Birthday Boy (My Friday Favorite!)

I can hardly believe that today I am wishing my sweet little boy a Happy 1st Birthday.

Wilson, you have brought so much joy to us and all our family.

You are a happy, loving, little boy, full of energy, with a funny sense of humor and full-of-life attitude.

You absolutely adore Ella and have begun calling her name.

You follow her around wherever she goes.

Your eyes twinkle when you see her and you tremble with excitement.

As parents, it brings us so much pride and happiness to see the love and friendship you and Ella share.

For this child, I have prayed.

1 Samuel 1:27

You have your daddy's determination and drive, which I love.

You light up my life each and every day.

You, Wilson, are the absolute perfect addition to our family.

I pray each day that you will allow God in your heart, serve Him, be a witness for Him, let Him guide your every footstep and lead you down His path, and bring all honor and glory to Him in all that you are and do.

My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and healthy to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20-22

I pray for your wife, and that God leads you to a kind, genuine soul who also loves and serves our Lord.

And I pray that God shows us, your parents, how to teach you His ways.

We already see so many incredible qualities in you and we are so very proud of you.

Each and every day with you is so special and we look forward to all the fun times ahead.

(By the way, today you climbed out of your highchair and onto the kitchen table. You like to give me a nice scare ... several times a day! Can't wait to see what this next year holds - some excitement I'm sure! But that's just one more thing I love about you!)

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord.

Psalm 127:3a

Target GC, Worthwhile Quotes, and Bible Verse Voting!

Check out my friend's blog Karen At Home. She is an incredible mom and I love reading about how she is learning to balance life at work, life at home, and being a loving and supportive Christian, Mom, wife and friend. She is a beautiful person inside and out, and ... she loves SOUTH CAROLINA!

She is hosting a fantastic giveaway for reaching 300 followers. Check it out and enter away at http://adayinthelifeofkaren.blogspot.com/

QUOTES

"When we set an example of honesty our children will be honest. When we encircle them with love they will be loving. When we practice tolerance they will be tolerant. When we meet life with laughter and a twinkle in our eye they will develop a sense of humor."    Wilferd A. Peterson

...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

"If you want your child to accept your values when he reaches his teen years, then you must be worthy of his respect during his younger days."    James Dobson

...in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example.

2 Thessalonians 3:9

"A mother is a person who sees that there are only four pieces of pie for five persons and promptly remarks that she's never cared for pie."   Unknown

...it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

VOTE for GOD!

Take this challenge with me by spending just a few minutes reading God's word. I have started something to encourage both you and me to open our Bibles and learn more about God's love for us and the way in which HE wants us to live. This is a constant struggle for me ... I want to be better for HIM.

So, I am keeping things simple. I learn more that way! I encourage you to and hope that you will take just a few minutes to learn just a little more. VOTE for your favorite Bible verse. A new poll will be starting in a few short days.

A Simple Challenge for You and Me

I get easily overwhelmed with challenging tasks. Sometimes simply opening my Bible can be overwhelming, wondering where to start, and if I am interpreting His word correctly. This thought has been tugging at my heart lately, wondering how I personally can learn more about God’s Word and His amazing ways, and also spread and share it in a not-so-overwhelming and challenging way, although His word and love for us IS SO OVERWHELMING!!

I have started something new on here. If you look on the right sidebar, you will notice a Bible verse poll. Things don’t seem quite so overwhelming if I break it down verse by verse. It seems to hold more with me, and I tend to learn more when things are kept simple. I thought what a better way than to take you along this learning process and share in this simple challenge with you.

This is challenging me to open my Bible and read and learn. It may be little by little. It may only be one verse at a time, and that is okay. I know the importance of spending time in His word daily, but sometimes life just keeps me from doing so and that frustrates me.

So … let’s do this together! I am challenging and encouraging both you and myself to take this journey. I am spending time finding Bible verses that I think might be helpful, encouraging, and enlightening to you, which puts ME spending time in His word learning more. And YOU gain too. It’s simple! Each week I will post 4 or so Bible verses. You open your Bible, look up each verse, and tell me which is most meaningful or relevant to you at the time. Just maybe it will be the exact thing you need to hear at that very moment ... and it puts YOU in His word. You never know how God works through His perfect timing. You may even want to start a notebook of verses to look back on when you need some uplifting words and encouragement.

If you do not have a Bible, please email me. I would be honored to send you one.

I am excited about this challenge, and I really encourage you to and hope you will participate with me.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

2 Peter 3:18

Heaven ... we GET to go!

A few nights ago, Ella asked God to please let Target get a big, soft purple blanket so we could buy one. Mind you, she's not quite 4. Can you tell where we like to shop?!
She has been asking a lot of questions about Heaven lately.

Still not having much concept of time, she asked me if we would get to go to Heaven in 100 days. I told her that I hope not, because I want to enjoy our wonderful life together here on earth that God created for us. BUT if that was what God wanted, then we would be just fine. I told her, as I have in the past, how wonderful Heaven is and that there are no sicknesses or bad things in Heaven. It is a perfect place. Her response to this was, "God will tell us to just come on up!"

Isn't this such a pure and beautiful way to think about things, especially dying? Notice she asked if we would get to go to Heaven, not would we have to go. How awesome is that way of thinking?! This reminds me of a good, old hymn that I love. I can't help but beam with happiness and joy when I sing this ...
          "When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!"
Next time you hear this, think about how we get to go to Heaven!

The Bible tells us all about Heaven.
It is a perfect place ... it is paradise.
Luke 23:43 tells us: "Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

It is a beautiful place.
Revelation 21:2 says: "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."

Heaven is eternal.
Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
John 10:28: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
2 Peter 1:11: "and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

It is a place of great joy and satisfaction.
Psalm 16:11: "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Isaiah 49:10: "They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water."

There will be no more sickness, pain, or sadness.
Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

And so, let's all live our lives to God's glory and bring praise to Him in all we do, and repent, asking forgiveness for all our daily sins, and through God's grace we will get to go to Heaven.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" Hebrews 12:28

How Can You Look at a Child and Not Believe in God?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

James 1:17

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:15

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us."

Ephesians 3:20

"Set your hearts on things above ..."

Colossians 3:1

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28