I apologize for no new posts.  Right now is a very busy time of the year for me, what with tax time and my older son's soccer season, plus doing physical therapy with my younger son.  Hopefully, I will get back shortly!

In the meantime, I hope your days are sweet!

When God Gives Directions, He Gives Provisions

Last night I was reading in Joshua 3 - 4 about the Israelites crossing the Jordan River just before the battle of Jericho.  The priests were told to lead with the ark of the covenant, and the people were to get no closer to it than 2,000 cubits, roughly 3,000 feet, which is a little over 1/2 a mile.  Specific directions.

God dried up  the Jordan River when the priests were obedient to put their feet in the water.  The Bible says that when their feet were "dipped in the brim of the water... that the waters ...rose up in a heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan."  Not only did the waters which were at flood stage recede, the ground that the Israelites walked on was dry. 

God not only cleared their way, He made it so they wouldn't have to slog through mud and get bogged down going through the Jordan.  But first, He told them they needed to spend time in preparation, sanctifying (set apart, free from sin/purify) themselves to the Lord.

Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan the Lord had them bring twelve stones out of the Jordan to set up as a memorial to what He, God, had done for the people.  Twelve stones were also set up in the middle of the Jordan as a reminder. 

God gave specific directions for a task that at best could have been very uncomfortable to the Israelites, but once they obeyed, God provided a perfect path for them to walk.  An example for me to remember and follow.

Check out this link with photos of Israel: http://www.experienceisrael.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=117



BetterMe Coaching Tool

BetterMe Coaching Tool: "The Go Red BetterMe Coaching Tool is the perfect companion to the Go Red BetterU 12-week program. Every day, you'll get tips, reminders, and more sent directly to your tool. You'll also be able to chat directly with other members of the program on the “Wall” share tips, motivational quotes, and work through barriers with others. You can also access and edit your journal entries directly from the tool."

The best, the worst, the funniest and the most thankful...

The best thing that happened to me this week was HAVING TO ASK MY SISTER IF I COULD BORROW SOME JEANS FROM HER, IN A SMALLER SIZE!!

The worst thing that happened to me this week was GIVING IN TO MY TEMPTATIONS.  ALWAYS THE FOOD.  ALWAYS WHEN I AM SNUGGLING DOWN TO READ. I'M SEEING A PATTERN HERE...

The funniest thing I saw/heard/did this week was AN E-MAIL FROM MY SISTER. SHE SAID SHE SENT A TEXT TO MY YOUNGEST SON, AND HE RESPONDED BACK ASKING WHY SHE SENT A TEXT DURING SCHOOL HOURS?  SHE SAID BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN SHE THOUGHT OF IT.  SHE ASKED IF THERE WAS A SPECIFIC TIME SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO TEXT? AND HE SAID BEFORE 7:39 AND AFTER 3:50. SO SPECIFIC!

The thing I was most thankful for this week IS MY FAMILY.  THEY MEAN SO MUCH TO ME!

Idea from: http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2011/02/join-weekend-wrap-up.html

What's going on with you this week?

Here are the questions:
The best thing that happened to me this week was __________________.
The worst thing that happened to me this week was __________________.
The funniest thing I saw/heard/did this week was __________________.
The craziest thing I saw/heard/did this week was __________________.
The thing I was most thankful for this week was __________________.

Just repost on your blog, answer and link back to me and the link above!  Have fun. :-)

Exercise!

I have been exercising a lot lately, some days with my younger son.  It sure helps having a partner!  On Saturday I mentioned to my sons that I would like to see if I could get ready to participate in a 5k.  Both of them were adamant that I not try to do a 5k.  It turns out they think I might die (these are teen guys)!  Although I am very pleased they are concerned for my well-being, sometimes a mom has to do what a mom has to do.  Yes, I do have a heart defect, but it is controlled by medicine.  I told my sons I would talk to my cardiologist and see what he has to say about the situation.  He is the expert, after all.

Makes me think about the condition of the spiritual heart.  Before we go jump in and try to do things we are not ready for, we need to take the baby steps of spiritual growth, beginning with being born again, before we can start running the race.  It requires studying and applying God's word to life, keeping the prayer lines open, and listening and learning from people God puts in our paths.  Plus being ready to do whatever He asks of us. 

I am a long way from being physically fit, but I am working on it. I am also a long way from being what God wants me to be.  I am working on that, too!

Christians in Middle East Put on Notice...

Jimmy DeYoung of Prophecy Today http://news.prophecytoday.com/ has posted the following on his website: 

"Christians across the Middle East have been put on notice by the Islamic state of Iraq, better known as the Iraqi branch of the international branch of the international Islamic terror organization al Qaeda, that all Christians in the Middle East are now legitimate targets. The ministry of war of the Islamic state of Iraq declares that all centers, organizations, and bodies of Christian leaders and followers have become targets wherever their hands can reach them.

The terrorist leaders said that the doors of destruction are open and that Christian blood will flow like a river in the Middle East."   

What would we, Christians in America, do if this happened to us?  What impact does this message have on you?  How will it change the way you live?