Then sings my Soul Saturday- Sanctus Real- I'm not alright

I couldn't think of anything for this week. I have had a very stressful week. My mother who has emphysema got pneumonia this week and has been in the ICU on life support. Today they are going to try to wean her off the breathing machines and see if she can breath on her own. I have spent much time in prayer because even more than a physical healing she needs a spiritual healing. She isn't ready to meet the lord and I pray He gives her one more time to make things right. We should never assume we have enough time since no man knows the day nor the hour when the Lord will return. Nor do we know how much time we have here on earth. If you aren't where you need to be then take some time and search the Word and give yourself to God. You won't regret a single minute of it. You will spend more time regretting the fact you waited so long.
Anyway, like I said I couldn't come up with anything for this week's meme and then when I went to Amy's page and heard her song I loved it so I looked up a few more by Sanctus Real and found one that I thought I would share.

Judge Not

Just a little poem I got in the mail and thought I would share. For the past week or so God has really been dealing with me about forgiving others in my past and not being bitter. I have had 2 church services preached on that message from 2 different people and then I was at someone's blog and they had a posting on the same thing. I think judging is another form of being bitter and not letting go of the past. When you do this you are allowing those people to control your current life not just the past.

Judge Not
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Share this poem.

Alphabet Meme

Found while surfing around so thought I would post it. I used to post stuff like this on Myspace a long time ago.

Alphabet Meme
A is for your age: 42
B is for your burger of choice: cheeseburgers with tomato and mayo. I really liked the new grilled cheese burger from Hardee's though.
C is for the car that you drive: 1994 buick regal grand sport (I think)
D is for dog's name: I don't have a dog anymore
E is for an essential item you use each day: computer
F is for your favorite television show: House but I watch it online
G is for favorite game: lately its been facebook games but I am taking a sabbatical from them.
H is for hometown: Most of my life has been spent in small town West Virginia
I is for instruments played: none... I would love to learn to play the piano...
J is for favorite juice: concord grape juice
K is for what you'd like to kick: poverty
L is for last restaurant you dined at: Captain D's
M is for your favorite Muppet: Kermit
N is for number of piercings you have: nothing crazy... only one in each of my ears
O is for overnight hospital stays: growing up I thought I lived at the hospital I was there so much but the last time I was in the hospital was when I had my gall bladder out in 1997 I think
P is for people you were with today: home alone all day
Q is for what you do in quiet times: surf the net, blog, read
R is for regrets: I try not to think of them since you can't change them.
S is for status: unhappily single
T is for time you woke up today: 6 something
U is for what you consider unique: not sure
V is for favorite vegetable: corn on the cob
W is for your worst habit: thinking too much
X is for x-rays you have had: I am probably glowing I have had so many x-rays
Y is for yummy food you ate today: so far just can soup
Z is for zodiac sign: Aries but I trust in God for my guidance not some stars alignment

Happy Birthday West Virginia

Technically June 20th is WV day. But I work for the state and this year since June 20th is a Sunday, they are observing WV day on June 21st. West Virginia is the only state to be birthed from the Civil War. During the Civil War, the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond chose to join the Confederate States of America, much to the chagrin of some of the leaders in the trans-Allegheny region of the state. These leaders gradually pushed for the creation of a new state. After two years of legal maneuvering, West Virginia was formally admitted to the United States of America on June 20, 1863, it is the only state created from another state without the parent state's permission, and that it is the only state to achieve statehood by the proclamation of a president (Abraham Lincoln). It was on June 20, 1863, the Reverend J.T. McLure offered the State's inaugural prayer. Referring to the fact that the State was created in the middle of the American Civil War, he prayed:

"We pray Thee, almighty God, that this State, born amidst tears and blood and fire and desolation, may long be preserved and from its little beginning may grow to be a might and a power that shall make those who come after us look upon it with joy and gladness and pride of heart."

If you have never been to West Virginia, you are missing a treat. Its beautiful country full of mountains and rivers. I often post pictures and will post again I am sure.
When I lived in North Carolina and was homesick this is the song I would listen too. I grew up hearing this song.

On Trial

As usual, while blog surfing I found this and wanted to share it. Too often we are guilty of the same thing. Perhaps if we stop and realize that each time we question someone's past we are questioning the power of the blood of Jesus, then we will stop it. I pray God helps me use this in my life.

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:
"My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning
is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put
the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:23

Then sings my soul Saturday- Jason Crabb

This past week has been campmeeting time for my church. Unfortunately I was sick the whole week and was only able to attend Ladies Day on Wednesday and Friday night. Last night instead of the normal services they had a special singer come in and he also preached. His name is Jason Crabb and he is originally part of the Crabb Family. I really loved hearing him talk. His singing is a mix of all genres. Jason is a simple country boy from Kentucky that God has used in a mighty way. He related the story of when he went to California to receive a Grammy and the next day he stayed to fulfill a lifelong dream of being on the Price is Right. He is different from your ordinary preacher but that doesn't make him wrong. He was very funny and down the earth. I was so blessed from his preaching. Jason brought a message about if Satan had to tell the truth. The whole sermon was the point out how each and everyone of us has a God given destiny and yet Satan lies to us and makes us think we are nothing and it won't get any better. I think he probably has done a lot of time as a youth preacher. I bought his latest cd and these songs is on it. There is another song on it called Walk on Water that I also liked a lot but I couldn't find the video for it.

Rain

I was so disappointed yesterday. We were supposed to go to Babcock State Park. It was free fishing weekend in WV and since I can't afford to buy my license until Tuesday, I was looking forward to fishing. I also wanted to go on the paddle boats. I haven't paddle boated (?) in years but it rained then rained some more and then finally rained even more here in Southern WV about all day.

We were in the mood for fast food so we went to Hardee's. The boyfriend got the mushroom swiss burger and I got the new grilled cheese bacon cheeseburger. That burger is awesome. I am sure the calorie count is out the window since its got 2 slices of melted cheese on the top and 2 on the bottom but it was worth it. I have been wanting a burger for days. I wish they would make a grilled cheese hot ham and cheese like that. I love cheese. Then we ended up going to see the new A-Team movie. We both loved watching the A-Team growing up. We both loved the movie. It was a great mix of comedy and action. There was a lot more cussing then either of us would have liked but anymore its hard to find adult movies that aren't like that. This movie would have been killer in 3-D though. Bradley Cooper was hot although I have to admit I really still prefer Dirk Benedict. But since Dirk was on the show weekly he had a lot more time to build up the humor. I think this group was as good a mix as the original. I would like to see this brought back as a weekly show but since I doubt that's going to happen, thankfully you can watch the original shows at Hulu for free. I love Hulu btw. I will leave you with a picture of Bradley Cooper. He has awesome abs and the face isn't bad to look at either, of course I didn't tell my boyfriend that :)

keep on trying

Have you ever just had a job where you didn't fit. It wasn't what you were called to do. I think everyone has a calling on their lives, it just takes some of us longer to find it. I thought this information was neat, its from Hardly Famous. So if you hate your job then ask God to help you find what you were meant to do and keep searching until you find it. I don't think you have to be rich or famous to find your calling but I do think once you find you calling you will be content and happy.


Michael Jordan – His first job was in a hotel and it lasted a week. (I actually loved working in a hotel, I like talking to different people all the time and helping the lost travelers find their way)
Bono – Gas station attendant. (I didn't mind this job except for the grief you get when you have it I.D. people or dealing with the thieves who steal gas and you are accountable. I loved talking to the customers though and I can honestly say I did a great job and my customers all loved me because I went the extra mile.)
Al Pacino – He got fired from his first job as a cinema usher.
Mariah Carey – Hat checker (she got fired).
Stephen King – Janitor.
Robin Williams – Ice-cream scooper.
Jennifer Aniston – Telemarketer. (I sucked at this. I am not aggressive enough and I don't like using the phone)
Warren Beaty – Rat catcher.
Tom Hanks – Popcorn and peanuts vendor.
Madonna – Worked at a Dunkin Donuts.
Clint Eastwood – Pool boy, gas station attendant.
Brad Pitt – Dressed as a giant chicken for a Mexican restaurant.
Ellen Degeneres – Cleaned cars.
Rod Stewart – Grave digger.
Mick Jagger – Porter in a mental hospital.
Nicolas Cage – Sold popcorn at a theatre.
Julia Roberts – Worked in an ice cream shop.
Quentin Tarantino – Video store clerk.
Danny DeVito – Hairdresser in his sister’s salon.
Keanu Reeves – Janitor.

Bible Study- The Heart of a King- lesson 5

Lesson 5 talks about redemption. Hezekiah made some bad choices and didn't ask God for guidance nor did he seem to trust in the Lord for his help. There are times we all make decisions without consulting God. Sometimes its because we think we can manage on our own, sometimes we let emotions cloud our judgement so we aren't thinking clearly, sometimes its just ignorance but whatever the reason anytime we make decisions without the will of God in our lives there are going to be consequences. The bible tells us that God is faithful and just to forgive us when we humble ourselves and confess our sin. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Redeemed means to buy back, so Jesus bought us back from Satan since due to sin we became property of Satan.

Personal Reflections
1. Have you ever given in to the pressure of the enemy or of the world? Have you succumbed to fear, bitterness, anger, etc.? Have you handed over any precious things of God in your life to sin? Explain.
I am one of those people who react emotionally and then have to deal with the results.I left church at a very crucial point in my girls teen years and now I am still dealing with the issues. Neither of them are saved but I am trusting in the promises of God. His word tells us that if we train up a child in the way when the child is old he will not depart from the Word.

2. Look up the following verses. How do they encourage you?

* Ephesians 1:7-8
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

* Colossians 1:13-14
3 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

It is so wonderful to know that you can fully trust in the promises of God. Sometimes as humans we make promises but aren't able to keep them. God keeps every promise and that is our security because one of the most important promises is that if we confess our sins He will forgive us. Confession has to come from the soul though, lip service isn't going to work. There are so many blessings promised to us in the Word if we would just work to claim them in our lives.

Bible Study- The Heart of a King- lesson 4

Lesson 4 is about how choices you make can and do affect future generations just like the ones from the past affected you.

Personal Reflections
1. Are there any areas of bondage in your life that are related to generational issues? I will be honest and say that I think weak morals have affected my family for a goodly while and I think it has created bondage for a lot of the family.

2. Are you willing to be the one God uses to deliver your family from that bondage? Yes but I am not sure how God could use me for it.

3. Look up Philippians 4:13 and write it out. What does this verse tell us? How does it encourage you? Whatever changes need to be made in your life, Christ can strengthen you to take the steps necessary to make those changes. With man, things may seem impossible to accomplish. But with God all things are possible.
This is one of my favorite verses and God has really been reaffirming this in my life for the past month. About a month ago the Holy Spirit just showed me how incredibly powerful this verse was. We tend to use the word all when we don't mean it. We mean most of the time or much. But if you take that verse and substitute the words each and every one for all its mind blowing.

I can do each and every thing through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I have gotten such a powerful blessing from that and its been going on for a month.

Bible Study- The Heart of a King- lesson 3

Lesson 3 is about learning to be careful in who we take advice from. Sometimes even when they mean well our loved ones will steer us in a direction that isn't the one God would have us to follow. Its not human nature to pick the harder course, even water follows the path of least resistance but by following that path we don't grow strong.

Personal Reflections
1. Are you careful about who you listen to and what advice you follow? I usually will consult a variety of friends and family and pray about the right choice. Thats not to say I always take it but I try at least.

2. Look up Scriptures that talk about seeking Godly counsel. Write each Scripture reference down and share with the group.
Psalm 1:1 says How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers

Proverbs 13:20 says He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm

Proverbs 14:15 says The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps

My favorite is Jeremiah 29:11 which says For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. In the New International Version it goes like this 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.

June 7th 2010 blog contests

I found some more to enter. I am just a person who does stuff in phases apparently. 3 links are all I could manage before I was too distracted to surf :).

1. Cartoon Lovin' Mama if having a contest for Burn Cream Md. I haven't tried this but would be awesome to add to the first aid kit. Ends June 16, 2010 @ Midnight CST.

2. Wishing Penny is having a contest to win a Shawn the Sheep DVD which ends on June 13th at 11 :59 am EST. I won a Shaun the Sheep dvd several months back and the grandkids loved it. I would really like to win another one for them since we have a birthday coming up in 2 weeks.

3. Coolest Kid Reviews is having a contest for another dvd. Its called Secrets of the Mountains ends June 17th. I have vaguely heard of it but not a lot. She is also having a contest for some awesome light up marble racers ends June 16th. My grandson would love these.

Blog Contests to enter

I have really been missing winning prizes. As most of you know who follow the blog I was smoking hot the beginning of the year and then I had a lot going on in my life and stopped entering contests. I love the blog contests because normally the prizes are something that is new to me and that I wouldn't have thought to buy for myself. So today here are a few contests I have entered this morning.

1. over at The Homemade Guru they are offering a contest for some bath products from Catie Beth ends Thursday, June 10, 2010. Now anyone who knows me, knows I am addicted to pampering products. I have tons of bath products that I can't seem to stop buying :). I would love to win this contest.

2. Chubby Cheeks Thinks is having a giveaway for Lady Anti-Monkey powder and Baby Anti-Monkey powder ends on June 10, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. I am told this stuff is awesome and I want to win.

3. One Scrappy Mom is having several giveaways. I want to win the creatively speaking prize pack which ends Saturday, June, 12, 2010.. Lets face it, I have no creative talent on my own so I need a kit to get anything done.

4. Stay at Home Mom is having a book giveaway ends June 18, 2010 11:59 PM EST. I love love love books and this book- Muffins and Mayhem sounds like a great book. I would really love to win this book. I read so much I can't afford to buy enough to keep me reading. Most authors can't keep up with my reading appetite. I read a book at least every other day. If I have time I can read a couple a day but those days are rare anymore.

5. Able2Able is having a Wanchai Ferry giveaway. The prize is a coupon for a WanChai meal and 2 of the cutest tea cups. I want those cups. This contest ends at 11:59 pm (CT) on Thursday, June 10th.

So there you have it, 5 great contests for some really neat prizes. Good luck

Bible Study- The Heart of a King- lesson 2

Lesson 2 is about fighting your own battles and not allowing others to do it for you.
I am really bad for this one. I hate conflict and will give in every time until you have backed me in a corner. I know there are times we are supposed to fight our own battles but lets face it, a lot of us have the Snow White mentality waiting for the prince to ride up and save us.


1. Have you ever made a decision out of your frustration? Yes __x__ No ____
If so, what was the result? I often seem to pick the wrong choice because in the past, I haven't always asked God for His guidance in my life.

2. Can you think of a time when you were really frustrated yet, instead of hastily reacting and making a decision, you prayed about it? What happened in that situation after you prayed? These are the times that have turned out best. It seems like the more desperate the situation, the more I trust God. I think sometimes in my mind that I don't want to bother Him with unimportant details but I know that He cares about everything in our lives. If I would come to Him with the little stuff then it wouldn't be such a mess for him to fix.

3. Have you ever wanted someone else to fight your battles for you? When you are tempted to pass the baton to someone else and bow out of the fight, what are some things you can do to keep your eyes focused on God? the last really big problem I was having, I kept asking God to fix it or make it go away. Neither happened and someone at church told me that God was helping me through it not past it. My boyfriend relates a story that bears on this. When you see a chick fighting to get out of its shell, you are tempted to step in and help it by picking the pieces. Unfortunately if you do this the chick isn't strong enough and usually will end up lame and unable to get around on its own. If God or anyone else fought all our battles for us then we wouldn't build any strength up and would crumble in the face of adversity. We are being tempered in the fire so that we can stand for eternity.

Bible Study- The Heart of a King- lesson 1

While surfing around on the links for the Then Sings My Soul meme, I found a bible study meme that is very good. I am about 2-3 months late starting it but that's ok. I love to study the Bible and get closer to God.





An Online Devotional Study Based on the Life of King Hezekiah

By Karen Lowe

This is the first lesson in the series and its basically about learning to be content with what you have, where you are at. I don't think we should stop striving to improve our lives and do better than we are doing but I also don't think we should
let it overtake us. Sometimes people are so busy making money or chasing dreams they pass up the very thing that God wanted them to have.

Personal Reflections
1. Have you ever had the “grass is always greener” mentality?
Yes __x__ No ____
I often am discontent with my life. This is a very area that I need God to work in. I am going to have to really strive to seek His answers here.

If you answered yes, did you take actions to gain what was on the other side of the fence where the grass seemed greener? If you got what was on the other side of that fence, were you really content in the long-term? Explain.

I left church chasing after the things the world had to offer. I was sure I could find love if I just searched hard enough. Its very hard to for me to step back and let God work in my life. I want to do it my way and this has been a horrible mistake for me. The men I choose didn't bring me love or happiness or contentment. They left me hollow and feeling sadder than I was to start with. Now I have come back to God and yet I am still struggling with this same thing. I still want the happy, enduring love that I see others have. I am still struggling to let God control this area for me. I am very much a work in progress.


2. What are some ways you can cultivate the attitude of contentment in day-to-day living? (I'd like for us to definitely discuss this question in the comments and on our blogs.) I find I am most content when I stay focused on God's teachings. I do this with Bible study, worship songs and fellowship with God's followers and much much prayer.

Then sings my soul Saturday- Keep me in your will.

I went to a revival a few weeks ago and this song was sung. I really liked it. I am sure I have heard it many times before but it meant something special to me that night.

Fun facts about states

Saw this and thought it was pretty neat. I remember when I was in 5th grade I bought a book that listed fun facts about states and it created in me a desire to travel to every state and see what they had to offer. Thus far I still haven't achieved it but only God knows what the future holds.

A Fun Fact for Each State:

Alabama....was the first place to have 9-1-1, started in 1968
Alaska....one out of every 64 people has a pilot's license.
Arizona...if the only state in the continental US that doesn't follow Daylight savings time.
Arkansas....has the only active diamond mine in the US

California....its economy is so large that if it were a country, it would rank seventh in the entire world.
Colorado....in 1976 it became the only state to turn down the Olympics
Connecticut....the Frisbee was invented here at Yale University

Delaware....has more scientists and engineers than any other state.

Georgia....it was here, in 1886, that pharmacist John Pemberton made the first vat of Coca-Cola. I think this man should have gotten a medal of honor for this.

Hawaii....Hawaiians live, on average, five years longer than residents in any other state.

Idaho....TV was invented in Rigby, Idaho, in 1922
Illinois....the Chicago River is dyed green every St. Patricks Day. Wouldn't it be neat to see this in person.
Indiana....Home to Santa Clause, Indiana which get a half million letters to Santa every year.
Iowa....Winnebago's get their name from Winnebago County. Also, it is the only state that begins with two vowels.

Kansas....Liberal, Kansas, has an exact replica of the house in the Wizard of Oz. I love that movie and would so love to see this house.
Kentucky....has more than $6billion in gold underneath Fort Knox

Louisiana....has parishes instead of counties because they were originally Spanish church units.

Maine....Its so big, it covers as many square miles as the other five New England states combined.
Maryland....The Ouija board was created in Baltimore in 1892. I can't say I would consider this a fun fact.
Massachusetts....the Fig Newton is named after Newton, Massachusetts.
Michigan....Fremont, home to Gerber,is the baby food capital of the world.
Minnesota....Bloomington's Mall of America is so big, if you spent 10 minutes in each store, you'd be there nearly four days.
Missouri....is the birthplace of the ice cream cone. Now this is a fact to be proud of.
Montana....a sapphire from Montana is in the Crown Jewels of England. Thats pretty cool

Nebraska....more triplets are born here than in any other state. I should have moved there when I was having kids. I always wanted triplets.
New Hampshire....birthplace of Tupperware, invented in 1938 by Earl Tupper
New Jersey....has the most shopping malls in one area in the world
New Mexico...Smokey the Bear was rescued from a 1950 forest fire here. I loved watching the Smokey the Bear videos and see the forest rangers in school growing up. I don't think they do this nearly as much anymore.
New York....is home to the nation's oldest cattle ranch, started in 1747 in Montauk
North Carolina....home of the first Krispy Kreme doughnut. Now you have to love this state. I love the donuts filled with custard.
North Dakota....Rigby, ND, is the exact geographic center of North America

Ohio....the hot dog was invented here in 1900. OH!!! As American as apple pie
Oklahoma....the grounds of the state capital are covered by operating oil wells.
Oregon....has the most ghost towns in the country

Pennsylvania....the smiley, :) was first used in 1980 by computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University

Rhode Island....the nations oldest bar, the White Horse Tavern, opened here in 1673

South Carolina....Sumter county is home to the world's largest ginkgo farm
South Dakota....is the only state that's never had an earthquake

Tennessee....Nashville's Grand Ole Opry is the longest running live radio show in the world
Texas....Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco Back in 1885

Utah....the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant opened here in 1952

Vermont....Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonald's. Ronald must not like maple syrup.
Virginia....Home of the worlds largest office building...the Pentagon.

Washington....Seattle has twice as many college graduates as any other state.
Washington DC....was the first planned capital in the world
West Virginia....had the world's first brick paved street, Summers Street, laid in Charleston in 1870 It would have been so cool if they had been yellow :) BTW I have seen this. Of course the neighborhood has went downhill and is now known as a place of ill repute.
Wisconsin....the ice cream sundae was invented here in 1881 to get around Blue Laws prohibiting ice cream from being served on Sundays. What kind of idiot would prohibit serving ice cream?
Wyoming....was the first state to allow women to vote.