Do I Need A Blog?

I am horrible at maintaining this blog.

Last entry January, hmmmm.

So many things have happened.

My Elizabeth has graduated from 8th grade.

Dear friends have passed away.

I have memorized 11 new Bible verses.

We went to the Grand Canyon.

My husband celebrated a birthday that ends in a "0".

Hard to believe it is June.

Completed the Esther Bible Study and Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed, Bible Study.

Reading Crazy Love.

Others' blogs are so good. Don't know if I am up to the performance level.

Would like to document things though for my girls.

Contemplation.....

Love and Blessings, Debbie

A Brand New Year

January 1, 2009

Many people will begin this new year with a list of resolutions. I am going to begin mine with a new commitment to scripture memorization and meditation. Over at Beth Moore's Blog, THE LPM BLOG, she is encouraging that along with encouraging us to have a Jesus year. I want a Jesus year. I have failed in so many of my attempts to be closer to Him and still He welcomes me back, every time, into his presence with His Holy word.

My first scripture for this new year is 1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

This verse was part of a sermon our pastor, Dr. Hollie Miller, preached on my birthday, after the election, entitled What Now? This sermon defines us, through scripture, to do several things:

1. Recommit to personal holiness in our lives.

2. Respect and honor our new president.

3. Recognize oppression of the church is normal, not abnormal.

4. Rededicate my live to prayer, intentionally set aside time to pray.

So, Happy New Year Friends and Family! Let's make this year all about Jesus and revealing Him to others.

Siestas for Him Gift Exchange

Well, you just had to be there.

A group of ladies decided to do an online Bible study this summer, little did we know that many months after the study we would still be united by the NOGS study, our love for each other and of course our love for the Lord and His word.

We have laughed together, cried together, sang together, praised together and prayed together all online. Last night we met in our chat room and opened our gifts one by one. We acted like children trying to wait our turn and just had the best time.

My gift came from Linda. In the photo, you can see my slipper socks, my teapot, with its own cup on the bottom, that has "Give Thanks to the Lord for Everything" on the lid, my Tennessee (Go Vols! there is always next year) trays and my beautiful card and bookmark. Thank you Linda!

We are scheduled to do the Esther study online in January, can't wait!

Love to all the Siestas, my life is richer because of you.

Siesta Fiesta Ornament Exchange

Well, I knew it would be awhile before I felt inspired to post another entry, and I was correct!

I participated in the Siesta Fiesta Ornament Exchange at The Siesta Fiesta Blog. Today I received two beautiful ornaments from my new friend Jill Porvaznik in Florida. They are beautiful, don't you agree? Thank you Jill, I hope you received your package also.

Take A Knee

My daughter decided this year after 7 years of dance and horseback riding to try soccer.

She had never played before, and she had never even really been to a true soccer game. So, we went to try out for a position on the local team. They had enough girls to have two teams. She is on the B team with other girls that had never played either. The coach is awesome, and supports every player on the team. She usually plays a defense position and is not afraid to get in there and fight for the ball.

She has played 8 games so far this season. This past Thursday night, the coach asked her to play goalie, because 1. The regular goalie could not be there and 2. No other member of the team wanted to play that position. So, my daughter said yes. One reason I think she did it was her reason for playing soccer. When I asked why she wanted to play soccer she said, “Mom, I just want to be part of a team.” She was a part of the team this past week. The score ended up 8 for the other team and 0 for us. She had no idea how to play goalie and the other girls still are learning their positions too. It was painful to watch and as the coach said, she took one for the team tonight.

One part of the game has stayed on my mind. When the other team was bringing the ball down the field, one of our girls was injured and went down hard. Some of the girls took a knee as soon as the player went down, but the referee was ahead of the girl being down and didn’t see that she had fallen. The referee didn’t blow the whistle and so other team just kept coming toward the goalie, my daughter. My daughter learned an important lesson that day, to play until the whistle blows, but in her mind someone was down and in trouble, and she thought they all should take a knee.

I believe our country is in trouble, the economy, the war, health insurance, jobs, housing, and the election. It might be time for us to learn a lesson from my daughter, and take a knee.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.