Friday Facts - Elisha

This week I’ve been trying to learn a bit more about the prophet Elisha. We can read about Elisha’s life in 1 and 2 Kings in the Old Testament. I really like Elisha’s message – it was a message to those in charge (at the time the Israelite kings) that they should turn back to traditional religious practices and acknowledge God’s absolute sovereignty over every aspect of life, personal as well as political. Personally, I think that’s a message that our leaders today should heed. I don’t want to get into a political discussion here, but it seems to me that acknowledging God is missing today in the offices of those running our countries, our states, and our cities. Not in all offices of leadership, but in many. I think this speaks to me more so this year than in others, too, as this is an election year and we are deep into the process of choosing the next leader of our country. Oh, how I want it to be someone that will acknowledge God and lead this country in a way that would be pleasing to Him.

As I dug in to find out more about Elisha I found quite a bit of information. Here is some of what I learned.....

√ Elisha’s name in Hebrew means “God is salvation”. In Greek and Latin he is known as Saint Eliseus.

√ He was the son of a farmer in Galilee named Shaphat.

√ Elisha was an Israelite prophet and disciple of Elijah.

√ He was called by Elijah while tilling one of his family’s fields.

√ Elisha was a prophet during the reigns of Israelite kings Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz and Joash.

√ He preached and worked in the northern kingdom of Israel and eventually came to live on Mt. Caramel with a servant.

√ Elisha saw Elijah taken up into heaven by a whirlwind in a fiery chariot. He was going with Elijah to Jericho and on to Jordan. After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha went on to Jericho and won the gratitude of the people for healing with salt its barren ground and waters.

√ Elisha inherited the wonder-working power of Elijah. Here are some examples:

He relieved the widow from a hard creditor by multiplying the small amount of oil she had so she could repay her indebtedness and provide for her family. (2 Kings 4:1-7)

He rewarded the rich lady for her hospitality by obtaining for her from God the birth of her son and then later the resurrection of her child. (2 Kings 4:8-37)

He nourished the sons of prophets pressed by famine. (2 Kings 4:38-41)

He cured Namaan from leprosy by asking him to wash 7 times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:1-19)

√ When Elisha was near death, Joash comes to mourn over his approaching death and speaks the same words Elisha spoke when Elijah was taken away, “My father, my father! The chariot of Israel, the horsemen thereof.” (2 Kings 13:14-19)

√ The touch of his corpse brought back to life a dead man. After Elisha’s death a dead body was laid in Elisha’s grave (about a year after Elisha’s death). No sooner did it touch Elisha’s remains than the man “revived, and stood up on his feet”. (2 Kings 13:20-21)

Thankful Thursday

As I was driving home from work yesterday afternoon I was listening to a Chris Tomlin CD. As I listened to the song “Unfailing Love” I was struck by the wonderful unfailing and never changing love the Lord has for each one of us. I’ve certainly thought about this before and am always amazed at God’s love for me. But yesterday, it just hit me in a way that has stayed with me…. I’ve thought about it more since then and have taken time to be thankful for this amazing love that is so freely given to each and every one of us. God is all mighty and all powerful and holds the world in the palm of his hand… but yet, he makes time for me… and He loves me (and you)…. unconditionally and unchanging.

No matter how unloving I may act, God never fails to love me. No matter where I live or what kind of car I drive, God never fails to love me. No matter what I look like or what I do for a living, God never fails to love me.

When my “mommy heart” melts and cries because I see my kids change and grow up right before my very eyes, God’s love never changes. When people in my life hurt my feelings or I allow my pride to be hurt, God’s love never changes. Even when the world around me is swirling in change, God’s love never changes.

The words to the chorus of the song “Unfailing Love” are below. Please join me today in thankfulness and praise for the mighty, “Unfailing Love” of our Lord.


Praise You, God of earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change, God, You remain
The Holy One and my unfailing love
Unfailing love



For more Thankful Thursday
visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Word-Filled Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.





Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

1 John 5:6-13

"This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that bear witness, the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for the witness of God is this, that He has borne witness concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son. And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."


If we do not believe in the Son of God we have made God a liar. Not exactly a position that I would want to be in myself... that of calling God a liar. However, if we do not believe the words of God are true that is exactly what we do. As I've sat here studying this passage of scripture I've thought of all the things in this world that are believed. And then taking those and comparing to God's word and how many believe that to be true. I'm amazed. This world will believe the words of our politicians, our leaders, teachers, media (and this isn't to say that I believe all that these people say are false) but yet, will not believe the words of God. A God that is all powerful, all loving and who gave His only son up to death for each of us. And still He is denied over and over and over again. Honestly, it leaves me at a loss for words.

This afternoon I ran across the following story that was told by Dr. H.A. Ironside about a man who had doubts about whether he was a Christian. I thought it a great example of how God perfectly shows us the truth when we just stop and seek and listen.

He got down on his knees and said, "Now, Father, I want to settle this question. Show me whether I have eternal life or not." And opening his Bible, his eyes fell on this verse from 1 John 5. He said in his prayer, "Father, I don't want to make You a liar, and it says here that if I don't believe the testimony that You give about the Son, I'm making you a liar. I don't want to do that. What is the testimony?" And he read the next part, "And this is the testimony," and he stopped right there. He was so overwrought that he put his thumb over the rest of the verse and said, "Lord, it says here that if I don't believe the testimony that you gave concerning your Son, I'm making you a liar, and I don't want to make you a liar. I believe that I have what that testimony is right under my thumb here, and I'm going to take my thumb off and read it, and Lord, help me to believe it, because I don't want to make you a liar." With great trepidation he raised his thumb and read, "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in the Son" (1 John 5:11). All of a sudden it came home to him. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12). No matter what else he may have, no matter how religious he may be, if he has not received the Son, he does not have life. He entered into peace and became a preacher of this great truth.

Today I pray that I will always believe in God's Word above that of men and I pray that I will share the witness of God with others so that they, too, would see the truth of God's love and grace. Would you join me as I seek and share the truth of God's witness?

Friday Facts - Moses

Today's post is about the life of Moses. I hope you enjoy and that you learn something new about this inspirational Bible person.

~ Moses was born sometime between 1300 and 1150 BC

~ Moses was born in Egypt.

~ Moses died between 1300 and 1150 BC at the ago of 120 years old.

~ Moses is best known as the Hebrew liberator who received the Ten Commandments.

~ At birth, Moses' name was Moshe which means "the one who draws out".

~ Moses was born during the time of Jewish enslavement in Egypt, at the time when Pharaoh decrees that all male Hebrew infants are to be drowned at birth.

~ To prolong Moses' life, his mother floats him in a basket in the Nile river. It is here that he is found and adopted by one of Pharaoh's daughters.

~ Moses is raised as an Egyptian prince. Ironically, if it had not been for his raising and he had grown up in slavery with the other Hebrews, Moses probably would not have developed the pride, courage, and vision needed to revolt and lead his people out of Egypt.

~ Moses married Tzipporah, a Midianite priest's daughter. After marrying, Moses became a shepherd for one of his father-in-law's flocks. It is during this time that Moses sees the burning bush in the desert and God commands Moses that he and his brother, Aaron, go to Egypt and demand of Pharaoh, "Let my people go." When Pharaoh refuses, God brings the Ten Plagues to Egypt. The children of Israel are then able to escape.

~ Months later while Moses and the people are in the Sinai Desert, Moses climbs Mt Sinai and comes down with the Ten Commandments.

~ Perhaps the saddest event in Moses' life is that he does not live to enter into the Promised Land. At God's decree, Moses dies just before the people enter the Promised Land.


Do you remember all of the Ten Plagues that God brought to Egypt when Pharaoh refused Moses' demand to "Let my people go"? I tried to list them all out without looking first in the scripture and found that I came up short by a couple... my memory just isn't as good as I'd like to think it is. :) Try it and then check against the list below:

1. Water is Turned to Blood
2. Frogs over the Land
3. The Plague of Gnats
4. The Plauge of Flies
5. The Egyptian Cattle Die
6. The Plague of Boils
7. The Plague of Hail
8. The Plague of Locusts
9. Darkness over the Land
10. Death of the Firstborn


In closing, I'd like to share the following passage of scripture which is God's words as he spoke to Moses and delivered the Ten Commandments:

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, visiting the inquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Exodus 20:2-17

Thankful Thursday

For more Thankful Thursday
visit Iris at Sting My Heart!


There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Chorus:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.


The last week or so it has been raining here in Texas. Raining alot. And bringing with it cooler temperatures. Rain in August in Texas is far from an everyday occurrence. It is usually dry. And hot. And... uhmmm... did I mention that it is hot?!

What a welcome sight the rain and the cooler temperatures have been to this Texas girl! I am so thankful for the rain. And the cooler temperatures have been so nice! Sure, it is still in the eighties and low nineties and it is humid... but how much better is that than the low 100's? ALOT! It is truly refreshing!

So, this week as I thought about what I was thankful for and decided that my number one item was the refreshing rain, I thought of the hymn "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing". This has always been a favorite of mine and I couldn't think of one more appropriate to share on Thankful Thursday along with mention of my thankfulness for the rain.

The Lord showers us with blessings everyday. No matter the current circumstances. And, just as the song says, aren't these blessings from the Lord always refreshing? Don't you just love how that sounds -- Refreshing Blessings! I think I'm going to make that my new chant when I get a little down. Refreshing Blessings! Refreshing Blessings!

I pray each of you has many refreshing blessings come your way today!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Psalms 30:5

"... weeping may endure for the night, but JOY comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.





Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

1 John 5:1-5

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:1-5

Have you ever heard the saying "the best thing a father can do for his children is to love his wife and their mother"? Very true statement, isn't it? The same is true in the love we show to our brothers and sisters in Christ. The best way we can show our brothers and sisters in Christ that we love them is to love God and obey Him. As we do this, we just naturally will show those around us the love we have for each one of those. It will be a love that is not limited due to religious denomination or group, limited by social or financial status, limited to our own race, our own political perspective, or our own theological persuasion. If we truly love God, if He is truly living in us, none of these will limit us or mean more to us than our own common salvation and those that have joined us in accepting the same salvation found in Jesus Christ.

While loving God is one way we show our love to our brothers and sisters another is to obey God. We do this by keeping His commandments. The world is always watching us to see if we slip and don't obey God. They're looking to see if we fail Him by disobeying one of His commandments. What a testimony we can be by always striving to keep God's commandments.

I'm struck here, too, by the thought of not only obeying God's commandments but showing the world that God's commandments are not difficult.. that they are not burdensome. By showing others that when we love God and desire to obey Him that we see His commandments as good and as desirable. We hear so much in the secular world about how "hard" it is to keep God's commandments... there are too many rules, you don't get to have any "fun", etc. How wonderful if we could show that this is just not the case?! In Matthew 11:30 Jesus tells us, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I use the Enduring Word online commentary as I study scripture and really thought it summed up well 4 reasons why God's commandments are not burdensome. Here they are:

* God's commandments are not burdensome when we see how wise and good they are.

* God's commandments are not burdensome because when we are born again, we are given new hearts - hearts that wish to please God.

* God's commandments are not burdensome when we compare them to the religious rules men make up.

* God's commandments are not burdensome when we really love God.

This passage of scripture ends by telling us that if we are born of God we will overcome the world. The phrase "overcome the world" is a little intimidating to me, I must admit. I mean, that is what I want, but the world is a pretty big, and sometimes, scarry place. That right there should show us the mighty love and power of our Lord. By living a life of abiding faith and trust in Jesus we live a life that overcomes the pressures and temptations of the world. Pretty powerful stuff, isn't it? With God in our lives we can overcome whatever this world may hand us... good or bad, right or wrong. What a wonderful Lord we serve that gets us through all that we may encounter simply because of His undying and unconditional love for us! All we have to do is completely trust that He will.

My prayer this is week is that through God's love in our lives and our actions in following God's commandments we will be able to reach out to the world around us. That each one of us will be a living testimony to God's love.

Thankful Thursday

Well, today I am thankful for my son Josh! Friday is his 7th birthday and I just can't believe he is already 7 years old and will be starting 1st grade in just another week. Wow! They say time flies when you're having fun and I would certainly say that is true for us.

I never dreamed the fun I could have with my own children and especially with a little boy. I grew up in a house full of girls. I have all sisters and not a brother in the bunch of us. When we found out we were expecting a boy I honestly wasn't sure what I would do with a boy. I mean, I knew I would love him.. nothing different there. But, what do little boys do for fun? Play in the mud, you say? UGH! You know, though, he has confirmed for me that little boys do play in the mud from time to time. But, he has also taught me how incredibly sweet and loving little boys are. Who knew?! This little guy is always up for a hug... doesn't matter what we're doing or who is around. If he senses that I'm having a rough day, he is right there with a hug and an "I love you, Mom". At bedtime he tells me just about every night that he "loves me all the way to the moon and back 10 million, billion and a gillion times".

And, fun? Oh. my. goodness. This little guy is the essence of fun. His smile will light up a room and his laugh comes from deep down inside. I can not even think what's he's laughing at is funny myself and I end up laughing just as hard as he is!

As you can tell in the picture he is all about fun and relaxation this summer. He really knows how to sit back and relax and enjoy life. I have pictures of him in almost this exact pose at under 2 years old. I know I'm his mommy and probably just a wee bit prejudiced, but they are too cute!

So, this week I am thanking God for my kind, loving and sweet 7 year old Josh! Thank you, Lord.

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

The Fourth of the Four Habits of a Disciple

Habit Four: Fellowship

"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage each other." Hebrews 10:25

Reasons for Fellowship

Reason 1: I belong in God's family with other believers.
"So in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others!"

Reason 2: I need encouragement to grow spiritually.
"Let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

Reason 3: I need accountability to grow spiritually.
"Every day... keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the glamour of sin." Hebrews 3:13

Reason 4: Jesus is present when we fellowship together.
"For wherever two or three have come together in my name, I am there, right among them!" Matthew 18:20

Reason 5: There is great power when people pray together.
"Whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

Reason 6: Fellowship is a witness to the world.
"My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind...so the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21

Reason 7: I am obligated to every other Christian.
"God has given you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other." 1 Peter 4:10

This was taken from a Discipleship Study my husband and I recently participated in at our church. I thought it was such great stuff that I just had to share!

Blog Awards

Over the last couple of weeks I have been blessed to receive several special blog awards from some dear bloggy friends. I am so honored to receive each of these... a special thank you to each one of you!



Over the last few weeks Amy, Kristi, and Irene have blessed me with the Brillante Blog Award. If you have never visited either one of these ladies before, you must drop by their blogs for a visit! They are each so very special and have a love for the Lord and their families that is so very evident in every word they type.

The rules for this award are as follows:
1. Pass it along to someone you feel is deserving.
2. Link to or display logo of the person who gave the award to you.
3. Nominate 7 blogs you would like to give the award to and link to them.
4. Leave the nominees a message letting them know you gave them the award.

I'd like to share this award with.....
Heather
Tiffany
Joanne
Blessedw5Mom
Heather
ToKnowHim
Lea


Last week Nancie sent the Gratitude with Attitude award over my way. Nancie has been such a blessing to me as I read of her desire to live for the Lord always showing a great attidue even as she struggles daily. You must pay Nancie a visit when you have a chance!

This award I would like to share with:
Tami
Irene
Kristi
Erica
Dawn




Also last week, Jenelle awarded me the Arte y Pico award. I love to visit Jenelle. She shares wonderful stories of her family and her faith. And you've got to check out the pictures of her son... he is a cutie!

The rules for this award are:
1) You must pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award, based upon creativity, design, interesting material, and that also contribute to the blogger community.
2) Each award must have the name of the author with a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Award-winners must show the award and put the name and link to the blog that awarded it.
4) Award-winners and the one who has given the prize must show the link to the Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5) These rules must be included in your post.

I am going to pass this award along to:
Peggy
Darlene
Joan
Cheryl
Joyfull

Congratulations to each one of you! You all have blessed my life and, I'm sure, will continue to do so in the future!

Word-Filled Wednesday -

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalms 46:1

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.





Picture courtesy of www.christianphotos.net

The Third of the Four Habits of a Disciple

Habit Three: Honor God With Your Giving

"Just as you excel in everything else... in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness... see that you also excel in the grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7

7 Benefits of Giving

1 Giving makes me more like God.
"God so loved the world that He gave his only Son..." John 3:16
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

2 Giving draws me nearer to God.
"Where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21

3 Giving is the antidote to materialism or greed.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to be generous and willing to share. In this way they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

4 Giving strengthens faith.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of your income, and he will fill your barns to overflowing." Proverbs 3:5,9

5 Giving is an investment in eternity.
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:18-19

6 Giving blesses me in return.
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

7 Giving makes me happy.
"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." Acts 20:35

How do I give with the right attitude?

~ Giving willingly ~
"Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure." 2 Corinthians 9:7a

~ Give cheerfully ~
"For God loves a cheerful give." 2 Corinthians 9:7b

~ Give generously ~
"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service..." 2 Corinthians 8:3-4

~ Give expectantly ~
"... whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6





This was taken from a Discipleship Study my husband and I recently participated in at our church. I thought it was such great stuff that I just had to share!

1 John 4:16-21

"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. " 1 John 4:16-21


In this 4th chapter of 1 John we read so much about loving God, abiding in God, but it is here in these last few verses that John tells us HOW to love God.

I love God. I am so grateful for all He has done for me and in the lives of my loved ones. God's love gives me confidence in life allowing me to face head on those difficulties that we all inevitably encounter. God's love gives me confidence in death as He has given me eternal life. At the same time, I feel unworthy of such undeserving, sacrificing love that I feel unable to fully express to God the love that I have for Him. And, quite honestly, I don't always ACT like I love Him that much as I get caught up in the day to day and the frustrations and just "human stuff" in general.

As I spend more time in God's Word and spend more time just being still and listening, I'm learning how to show God that I love Him. The first is that if I truly love God I will make time and I will not allow the other "stuff" to get in the way. Some days, unfortunately, this is so much easier said than done.... but, regardless, it is true. Our love for God and our thankfulness should move us in a way that we want to put Him first and that we do so as a natural part of our day.

Secondly, we show God our love for Him in the way we express our love to Him. God loves us with a type of love that, in Greek, is called agape love. This is a spiritual, self-sacrificing kind of love. God shows us this love regularly and most certainly showed it when He sacrificed His own son for us. We need to express this type of love to God, as well. We should love God for Him, not for what we can get from Him. We shouldn't be in this relationship with God because we think He will do much for us, or see that we are wealthy, or that we get the best job, etc. We should be in this relationship with God because of Him... because He loved us first and has shown that love to us so magnificently.

Thirdly, we show our love for God by loving those that God has given to us. In reading 1 John we are told many times that because we love God we should love others. However, we should also love others because that is how we can show God that we love Him. We should love others with the same type of love which God shows to each of us. We should be willing to help others wherever... regardless of the cost.... even if it means giving up everything.

So, now as I complete this fourth chapter in 1 John I ask myself "Do I love God as I should? Do I always put Him first? Do I love Him because of Him? Do I love others as He first loved me?"

How about you? How do you show God that you love Him?

"Tag, You're It!"

Over the last couple of weeks I have been tagged by Sam, SharonB, and God Chaser for this meme to share 6 random things about me. According to the rules I should tag several others for this meme, but I'm having such a difficult time choosing that I'm just going to tag anyone that may stop by for a visit today. So, if you're reading this post, consider yourself tagged! :)

Here are six completely random things about me.....

1. I’ve never been one to sing in the shower, but I do sing quite a bit in the car. If you were to pass me on the highway as I drive to and from work, you would probably see me singing at the top of my lungs. I know I’ve had more than one person pass me that thinks I'm quite crazy. Instead of thinking I'm crazy, though, they should be thankful I do not have the windows rolled down where they could HEAR me singing at the top of my lungs! :)

2. I love to read! If there were enough hours in the day I think I could read a book a day. Unfortunately, I just can’t find that many hours. Well, unless I quit sleeping and my family will tell you that is just not a good idea. Little sleep for mom means cranky mom! I know, I know… I hate to admit it, but it’s true. I desperately need my sleep!

3. I think the last time I was tagged for a similar meme, I mentioned that I was the oldest of three girls. What I didn’t mention was that my husband is the youngest of three boys. It’s a fun little fact to share, but I can tell you that it can sometimes make things a little…hmmm… “interesting” as we pull together our “growing up experiences” and meld them into what we want for our own family. You can be assured that there are a lot of differences between a family of all sisters and a family of all brothers! :) We remember things differently, we experienced them differently, our ideas of fun family vacations are different, etc. For example, my sisters and I will never tell of how we all got into a Jell-o pudding fight at the kitchen table, had pudding all over the wallpaper, and learned that chocolate pudding will eat right thru wallpaper…. So much so that the whole kitchen required new wallpaper (my mother-in-law still grimaces when that story comes up in conversation). On the other hand, my husband’s family can’t very well discuss the experiences of having a houseful of girls all going thru “that time of the month” at the same time (oh, dear, my poor father!) Oh, yes… many differences! But, many differences that help us to work together thru our different experiences to provide what we hope is a wonderful family environment for our own little boy and little girl.

4. I am a TV Food Network junkie. If I could watch anything I wanted for as long as I wanted it would almost always be the Food Network. As that isn’t the case, ‘cause you know I have a family and a job and responsibilities and it just wouldn’t be good to sit in front of the TV all day, I catch a little bit of it here and there when I can. My daughter has actually started joining me some and every now and then even calls out, “Come on, Mom, let’s watch cookin' shows!” She does love to help in the kitchen. I’m hoping this is something we can do together for many years to come. I love watching cookin' shows with her and having her in the kitchen with me!

5. I’ve always wanted to own and operate my own business. Hubby and I have actually been working on this since early spring and it is quickly becoming a reality. I am so excited! I should have more to post on this little adventure in the months to come. This is also exciting as I can so see God’s hand all over this and how it answers other prayers related to my current work situation and some lifestyle changes I would like to make (more flexibility, moving away from “corporate America”, more involvement in our church programs, etc).

6. I love to travel! Here again, time is an issue, but I so enjoy a good trip. I enjoy seeing and experiencing how other people and cultures live life – in other countries, but also just in other parts of my own country. I am really enjoying being able to take trips with my kids and share with them all the different experiences that are part of traveling and encountering other people, their lifestyles and their little corner of the world.

Friday Facts - Joseph

"These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father. 'Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.' And his brothers listened to him." Genesis 37:2,27

Sold into slavery at 17 years old... can you even begin to imagine what that must have been like? Each time I read the story of Joseph I am more amazed than the time before at the way Joseph chose to live his life. He chose to live for God regardless of the obstacles placed in front of him along the way. And, I would say, he had at least a few obstacles. Sold into slavery, wrongly accused of seducing Potiphar's wife, wrongly placed in prison, and the list continues on.

Today I'm sharing a few facts about Joseph. Some well known and others probably not so well known.

Did you know that....

The name Joseph means "adding"?

Joseph was later called Zaphnathpaaneah which means "revealer of secrets"?

Joseph was the 11th son of Jacob and the 1st son of Rachel?

Jacob was 91 years old when Joseph was born?

Joseph worked as a shepherd on his father's land in Canaan?

That after Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery they dipped his multi-colored coat in the blood of a slaughtered goat and presented it to their father so he would believe Joseph had been killed by an animal?

That Potiphar hired/bought Joseph as his slave?

While in prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker of the Pharoah?

That Joseph had two sons named Ephraim and Manasseh?