinner and a wonderful message from Angela Thomas. She spoke about how God takes our ashes on trade-in and He will exchange them for beauty (Isaiah 61:3). And about how the King is enthralled with our beauty (Psalm 45). We had such a great time and our sides hurt from laughing so much.


On Friday morning we left our hotel and headed back over to the Mall of Georgia. Leah and Kristen left me there to meet my four sisters-in-law, (Nancy, Trisha, Cindy and Jennifer) my mother-in-law (Betty)and one niece (Sandy) for our annual girls only weekend. We all try to get some Christmas shopping done. I don't usually get much done because I am having such a good time laughing and enjoying catching up with everyone. And my tiny little brain can only handle one thing at a time. I always have a list but never seem to get anything done. The only one that really does well is Sandy and that's because she is in her 20's. The rest of us are.....not. She can cover lots more ground than all of us combined. She has a list, she sticks to it and by the time she is finished and comes back to find the rest of us we are still sitting in the food court after lunch trying to decide where we will have dinner. Frankly, I think we hold her back.

We make sure that Betty has a wheel chair because she can't stand or walk for long periods of time because of her arthritis. We had to get a second wheel chair for Cindy this year because she sprained her knee playing tennis the day before our big trip. But, she was playing a college girl and she won. So the sprain was totally worth it, right Cindy?

Our shopping weekend evolved from just one night to the entire weekend and matching shirts so we can spot each other in a crowd. Usually we are having such a good time that we don't split up so we can easily spot each other from across the aisle.


First stop was Dillard's where they had their Merrell and Born shoes on sale for 40% off! I don't have to tell you what happens to women when they see a sale sign in the shoe department. We were like sharks in a feeding frenzy! I get very easily distracted by shiny things and sale signs in the shoe department. A very nice lady named Tricia (not to be confused with sister Trisha) waited on us. All of us. In our matching shirts. Bless her heart, she had the patience of Job. I don't know how long we were there. I lost track of the time and I lost count of how many pairs of shoes we tried on. I think we all bought at least two pairs of shoes. Again, Sandy came back to find us and was amazed that we were still in the same place that she left us over an hour or so earlier.

Our loot:

At lunch, Nancy commented that she had the same make-up that I did, but my complexion was dewy and hers looked dry. I explained that I thought it was "due" to the perspiration from my many hormonal hot flashes. It became our main mission of the day to achieve dewy skin for Nancy. We sent her to the Clinique counter and went back to the shoe department just in case we overlooked anything on sale. An hour later, Jennifer and I found her wandering around Dillard's in a daze. She did not have dewy skin. So Jennifer and I took matters into our own hands and "took" Nancy to the Clinique counter. The salesperson decided that her lack of dewiness was "due" to her failure to exfoliate. After we all finally decided on the best color foundation for Nancy, (it was a group effort and my apologies to the women at the Clinque counter at Dillard's) she was so radiant that the next day Jennifer, Trisha and Sandy wanted to achieve dewiness also. I know that they were so glad to see us again. All of us. In our matching shirts.

After our long, hard, day of shopping sweet Trisha (not to be confused with Tricia from the shoe department) would give us foot rubs. And we would stay up half the night laughing and talking and planning the next day's strategy.

We attracted a lot of attention on our trip. I don't know if it was because of our laughter, our matching shirts or because we moved with the grace of a herd of cattle. I'd like to think it was because they had never seen a group of women with such dewy skin.

I am so thankful that God invented laughter and sisters and that He delights in our good times and that He cares about every detail in our lives, even the little ones. I prayed that He would bless our weekend and boy did He ever. We found things that we needed on sale. We had a great time of fellowship. My wonderful weekend began in the company of my sisters in Christ whom I love dearly. I had such a great time with you. And it ended in the company of my sisters-in-law whom I also love dearly. Thank you for welcoming me into your family so long ago and treating me like a sister. I had a great time with you. I am grateful and thankful that God has placed so many wonderful women into my life.

Life is Good,

Cindy

A Belated Thanksgiving Wish

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with loved ones and lots of delicious food. But more importantly, enumerating to God the blessings that we are thankful for.

For the second time in my married life we were unable to have Thanksgiving with my mother's side of the family. Our family was under siege from some sort of upper respiratory virus thingy and we didn't want my uncle (who is battling other health challenges) to be exposed to this not-so-much-fun little virus.

This is the first time in my entire life that I didn't have turkey or dressing for Thanksgiving. And so it got me thinking about all those who might not have anything to eat, or clean water to drink. Of those who don't have anyone to share Thanksgiving with. Of those who don't know Jesus and feel that there is nothing to be thankful for.

I pray that I will never become so comfortable that I forget the plight of those less fortunate.
I have so much to be thankful for.




Life is Good,

Cindy

Tag, You're It

My friend from Growing in Godliness has tagged me for this random tag. So here are 6 random things about me.

1. I have gained 10 pounds over the last year. I am the only person I know of that can
   exercise and go to Weight Watchers and GAIN weight.
   



2. I love to study the Bible. I didn't really start to really study it until I was in my 30's.
   



3. I don't enjoy cooking.
   



4. I like to curl up and read on a cold, rainy day.
   



5. I love to eat anything my mother cooks.
   



6. Christmas lights are one of my favorite things in the world.

Okay, now you know a few random things about me, what about You?

1) Link to the person who tagged you.

2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).

3) Write 6 random things about yourself.

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.


6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.








Some new bloggy friends I would like to know better:


Alene at Positively Alene

Adrienne at Fuzzytop

Constance at Slim Pickin's From My Brain

Karen at Surviving Motherhood

Marilyn at Walking in Truth

Life is Good,

Cindy

Freedom, Sweet Freedom!!!!!!

On August 29th my 18 year old had shoulder surgery to repair a tear in his labrum . This is his senior year and he was unable to play football. We have grieved over this, but we have rejoiced in the fact that God is faithful and we trusted that God knew what He was doing during this season in Manning's life. His favorite verse is Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength. We can weather any season through Him. We are thankful that his injury wasn't any worse than it was and we know that it is minor compared to what others are going through or have been through.

Today, almost three months after the surgery, he is free to ride his motorcycle. Since his last appointment, he has prayed that the doctor would pronounce him healed enough to ride.

Hallelujah, today is the day.

Life is Good,

Cindy

Speaking Thru Me

Ladies, if you are in need of a speaker for your ladies event, please check out the following article about this wonderful group of Christian speakers. This article was written my very good friend Leah Adams.

Karen Hossink is also on the Speaking Thru Me speaking team and has a link to the article as well.


Life is Good,

Cindy

A Stranger in A Foreign Country

Once a year for the past three years or so we have had an unusual visitor. I think that he is some sort of heron and he is beautiful. Wikipedia says ,"they can be found in a range of habitats; in fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, lake edges or shorelines." I usually associate these birds with coastal areas. What makes him such an unusual visitor is that we live on a lake smack dab in the middle of the North Georgia Mountains!

The first thought that came to my mind when I saw him land in the water's edge was Abraham. "Like a stranger in a foreign country;" (Hebrews 11:9). Unlike Abraham, he didn't make his home here. He was just stopping off for a short time on the way to his final destination.

As a Christian, I feel more and more like a stranger in a foreign country. It seems as if each passing day brings us more change and not for the better. The traditional family structure is eroding. Parents murder their babies. Children murder their parents. To a large part of the population, morals are unnecessary. But this is not our promised land. We are just stopping off here for a time until Jesus calls us to our final destination.

Life is Good,

Cindy

Letting Go

Tonight was the last night of our "Stepping Up" Bible study. I facilitated the study with a small group of ladies from our church. It was a wonderful study and I learned so much. I have always loved the Psalms and it was a blessing to be able to study a few of them in depth.

I'd like to share some of the things we learned in the last DVD session:

*We have to learn to watch the road signs and heed them.

*Beth spoke about us having to be in the Spirit to hear Him. If we are in the Spirit we can hear His warnings.

*She also spoke about us being overloaded and how we can't do 1,000 things to the glory of God. Sometimes we have to lighten our load to go on with God.

This seems to be a recurring theme from God. Several blogs and articles that I have read lately deal with the seasons in our lives, giving some things up, making sure that we are in the Spirit. So Lord, you have my attention. I'm listening. Heeding the road signs. Lightening the load. Praying to stay in the Spirit.


Life is Good,

Cindy

Thank You to our Veterans

On this Veteran's Day I am thanking God for those who gave of themselves in service to our country. Thank you seems so inadequate for all that they have done and continue to do for us.

My father was a Master Sargent in the United States Air Force for 21 years and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. I will never forget a phone call that we received in the middle of the night when I was eight years old and my sister was five. We were informed that there had been an incident involving my father's flight crew. They could give us no details and could not tell us the number of casualties or who the casualties were. I remember my mother calling our family back home to let them know and to have them to pray.

Their crew had been directed to go to Udorn, Thailand to pick up three American Prisoners of War that the Vietnamese were releasing. Due to the nature of their mission, they were instructed that they might have a possible wait of five to six hours. The crew was resting inside the plane except for my father and he was lying under the wing to cool off. He heard a gunshot and then realized that they were under enemy fire. He ran to the crew entrance door of the airplane to warn the crew that they were under attack. The airplane had been hit with a tracer and was on fire. The crew began deplaning. The firefighters arrived and began to put out the fire. The ambulance arrived to treat the wounded. The crew had to try to get to safety. All while still under enemy fire. The Flight Engineer was killed, leaving behind a wife and three little girls. An Air Policeman was killed. The Aircraft Commander was wounded. My father was unharmed. His service left a profound mark on my life. Even as a young child, I remember being so proud of him and what he did for our country. My patriotism runs deep.

My brother-in-law is a Colonel in the United States Air Force. He served in Desert Storm. My sister is also in the Air Force and will pin on Colonel in May. She served in Operation Iraqi Freedom at Balad Air Base, Iraq as the Expeditionary Aerospace Medicine Squadron Commander. My nephew just recently entered the Coast Guard. I am so proud of them.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to them and to all the brave men and women who serve our country. Some of them have paid a mighty high price. Freedom isn't free.

Life is Good,

Cindy

Inconvenience

This morning as I was getting ready to start my day, the power went out. I had important things to do. How in the world could I get ready for my lunch date with an old friend if I could not use my blow dyer. My hair would be flat. So I whined about the inconvenience for several minutes.

And then I prayed for my Father to forgive me for my selfishness. And for constant reminders that my little inconveniences are so trivial. And for Him to break my heart over the plight of the poor and the oppressed.

I can survive without power. There are those who are trying to survive without food and shelter. I can worship the One True God without fear of persecution. There are those who are tortured and killed for doing so. I can buy groceries and put gas in my vehicle. There are those who cannot.

Thank You Lord for putting things in perspective for me.


Life is Good,

Cindy

What if His People Prayed

The title of this post is also the title of a song by Casting Crowns. So I ask you, what if we get on our knees before God and truly prayed, poured out our hearts to God for our country? For our world? For His favor on His people? For His divine intervention? For our election?

2 Chronicles 7:14 says this "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (The Amplified Bible)

Our God is mighty to save. We just have to believe it.



Life is Good,

Cindy

This is the Day That the LORD Hath Made

Today was a beautiful fall day here in the North Georgia mountains. We attended the wedding of one of our daughter's dear friends. This was the backdrop for the wedding:


The wedding was beautiful and God was glorified. Dana and Blake, we wish you much happiness. This is the day that the Lord hath made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)


Life is Good,

Cindy

He Will Restore Us

God has been speaking to me about a blog. Up until now, I wasn't sure that I had heard correctly. Because I am not a writer. And what could I have to say that would interest anyone? And I have no idea what I am doing. I could go on and on. But last night in the wee hours of the morning God made it perfectly clear that I was to create a Blog. So here goes.

He has been so good to me. He has never failed me. And I just want everyone to come to know Him and His goodness.

A small group of ladies from my church is doing Stepping UP, a journey through the Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore. Something in this week's lesson absolutely grabbed hold of me and won't let go. Listen to the following Bible verses that directly follow Jeremiah 29:11 that we all know so well (I know it isn't Psalms, but go with me here):

"You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seekMe and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you"- the Lord's declaration - "and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all thenations and places where I banished you" - the Lord's declaration. "I will restore youto the place I deported you from." (HCSB)

This hit home I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. The word fortunes isn't talking about our monetary fortunes. It is talking about what the enemy has stolen from us. Does anyone else need to hear that the Lord WILL restore what has been taken from us? The NIV says, "and will bring you back from captivity". Hallelujah. The Lord will free us from our enemies captivity. And He will give everything back to us that has been taken as plunder.

Life is Good,

Cindy