Oldest and Youngest

Matt and his dirtbike...

Lauren and her...quad...
(Notice the gnarly boots!)

In These Days

Is it just me or do you see the unraveling of this world around us?

So much heartache and fear.
Floods
Storms
Famine
Earthquakes
Financial burdens
Families falling apart
Wars and more rumors of wars

I am not surprised to see these things, I believe we are seeing the birthpains of this world as we near the return of our Lord.

Matt 24: 6-8
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
NIV

I have been reading some very interesting books about the days in which we live.
Joel Rosenberg has written several fictional novels about these last days and they are fascinating. Click on his name to read about how he has written novels that seem to be prophetic as the events in his books play out in the news today (after the books are written!).

But I have learned even more from his book:
"The Epicenter" which is non-fiction and explains so much about what is happening in the world and why.

If you are interested in end-time events, I encourage you to read it- you will love it and it will help you understand much of what you hear in the headlines today.

Here are some links for you:
Joel Rosenberg’s Blog Which he updates regularly in regards to the news of the day.
Understanding Ezekiel 38 & 39 Very interesting!

I am not saying any of this to bring fear, I believe that we should be aware of the significance of the things happening in our world.
Does that mean that we should gather our children and hide, absolutely not.
This is not a time to fear, but a time to draw closer to the Lord. It is a time for faith and dependency in our God.

Isa 57:15
For this is what the high and lofty One says — He who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
NIV

If the present days have overwhelmed you. If you are personally feeling the effects of this economy or even more personal attacks of the enemy- depression, discouragement...

Let Him who is Holy, revive you!

2 Cor 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV

Personally, I would prefer NOT to go through any types of tribulations or troubles, but he clearly says we will, and that we need to rely on the only One who can truly comfort us. Then in turn, comfort others with the truth and hope of the Word of God.

As we abandon ourselves to the One who created us and acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, we will be filled with His peace. It's a peace that without Him- is impossible.

It's real, it's comforting, it's powerful! Because He's real, He's comforting and He's powerful!

Two shall become One

I need to start with a personal note here and thank you all so much for the prayers and sweet words of encouragment. I have great news...after 2 nights of wearing the wrist support- the pain is GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so thankful!!!!
Our God is faithful!!!!

I have been thinking alot about how easy it is to get in the rut of just plugging through our days and not taking the time to do the extra special things that make our husbands and family feel loved.

This week is going to be real simple, let's do something special for our husband and each member of our family this week to let them know that they are important to us.

Maybe it's a certain meal or dessert, maybe it's just setting the table like company is coming over- just for the family!
It may be a "thing" that you get or a "thing" that you do, but let's take a little time out of our busy-hectic schedule to love on our family members this week.

I would love to hear your ideas and "reports" on what you do and how your family responded!

Ephesians 5:15-21
15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
NIV

Have a wonderful week ladies!
I'm praying for our marriages,
Sue

June Praise and Coffee Winner!

The winner is:

Christina at Mustard Seeds
Check out her blogs they are really cool!

Congratulations Christina!

Two shall become One will be on Wednesday this week!!!! :)

My Diagosis...

Well, it was a rough weekend girls!

I been in a lot of pain in my hands and arms, especially at night. There's nothing like walking around the race track at 3AM because I can't get feeling in my hands and the pain was so great that I thought I would pass out. If we had not been so far from home, I would have gone onto emergency for sure.

I ended up going into the doctor this morning and he believes I have carpal tunnel. I can't believe I overlooked all the obvious symptoms, but a couple months ago I asked our family doctor if I could have it and he didn't think so. Therefore I never looked into it.
Now that I have looked it up, the symptoms are classic.

So, I will keep up on the Two shall become One~ Tuesday posts and the monthly giveaways, but will otherwise be taking a bit of a break. I am typing this now with splints on and it is not easy-but you're worth it! :)

Thanks for all the prayers, I am relieved with the answer as my mind (and the enemy) was having a hay-day with my concern about the symptoms. My heart goes out to those with chronic pain.

My hope is in Him!
Sue

How Shall We Fight for Joy?

I read this on John Piper's website and wanted to share it with you.

How Shall We Fight for Joy?
By John Piper
January 1, 1995

1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.

2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.

3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt - how to fight like a justified sinner.

5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.

6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.

7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.

8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.

10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.

11. Get the rest and exercise proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.

12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.

13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.

14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).

15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

June Praise and Coffee Giveaway!

This month's Praise and Coffee giveaway is:

1 bag of Starbucks coffee

and

Steven Curtis Chapman's latest CD:

"This Moment, Cinderella Edition"

Leave a comment on THIS post to enter drawing.

One entry per person.

Drawing will be on June 10th.