A Wonderful Weekend!

We had a really good weekend! We went up to Mick’s town and attended Anna Elizabeth’s Dedication Service, and a lot of family was able to attend. Both of my sisters went, along with my Brother-in-law and one of my grand-nieces….

Another thing that was great, was that my eldest son, Charles was able to attend, too. He had spent the last week driving out from St. Pete, FL, and he got there a couple of hours before church started. He’d driven 28 hours straight from E. TX, from my son, Jay’s house to get here. He is out here to visit and to attend his 20th High School Class Reunion.

A lot of my daughter-in-law’s family were also able to come up, and we got some great “5 Generations” pictures.

Their church is a lot like ours on their Baby Dedication Services. We know that a baby can’t make an informed decision about following Christ, but that it is the adults around that child that have the responsibility to lead and teach that child in the way they should grow. We choose to make a covenant with God that we will do the best we can to accept that responsibility. It is not JUST the parents, but the extended family AND the church family that seek to be good role models and teachers.

It was so great to see Charles, as well as my newest grand-daughter, and it was a fun visit for everyone. Jenn’s family are all wonderful people and we all get along really well.

My grand-niece, Jamie, is the one that looks a lot like Kody and is close to the same age. They really love to play with each other, too, so it was a good day for Kody and he got a lot of attention, too.

Robert had to work at our church, so he wasn’t able to go, but he took OC, Dott, BG and Mercy into town, to my sister’s place, so OC was taken care of and didn’t have to go with us. (We can’t leave her here by herself because she needs her wheelchair to go outside with.)

I just Praise God for His goodness and mercy that my kids are following him and teaching my grandchildren in the ways of Life that are promised to those that follow Him. I am so very thankful that Charles was able to make it out here safely, and am praying that he has a great visit and makes it home safely too.

God is so good! Sometimes it is hard to put our beloved children and grandchildren all the way into His hands, but it really is the very best place for them, for, though it seems impossible, He loves them more than we do, and He knows the paths their lives are on more than we do. Some of life’s lessons are hard and some are glorious, but all are in HIS hands.

If you would like to see more pics of Anna and the Dedication, you can click here:  Anna’s Dedication Facebook Album

Some Thoughts on Wisdom, Wealth and Riches...

I have been praying about wisdom on money matters, and these things came into my mind...

Close your eyes and think for a minute what you would do if you were given $100,000 dollars today. Now take a piece of paper and write a list down the side of the paper of what you would do with it. Don’t show it to anyone… it is just for you to see.

As Christians, who really "needs" riches and wealth? In our life here on earth, we need “money” only as a means of bartering with others to care for our own needs or the needs of others… ALL else will eventually go to dust.

So many people spend so much money to keep themselves “looking younger,” but even our own bodies can’t go with us and “human beauty” is so fleeting when you look at it based on the knowledge of eternity.

Think of what most people spend money on—Check with God’s heart on the matter. Is that “object/service” one that will ultimately bring GOD glory or is it for your own pleasure and/or prestige?

Taking care of what GOD has given you (not what you’ve gone and gotten because of your “wants”) is good use for money. Being blessed by God is a way that He sometimes (with people He knows can handle it without the money taking over their lives) uses to draw others to us so that His message of love can be heard.

Money can be used to purchase the tools of a trade or to build and/or repair things that are NEEDED. Money or riches should never be the end reason for doing anything.

When we get to Heaven, the roads and building materials will be what many call “riches” down here, but up there, they are simply more beauty that surrounds us to bring joy/delight to our souls.

We need to learn to look at money through God’s eyes… what would He have us use it for? Sure He loves us and gives us some “stuff” because He loves to bring joy to His children, but He knows our hearts and as we grow in Him, we need to learn to weigh our motives for each purchase that WE are chosing to make… is this bought to impress others or simply to fulfill a “lust of the flesh?” OR, is it something God can ultimately use?

Example: One person buys a boat to be able to join a group of people they like/get along with, etc. so that they can eventually share God’s love, while another buys a boat purely for satisfying the “lusts of the flesh”—drinking, carousing, etc. with a specific “crowd,” to show off what they have.

Sometimes, it is a very thin line and we MUST examine our TRUE motives so that we don’t rationalize ourselves into getting something with “good intentions” but no true “call of God.” We need to ask God for wisdom to show us our true motives, and take the time to listen to His response to our request. If we don’t, the "things" can eventually take over our souls and become an idol, coming between us and God.

Now, go back and check your list. Evaluate where you think you are, compared to where God would want your heart...

Lord, help me to learn, each day, to turn to You for wisdom in each step that I take in ALL areas of my life. As Your child, I need to grow up, take more and more responsibility to follow You closer and closer, and then You will be able to entrust more to me, knowing that I will use Your gifts wisely and for YOUR purposes. Continue to give me only the things YOU know I can handle...