Today, November 3rd, was my Granny Jones' birthday. She is in Heaven now, but we'll always remember her. Granny was such a special person and we all loved her very much.
Lately, I have been reading a book called "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. If you have not read this book, I totally advise you to do so!!! It's one of the best books I have ever gotten a hold of. There is so much advice and wisdom from scripture packed into that book. I want to share a little bit with you right now.
I've been pondering on this:
--"For the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, Inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
--"As the King James Version says, As he (a man) thinketh in his heart, so is he...Another translation states 'As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.'"
--Romans 8:5 "For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit"
This world is screaming to us everyday that the importance of life depends on these things: what kind of job I have and the amount of money I make, what brand clothes and shoes I wear, what kind of car I drive, the appearance of what I look like (am I too fat, too skinny, too ugly, too tall, too short, etc.). The world makes you feel like a loser if you don't have money, power, prestige, good looks and recognition.
Instead, we must look to the Lord and be directed by the Holy Spirit in the way we THINK. We must "set our minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit." How do we do that??? Here's how! This is what Jesus says: "If you abide in My Word (hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them), you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." John 8:31,32
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. So if we know Jesus (who is the Truth)...Jesus will set us free! We must soak in Scripture every day and pray!!! We must FILL OUR MINDS with scripture and talk with Jesus everyday through prayer.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Ava Maria Grotto
Two weekends ago, my Grandpa and Beatrice came to Alabama with my mom for a visit. We took a tour of the Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman while they were here. It was a very special place to go. We all enjoyed it very much! When we first got there, a monk came up and talked with us! That was the first time a monk ever spoke to me before! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
Beatrice, Grandpa and me at Ava Maria Grotto.
Grandpa and Beatrice
Grandpa studying the construction of the little village
This picture was very special. My mom's good friend, Betsy, is Catholic. Betsy thinks my mom is like St. Therese in many ways such as appreciating the simple things in life (through gardening, nature, etc.) One of my mom's favorite flowers is the rose. This picture is of the statue of St. Therese and the sun was shining down on that pink rose right infront. I think God gave that moment for my mom to "see and feel" His love for her.
I loved this the most at the Grotto...our Precious Savior on the cross!
I forgot what statue this was. It might have been Mary or St. Frances?
Beatrice, Grandpa and me at Ava Maria Grotto.
Grandpa and Beatrice
Grandpa studying the construction of the little village
This picture was very special. My mom's good friend, Betsy, is Catholic. Betsy thinks my mom is like St. Therese in many ways such as appreciating the simple things in life (through gardening, nature, etc.) One of my mom's favorite flowers is the rose. This picture is of the statue of St. Therese and the sun was shining down on that pink rose right infront. I think God gave that moment for my mom to "see and feel" His love for her. 
I loved this the most at the Grotto...our Precious Savior on the cross! I forgot what statue this was. It might have been Mary or St. Frances?Sunday, October 25, 2009
Fall Leaves and Football Games
Our second oldest nephew, Bryce, came to Alabama to visit us. He arrived on Friday, we went to the Tennessee vs. Alabama game on Saturday (Roll Tide...Alabama won!!!), and today we listened to a church sermon at home and then headed off to Little River Falls to see the breath-taking fall foliage and waterfalls! There was a part of the canyon Paul and I haven't visited before and we took Bryce there. I can't even begin to express how gorgeous the leaves were! In fact, we took so many pictures that I will probably have to do another post just to put those pictures up. Every tree was spectacular in color. I am so glad that Paul and I got to share this with our nephew! We also enjoyed the game on Saturday, too!!! It was the most intense game ever!!! At the very end, everyone was certain that Tennessee was going to win...then when we all least expected it, Terrance Cody blocked the field goal and Alabama pulled through and won!!!! Yay!!! Here's some pictures of our time with Bryce. Paul and I are sad that Bryce has to leave tomorrow.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Wonderful Visit
My Aunt Lynn and Uncle Aubria came to visit my mom in Georgia. Paul had to work all day Saturday and while he was at work, I got to go to Georgia and spend time with them. On Sunday afternoon, Paul got to join us and we all went to Cloudland Canyon State Park. It was such a lovely time and we enjoyed spending time with them!!!
I hate that the only picture I got with Aunt Lynn turned out extremely blurry. :( Hopefully my mom got a better picture with her camera.
Aunt Lynn is adorable! She reminds me so much of my Granny! In fact, she and Granny were the most best friends ever!
I love this picture! Look at Uncle Aubria's grin! So cute! It was bitterly cold as you can tell here.
Bunni seemed to enjoy the cold weather. It was in the 40's!!!
I hate that the only picture I got with Aunt Lynn turned out extremely blurry. :( Hopefully my mom got a better picture with her camera.
Aunt Lynn is adorable! She reminds me so much of my Granny! In fact, she and Granny were the most best friends ever!
I love this picture! Look at Uncle Aubria's grin! So cute! It was bitterly cold as you can tell here.
Bunni seemed to enjoy the cold weather. It was in the 40's!!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Our Two Year Anniversary
Paul and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary this past weekend in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee! You could really see the mist and fog on the mountains this year which was breath-taking. We stayed at Brother's Cove near Wear's Valley and went to Cade's Cove to do some hiking. It was a wonderful trip!!! I would try to tell you how beautiful the scenery was, but I think the pictures will do a better job. 
It was so special to see these deer in the field....one came up right to our car!!!!
This one little deer came right up to the car...and we took his (her?) picture!
It was so special to see these deer in the field....one came up right to our car!!!!
This one little deer came right up to the car...and we took his (her?) picture!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Matthew 24:3-27
Here is some scripture taken from Matthew 24:3-27. I was reading this today and I truly believe we are in the later days. What do y'all think? I would love your input. I put in bold the things that are happening/have happened. I can't wait until Jesus comes back! We must get ready for His return. We need to focus entirely on Him and not get ensnared by the ways of this world (materialism, greed, envy, selfish ambition, pride, etc.). Since we (the church...all individual brothers and sisters in Christ) are His bride, we need to get pure for His return. Our groom (precious Jesus) is coming back. We must stay grounded in Him. How do we stay grounded? By plugging into His Word...we must fill our mind with scripture. We must also pray, pray, pray! Let's get ready for His return! I want to. I need to! I want to give special thanks to my sweet sister, Anna, and to my sweet friend, Tiffani, and to my precious Mom. Anna is doing an amazing Bible Study and Tiffani is doing wonderful Bible Studies through her church. My mom always uplifts me in prayer and shares with me things she's learning from studying God's Word. I TOTALLY want to get absorbed in scripture like they are. Thank you three for inspiring me! :)
Matthew 24:3-27
"As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately saying 'Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?' And Jesus answered them and said to them, 'See to it that no one misleads you.' For many will come in My name saying 'I am the Christ, and will mislead many.' You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time away many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, let the reader understand, then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you 'Behold, here is the Christ, or 'There He is, ' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go out, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be."
Matthew 24:3-27
"As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately saying 'Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?' And Jesus answered them and said to them, 'See to it that no one misleads you.' For many will come in My name saying 'I am the Christ, and will mislead many.' You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time away many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, let the reader understand, then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you 'Behold, here is the Christ, or 'There He is, ' do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go out, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Some Good Thoughts...
"Prayer requires more of the heart than the tongue." -Adam Clarke
"And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." -1 John 5:14
"Our words may hide our thoughts, but our actions will reveal them." -Quiet Moments From the Bible
"Live such good lives that they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." -1 Peter 2:12
"And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." -1 John 5:14
"Our words may hide our thoughts, but our actions will reveal them." -Quiet Moments From the Bible
"Live such good lives that they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." -1 Peter 2:12
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