My Younger Brother - Allen

I have a prayer object. Please, please help me pray for my younger brother, Allen Cable, in Oklahoma. I don't know what is going on, he will not open up and tell me. We text message back and forth every couple of days and we had not caught up with one another for a few days until last night. He is not himself.

However, I did take the opportunity to ask him if he and his family were in a Bible Believing Church regularly. I knew he wasn't but he finally admitted it last night(You can tell when someone is not saved or don't live for the Lord.) Allen and his wife made a profession about 10-12 years ago but they have never followed through with it. I told him that he needed to get in a Bible Believing Church and get his family(children in church while they were still impressionable). He told me he had been thinking about it a lot lately along with a lot of other things.(I don't now what) I went on to tell him that none of us were getting out of here alive and all that really mattered was what one did with the Lord.

So, please help me pray for him and his family that through whatever they are going through God will speak to them all. I know God is able.

Until Next Time
Joan

10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

I tried doing this earlier with 25 things about me, I had it all typed and posted, I thought. But then it never went up to the blog. So I guess It is wondering around in the blog hemisphere somewhere. So I thought I would do it smaller this time and do only 10.

1.I am trying to get closer to the Lord, by praying, reading and studying and also putting into practice what I am learning.( I am ashamed to say that I have not always made an effort to study Gods word on a daily basis.)

2. I am very thankful to be chosen by God to be one of His children and to be able to serve HIM.

3. I love my husband more today than 28 years ago. He is the love of my life.The love I had for him when we married seems so minusucle, now. If you have been married anytime at all you know what I am talking about.

4. My children are truly a blessing from God.(This includes the 2 I gave birth to, and the 2 that I did not that are now my children, also.) I thank God that He loaned Nikki and Jesse to me for a little while to live in my home. What a joy and blessing that you both have been to my life.

5. I am as bad as all the other grandmothers before me. Clayton, need I say more.

6. I love to travel. (My dream vacation would be to travel the world for about a year or however long it took and not have to even think about money).

7. I love to swim and ride horses.(As an adult I have always wanted a swimming pool and a horse with a pasture, barn and all that one would need to have a horse). For whatever reason God has not allowed me that privilege, and He knows best.

8. I also love to read and I am trying to branch out in my reading and not just read one type of thing. I love to crosstitch, especially Santa Clauses -( I like the look of Santa, but not the idea of Santa.)And I love to Cook, could you have ever guessed that one, and my favorite things to cook are sweets.

9. I love the Victorian Era. All of it, the houses, the clothes, the pictures and the romance of it all. My dream house would be a Victorian style house decorated in Victorian era things.

10. I don't like dieting and exercising.(but it is necessary for me, because you see the Lord just blesses some of us more than others, HaHA)

What are some things we don't know about you.

Until Next Time
Joan

This was the scripture for the day in my little daily devotion book thought you might enjoy it also.

Psalms 9: 9-10
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

When We Think God's Way

I have started a new Bible Study today called "Managing Your Moods" a Women of Faith Study Guide Series. I will take this one slower and try to absorb it more. I did one previously and got through it in 12 days and got to the end and realized that each day I had done a lesson that it was meant for a week.

I know us ladies are emotional roller coasters, me included. In part of my bible Study today a portion of a quote stood out to me "When We Think God's Way" we not only become wiser but also emotionally steady.(by Patsy Clairmont. ) In studying today I had to look up many scriptures that talk about the heart, but the main verse for this week was taken from Luke 6: 45.

Oh My, I think this might be my memory verse for March 1st. I need to commit it to memory for what is in the heart is what comes out of our mouths. I am afraid I am so guilty of not thinking Gods Way and thinking of what Joan wanted.

Lord, help me to always remember you are in control and I need to captivate my heart by your thoughts and ways not mine.
Joan

I was blog surfing today and ran across this post about Psalms 144: 1-2 and I wanted to share it with all of you.

This is based on the NIV of Psalms 144: 1-2 which reads :

"Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me:

• You'll never know God as Lord, until you've humbled your heart in submission to Him in prayer. He is the one true God.
• You'll never know God is your Rock, until you've needed him to help you stand!
• You'll never know Him as your Loving God, until you've understood the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross - just for you.
• You'll never know God as your Fortress, your Stronghold, until you've had no where to turn, and He scooped you up and into His loving arms.
• You'll never know Him as your Deliverer, until you have found yourself totally powerless and reached out to Him to do what only He can do.
• You'll never know Him as your Shield, until you've been attacked by a brutal enemy.
• You'll never know Him as your Refuge, until you've found yourself without hope.

It spoke to me when I read this and I wanted to share it with all of you unchanged from the authors post at http://mypassionatepursuit-lisa.blogspot.com/ .

Read it and dwell on it for a few a minutes. I hope all of you are having a wonderful day in the Lord.
In Christ
Joan

What Happened To 23 Years?

I ran across this picture yesterday, and wondered where has the time gone? This was their Easter outfits in 1986.
As I look at this picture and wonder where did the time go I am reminded of a verse in the Bible and I also wonder what have I done for the Lord.

James 4 :14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Lord, help me to slow down and live each day as if it is my last, one day it will be.

The Book of Jonah

Our Ladies Bible Study at church meets this Thursday and this month we are studying the prophet Jonah. I have been trying to read the book of Jonah daily for the last month. I have not always got it done, but that was my goal. It is only 4 chapters and 48 verses so it was very doable, I just got busy and did not do it some days or I read somewhere else in the Bible. Shame on me, but I am still learning, too.

So this morning I dove into the actual workbook of the Bible studies, because I wanted to have it fresh in my mind when it comes time for our group Bible Study Thursday night. One scripture reference was Psalms 139:7-12 and that has been on my mind ever since. No matter where we go, or what we do, or how far away we try to get from God, HE IS THERE!! I can do nothing, go anywhere that God is not already there. Knowing that why do I try to do my own will and my own way!!!

Scripture Day and Clayton's 1st Birthday

Well, today being the 15th of February it was Clayton's 1st Birthday. What a blessing he has been to this Gram and Popa. The joys he has brought to our lives is undescribable. I thank God for him and for allowing him to be in our family. My prayer is that God will save him at an early age,and keep a hedge about him that will not let Satan near him. That God will always keep Clayton close to him and that he will live his life for the Lord. And I think almost every family member on the Carr side is pryaing that God will call him to preach one day if HE chooses. I know that if God is going to fall him, he already is called and chosen for this task.

Our immediate family always has a meal together for everyone's birthday and of course a cake(or whatever dessert the birthdayee chooses) The Birthday person always get to pick the meal they want. Since Clayton could not pick this year we had finger foods for him. Our menu consited of chicken nuggets, french fries, tater tots and cheese sticks and cupcakes. Well, of course he got his own cupcake to do with as he chose. It was so cute and priceless. WE all - {all 6 of us} stood around the high chair while he inspected, played with, smeared on his face and ate his cupcake.

Well enough of Clayton, today is scripture day and my scripture was Ephyesians 4 :1-2:

"I, therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. With all lowliness, and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love."

This has spoke volumes to me while trying to memorize this scripture.
1. I am to be a prisoner to the Lord, my life is not my own. It's God's
2. I need to walke, talk, act like I am a child of the Kind
3. I walk, talk, act worthy of being called a child of the King by being, humbe, meek and longsuffering and showing love to one another. (Ouch - I am prayiong thought that God would help me be more like HIM, and if I am to be more like HIM, I must be humbe, mild , patient and longsuffering and love one another)

I am learning more about the Bible, and God by memeorizing my scrioptures and it is helping me to fine tune my life for HIM. Want you join us as we learn Gods word together on the 1 and 15th of every month.

Because of Christ
Joan

Happy Valetines Day

Today, is Valentines Day and I wish all of you bloggers a Sweet Day today and hope you enjoy the day with the ones that you love so dear. Take the time to tell them how much you love and appreciate them. The love of my life gave me a secret valentine many years ago (31 I think) and our life began together. Little did I know what a wonderful husband I would obtain from that card, or where our lives would go. But every minute together is better than the one before. Alan, I love you with all my heart and you have truely been a gift from God.

However, I have been thinking the last couple of days about Valentine's Day and going to the Valentine Banquet at church with my wonderful husband and 4o other couples from the church.

I don't know where Valentine's Day originated or how it came to be, but I know one thing for sure that I am God's Valentine. He loved me so much that He took my place on Calvary. I had a debt I could not pay, and He paid a debt for me that He did not owe. Oh what love that is and I am glad that He lovedand loved me so!!!!

Happy Valetines Day, Lord and let me remember always that you are the ulitmate gift of Love, and that you gave me the ulitmate gift of Love.

Joan

- 3.5 Pounds

Since today is official weigh in day I thought I would let you know that I have lost 3.5 pounds this week.( 2 of those pounds were from my 2 pound gain last week). So I lost the same 2 pounds twice.Do I get to count that as 4 pounds. Anyway, I am pleased with the progress this week. However, I am not eating 2700 calories a day. I am trying to stay at 1500 calories and my three meals and 2 snacks. This is keeping the hungry snacking urge way down and that was what I was trying to accomplish.

We must keep on trudging on one day at a time, one meal at a time, one bite at a time, one pound at a time and one minute of our awful exercise at a time. I don't like any part of exercising. Can you tell?

JOAN

I've Been Thinking...

I started this year off trying to get closer to the Lord. Know don't get me wrong it has not been a New Year's Resolution I just wanted a closer relationship with HIM. So I have been trying to make more of an effort to read His word, pray more and think on the things of God more. I am so guilty of getting caught up in the work of God that I don;t take time to worship God. But God, has been dealing with me about this. How about You?

Alan, made a comment last night in his message that I have been thinking on all day. And it is not like I did not know this already, or that I have not heard it many times before. I don't remember the exact wording but it was something to the effect that if we confess our sins, and get serious about God then we can experience a moving of God, a Revival! I want that, and I want to see God do some marvelous and miraculous things in peoples hearts and lives. So I am praying that God will show me what is in my life that does not look good to HIM. I want to have a teachable, tender heart.

Sunday, is scripture day again, bloggers are you about ready to post our scriptures. I hope all you bloggers are having awonderful day in the LORD.
Joan

UP 2 Pounds From Last Friday

Praise the Lord!! Didn't God say something about give praise to HIM in all situations.(Clayton is helping me post - so who knows what we will end up with )

Well I met with my trainer at the gym again yesterday to get a program designed for me. And we did, and in the course of the conversation it came up that I was trying to eat 1200 calories which include 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. He informed me that I needed to be eating 2700 calories to lose weight. Yea Right!!! That's not all, that I also needed to weigh about 20 more pounds than I thought since I have a large body frame. So I get to eat more and I don't have as much weight to lose as I thought. However, I will up my calorie intake to about 15oo calories a day and see how I do on that for a while. I do think if I was to eat 2700 calories that I would be gaining weight so I will try the 1500 calories which will include 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. So all in all my training sesson went well yesterday.

Bloggers, don't forget that the next scripture memorization is on the 15th, how are all of you doing on memorizing scripture twice a month? Let's get in God's word together.

In Christ,
Joan

Any Worries Out There

Do you ever worry about things you can control? or do you also worry about things you cannot control?

I've got little daily devotion book that I was given sometime back and have had it on my desk for a couple of weeks to start picking up and reading what it says daily. Well, this morning I picked it up and read today's devotion.

It was on Critical Reflections from Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

But as I flipped through the book just to see what I had missed for the whole month of January, I ran across the devotion for Januray 25 from Proverbs 16:9 and wanted to share it with all of you.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

"Sometimes we must accept life on its terms, not our own. Life has a way of unfolding not as we will but as it will. And sometimes there's precous little we can to to change thins.

When events transpire that are beyond our control, we have a choice, we can either learn the art of acceptance, or we can make ourseleves miserable as we struggle to change the unchangeable.

We must entrust the things we cannot change to God. Once we have done so, we can prayerfully faithfully tackle the important work He has placed before us: doing something about the things we can change...with His help."

Excerpt taken from "Hugs Daily Inspirations Words of Promise"

My prayer , Lord, help me trust you more with the things I cannot change, for you have ordered every step I take. Give me the wisdom to trust you more and help me to change the things that I can change for your Glory.

I hope this helps you today.

Because of HIS Love
Joan

Fireproof - The Movie

I purchased the movie that has recently been released "Fireproof" Saturday. Alan and I were able to watch this movie tonight and it really is an excellent movie. I had heard that is was good and had a good message with it also. It really, really does. I laughed a little, and I cried a little also. I highly recommend this movie to all of you to watch.

It also has a challenge in it that I will save for the movie. I am sure if we all were to follow this challenge that all our marriages would be fireproof and their would not be near as many challenges in our marriages.

In Christ
Joan

Feb 1 Scripture Day

Well this is round two for the bloggers trying to memorize scripture together. So how is it going?

Psalm 91;1-2
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him will I trust.

I have been praying since working on memorizing this scripture that the Lord show me HIS secret place. Because I surely want to be under the shadow of the Almighty Father.

Did you notice the references in verse 2 the pronouns my refuge, my fortress, my God. Because I can call HIM my, I can say of the Lord that He is My Fortress, MY God, MY Refuge and I can put my trust in HIM!!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful time in church today and that you see God manifest himself in the services. I am praying for you if you do not have a church home.

Because of Christ
Joan