Tag: Psalm 5:11

Posted on in Uncategorized

What Gets You Excited?

My grandson and I anxiously awaiting the new arrival!
My grandson and I anxiously awaiting the new arrival!

Last week, my daughter had  another baby, giving us our sixth grandchild!  It was certainly an exciting day!  His big brother and I were in the lobby waiting for them to announce the birth.  He said, “Grandma, I am so excited, I can hardly hold it all in.”  He’s been working hard in first grade learning self-control and it was so funny to hear his struggle as I could certainly relate.  I, too, have a tendency to get excited about things and sometimes lose control.  I remember the day I realized I had fallen in love with Jim.  I couldn’t believe what had happened and  I just had to tell him.  However, it didn’t just come out in a simple, “I love you.”  I thought about it all day and struggled with how and when to tell him.  Then all of a sudden, it just blurted out, “I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!  We still laugh about it.

Talking about getting excited, with Spring just around the corner, I am finding it hard to contain myself.  Last week we set our clocks an hour forward and now we are having more light in the evenings.  I’m really loving that!  When we start getting more sun and the flowers start to bud, I literally come alive.

Grandchild, #6!
Grandchild #6!

Isn’t a new beginning refreshing?  We have new babies and they’re oh so cool. What an awesome miracle they are to everyone involved.  Then we get a change of seasons, at least here in Ohio, and we get excited about the newness of the world around us.  First Spring and then Easter comes.  Easter reminds us of the most important new beginning we can have.  You see, for those who will believe Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice for their sins, confess their sins of their old life, and ask Him to come into their lives as their Savior;  they get a new beginning.  The old life is gone and the new life begins.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that we have a Savior that gives us a new beginning…a chance to do things right.

Who do you know that needs a new beginning?  Maybe it’s you!  Say a prayer today for you or someone you know that needs a change.  God is so willing to give you the strength to get out of the rut you’re in and give you a new start.  He doesn’t care what you’ve done, where you’ve been or who you are.  He just wants you to be His.  He wants you to experience the excitement of a new life in Him!  He wants to bless you with a new awareness of the world around you; just as though you were a child again.  He LOVE, LOVE, LOVES you!  Knowing that I am loved by the Creator of the Universe and Most High God, I get excited!  So excited I can hardly hold it all in!  I hope by now, you’re excited too!

In fact, now that we’ve been reminded of how exciting a life with God can be, this is a great time to invite those you know need a little excitement in their lives to church.  Easter will be here in just a couple of weeks.  Easter and Christmas are the two holidays even non-Christians will say, “Yes,” and attend.  Start making your invitation list today.  If prayerfully done, God will bless and guide you to those who He knows need a change of season!  If it’s you, here’s your invitation.  I’ve planted the thought, now you go find a local church you feel God is calling you to attend.  He will be faithful to lead you there as well.  All you have to do is ask!  If you’re local, come to church with me!  We’d love to have you.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear your stories of  your new beginnings.  I’m absolutely positive I am not the only person who has exciting God stories to tell.  Won’t you be a blessing and share?  All of you wannabe bloggers who haven’t done it yet…here’s your chance!  Give God some praise and share it with others to encourage and excite them in their walk with Him.  Thank you all for being such a blessing to me.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you all!  Have a great week and don’t forget to go out and be a blessing!

1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

Advertisement
Posted on in 2012 Posts

A Soldier’s Welcome Home!

The girls are glad to see their Daddy!

I am praising God that yesterday afternoon, my son Rob, returned home from a year in Afghanistan safe and sound!  Not a day went by that the danger he was in didn’t come to my mind.  I remember pleading with God to put His hedge of protection around Rob and his men and bring them home alive.  I know many of you also lifted them up in prayer diligently this past year and our whole family thanks you.Of course, I know there was a lot of skill and training that helped them stay safe too.  Can I brag a minute?  Rob received a bronze star for his meritorious service for leading his men on I think he said 70 safe missions without incident.  His expertise, ability to outsmart the enemy, and his concern for his men was apparently obvious to those who nominated him for the award.  It makes his Momma real proud!  But let’s get back to the story.  Whatever the case might be—whether it was circumstances behind the scenes, great skill, etc. ensuring their safety; as a praying woman, I have to give praise and honor to God for their protection.  When I hear stories about IEDs going off in front of or behind their convoy; I have to stop and be thankful that they weren’t on it when it decided to erupt.  I see God’s Hand in that.  I have to be thankful that Rob was appointed to serve in the specific location where he served.  It seemed to be a protected place so to speak. As there were explosions all around him at any given minute of the day, he and his men were unharmed where they were.  For that I say, “Praise God!”

The other day we had threatening storms all around our area here in Ohio.  I was finding the news on the TV so I could be informed while I made the mental note to stay inside as this looked like a bad one.  I stood in my kitchen and watched as the winds picked up and lightening lit up the skies to the north and to the south.  I could hear the thunder in the distance.  This went on for quite some time.  Friends were talking about the torrential rains they were experiencing at the same time I was watching it but not getting it.  Our yard was dry.  As I was watching, I felt God’s Spirit speak to me that as the storms rage around me, I am under the umbrella of God’s protection.  I need not be afraid.  I need not worry.  I just need to keep praying and trusting God to get me through—even when I feel threatened.

Yesterday when the guys were getting off the plane, many came to welcome them home.  There were cheers, flags waving and many tears shed as each soldier exited the plane to the arms of their loved ones.  It was quite the homecoming welcome!  I dream of the day that we as Christian soldiers get the same “welcome home” as our soldiers got yesterday.  I can see our loved ones now cheering us and welcoming us into the place that has been prepared just for us.  It will be a glorious day!

Is your life storming right now?  Are you tired and weary of the battles all around you?  Do you trust that God hears your prayers and will keep you safe from the enemy who lurks nearby?  Ask Him to put a hedge of protection around your home and family or whatever it is that is being threatened.  Just as I believe He did for my son and illustrated for me in my own backyard, He has the power to keep you safe and out of harm’s way too.  Trust Him.  Lean on Him.  Never stop fighting until you’re home…safe and sound…for eternity!  There, the final medal of honor awaits you.

Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.