Thanksgiving

Psalms 92:1,4-5
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most High:
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 5O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

Well, the turkey is on, dressing is in the oven, gravy is made and we are just waiting for it to finish cooking. We are on our way to the In-Laws for lunch with the family, then Alan and I are going on to visit with my Mom and Dad this afternoon for a while.

Just a few things that I am thankful for today, and everyday.

1)God - My Heavenly Father, Jesus - My Savior and Redeemer,Holy Spirit - My Comforter.
2)My Salvation, and that God would choose to save a wretch like me. He knew me, yet he loved me enough to die for my sins.
3) My husband of 29 years. He really is my best friend and the only one I want to share my life with. I Love You, Al.
4)My 2 children, Nikki and Jesse, you really are the best. Thank You for putting up with me, you really have both taught me a lot. My 2 children that I did not give birth to, Chad, my son in law, Amy, my daughter in law. You are both special in your on way, and you love your spouses, my children.
5)Clayton, my amazing, sweet, wonderful grandson. Need I say more. Johanna, even though you are with Jesus today, you have forever touched this Gram.
6)America and the freedoms we have. Although she is not perfect or what she use to be. I am blest.

The list could go on and on, but these are the most important things to me that I am thankful for. How about you? Take some time today to think about God and what He has done for you, and what you have to be thankful for. After all that is more important than the cooking, the food, or socializing, or the game on tv.

Thankful
Joan

Thanksgiving Quotes

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.
~H.U. Westermayer

So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
~Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
~Erma Bombeck

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
~Author Unknown

But whether we have less or more,
Always thank we God therefor.
~Author Unknown

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"
~William A. Ward

Praise God even when you don’t understand what He is doing.
~Henry Jacobsen

I have much to be thankful for.
Joan

Thanksgiving Week

As I was doing the newsletter for church this month, I ran across this scripture that was fitting for Thanksgiving. This scripture has been one my mind ever since. Today I have read the whole chapter of II Corinthians 9 to try to get the full meaning of what is being said. I must say that I am not there yet, so I will keep reading, but I wanted to focus on this verse of 8 little words.

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.
II Corinthians 9:15

A gift is something giving out of the love of the heart. It is not something given to you that you have to pay for in return. I like to buy items for Clayton, my grandson. I would have loved to buy Johanna gifts, but that was not what God choose for her life. I enjoy buying my husband gifts, or my children and spouses gifts. Although as adults it is harder to buy gifts for one another. But God gave the ultimate gift to me/us(if you have accepted Christ as your savior) in Christ.

But, what is really on my mind is how thankful am I really for the gift
God gave me. If I understand II Corinthians 9, we are being told about giving out of the heart, and if you give much, God will bless you much. Those who give little, will be blest little. Our giving to others whether it is monetary, or time is actually a result of our love of God. So our actions really are a portrayal of how thankful we are to God for His unspeakable gift.

How many times do I take for granted Gods unspeakable gift of Christ and His salvation to me? God, forgive me for taking you for granted, and not being more thankful for ALL of your blessings.

Especially your "Unspeakable GIFT - Jesus"

In, With and Through Christ
Joan

Why Is It?

I am not much to fantasize about days gone by, because yes there were things that would have been wonderful about them. There were many things that would have been extremely horrible about them. So I am not one to look back and wish I could have live in the "good ole days".

But what has happened to people, why do they act like they do, or we do. What happened to working for what you obtained. If you could not afford it, you did not obtain it. When did that generation of people disappear. What happened to working and PAYING for everything you got, and doing without until you could pay for IT yourself. Where did those people go, am I expected to keep up everyone just because I am a Christian. Don't get me wrong I love to help and give as much as the next person, but sometimes you have to help yourself. It is called WORK, you want things you must sacrifice and work, earn money and pay for them. Is this not part of being an adult.

What happened to being nice on the telephone, don't call my house and demand to know where MY Husband is. I am not talking about immediate family members, or any family members, church members, or even former church members, or even preacher friends, or friends. I am talking about complete strangers, is it really any of your business where he is and what he is doing. For my own safety I do not tell strangers when he is out of town. Don't demand to know where he is and what he is doing. This has happened on more than one occasion this WEEK. I do keep in touch with my husband and pass along all his messages to him and then he can determine what ministry needs to be done. But come on don't demand to me to know his where abouts and his coming and goings just so you can receive a free CD.

Yes, I guess I am on a rant today but indulge me. But, where are the people that are saved that are trying to live a life like Christ. Do we really think Christ would act like we do.

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.

Maybe I should close by asking you to pray for me.

My Testimony

I ran across a blog a few minutes ago that stated leave in the comments section your testimony. So, I did but I also decided to tell you in more detail my testimony.

Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

At the age of 18 just out of high school I married the man of my dreams and we began life together. Less than a year later I was pregnant with our daughter. We became parents at the age of 20(So scary I now see, but God worked in spite of me). I had been raised in church, a lifeless, dead one in my opinion but I knew right from wrong.

Alan and I went to church occasionally, very occasionally. But when our daughter was born and she began talking and copying the things we did. I knew that I did not want her doing the things I was doing. Especially the language that came out of my mouth.(By this time I had a very colorful vocabulary I might add). So the Lord began to work on me and I knew we needed to be in church. Alan and I worked around some people that were saved, they lived it and went to church. We went several times to the church that later became our home church. I told Alan one weekend that I was going to church with Nikki whether he went or not.

Well, he went with me and the Lord saved him, and I followed him to an alter and made a profession. I lived on that for 5 years but I never got complete peace of my salvation. We did get in church faithfully, a year later Alan announced his call to preach, 2 years later our son was born, a year later Alan was pastoring his first church.

So by this time, I was the young pastors wife, we were 24 when Alan took his first church.(What was God doing?Even though I was the pastors wife I never could get complete peace about my salvation. I would pray, and do all the things I knew to do. But through a series of events in my life God brought me to a place that I knew I was going to hell if I died. I had a freak accident in January of 1988 that severed the main artery in my right arm(Yes, it was an accident, I was washing dishes and a bowl fell and broke and landed on my right arm, Ouch I might add). All was well after emergency surgery, intensive therapy and so on. Later that year in June I had a car wreck, totally my fault and flipped my car. My first thought was I was going to die and go to Hell. So I handed my purse out the window in case they needed to identify me if my car was to explode. It didn't, and a stranger helped me out the car window and went on His way(can I just say it was the LORD, because He was no where around when I got out of the car). Life went on but I could not get this off my mind that my first thought I had when I wrecked that I was going to hell if I died. In September the Lord saved a lady at church that thought she was saved before. On the following Monday, God saved me and I repented of my sins and I accepted HIM as my Savior. God choose my before the foundation of the world to be HIS child, and now I am HIS and HE is MINE.

I have not always been what I should be, nor do I always do the things I should, but He always works on me and brings me back to a sweet fellowship with HIM. So what is your testimony?

In, With and Through Christ

The Joy of the Lord

I ran across a portion of scripture in Nehemiah this afternoon that has been on my mind ever since.

Neh. 8:10 ...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Webster says the definition of joy is - a source or cause of delight. Happiness has the definition from Webster of being - a pleasurable or satisfying experience. I think a lot of times that we use these two words and meanings interchangeable. And really they are worlds apart. I think Alan probably has the best definition of happiness that I have heard it is happiness depends on your happenings.

But joy comes from the Lord. You can have the world crumbling all around you and still have joy. Only a relationship with Jesus can give this kind of joy. He is the only one that calm a storm, tell the winds to cease. He and He alone can give us the peace in the midst of a storm. I am so thankful that he is mine, and I am HIS.

Ps. 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

In, with, Through Christ
Joan

What I Know So Far

I was looking for a scripture to go along with my blog today and ran across Dave Ramsey and he says on his site that there are over 800 scriptures in the bible about money. WOW. But I thought this one was fitting for today.

Proverbs 21:20
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Since groceries, gas and everything else seems to have drastically increased in the last couple of years I want to spend what the Lord has supplied us with wisely.

I have tried several different times to figure out how to coupon and to make it work for me. I had one Saturday a couple of weeks ago that I do not have much to do and I ran across couponing and decided that if others can do it and make it work so could I. I did a lot of reading on the internet about how to make couponing work for you. Before I would save a few dollars and would get so aggravated that it was not worth my time and effort.

I am by no means an expert or have it all figured out but I have begun to cut my grocery bill in half. Sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less, but over all at least in half. I'm pleased at this point. I know you are asking how do you do it. so here is just a few basics.

1)Watch the sales(you can't be store specific or brand specific), and watch the Buy 1 Get 1 Free items. They are your friends.
2)When an item is on sale then use your coupon and then you have the item on hand when you need it.
3) I clip coupons from the Charlotte Observer,(I buy 3 on Sundays)ALL You magazine form Wal-Mart has about $50 worth of coupons a month and they are good ones.
4) Bi-Lo doubles coupons up to .60 all the time.(If I cut my bill in half I will drive to Morganton) Harris Teeter and Ingles occasionally triples coupons, they both double with certain limits on them all the time.

Here are some helpful websites I have found that have helped me learn what I do know, although I am still learning much about this new venture. Actually the Lord is teaching me how to spend more wisely and for that I am thankful.

www.southernsavers.com
30dollarweeklygrocerychalleng.blogspot.com
www.becentsable.net

Happy Shopping
Joan

Shopping With The Girls

Today, I took the girls(Nikki my daughter, Amy, my daughter in law)shopping for Christmas). There was a store that we all three like, that was having a sale. And we also found coupons for 20% off also online. Since I am a female, also, I would not dare pick out this purchase for the girls for Christmas. After all they are adults and they understand what the real meaning of Christmas is. We hit up the mall in Gaffney and then onto Concord Mills Mall. I must say I am not a big shopper and I am very tired. I go after what I intend to get and I am ready to go on home. But they found some bargains anyway today.

But as Clayton and I waited several times on the girls to shop in the different stores that we visited I could not help but think about Johanna. My thoughts were totally selfish I know but they were the thoughts of a grandmother.

Although I know God had other plans for you, I wished you were with us today. I so wanted to go into the Strasburg store and look for a dress for you(not that I would have afforded it or would dared to have paid that much for a dress). They had some very pretty white ones hanging in the window. I wished you were in the stroller beside your brother. I wanted to look for you things in all the stores we visited. I wanted you to have the shopping experience with Mom, Aunt Amy, Clayton and Gram.

However, I know that where you are in the presence of the Lord you need nothing. But Gram still missed you today shopping with the girls and Clayton. But, one day we will all be together worshiping Jesus together and that will be better than any shopping trip, I know. But you have forever touched Grams heart.

In, With and Through Christ

Hello

Well since I don't have anything on my heart to blog about today, I thought I would just say a quick hello to all my faithful readers out in the blog world. Why you want to read my thoughts is beyond me, but I do appreciate you stopping by. And for those of you who just stop by occasionally I want to send you warm greetings as well.

I don't really know why I started this blog, because my daughter challenged me to I think. So I write whatever is on my heart for the day sometimes however,I don't get it done everyday. I do try to keep my blog centered around the LORD. Sometimes there are things I don't want to share and then there are times that I want to share my heart with you. I am praying about being more transparent in my walk with the Lord so others can see more of Christ, and what Christ has done for me.

It does thrill me to watch my map on the left with the little red dots grow. Many of you are in the US and there are some that live outside the US and I am thrilled to have you as a blog reader. However, I would to have any of you stop in and leave a comment at any time so we can meet.

Grace be to YOU,

Couples Bible Study

Today I want to blog about studying the Bible together as a couple. Alan and I do this on a daily basis, we study the scriptures and then we pray together. This morning we ran across a scripture that I did not understand and he asked me what I thought it meant. Thank You, Babe for challenging me to think about it instead of just telling me what it meant. After I reread it and we talked about it I thought how simple and how did I miss that to begin with. It was plan as day.

We have not always studied the bible together, or prayed together on a daily basis. Of course we have gone to church together as a family, and now as a middle age couple. (Well he preaches and I listen and it has been this way for many years, so we don't have the privilege of setting on the church pew together). And that is okay, I don't know anything else. But there is just something about that time in the morning when we do our Bible study together, and ask one another how we can pray for the other one that is so special. It will deepen your commitment to the Lord and to one another. You will be able to talk about things during this Bible Study time that may be difficult to talk about at other times. And to know that my spouse is praying for me is so powerful, sometimes or many times that is the only one that really knows how we are feeling about different issues and that is really praying for us and our issues.

So, I challenge you if you are not having a daily Bible Study and praying daily with your spouse if he/she is saved do it NOW. Your home, your marriage and your entire family will be strengthened and you really can't afford to wait any longer. There are many bible studies available on the market that are not very expensive. Actually you can not put a dollar figure on this time with your spouse studying Gods word and praying together.

If you have a spouse that does not yet know the Lord keep praying for them, God is able. He knows exactly how and when to reach them.

In, With and Through Christ
Joan

Holy and Without Blame

As I was doing my Bible reading this morning I thought I would also begin reading in Ephesians since Alan has started preaching this book on Sunday mornings at out church. Sunday he just laid the background and preached out of chapter 1, verses 1&2. I really enjoy the book of Ephesians and it is a wonderful book to read everyday for a month. But since I had just done this I thought I would read chapter 1 everyday at least for this week, and who knows after that.

Today, part of verse 4 is what has been stuck in mind all day.

Eph 1:4b
...that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Oh, that I would live a more holy and blameless life before God and others. For you see, He has done so much for me that is the least I could do is to try to live a holy and blameless life. Here is just a few things He has done for me:

1)Died on the cross for my sins, and choose me before the foundation of the world to be His child. I'm REDEEMED!!!
2)Saved my husband, called him to preach and pastor, saved my daughter, her husband and called him into the ministry, saved my son and his wife, and called him to preach and pastor also.
3) A wonderful grandson(who one day we are believing that he will accept the Lord at a young age).
4)Johanna, is now in the presence of the Lord, waiting on all of us to come be with her.
5)Let me be born in America(where we are the richest people in the world).
6)Healed me from back problems and dependency upon pain killers. Praise HIS Name!!
7)I can freely worship HIM and read my BIBLE and go to church anytime without persecution.
8)I have air to breath, food to eat and a nice warm house to live in, and a nice car to drive to get around in.
9)He answers prayers for me, sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes it is just wait.
10)HE Loves ME!!!!!What more can I say.


I do strive to live a holy and blameless life but I am afraid I fail many times how about YOU?

Grace be unto YOU

Women of Faith Conference - Greensboro 2009 - Part II

Well, I can say I have gotten mostly rested from the Women of Faith Conference that we attended on Friday and Saturday. Yesterday I posted about some of the music that was at the conference. Mandisa did an amazing job, Steven Curtis Chapman was not afraid to open up his heart and share his heart over the loss of his precious adopted daughter, or the struggles of being a Dad and not always getting it right. He did perform his song Cinderella that I had not ever heard and it was very powerful and touching. My thoughts of course were on my own daughter, and her precious daughter Johanna that lived 63 precious, wonderful minutes with her mom and dad before she went HOME only 2 weeks ago.

But today, I want to tell you of some of the speakers that we heard. Marilyn Meberg spoke a couple of times and was oh so good. Patsy Clairmont was there Friday night and spoke with such fire and compassion although her son has been in intensive care for 10 days(with H1N1 according to the internet) There was about 11,000 women in attendance and they stopped for a time of prayer for Ms. Patsy's son - Awesome. I always enjoy her so much she is just a little ball of fire. Lisa Whelchel from the "Facts of Life" spoke and told us about her struggles being in Hollywood and being on her own at such an early age, and her weight struggles, and her struggles with being disconnected from life and how she is overcoming that with the Lords help. WE also heard from Sheila Walsh and the "Winter" that has settled in on her home and marriage and how God is working in her, her husband and her son. And how God used her 10 year old son to speak volumes to her about Forgiveness one night. And we also heard from Luci Swindoll, she was the last speaker Saturday. She has such a way about her like not other that I like, too.

There were other speakers also but that was the highlight of the conference for me.I was kinda not wanting to go this year because my daughter always goes with me, and she was not able to go and she is my BFF. But I had my daughter in law with me this year and we had a wonderful time, and we all enjoyed it a lot and I am glad that I went.

The one thing I learned is transparency from this conference. I am a private person and don't expose or tell to much of my life. But, I see how God can use what one goes through to help and touch others so I am praying that the Lord will help me be more transparent with some of the things He has brought me through. Because God has truly been with me, helped me, and touched me many, many times. And others need to see my God in me.

Grace Be to YOU,

Women of Faith Conference - Greensboro 2009

We had a group of ladies form our church go to this years Women of Faith Conference in Greensboro on Friday and Saturday. WE had a wonderful time, we laughed a little, cried a little, worshiped a little, got to know HIM a little more, and also slept a little.

On the stage this year ways Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandi Patty,Mandisa and the Women of Faith Worship Team. Everyone of the singers were really, really good. Sandi Patty sang one of her Christmas songs which was beautiful and more what a voice she has. Steven Curtis Chapman was on stage Friday and I don't think I had ever heard him sing that I know of. He was very good and he sang his song Cinderella that he wrote about his girls. Very powerful and touching in many ways I might add(especially since it had only been 2 weeks since Johanna's home going). Mandisa what an amazing voice and sweet humble spirit she had. I had never heard her sing and I am a fan now. So I think I will post her song "He is With YOU" from You Tube. Aunt James this is especially for you after reading your post and for the rest of you out there that may need to be reminded that God is With You (if you have accepted HIM as your Savior).



So I think I will post tomorrow a part 2 to to the Women of Faith Conference for 2009. Hope you have a good day in church today.

In, With, Through Christ

Hosea 10

Alan and I were doing our Bible Study this morning and we decided to read the 10th chapter of Hosea to go along with what we were studying. There were several things that stood out in my mind. Israel was in a mess because they had turned from God, are we not in a mess today because we have turned away from God.

Hosea 10:2 Their heart is divided...
Are we not a divided nation, I can see a major change in our country and in the church just in my adult years.

Hosea 10:3 ...because we feared not the LORD...
My prayer for today was Lord let me fear you,(LOVE YOU)

Hosea 10:12 ...break up your fallow ground..
They had hard hearts, and I am afraid we are all guilty of a hard hearts. I want to have a tender, teachable heart and I ask the Lord for this regularly. I don't ever want to be guilty of not being able to hear the LORD.

Hosea 10:13 ... because thou didst trust in thy way...


We are living in times no different than the things we read about in the Bible. People are evil, wicked, and give no thought or concern to God or the things of God. But if it was not for the grace of God who knows where I would be today.

In, With, Through Christ

Oops, I Did It Again

Well I discovered today from another blog that Harris Teeter was having their triple coupon sale this week starting and you know that I am trying to figure out this couponing. Although I had thought I would just try to master one store at a time - CVS - until I knew more what I was doing. This was to good of a sale to pass up. So I found my coupons,clipped them and had my list and was on my way.



I got these items for a total of 15.33 a savings of 32.46 with my coupons.



These items were $19.23 which was a savings of 27.62 with my coupons.

We had to do two transactions because you can only have 20 items per day per card. Nikki was my shopping buddy today, and we are going to go tomorrow and do the same shopping for her.

Onto more important things than my shopping Alan preached tonight out of Psalms 23. It was a good reminder of the Lord and that He is MY Shepherd. And I am so glad that He is. When the sheep gets into trouble, the shepherd comes along and cares for him, and he goes before his flock of sheep preparing the field for them. Oh My, that's just like HIM isn't it? Oh that I could keep my eyes more on HIM than on my circumstances. I have to confess I have to ask for Gods help daily in this area how about you?

In, With, Through Christ
Joan

Ouch....

Well I decided since the flu and the swine flu is running rampaide in our nation that I would get the flu shot. I am .... years old, well let me go ahead and tell you I am 47.(not everyone makes it this long so I am not ashamed to tell others how old I am). But, I have never had the flu shot. I decided this year that I would try to get it since everyone that has gotten it do not have any difficulty with it and they are all believers.

My local CVS had flu shot clinics and were giving them out at scheduled times, I did not make it. I was going to go to Wal-Greens and get the shot but I did not get it done either. Well my wonderful daughter in law works at an urgent care facility here locally and they give shots on Tuesday morning and Wednesday. So they had plenty in stock and I went this morning and got my first flu shot. I must say that tonight my arm is really sore all the way down to my rest. But I am sure that is normal and to be expected.

Maybe tomorrow I will blog about something worth while. I am reading Psalms 9 and hope to tell you something about it tomorrow. However, I would like to take the time to say hello to all my blog friends that come by to visit from time to time. I would love to hear from you from time to time and tell me a a little bit about yourself.

In, With, Through Christ
Joan

Trying To Figure Out Couponing

Well, after being curious once again about couponing and how some ladies get lots of items for pennies I decided to give it one last try. I have tried a couple of times before and became frustrated. I have run across some blogs over the weekend that I have read on how they do this.

I decided to start simple and try to master CVS and their system and coupons at that one store. I bought my paper yesterday and actually got 2 for the price of 1. So Nikki got her coupons too. So I had my coupons, and had gone over the CVS sales paper and decided I was on my way. My first trip to the store I was not too pleased, I had asked for their in store $4 ECB credit that was in the Holiday Catalog. Well I did not know I had to ask for it by name, and they had no idea what I was talking about. I bought my purchases, used my coupons, got $3 ECB to spend again at another time at CVS. Well I was not satisfied and came home and went to the handy internet and found the catalog I was looking for and the proceeded to call CVS store and asked them if there was any way they could give me the credit since I had spent the $20 that I needed to, to get my $4. They informed me that there was not and the cashier and I decided the best thing I could to was come back for a refund and repurchase the items. And that is exactly what I did. I got my coupons back and everything.(Wow, pretty amazing) She also gave me an extra $4.50 credit. The cashier was so very nice and did not seem to mind me learning to coupon on her.



My total purchase for the above items were 33.30. I had $4 in store ECB to spend for the future, and I had used 3.50 in coupons and all my items were on sale.



My total purchase for the above purchased items were $4.63. That is correct $4.63. I got 3 jars of spaghetti sauce, 1 tube of toothpaste, dish washing detergent, and dishwasher detergent. How did I do this, I used my $7 in store ECBs(money that is on your cash register receipt that you can spend later for other items, and I had coupons, and all my items were on sale) So really my spaghetti sauce was all free, my dish washing detergent was free and I paid only .81 for my toothpaste and $2.99 for the Cascade. Also, remember the $4.50 extra credit that the cashier gave me. So really my total out of pocket was .13 for the above listed items $33.30 and .13 out of pocket for all the items in picture 1 and 2 I did not think was to bad. 14 Items. So this is a start on couponing. Not to bad for a beginner. I left the store the second time more pleased than the first.



Clayton's Christmas(since he is only 20 months old I can post it). Toys R Us, had the Leap Frog Junior Tag Book reader on sale for $29 and I had a coupon for $5 more off. The books for the reader were also on sale for $8 and I had a coupons for each one with $3 off. Clayton's Christmas at Wal-Mart would have been $66 plus tax. I had $38 with the sale price and my coupons. I had already decided that this was going to be his Christmas and I had just not purchased it yet. I got it on sale and found coupons for it too. He will probably get a couple of more books by Christmas time to go with his book reader. I still have some time.

All in all not a bad day of couponing. I have decided that if other ladies can do this so can I Lord willing. But I am just trying to figure out CVS and couponing so it does not overwhelm me, I have a lot to learn still. I just want to be a good steward or our money in these economic times that we live in.

In, With, Through Christ
Joan