OK, just re-read my most previous blog.....need to catch everyone up.

WHY the 2 books???? I seriously did not have a CLUE until this morning. NOT why I didn't type anything yesterday, it was just ONE OF THOSE DAYS....(now referred to as OOTD's).

I was simply following the urging of the Holy Spirit. Huh. Which I don't do nearly often enough in my real on earth life.....but do for some reason after I've been in the shower or while I'm reading a book.....(note to self: need to work on making those HS connections in 'real time', not just in book time).

One important statement was made in the SK book today. Well, 2 actually, that ties these 2 books together with what's going on in my life currently.

At the end of each week, there is a section that is intended for group discussion (I missed that one with the ladies group)#4 on page 18 states: "Revival repairs broken marriages - Do you know any "hopeless" family situations, such as couples on the brink of divorce or perhaps DEEPLY EMBITTERED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER YET STAYING TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF APPEARANCE? (emphasis mine). When real revival comes, no situation is hopeless".

WHEW.....here's where the bell started dinging and the light went on.....then THIS......

#6 on page 19 - "Revival refreshes the spirit - DO YOU LIVE WITH NEARLY CONSTANT PRESSURE AND ANXIETY? Have you discovered that the things you tend to turn to for relief neither satisfy you nor remove the stress? According to Acts 3:19, "times of refreshing" come from "the presence of the Lord". What an apt description of revival! God invites us to come into His presence. There - and only there - will we find genuine rest."

And then THIS in the last numeric listing #8 - "Revival reforms the life - Someone has described revival as  a "complete takeover" in which God is returned to His rightful place as Lord of our lives. OLD HABIT ARE PUT AWAY (including but not limited to habits of our responses and way we talk) dl, AND NEW ONES ARE ESTABLISHED. RESENTMENT AND DESPAIR ARE BURIED (NOT the unhealthy stuffing, but the healthy burial of dead things)dl AND REPLACED WITH ****CONTENTMENT**** AND HOPE.  Forgiveness flows freely. (emphasis and paranthetical statements mine).

OK. That was from the SK book.....then the quotes I left you with yesterday "Discontenment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul" and one of my personal favorites "It is amazing how much your mouth controls your soul".

SOOOOOOOOO and see if you can follow my little pea brain here.......if I am discontent, I am not living with forgiveness, hope OR revival in my life.

So hopefully, I will be learning about revival and contentment at the same time. Huh.

A few 'take aways' from CTBHH today are:

"Live with thanksgiving, forgiveness and joy ..........and then".......as husband and wife, "heirs together of the grace of life, NOT partners in stress and bitterness".

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Stress and bitterness.....just yesterday I was trying to define the.....atmosphere in this home. And that pretty much covers it. We're all trying to make OUR point, get OUR own way......

Then today, in SK one of the scripture readings was from Eph 5:18-21. So, I'm reading all this and I'm thinking "how in the world do Christians get away with NOT living like this?? I mean, it's pretty straightforward. "Be very careful....."

And here is where it ties in AGAIN with CTBHH......"Speak (which ties to the quote about how much the mouth has to do with the state of your soul) to one another with psalms, humns and spritial songs. ......."submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"......THEN it starts with the whole husband/wife thing.

So, I started scamming the earlier part of the verses in that chapter (just b/c that's who I am and what I do) and I see verses 3 and 4......"But among you there MUST NOT be even a HINT of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, b/c these are IMPROPER for GOD'S HOLY PEOPLE, Nor should there beobsenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, WHICH ARE OUT OF PLACE......but RATHER THANKSGIVING.

MUST NOT.....just doesn't sound like a 'suggestion' to me.....and I'm thinkin' I get away with it just like many others BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIRE COMING FROM HEAVEN TO 'ZAP' ME IMMEDIATELY.

No, the trouble comes creeping in second by second.....until you're ready to explode and LIVING in that atmosphere of tension and bitterness......sheesh.

And WHAT am I reading about in CTBHH???? about Thanksgiving, being grateful, etc.

I mean, seriously. Just last night I was thinking "how on earth have I become SO calloused as to allow this type of tv in our home???" I mean, my husband and I started to watch a movie with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in it over the weekend and normally they're in pretty decent movies (well, for the most part) and the very first scene was literally minutes and minutes of these naked people in a hot tub.....I kept watching, thinking it would end 'soon'......and IT NEVER DID.....the next scene was just as bad......good ole TH with some young thing half naked.....and the things they were SAYING......good night. Is there any wonder this world is not ashamed or embarrased by anything anymore?? I mean, even small son, who got tired of covering up his eyes, went into his room to play his video games ......

That whole scenario got me to thinking.......what on earth has happened IN THIS HOME????

And then this morning?? HOW do Christians (like me) who confess Christ and say they love God and are 'living' for Him......allow themselves to act like this?? I see myself as being exactly the OPPOSITE of these verses. ......especially the submitting part.

And here's something from CTBHH today "a relationship based on law, rules, WILLFUL HUMILITY and formality is death".

WOW.

Pretty strong statement. I'm thinking this is where my lack of understanding of grace comes in.

SK also addressed the areas of moral purity and forgiveness......there's just so much in one day, I had to pray and ask God to help me sort it all out on the way back from dropping small son at his art class.

I'm hoping to have a long conversation with hubby about this, but am afraid it won't happen today.

I'd like to throw out this tv......or at least the satellite feed.....but I'm thinkin' we've got a contract.

I'd like to run away to a mountaintop somewhere and just read this stuff until it's burned into my brain. I'm thinkin' nuns and monks have the right idea.

I'm also sorry if I've lost or confused any of you......but, you do not have to read this stuff......I'm just puttin' it out there on the advice and admonition of the HS. Trying to be obedient.....IF ONLY I could do that in the areas of my life that really need it, huh?

Many other things going thru my head, but for another day.

Let me leave you with these verses: Col. 3:12-14 "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, whock binds them all together in perfect unity."

If I could just remember to live as a Godly, much loved person, eh?

Until another time,

Denise, Daughter of Grace (who truly does not understand grace)

December 3

Attentiveness

That ye be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.

2 Peter 3:2

When Henry Nelson of Wilmington, Delaware, arrived home one evening, he discovered that his apartment complex was being fumigated with hydrogen-cyanide. He  removed the sign, tore down the barricade, and went in. Neighbors tried to warn him and called the authorities. But by the time help arrived, it was too late. Henry Nelson was dead.

Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state was dormant for several hundred years. However, a few years ago, authorities discovered that there was activity and reason to believe there might be a serious eruption. People were evacuated from the area. But Harry Truman, who had grown up on those beautiful slopes, refused to leave. When the eruption was over, Harry and his home were buried under tons of volcanic ash.

Both men disregarded both written and verbal warnings, and it cost them their lives. If they had learned to be attentive, they would not have died.

When we ignore the instructions of the written Word, we show the highest disregard for God. “My son, hear the instructions of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8, 9).

Melvin L. Yoder, Gambier, OH

Give ear, and live!

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3:1–14

One Year Bible Reading Plan:

1 John 1

Ezekiel 47, 48

Used by Permission of Vision Publishers

PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA  22803

Phone:  877-488-0901

E-Mail:  [cs@vision-publishers.com]

Sammyjo comes home screaming that the police gave her a $125 Ticket because of her tinted windows being too dark.  Now she had been warn by the police a couple times about this and refuzed to let her Dad un -tint them.

Well, Now she has to pay the ticket.  She is not to happy right now.   She comes home and calls the police station and asks to speak to the chief of police, she tells them that all her friends have tinted windows and they never got any warnings or tickets, so why should she have to pay.  The chief of police told her that she has to pay the ticket and take the tint off the windows, or the ticket will double.

We kept telling her to have this done but she refuzed and Now she will learn a hard lesson.  She has a week to pay the ticket.  

She is upstairs crying,  But this is a good lesson for her to learn. She should of listen to the police the 1st time they warned her.    

I went in to my weigh in at Weight watchers today thinking I had probably gained weight because of Thanksgiving. Was I suprised when the scale said that I had lost 3.2 pounds, that brings my total to 9.8 pounds and this was my 4th weigh in. It seems to be coming off but it is very hard for me to stick to. Roger is a big help, he is very supportive and encouraging.

I have to get some things done around the house and then will be back later to put a new post up about some of my favorite ornaments on our tree complete with pictures.

Enjoy your day

Blessings,Joann

I have been thinking about my childhood alot latley. When I was 13 my mom and dad got a divorced and then my mom remarried a abusive man, he would hit my mom and say he was gonna kill her in front of me and my brothers.  She finally divorce him when I was 17. God , I hated that man. Hes dead now from cancer.   At the age of 18 I met Roger and we became best friends.  As I think back to those days when we went to bars and got drunk, Had Partys , and went to Concerts.  I would never want to go back to those days.   I was a WILD CHILD.   Im so thankful that my kids really havent given me any trouble. They are pretty good kids, I think because We moved here to indiana when sammyjo was in the 4th grade.  I grew up in the city and got into alot of trouble, But in the country, theres really nothing for the kids to do but hang out at friends houses, and do alot of school activies.   The pictures i got out of the attic brought back alot of memories.......Im all grown up now and alot wiser, I like the journey Im on now, and cant wait to see what next year brings. 

Pizza tonight for supper.......HEEHAA