So thankful to live in the greatest country in the world and for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for freedom.

'end' - don't text and drive! Lol

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Soooo, here's the big announcement!

I'm teaching scrapbook classes at Michaels again! So far, the one I have scheduled is the 4 week class by EK Success. Thur nights, 6:30-8:30, starting June 9th, ending June 30th. Class in only $25.00 for 8 hours of instruction! And more classes coming soon!

Send me an email, message me on Facebook or Twitter if you want to sign up!

I want that!

Reading the other day in Mark chapter 1, I was struck by something that I had not really thought of before. That seems to happen to me a lot when I'm reading scripture. It's not that I haven't read it before, but God's word is so rich with lessons for us that even reading familiar scriptures can spark a brand new thought or idea that you've never had before! Isn't He just amazing?

So, back to Mark 1, this is just after Jesus has been baptized. Verse 12 says, "Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness." (New Living Translation) The New American Standard uses the word 'impelled' rather than 'compelled.' The NIV says, "At once the Spirit sent Him out into the dessert." I really liked the NASB version. IMPELLED. That word really caught my attention. According to Webster's, this means:

1. to urge or drive forward or on by, or as if by, the exertion of strong moral pressure : force 

2: to impart motion to : propel

WOW!!! I WANT THAT!!! I want the kind of relationship with my heavenly Father that when he speaks to me,
     I'm IMPELLED to move,
                    I'm IMPELLED to act,
                                   I'm IMPELLED to obey!
What a difference that would make in my spiritual walk!

What if . . . I never questioned His will?

What if . . . I never waffled in my commitment?

What if . . . I never got too busy to obey?

What if . . . I never got impatient when I didn't see the results I had expected?

What if . . . I didn't get discouraged and want to give up when loved ones time after time refused salvation?

What if . . . fill in the blank for you.  

I love this quote by D. L. Moody,  "The World has yet to see what God can do with one man who is fully committed to Him." What if I truly, completely, fully committed everything to Him? What could He do through my life? In my family? With my neighborhood? My church? Father, help me to be who you want me to be!

Blessings,

Renea

'Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not... what you now have was once among the things you only hoped...' Billy Ivey

How boring life would be if things went the way we wanted them to all the time. Louie Giglio

lecrae: Persistence in prayer is for us to recognize our need to be dependent. Not to bother God until He finally gives in.

A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch one. Be a carrier. Tom Stoppard

Today is not just another little square on your calendar, but a God-breathed gift He has purposed for His glory. Tune in. Louie Giglio

No wise person ever wished to be younger. Jonathan Swift

Mother's Day

Things have been a little stressful in our family lately. Not that life isn't always stressful, but lately, well, it's been stressful. I woke up this morning feeling a little pouty and not very happy. It's Mother's Day. Things should go my way, right? Well, not necessarily. I got to church and the first worship song included some of the most incredible pictures of God's beautiful creation on the screen. I was overwhelmed at the magnitude and scope of the God of the universe! He truly is amazing!

But the devil wasn't finished. I started thinking of all the mistakes I've made as a mom. This led to feeling like such a failure! Then I was reminded of my conversation yesterday with my daughter, Brittney and how she had told me what a good job I had done. Then there was the post from my son this morning on facebook basically saying the same thing. And here I was sitting with my youngest daughter next to me in worship service. Then I started thinking about two of my friends who have already had to say goodbye to their moms until they meet again in heaven. Wow! I have SO much to be thankful for!

So right there and then I made up my mind. Yes, there are things that are difficult right now. Certainly there are things I can worry myself sick over. Absolutely there is uncertainty in our future. HOWEVER, I am choosing to be thankful! I am choosing to look at how very gracious my God has been!

This is my new favorite song. It's by Laura Story. I love the lyrics. They are so true! I've included the words of the chorus and the last verse for you here but I highly recommend the link if you haven't heard the song. Every line carries a beautiful message!

God bless,
Renea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0&feature=related

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

Credits :
songwriters: story, laura mixon
© new spring publishing;new spring publishing

In the grand scheme of things, they're still just things.

Meadville Baptist Church crop

What fun I had last weekend in Meadville, MS with the ladies at Meadville Baptist! We had a great time at the crop and they raised enough money to send their teens and kids to camp! Awesome job, ladies! Special thanks to Beth and Sharon for all their hard work. Hope you got some rest this week!

Afterward they were nice enough to take me out to eat in town. So sweet! But the best part was being privileged enough to teach Sunday School the next morning and attend their worship service. Then I got to eat some of the best southern home-cookin' for lunch! What a great weekend!

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped! Gotta love southern women! We definitely do things with a special flair down this way!