Disappointment with God by P.Yancey

For this month's book review, Philip Yancey tackles three questions no one asks aloud: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? He uses the book of Job in first part of book that sets out to prove the faithfulness and love of God. "Job gained a faith that can never be shaken because it came out of having been shaken."
Using a friend named "Douglas" (a modern day Job), Mr. Yancey asked him, "What have you learned that might help someone else going through a difficult time?" "I learned first...not to confuse God with life. We tend to think life should be fair because God is fair. But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life ---by expecting constant good health, for example---then I set myself up for a crushing disappointment."
"Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
"God is like a person who clears his throat while hiding and so gives himself away." (By Meister Eckhardt)
I love the next to last chapter entitled, "Why Job Died Happy".
Another great quote: "I had far rather walk, as I do, in daily terror of eternity, than feel that this was only a children's game in which all the contestants would get equally worthless prizes at the end. (By T.S. Eliot)
Another great book that challenges and convicts! Ok, the York Peppermint Patty has nothing to do with the book, but was just a reminder of the lesson learned about the power of chocolate and mint ..... I mean the power of prayer and God's word.

Missing My Momma

You know what I love about a blog? It helps you organize your thoughts onto paper. There are some days that I miss my momma so bad. I heard a great analogy ...The saying of "time heals" that makes it sound like if you a put a bandaid on it, it will be all ok. This sorrow is not as small as a cut or tear. It is like part of you was amputated. You don't get over it, you just get used to the new kind of normal. You just get used to missing that arm or leg or in this case, your momma.
I miss my momma on days especially when I am sick. She was a great comforter.
I miss my momma on days I wish I could tell her about Anna and the baby (she could help sew which I desperately need help with.)
I miss my momma on days I can't remember what her voice sounded like.
I miss my momma when it comes to a heavy burden to share.
I miss my momma's laughter (and even some of her scolding). (That's weird)
I miss my momma when I think about her prayers (she always got God's attention).

The list could go on.. But the purpose is not to cry over what I miss about her (although I do that), it is simply to remember why I loved her so much.

When God Doesn't Make Sense by James Dobson

Quotes from the book:
If you think life should be fair or easy, you are Satan's target.

Let God be God! (His timing is perfect, to us it seems late.)

With God even when nothing is happening, something is happening.

Your arms are too short to box with God; don't even try it!

Adversity can have a positive effect by helping develop character and to realize dependence on Him. (Object lesson of a 2x4 piece of wood, it can build a house or knock a man out. You either despair or trust God!

Some things in this life will have to be put in file of "Things I Don't Understand".

You cannot suddenly fabricate foundation of strength (and faith) from nowhere; they must have been building all along.

Surgery of life hurts - But we know the surgeon!

Instead of silence of God, one day we will have the presence of God (face to face). Pain is the 'not yet' of eternity.

Gotta see this

At the right of this post is the listing of blogs I follow. Go to my daughter's blog (Tyson). She posted the video of when she told us she was having a baby. It is priceless! I've watched it over and over to see look on her face. We are so happy for them. We cannot wait to hold that sweet baby girl (or boy). :)

Amazed at Millington's Connection Round 2

This photo was taken Sunday before Chip and Carly left to go back to Millington (outside of Memphis). We had the fun and pleasure of having Chip stay with us from Wednesday to Sunday. Or should I say, to sleep at our house. The Millington kids connected so with our Agape kids that they drove all the way to be together again. And they kept driving everywhere to do things together. Guess what the first stop was? If you guessed Unclaimed Baggage, you're right!
This was as I called "Round 2", because the Sunday before, Jonathan and Dillon arrived to stay with us. In fact, Caleb rode back with them on Tuesday to ride back with Dillon and Carly on Wednesday. Don't worry about Caleb as he probably slept most of the way.

Yes to VBS (and rest)

I love this picture of my VBS 5th and 6th grade girls class and teenage helpers because it reminds me of the memory we made by 'autographing' each others pillowcases. But it also makes me very thankful for dear Mrs. Elsie from our church who made these for me. (If I had made them, they would not have been worthy of a photo, trust me.) Mrs. Elsie is not able to teach this class but to me she used her gift in a great big way! So, in other words, I guess I did not get the gift of sewing!ha What I really meant to say was we do not just teach with our words, but with our lives - what we give to others by serving them speaks loud and clear. Thanks Mrs. Elsie!

MERGE Camp Veterans

This post is dedicated to my dear sister in Christ, Robin. I never dreamed that last year when we went to Merge that we would return (crazy, I know). This picture captures the fun we have as we serve together. I have enjoyed our discipleship classes and our friendship but especially seeing how much she has grown. Being a mother is never easy, but she's a great one as she has such a heart for seeing her kids grow in their walk for Christ. We share burdens and laughs (lots of laughs) and microwave pork rinds. (inside joke)ha