Quiet and Peaceful Today...

The Lord is doing such a work in my heart lately. I have been walking through many circumstances that the Lord is using to test, stretch, and mold me into His likeness. It has not been easy for me -rather very stressful to the point where my body is tired physically and reacting to these circumstances.
Though today, I am truly at peace. Though the storms still are raging about, this is the first time in a very long time, that I have felt peaceful in my spirit...God is at work...
(more about this later)...

A Few Provoking Thoughts...Some Classic Quotes.

I came across this blog today, I thought it to be very sobering, especially considering the generations to come. This soldier goes to Sovereign Grace Church in Apex, NC. As I was reading his blog, I was inspired by his Biblical view regarding serving the Lord and his country. I am often far too complacent in my thoughts and prayers when it comes to thinking about the history of our country and it's soldiers. I am not one to quickly air political views (this is a family blog-I know), but I do also believe that as a Nation and even as Christians we fall under this as well...we can be much too comfortable, much too complacent when it comes to fighting for our freedoms. These quotes were good reminders...apart from God's grace, and willingness to fight, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today, or hope to have in the future.

For those who may be interested in reading his blog click here.

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.- C S Lewis

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

Ronald Reagan
40th president of US (1911 - 2004)

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

John Stuart Mill
English economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873)

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

George Orwell, (attributed)
English essayist, novelist, & satirist (1903 - 1950)

Beginning This New Year 2008...

Wow, a lot stirs in my mind as I think about the upcoming year. For starters, Stefan and I had the New Years evening alone-kids were with my Mom overnight which was great-THANK YOU Mom!! We went for Thai food, watched the ball drop together, and then Stefan chose to shoot off his rifle-one shot-bringing in the New Year!
Next, I chose to go and purchase a Nordic Ski Track-a $699.00 piece of equipment for only $16 at Good Will-good deal and what a blessing. By the way I really like it!
Thirdly, we have a long time friend, she is like an Aunt of ours, visiting with us from out of town-Mimi. She will be visiting for this week. Today was our first adventure to the Levine Museum in downtown Charlotte. Along with a visit to the Children's Library. It was fun, but it was so cold out today-we tried to stay warm as much as possible. I do have some pictures and will post them.

Lastly, one deep thought, I have been also thinking about what Marge and Robin posted on their blogs regarding the New Year-thank you ladies! I agree so much!!! I read what Altrogge wrote about "how God tells us we are to be thinking about death and that is OK." Click here for more. But it truly stirred my spirit to begin thinking more deeply and in a Godly manner about death. Mickey also taught during His teaching on Sunday, about (1 Sam. 4:7)-directing your heart to to the Lord. As I listened to his teaching there was such a release of things that have troubled my spirit as a Christian. It was so simply put. I must grow in loving only Jesus. For out of this love for Jesus the rest of my life will follow!!!

(1 John 4:9)-We love because He first Loved us.

Help me-a sinner-by your grace to love you Jesus, so much more-to passionately and affectionately love you!!!!!! Tear me aware from the distractions of this world so I may love you more!!!
For this is my new Years resolution...