Monday Morning Mustard Seed

Ecclesiastes 3-1
There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven:

Monday mornings have a way of setting the tone for the rest of the work week. Somehow Monday gets a bad rap because it comes just after we have had a day of rest and we have to get ourselves going again. Monday doesn't have to be a day we dread. All we have to do is set the tone the way we know it needs to be. Setting the tone has everything to do with mindset. If we set our minds on doing what God would have us do and continue in that spirit, then our week will get off on the right foot.

I've decided that on this blog on Mondays I'll share a scripture that means something special to me. That doesn't mean that I won't share scripture on other days, it just will be a bit more personal. I'll be using a little "Monday Morning Mustard Seed" If you would like to join with me and use the little logo I'm using, just copy and paste the code below and add it into your blog or web page as Java Script. Let me know you are doing this and I'll add a link to your web page so others can find and read your mustard seeds too.

<a href="http://walkingswithjesus.blogspot.com/2007/07/monday.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G6B9-NfxELwI55itSC1LjDZcG1_NpWW8m_9TUhYeprN7sPUfEovX03RCCpCvSX0LmvuOjlrYT3Wl3LkJd51Fy2YhsyzfkgnYq9O1pvIcLw3u_KwubBvxpw-vZJzN6dDhLiuvjihYD0Q/s320/mustard+seed.gif"/></a>

If you have any problems with the code or image, let me know and I can send you the logo.

James 1:12-15

.:.

Today was a great day and I've been thinking all day about the message Bill Barber brought this morning using his reference of James 1:12-15. Some messages hit home more than others for sure, but todays message gave me much to think about on Satan and how he operates, what his main goal is and why he never quits. I know I've read this passage many times and my Bible is marked over with notes out to the side, but today it finally hit me that when someone says .... God is really tempting me today... they are just mistalking for God isn't the one that is tempting us, but we tempt ourselves because of our nature. All of us do not have the same temptations because we are all different liking different things, having different preferences and Satan knows what those are and will use them against us. As Bill Barber said, there is nothing wrong with having preferences for things like nice clothes, houses, any material thing but it's when we put those above Jesus that it comes sin which leads to death.

12
¶ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14
but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sandy and Johnnie

Today I've been in prayer for my friends Sandy and Johnnie Broadnax. Johnnie is Tom's cousin so I've known him a long time. I've known Sandy almost as long and can truly say I think they were meant to be together. To me this is proof positive that God wants the best for all of us and if we listen to Him He will lead us in the path we should take.

Johnnie is having test in Texas concerning a mass in his lungs. My prayer is for his strength and the doctor's wisdom and skill.

My life is so truly blessed with so much joy. I am very thankful for each day and praise God for this time in my life.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2000.
The Psalms 121

The LORD Is Thy Keeper
A Song of degrees.

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,and even for evermore.

Published by The American Bible Society

Note from Sandy:

Hello to everyone. We hope all is well with each of you. It's been a rainy day in Houston but thankfully we don't have to walk outside to get to our appointments. Buildings are connected by skybridges. Carts are used to shuttle patients thru the skybridges because it is so far to walk between some of the clinics. We began early this morning trying to get Johnny's MRI and CT scan changed from Friday to Thursday in hopes of seeing the pulmonary doctor today. We did it!!! Based on their CT scan the pulmonary doctors recommend a bronchoscopy with ultrasound to biopsy the mass. Not many facilities in the country do this. Johnny had the normal bronchoscopy procedure at Crawford Long but Dr. Miller was unable to reach the mass because of the location. The pulmonary doctors here feel very certain that they will be successful with the biopsy. The downside is that the bronchoscopy/biopsy can't be done until next Thursday. There is a chance that Johnny could be bumped up due to a cancellation but that doesn't happen often. Johnny has an anesthesiology appointment at 10 the Wednesday before so we will need to be here by Tuesday afternoon. Our dilema is whether to drive home this weekend and fly out next Tuesday or stay here and hope for a cancellation. We will decide in the morning. Some things just aren't easy. As I'm doing this email, I am having a conversation with a super nice (young) Christian guy from Americus, GA who has leukemia. The world is small. He has a 4 yr old and a 6 month baby. He's here for a transplant that will be done tomorrow. He will go home sometime between late November and December. He will be in the hospital 6 weeks and has rented an apartment until he goes home. Family members are scheduled every 2 weeks to come out and stay with him. When you pray for Johnny please pray for Ander and his family. Thanks again for your love, support, and prayers. Much love. Johnny and Sandy

Lucky Day

This morning I read from an old workbook I had on counciling. Some of the steps in the workbook reminded me of things that I need to pay attention to just in regular life. One of the things that jumped out at me right off was how important it is to really listen to what people say to you and make eye contact with them to show that you are really paying attention and care what they are saying. I don't think it matters how old or how young you are. All people want to know is that you care.

As a man thinks in heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7)

.:. The SOP (standard operating plan )... don't forget it!

• Daily dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Eat a healthy breakfast
  
• Walk around the block
  
• Prayer time
  
• Lunch -Health fruits,vegetables& water
  
• Paint weekdays and work on organization
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits,vegetables &water
  
• Sleep
  
• Log Morning weight on calendar

In Memory

Today I attended the funeral of my aunt Aline Fowler who died Monday July 2 around 7A.M. She was a twin and her brother Aldene has also passed on. They were born on February 15, 1927. The funeral was sad but at the same time very uplifting because the pastors Chuck Byrom and Joey Smith both gave such comforting words to the family. Knowing the life that my aunt had lived and her faith in Jesus Christ, I know she lives today with Him. Rest in peace aunt Aline. We all loved you.

In Memory

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Nall Elliott by the Jere Greer family.

Looking Back

There are four main areas of my life that are in constant battle with each other for my time and attention. Each morning I wake up and have choices to make about what the day will be about and how I will feel about each task no matter if it is a good task or one I dread. I've enjoyed my new plan to journal on line instead of just writing my thoughts on paper but I wonder how I will feel about this on line journal thing as the years go by.

My first blog journal in July of 2006 was set up to help me with a fast way to show my art work on line but before I knew it, It was more about faith, family and friends. Slowly I deceided to split the journal into four sections. The strangest thing happened then, I found that at any one given time one of the four really demanded more of my time and attention than the other three. It also helped me see my success' and failures easier.

I don't log my conversations with God each day, but it's the most important part of my day. I don't say that because it's spiritually correct, but because it's true. This past week I've been very weepy with so many sad things cropping up in my mind. As I watch the senior members of my family grow older and have many health concerns, it makes me reflect more and more about their lives and of course mine. I have been truly blessed by God to be able to have Jesus in my life. I've stumbled so many times and so many times He has been there to come to my rescue. There I go again with the weepy tears. What a friend we have in Jesus.


.:. The SOP (standard operating plan )... don't forget it!

• Daily dress routine complete with vitamins
  
• Eat a healthy breakfast
  
• Walk around the block
  
• Prayer time
  
• Lunch -Health fruits,vegetables& water
  
• Paint weekdays and work on organization
  
• Healthy Snacks
  
• water
  
• Dinner - Healthy fruits,vegetables &water
  
• Sleep
  
• Log Morning weight on calendar

Romans 12

Romans 12 is a powerful chapter helping us all find God's will for our lives. That's what tonights sermon was all about. As I sat there I thought about my family. I am very thankful for my life and especially for my family heritage knowing that the people who have gone before me gave me their witness. None of them were perfect but the things I remember the most about them are the good things and how very sure I was/am that they knew God and he had His hand on them. I'm also thankful for my son, his wife and two precious grand daughters.

I'm reminded that God wants the best for all of us and as long as we keep our focus on Him, we'll be okay. It's easy to get weary and think we just don't know God's will for our lives because we are, after all, human. Someone told me once what when I feel down, just to look up. That's stuck with me for some reason. If you are reading this and you are having a rotten day, I pray that the rest of your days are spent looking up and you'll have this little thought running around in your head too.

Another Week has gone by

Sometimes I can't believe how fast the weeks fly. As it's father's day today in church and ss I kept thinking about my father. Mark Mattson spoke today and when he talked about how we all have thought about our fathers from our earliest recall until today I laughed along with how we first thought our fathers knew everthing, and then thought they knew nothing and how, for me, today I just wish I had one more chance to talk to my father.

The good thing is that I know I can talk to my heavenly Father anytime. I am very thankful for that.

Back to the beginning

I'm not sure why I can't seem to get on a schedule. Next week is going to be another busy week, so I don't seem to be able to plan ahead either. Any suggestions?

Exercise

Today I am thinking about exercise and how important is is to our health. I know I don't get enough and need to set a schedule. I'll work on it.

Praying today for my fellow SS class mate Marilyn. I know you and your family are hurting today and my prayers are with you as you take the steps necessary to plan the funeral of your son in law.

VBS week

222.5

God wants the best

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beutify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory. Psalm 149:4

I'm thankful this morning that He wants us to be successful in all we do.

Watering day

Well, today was a bummer exercise day. I had Anna last night and I never sleep as well when I have her. By the time I got her to day care, it was time for me to paint, so I skipped my daily routine. This afternoon Carley Ann and I went to water the flowers at the Callaway house.

Weight tonight: 222