Anybody Home?? and Crazy Love By Francis Chan

Hello have I run you off? lol  I'm in a bit of a writer's slump, but I do want continue writing on here, so please stick with me!  I want to also encourage you to visit a great new blog started by my best friend!  She is an amazing woman in so many ways, please stop by and give her some love! Jenn's blog  I am reading a book right called Crazy Love  By Francis Chan.  The funny think is when I heard about it, I had no desire whatever to read it. and wow does it have me thinking even though I've only read the first three chapters so far. You can find out more Here  If you have read it what are your thoughts on the first 3 chapters or the book as a whole?  Has the book challenged you confused you or helped you?  Can I be honest, though I've only read three chapter of this book, I already believe my views about who God is are changing in a positive way.   If anything, it has caused me excitement and wonder, and allowed me to see how small I am, and how big God's love is for me!  Yes I know in my head God loves me, and all of us, but when was the last time you were truly blown away by God's love for YOU?  That's it for now...  I enjoy your comments, and do read your blogs as much as possible.

Favorite stuff Monday!

Hi Bloggers:

    I want to go on bit of a lighter note today, and share some of my favorite things with you.  http://www.virtualredvine.com/products/Hershey%27s/hershey%27s%20box.jpg

So yummy in moderation! 

http://wwwgoogle.com/images

Again very yummy in Moderation ha!

So now you guys know "sweet stuff is a turn on for me!

OKAY so the pic is sideways but I love hugs!  Every good and perfect gift comes from above!

Can you Handle the truth??? No more secret!

Image from http://www.cameronmagee.blogspot.com/ Property of Travis Conttrell. Jesus Saves Live CD.

A friend of mine purchased this CD for me for my birthday, and to be honest, while I did expect to like it, I had no idea how much I'd love it! Let me preface this by saying I'm not a fan of all styles of worship music. I think it is great that there are all flavors of praise music that draw people to faith in Christ, but that does not mean that I connect with all of these, or prefer them. Of course, I love anything http://www.michaelwsmith.com/ , but I'm not typically a fan of groups like passion, it's nothing personal. The CD above has made me ears happy, and lifts my soul upward. My favorite tracks include: Cindy Morgan's Praise the King, I Am Persuaded, Jesus is THE LORD, The hymn Victory In Jesus. Travis Cottrell is talented. and his music on this CD is passionate yet soothing. http://www.travisconttrell.com/ This is in fact one of my favorite things.

Now I'm switching gears here, and I'm about to put myself out there in a way that I have not previously done. Yesterday I had a scary episode. I was talking on the phone actually praying over the phone for a friend, when all the muscles in my body began to stiffen and become tight, and the next thing I knew my throat became tight, and I found myself barely able to speak, and more and more gasping for breath, know what you are thinking, Panic Attack right??? I'm telling you I've had those, and this isn't that. I was not upset or anything, I didn't have tingling in my body which I have with Panic attacks, and I had no other symptoms No racing thoughts... It has happened twice before, one when I was laughing hard and once when I was at a friend's house, again no stressful triggers I'm pretty sure it is something to do with CP, but it has happened so rarely, I have no clue what to make of it. I'm just so glad a friend saw it happen, or I would be afraid I'm going crazy. It has shaken me up ever since, after I prayed about it today, and felt better, but I can't seem to stop thinking about it.

Last week a volunteer at Choices asked me how I came to know the Lord, it was kind of random and caught me off guard. She is someone I greatly admire and respect, and she said that it occurred to her she had never asked me, and thought it might be from the Lord. She asked me if I minded sharing, and what was I going to see um no I refuse to share I came to know Jesus? It was a very public exchange, one I admit I was unprepared for. The truth is that this person had no way of knowing that it has taken me years to finally "nail down my Salvation, and there are times when the old doubts creep in. Let me stop right here, and let you know that if I died tonight, I know I belong to Jesus, and that I know He is preparing a place for me in heaven. I sat with a counselor one day in 2003, and, told her the story, which I've never told publicly until now. When I was 7 years old I remember bits and pieces of the gospel being shared at backyard bible school hosted by my church. I remember being upset afterward and one of the ministers at the time asking if I wanted to receive Jesus, I remember even at that young age, saying I'm not sure, I don't want my mom to be mad at me, why I would say that I don't know, or why I would think that I have not a clue. He asked if I wanted him to talk to her, and I said yes. That same night I remember my grandmother asking if he prayed with me, I can't recall what I told her, but mom always told my grandmother led me to the Lord, but the thing is I don't ever recall that, and I've never found the courage to ask her. I'm sure I probably did receive Jesus then, because I know the minsters at our church would have never allowed me to baptized otherwise, but still I found myself tormented by doubts that is until I was 13, and decided that I could not live one more day without being able to sing blessed assurance Jesus is mine, so alone in my room, I prayed something like this. Jesus I'm just not sure if I was ever saved at 7, I don't know what happened then, but I know that I'm a sinner, and that Jesus died for me, and I am asking and trusting you to forgive me, and I want my life to be fully yours. I would not trade anything that happened, because my doubts drove me to seek the Lord, and dig into his word to find him for myself. It was at that point my faith became my own. I never asked to be re baptized, because, I knew physically with my limitations and surgeries I could never do it. I didn't tell my family until a few years ago. My counselor assured me that what was important is not when I was saved, but that I AM SAVED. I have so many testimonies of God's grace and work in my life, and love to of God's grace in my life, but no part of my testimony is more difficult for me to share than that of my initial conversion. For most people there is a bee fore Christ and an after Christ, and I do know that when I was 13 I truly began abiding in Christ. I'm glad this fellow volunteer asked me even though it did cause some of my questions to rise to the surface again. I know how to share the Gospel, and have done so in large groups, but am totally scared to do so one on one, which is I have been reluctant to do in room advocacy at Choices, because I know there are times when sharing the Gospel is something I need to do. I am called to give reason for the hope I have, and I hope my life as my words have done that. Part of the reason, I have struggled with my identity in Christ is because of issues with eternal security. The truth is, this is one of a number of reasons this has been a struggle for me, but tonight I'm sharing this portion of testimony with you. God has seen me through so many things this is only the beginning, but tonight as a reminder to myself, and a testimony to you, I declare that with all my mistakes I belong to Jesus! When I shared on Thurs my conversion testimony was a minute and a half, but as you can see this has taken much longer, and my testimony is ongoing! Finally Jesus never meant for us to live in a state of long term doubt about salvation, so for others who may be prone to such doubts, I encourage you you to claim the promises of assurance in the bible, and do whatever it takes to nail down the matter in your heart.

Desiring the Higher things....

Roll 4 Life 2010 Pics!

I was going to put my 1 one year old cousin Jack's pics on here, but mom deleted them, by mistake.... I have raised 750$ dollars so far thanks to some very generous people!

I took this pic! Can you tell? lol!

I don't like this pic, but it is the only one I had of me, by myself!

2010 Walk for Life! Go to http://www.choicesprcnow.org/ for more! Fundraiser for Choices PRC formely AAA Women Services.

Popsicles, and Shades of Blue!

From Google Images....

FROM Google Images...

These are two of my favorite things right now. Edy's all fruit Popsicles. Last Friday after training at Choices, I came home, and slept for several hours, I had a sore throat and stuffy nose, but a few days later after some rest I was feeling so much better. I ate a few Edy's Popsicles that week. I was able to go to Choices on Thursday, and we very busy and very shorthanded. I have been doing better with the whole thing with mom, in fact been more at peace than I've been in a very long time from an emotional and spiritual standpoint. Now the last couple of days, I have had a bad dry cough, drainage and wheezing. I feel like such a wimp, it seems like my body just does not handle or get over things as fast, as other people. Here my mom is fighting her health issues far more serious, and she is working just the same. Anyway If you have dry mouth these Popsicles are wonderful! Also if you are a Karen Kingbury fan and have not yet read Shades of Blue, I'm a little more than a hundred pages in, and love it, but if you are a first time Kingbury reader, I suggest you not start with this book, but try the first 4 books in the Redemption Series. I'm glad God's Mercies are new each day! Lam. 3:23. I am starting with a new morning caregiver on Monday. I know this post may not be the most encouraging, but I have lots of insights to share when I'm up to it. It has been nice to see a few folks commenting lately, thanks for the encouragement. My mom has a pelvic Scan on Monday, possibly a biopsy, and will see the ear/nose/throat specialist on March 10Th.

The Gift of Gifts, and a few others...

Google Images.... Read post for info

The Howell Family

Hi Readers:

Normally before I begin a blog, I have usually already planned in my head an least an idea of what I will write, unless of course I'm venting, and then I make no promises. I suppose it is the writer in me, that knows that before I put something out for publication, it must be orderly to some degree I have been known to edit my post more than once sometimes months after a post. I tell you this, because I've never been known as the type to" fly by the seat of my pants" Today I really have no plan. I'm thinking about the gift that began it all today! The gift that changed my destiny forever. The gift that all other gifts cannot compete with. I am not picky about gifts. I would be perfectly okay if I never got another material gift. I tend to be touched more by sentimental gifts like photos or relationships. Let me tell you first about the greatest gift of all others, and then I'll share a few others I'm enjoying!

Isa. 9:6 " http://www.bibleresources.com/ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus truly is the real Gift that Keeps On Giving." The greatest gift of all time is Jesus! Jesus is relevant not just in the life to come, but He is relevant in the here and now! When God came in the flesh, He came to save me from my sin. I often wonder if He saw my face, as He spoke later about coming into to the world to save sinners. The neatest part about the Good News, is that it is available to all people, yet the Invitation is intimately personal! He is my Savior! Whether I recognize it or not, All my expectations are satisfied in him for this life, and the life to come! I am glad I have the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

One gift I got last weekend was the Pleasure of seeing some special friends out of town, as they came to attend a wedding. Their picture is above. Bryan was my high school youth minster, but over time he and his wife Amy became my friends, and gifts from God above. In the picture, is the 2 of them, and their three adorable children who have grown a lot since the picture above When God called them to a church GA two years ago, it was traumatic for me, even as I was happy for them. I still thank God regularly for these special people!

Another gift is the health of my mom as she got a good report from her surgeon yesterday.

2 MATERIAL gifts I got yesterday were: See Above

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

Freckled Lemonade in honor of Dee!

Here it is...

This is supposedly The Red Robin Recpie, but I do not make that claim. It is really yummy @ Red Robin, I'll try to post the link another day!

Red Robin Freckled Lemonade

1/3 Cup frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed1 Cup lemonadeCrushed iceGarnishLemon wedgeFill a 16 ounce glass with ice. Spoon strawberries with syrup over the top of the ice.Fiill the glass with lemonade.Add a lemon wedge and serve with a straw.Freckled Lemonade by the PitcherAdding sliced fresh stawberries and/or a few slices of lemon to the pitcher is a nice touch.2 Quarts Minute Maid Lemonade2 Cups frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed Crushed ice1 Cup sliced fresh strawberries (optional)Lemon Slices (optional).To make by the pitcher (2 quarts): Add thawed strawberries and syrup into pitcher. Add crushed and sliced fresh strawberries, if using, to pitcher. Add crushed ice and gently stir in lemonade