So Much to Discuss

First of all, howdy to faithful readers! I need to post more consistently!

The Gregory and I have completed 33.3 years of wedded bliss--ONE-THIRD OF A CENTURY! If you know us, you'd know what a wonder the grace of God is. We could not be more opposite (besides being male and female). To think, I was the tender age of 19 when we married, and now I'm 53! Boy howdy. I'm crazy about my lover!

Our Jason called the other night. It was so good to talk to him and to know that he still loves us. What a dear man. God was good when He gave him to us! Love you, Jay!

The preaching today was OUTSTANDING--dare I say the best I've ever heard--this morning. Have a listen to "The Brightness of His Glory" from Hebrews 1:3 on http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard. You will be ready to go to heaven and be with the Lord when you finish listening. At least I was.... We are blessed! Plus, we had 11 visitors this morning. Plus we had the Lord's Supper tonight. What a glorious day. Plus we spent the afternoon enjoying some Shepard hospitality. Thank you, dear ones! (Nothing like a well-structured paragraph!)

Mom seems to be adjusting well to the new nursing home (I transferred her to one only a half hour away from us, in the town where our church is located). I sure get to see her more often, and for this I am grateful. She is 80 now, and such a love. One of the men at the High-Rise told me that she's prettier than I am. I must agree! And she gets to come to church with us--a HUGE plus.

I actually walked/ran two miles the other morning! (The running was minimal, believe me.) Then I tried to go EARLY Friday morning, but how creepy is this?!: It was dark, and I went to the track, which is lit, not with football lights, but with the next dimmer ones. Four lights, two on each long side of the track. And there's a white car parked by the bus barn next to the track. Don't know if those two are related, but, at the end of the first lap, TWO lights went out on one side! As I'm about in the middle of the second lap, ONE more light went out! I'm outta there! Creeped me out. I thought--next day's headlines: Dummy! She should have gone home! And the ultimate creepiness was, when I got in the car to drive home, the lights were on again. (Sound effects: door creaking slowly open!) GAK! I betcha Eric Liddel didn't have these problems.... Plus, he had nice music when he ran. I guess I'll go in the daytime from now on.

Helped out with the resident's January birthday party at the nursing home. Whee! You would be proud of me--I skipped entertaining the troops with the Macarena, though one unnamed visitor to our church WAS spotted doing The Twist. And I have a picture! And that's all I'm saying. Those folks are precious! Had a good time snapping pics, too. The pics were shot, as another unnamed one said once....

And I can't sleep! It's a minute until midnight. That's what all that good preaching does to me. Sarah and I are memorizing (along with many others at http://challies.com/; come join us!) Romans 12 currently. And it is a good one! I hate to share my memorizing strategies, in fear of getting criticized, but I will anyway, because it just might make good reading, but certainly not emulation. For example: "...whether Prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that Teacheth, on teaching; or he that Exhorteth, on exhortation; he that Giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that Ruleth, with diligence; he that Showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." Now, note the bold letters: PM TE G RS. "In the PM, I drink TEa, then Go to Rising Star." Seems rather barbaric, eh, but it works for me. Sarah just shakes her head. And I might just mention THe Justice of the Peace's LeG: That's for "...whatsoever things are True, ...Honest, ...Just, ...Pure, ...Lovely, and of Good report." (Are you bored to tears yet?)

Subject change! Because I can. More cold weather--Yay! Had the AC on in the car today. Sigh. Maybe Gregorio will get a "snow" day in the next couple of days. We're supposed to get freezing rain. I am so happy.

What's your favorite day of the week, and why? Let me know. What faithful readers you are. "Sorry" to those who kept reading, thinking the good part was coming at the end!

My favorite day is:
Sunday: Because we meet to worship, and I get to hear great preaching and I get to record it and upload it to Sermon Audio and write the synopsis.
Monday: Because I'm home and get to do my cleaning and scrubbing and straightening up and laundry and think about the messages.
Tuesday: Because sometimes I'm home and get to do more of the same. And it's almost Wednesday.
Wednesdsay: Prayer meeting! That says it all.
Thursday: Because sometimes I get to be home, and I love it!
Friday: Because I usually see Sarah and company, and my mom.
Saturday: Because Greg can sleep in (I can't do that), and I sometimes have him all day, and it's almost Sunday.

A good writer knows when to quit. (Think of it: I could have been a good writer about 10 paragraphs ago!) Good morning, at 12:17. I love you beautiful people out there!

My brother, JC Ryle

"They love me best who love me in their prayers." Well said. And to those who pray for me: I cannot thank you enough. When I first came to know the Lord, I would hear missionaries ask for money, and they would invariably say, But most of all, we want your prayers. And I used to laugh inwardly, thinking: Yeah, that's what I'd say, too, if I wanted more money. (Cynicism was one of my strong points.) Here's more good quoting from my brother:



"Brethren who pray, if I know anything of a Christian's heart, you are often sick of your own prayers. You never enter into the apostle's words, "When I would do good, evil is present with me." so thoroughly as you sometimes do upon your knees. You can understand David's words, "I hate vain thoughts." You can sympathize with that poor converted Hottentot who was overheard praying, "Lord, deliver me from all my enemies, and above all, from that bad man-myself." There are few children of God who do not often find the season of prayer a season of conflict. The devil has special wrath against us when he sees us on our knees. Yet, I believe that prayers which cost us no trouble, should be regarded with great suspicion. I believe we are very poor judges of the goodness of our prayers, and that the prayer which pleases us least, often pleases God most."

(I'm getting a theme to my posts lately. Hmmm.) What's God been teaching you about prayer? How I long for a comment or two....

From Alexander Cumming

Some thoughts on prayer, well worth the read:

"...and yet so prone is he to lose sight of his Creator, and to transfer to the creature or to secondary causes the honour to which his holy name should be invested, that unless prayer had been instituted, the crown would have been snatched from the head of God."

"When we persist in the exercise of prayer, notwithstanding all discouragement, we do honour to that loving kindness which will not frustrate the anticipations that are formed upon the basis of his written declarations; and the longer the perseverance is maintained, and the more unpromising the symptoms against which it is upheld, the greater is the lustre reflected upon his character."

"When the two disciples were traveling to Emmaus, our Saviour met them, and unfolded to them the full lustre of the Scripture promises that related to his sufferings, till an expansive glory of heavenly emotion was diffused over their souls; but he did not discover himself as their risen Redeemer till their ardor for communion with him was severely tasked. He made as though he would have gone farther; and when they urged him to take shelter during the night, in their abode, he seemed to repel their kindness, till it is said they constrained him to turn aside with them; then he made himself know in the breaking of bread; and this in exact harmony with the way in which the Saviour acts in every age; he heaps many blessings even on his feeblest saints, who soar not to the sublime height of holy confidence which prompts the Jacob-like wrestlings of others; he makes their hearts burn within them by gilding some cheering promises with a ray of celestial brightness; but it is to those who by their unconquerable ardor and inflexible perseverance, compel him to turn aside, that he gives the sweetest glimpses of his reconciled countenance.... If benefits of vast magnitude are to be bestowed, they must therefore be preceded by prayers of fervid pathos; and God often delays an answer to supplication, not that he despises the anxious voice of our humble entreaty, but because he waits till our desires gain an accession of strength, and are somewhat commensurate to the vastness of the mercy that is stored up for us; and for this purpose he sometimes encircles us with an array of troubles, that they may enhance the frequency and earnestness of our addresses to the throne of grace."

Pray for me as I strive to learn to pray like this!

Ladies' Retreat

Hello, dear ones! Holy New Year!

Our church, Grace Baptist of Coleman, TX, is planning a ladies' retreat April 17th-18th. If you'd like more information on it, email me or leave a comment, and I'll send you a copy of the invite. Please pray for the speaker (yours truly)!

M'Cheyne on the New Year

It's a great day at home, enjoying the baby grands and giving the much-deserving Gracie a break from the action. It's wonderful having them here, I must say.

Our dear pastor (who can be heard on http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard) always has outstanding books for me to read, and here are a few quotes from my current reading in Memoir and Remains of M'Cheyne. (I find that the word "remains" in that context makes me smile.) The section from which I quote is from a time of revival in Scotland.

"On the Sabbath he preached to his flock in the afternoon. He chose 2 Chronicles v. 13,14, as his subject; and in the close, his hearers remember well how affectionately and solemnly he said, 'Dearly beloved and longed for, I now begin another year of my ministry among you; and I am resolved, if God give me health and strength, that I will not let a man, woman, or child among you alone, until you have at least heard the testimony of God concerning His Son, either to your condemnation or salvation. And I will pray, as I have done before, that if the Lord will indeed give us a great outpouring of His Spirit, He will do it in such a way that it will be evident to the weakest child among you that it is the Lord's work, and not man's. I think I may say to you, as Rutherford said to his people, 'Your heaven would be two heavens to me.' And if the Lord be pleased to give me a crown from among you, I do here promise in His sight that I will cast it at His feet, saying, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.' "

And some days later, he adds in his journal, "Evening.--Mr. Miller preached delightfully on 'The love of Christ constraineth us.' His account of the Protestants of France was very interesting: the work of God at Nismes, where it is said that they are no more fishing with line, but dragging with the nets."

I am praying for such times to come to us, and speedily; there are not enough places in the earth where the people confess: O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Austin and the Cafe

Welcome home, Pee Wee! Greg and I had a great time in Austin. We got to eat at the Daily Juice Cafe, newly opened there, where Paul and Dan work. Scrump-dilly-umptious! Wow. At our table we had bbq sandwich (the "meat" was coconut, and was it flavorful!) (and the "bread" was nut loaf, which was excellent), mole enchiladas (superb!), and tacos, which, you get the idea, were outstanding! And, to top it off, we had some of Paul's raw chocolate. He does it right. (Did I mention we saw the boys and went to Whole Foods, my favorite grocery store in the world?)

Got me in the mood to bust out the dehydrator. I made some raw jalapeno corn chips, and the smell in here is "like Abuelo's," according to Gregorio. Puts a grin on one's face. So what does Greg want for supper? Eggs and french fries. Bummer. Here's what I'm having right now, before my supper of a big salad. I'm inspired.

Happy New Year, gang! What are you doing for New Year's? Leave a comment and let me know. Love to all!

Closing Out the Year

Here is what has been filling my life as of late:

UIL Academic Meet for junior high. I LOVE UIL! I was able to be a judge for Prose and Impromptu Speaking. Prose is my favorite. These junior high kids were amazing! I did hear two readings from A Child C*lled It, a VERY sad book. The best read was from a wonderful 7th grader who did an excerpt from Eleven, which must be quite a book! The rest of the 7th graders were in there for the finals, and a HUSH came over the room as she read, and we knew we were listening to the first-place winner. Wow. One of the judges said the junior high was as good as, if not better, than many high-schoolers she had heard. That was good, but my favorite was 2 readings, one by a boy in the prelims, and another by a girl in the finals, from Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch, which I have to find and purchase! Cute, cute! I just laughed out loud. And the kids did a great job with the voices. They are all so impressive. I would love to have known what I know now and have competed when I was that age. AND, wonder of wonders, for the first time EVER, I got PAID to help with UIL! They had to pick up my jaw from the floor. Whoo hoo! I offered to help judge and grade high school, even before I knew I'd get paid. (Did I mention I love UIL?)

Moved my mom from Brownwood's nursing home to Coleman's, where our pastor preaches on Wednesday mornings, and where some of my friends live (I AM getting old when I say THAT!). Our former pastor's wife is there, and I have so THOROUGHLY enjoyed spending time with her (Hi, Patty!). They are a joy. I've been trying to spend a lot of time with Mom, to ease the transition, and I'm asking the Lord to give me patience and compassion. I need it. Especially the compassion. Trust me.

The kids' former principal died yesterday. He was Greg's age; complication from surgery. What a dear man. We loved him, and he was so good to our family.

We're off to Austin tomorrow; hope to eat at Paul and Dan's new raw food restaurant. We may spend the night with friends. Really, though, I just love being home.

I'm going to enjoy having my dear husband home for 2 weeks, if he doesn't drive me crazy first. He needs the rest, and I do love ministering to him. Plus, we have the best talks, and we don't have to quit talking because he has to go to sleep for work the next day. The other night we had about a 2-hour discussion on p*lygamy in Bible times and for today (or, should I say, against today!). You would've loved that one!

Head over to http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard to hear my dear hubby's Sunday School lesson, and our pastor's Sunday message. Truly we are blessed. I love to hear my husband teach, too--he's bordering on preaching, not teaching, and that makes it even better. King David had an incredible life. So many lessons there for us!

Off to get ready for the day. For a great blessing, head to http://challies.com and find the post on Memorizing Scripture that has 2 videos and watch them! A young man named Ryan Ferguson does a dramatic recitation of Psalm 22 and Hebrews 9 and 10, from memory, and it is outstanding! I weep every time I watch it, and I've watched it more than once. Sarah and I are currently working on Psalm 103. What a blessing--forgiveness and so much more! Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Good day to all! Leave a comment and make me smile....

Adios, Brethren

The family on the left is leaving us! We are heartbroken, but we know God is going to use them mightily elsewhere. How we love you!

The Photos Got Shot

Beautiful family. I wish the pics would do them justice. Thanks for a fun shoot! (I know, I know--they haven't been cropped yet!)

Minus Jason

My wonderful family! It was a fabulous Thanksgiving--thanks, Grace and Dean, for opening your beautiful home. Didn't feel like 23, did it? God is good.

I Love the God Who Answers Prayer!

Look at this! I had me a cry this morning: God is SO good! This young man had a severe injury more than a year ago, and his fiancee has faithfully stayed by his side all this time. And he has FINALLY spoken! Precious blog about a young man named Ian. Since our first grandson is named Ian (the end of VivIAN, you may note!), when I first read about him I started to pray for him. And look what God is doing! Glory to God! Looking forward to more. I recommend his family's blog: http://prayforian.com. Thank you, great God of wonders!

Spurgeon II--Because I Can

CH Spurgeon:

“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that. The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

Good Spurgeon Quote

Never think of the Church of God as if she were in danger. If you do, you will be like Uzza; you will put forth your hand to steady the ark, and provoke the Lord to anger against you. If it were in danger, I tell you, you could not deliver it. If Christ cannot take care of his Church without you, you cannot do it. Be still, and know that he is God… When you begin to say, “The Church is in danger! The Church is in danger!” what is that to thee? It stood before thou wert born; it will stand when thou hast become worm’s meat. Do thou thy duty. Keep in the path of obedience, and fear not. He who made the Church knew through what trials she would have to pass, and he made her so that she can endure the trials and become the richer for it. The enemy is but grass, the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

My Dreams Come True!

Aren't they BEAUTIFUL? (Not HAPPY, I said; BEAUTIFUL!) This is the pic of my dreams! Thank you, thank you, Sarah! What a blessed Thanksgiving we had, and, to top it off, a pic of me that I actually like. A first! God is good!

Gotta Love It!

This is what the clips look like, Sarah! What do you think?

blockposters.com!

Isn't this an awesome site?! And the price is right! I couldn't find the cardstock, so I did it on typing paper. Don't you love the subject matter, too? Precious!

Rotate Clockwise!

That's what Picasa said when I uploaded my pic! I had a quiet laugh (weird, I know...). What do you think of my "new" clock? I found a site called **ikea hack** (my favoritest store in the world!) and liked this idea. As you may know, my kitchen, tiny as it is, is pink and black. Strange, but fun (like moi). The pic is from **real simple** magazine. I like their divider pages, and this was my favorite. (Hint: Take off the front first, and CAREFULLY take off the hands. I did this last and messed up the second hand (which is conspicuously absent, you may have noted!).

New Centerpiece

The verdict on the new centerpiece? The good news is: half price!

Beautiful Family

And baby boy Caleb makes 5! Aren't they a beautiful family? AND children who behaved SO well during the whole shoot! It was a pleasure to take their pics.

Happy Post-Birthday to Me!

Thanks for all the sweet birthday wishes. It was a great day!

Sarah treated me like a queen, and even made me RAW apple crisp. And it was delicioso! Miggy sang to me, and Brother smiled. How wonderful is that! I even got a hug from Jody.

And then I had the blessing of taking the pics of one of the dearest families ever, on such a beautiful property to boot. And, to boot, I had Sarah as my assistant. Life is good! AND I got some good pics in there! How FUN!

Stopped by to see the sweet ladies at the nursing home on the way home. They have stolen my heart away. Precious sisters!

So this is what FIFTY-THREE is like. I'm loving it! And, now that football is over, I get to see my husband in the daytime! That might be the best part....

Best wishes to all. Why don't you leave a quick comment and tell me who you are, dear readers? Illinois? I'm intrigued....