abandoned to Christ.

Since this week has been a particularly difficult week for me physically, yesterday's lovely day at the Byron Nelson with my darling Teeny Tiny (a.k.a. Michael, our eldest son) wore out my already frail body. But it was worth it! One of the numerous things that I've come to thank God for during these 13 years of constant physical pain and weakness, is the revelation that pain is not, and cannot be the determining factor of when and why and how I choose to live—only the Word of God determines that. Physical pain and weakness and suffering are not even close to being the worse thing I, nor anyone on this earth can experience. A life lived outside of God's good and perfect will, is the worse thing anyone (both rebellious believers and unbelievers) can experience. Because I'm so weak and in much pain today, my darling husband, once again, planned what we call "home church service". We always use a sermon from Parkside Church (www.parksidechurch.com...

Parenthood. Biblical parenthood. There is a difference. The well-known phrase, "The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world" is an abbreviated version of the refrain in a poem written by William Ross Wallace (1819-1881) that honors motherhood; but above what God decreed. The second to the last stanza reads like this, Woman, how divine your mission Here upon our natal sod! Keep, oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. A mother's love, acceptance, and discipline (or lack of all three) has an enormous impact on whether her children will learn between right and wrong. But she's neither the sole, nor sovereign influence on her children. How a father engages, or doesn't engage in his children's lives also plays a significant role on a child's demeanor. ...

As many of you know, I've been very ill for the past 13 years. I have more specialists than there are colors in the rainbow. I've had countless procedures, many emergency room visits and hospital admissions. I've had nine surgeries in eight years and I have at least one more to go. It hurts just to be alive. And often, I want to give up. I'm in constant physical pain all over my body, and I hate the perpetual weakness I feel daily. I have to take medications, vitamins, enzymes, and eat and drink certain things daily in order to help my organs function. It's annoying. It's depressing. It makes me grumpy. But then, there is God, who is far greater than any trial or tribulation I encounter in this life (2 Cor 4:16-18). My Father's love, grace, extreme kindness and faithfulness always lifts my heart to praise and thanksgiving. My body may be weak, but indeed, the Spirit of Christ that dwells within me is more than willing to carry me out of my miry pit ...

This is my second year of reading through God's awesome Word using Professor Grant Horner's 10 List Reading System . And I still LOVE it so much, words are not enough to express how much this reading plan has effected my life and continually increases my gratitude and love for my heavenly Father sacrificing His Son to save my soul; for the Son giving us His Holy Spirit to sanctify me, and seal me until the Day of Redemption. Hallelujah! Every day is different. Some days I'm in awe of how all 10 chapters tell the same story. Others days I'm in awe of how all 10 chapters teach me the same lesson through very different circumstances. And some days, like today, I'm reminded of the awesome gift of knowing God Almighty and being adopted as one of His holy children through repentance and faith in Christ, His Son (Mk 1:15, 2 Cor 7:10). Reading Ruth 3 and Isaiah 47 on the same day, I'm finding, is a very healthy heart exercise; spiritually and physically. W...