thankfulness….. November 27, 2008

 

one of my favorite movie lines (and it actually comes from a cartoon character, Madam Blueberry) is A THANKFUL HEART IS A HAPPY HEART.  :)

 

i wanted to take some time this thanksgiving to list a few of the things i am thankful for…. 

 

• jesus, that he found me and pursued me with the most passionate love ever
• wonderful parents
• the funniest, most kind and selfless sister on the planet
• the most gentle, sweet, attentive, patient, heroic, dedicated, precious, inspiring, passionate, loving, carefree, meek, and gorgeous man on earth……my husband! 
• three children that have captured my heart
• FRIENDS, true friends.
• health and life
• music and art
• books to read
• nature and it’s beauty
• pictures – a way to capture ‘god moments’
• airplanes – to fly me across the ocean to the place that has stolen my heart, south africa
• airplanes – to fly me across the ocean to see the people that have stolen my heart!  :)
• appletiser and chocolate…..also, coca cola.
• history and memories
• my kids laughter
• dishwasher
• school…. math and science especially!!  :)
• freedom
• journals and all the very fun pens that i love to have surrounding me on my desk!
• peanut butter, so i guess i’m ultra thankful for George Washington Carver
• mrs. june lamb
• contact lenses
• a warm bed
• sunsets, stars, and the moon
• the beach, panama city beach specifically! 

etc…etc….etc….etc….etc….etc…..etc…etc….etc…etc….etc….etc….etc….etc…..etc…etc….tc…etc….etc….etc….

hell. a place of unspeakable suffering. November 25, 2008

this past sunday, brent preached the mess out of a sermon on hell.  it was one of the most powerful services i have ever been in.  this message was 3rd in a 4 part series called CURTAIN CALL.  the crux of the series is summed up in one question “when my ‘curtain call’ comes, who will be applauding?”

 

in essence, when i die, who will have been touched enough by my life to stand applauding?  this week’s focus on hell lead all of us through an intense time of introspection regarding our thoughts on hell…. is it real?  is it really that bad?  do i really care if people go there?  do i live my life in such a way or do i  fight with every fiber of my being to show EVERYONE around me JESUS and His love, so they won’t ever have to experience hell?

 

the following quote comes from an 1800s career criminal, Charles Peace, after he had his last visit with the priest while he waited on death row…after the priest told Peace about hell, Peace asked him if he really believed in hell… the priest’s answer was a hesitation of “well, I think I do”…. this quote sent me on a tailspin and challenged my heart/mind so hard that i was almost immediately moved to tears….

 

“Sir, I do not share your faith, but if I did, if I believe what you say you believe,

then although England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast,

I would crawl the length and the breadth of it on hand and knee, and think the pain worthwhile,

just to save a single soul from this eternal Hell of which you speak.  

If I believed in this place as you say, my life would reflect it.”

 

just food for thought….. food that made me choke.

 

Lord, may my life be like a love song to your heart.

May I live in such a way that causes people to see Your goodness and mercy.

Help me to reflect You.  To You be all glory forever.

I partner with You to make Your name famous!

Amen!

ho hummmmm….. November 21, 2008

this is tweety bird…..

 

i joined twitter tonight……  what in the world for?!?! you ask…..  i am not sure…. i guess so you call can know what i do each and every moment of each and every day!!  :)  

 

so, my name on twitter is kgarrard…. and i’ll be tweeting on twitter starting now….. check out my tweets, don’t be a twit!!  hee hee…… (yes, i am tired cause it’s 12:31am…… just humor me a bit)

 

blessings….

kg

this is what i think…. November 16, 2008

My magnificent obsession is to know God,

glorifying Him in my character 

while enjoying Him in the process.

– Anne Graham Lotz

 

this is my desire….. this quote sums it up….. kg

music…. November 10, 2008

 

…oh, how it moves me.

 

i was just on a friends blog site and this amazing song was playing.  so amazing in fact, that as i was trying to read her thoughts for the day i was overwhelmed to the core as the piano played and this female duet sang into my soul.  tears began to form in my eyes and jesus whispered to my spirit how much he loves to be with me.  amazing!

 

why does that happen?  why does music do that to us?  how does it supersede all the mess that’s swirling and cut right to that tender place in our hearts?

 

i think god created it that way.  as the originator of music, i think he loves to use it as a vehicle to love up on us.  i believe he causes those unseen places to engage our emotions in such a way that his goodness is undeniable.  that his grace is dependable.  that his love is tangible. 

 

the following scripture has encouraged me time and time again….. i think maybe it speaks the answer to my above questions….. 

 

The LORD your God in your midst, 
      The Mighty One, will save; 
      He will rejoice over you with gladness, 
      He will quiet you with His love, 
      He will rejoice over you with singing.” 
      

praises to Him that cares enough for me to sing that song over my life.  hmmmmmm….

my favorite…. November 5, 2008

 

…scripture is Ps. 46:10…..  i think in light of all the things going on right now i will put it in context here for us…. beginning in verse 5

 

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

He lifts His voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the Lord…

the desolations He has borought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

He burns the shields with fire.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

Be encouraged.  God is in control and not surprised by our nations choices.  I am leaning on Him harder than ever.  I am so grateful for His security.  I will live my life for Him, b/c He alone is worthy!

 

 

what did you do today??? November 4, 2008

i exercised my right and DUTY to vote…. 

my kids were with me and learning about the process.  anna joy was telling everyone who she ‘voted for’…. nice, huh??  josiah was concerned b/c he had an ipod with him….. and our precinct is at a local school which had a sign for no ipods… he was just convinced that sign was for the voters, not students…. needless to say, i had to hold the ipod while i voted — what a dollface…. caleb judah was only interested in the results of the entire election the moment i voted — the results are his social studies assignment….. he’s got patience to exercise as we have HOURS to wait on the results!  :) 

 

in the midst of all that, i asked the kids to pray while i voted so that God’s plan will prevail!  we are trusting in Him….

 

our nation will make history today…. i hope you were a part of it.