WHAT MAKES A MISSIONARY?...

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”...............

    This question has been on my heart lately.  Seems Father is revving up His motor, touching the hearts of His people to go here or there on the soil of the USA or some other land of His creation.  He wants men and women to be willing to go.  They are called Missionaries. It takes much to prepare for this calling.  They learn the language of the people, pick up their lives and pack lots of crates to relocate.  And Oh My! They have to do that scary thing called "Raising Support".  That means going out traveling sometimes many miles, asking people for money to support something they feel is a strong need and burden. Then with blind Faith they head out and the rest is History.  Not long after, you begin to hear the amazing reports come in of souls being reached and lives changed because of obedience on their part and then those on their team who believe in giving to the cause begin to see the impact of the Jesus Work and how His work goes on... 

    In our church, we have been blessed to have had a couple leading our worship team, we fell in love with them. You could tell they loved God. Yes we’re saddened to lose Grant and Sarah, but willing to give them to the Mission Field they have chosen . They announced the calling specifically working with children, don’t know if it is on our soil or foreign, but our blessings go with them.   Thank you Grant and Sarah for the months you served on the FBC Worship Team and your willingness to go into the future of His Plan....

    My thoughts go back to meeting a young lady who shared with us her unique calling to serve as a Missionary in another country.  She had a hunger to go reach children just like Grant and Sarah. Jenny raised her financial support in no time and before we knew it she was in Romania. Her burden is to reach out to the children who live on the streets, needing to know the One who loves them. Just think how that works.  God is wanting to reach those who are lost.  He uses His children to go and tell others they can become His children through Jesus Christ His Son who died on a Cross for the sin of the world. 

    Now I have a renewed appreciation for those who go answering the call of Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

    But one thought further, aren't we all Missionaries?  Each day we come in contact with people who need to know the Truth!  How about you?  Take a look at this short video and ponder in your heart how your life is making a difference.  We only have a short time here on this earth!....

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF THANKSGIVING 2011....

........have been away spending Thanksgiving with our special family, hope  you were too.  This year seemed extra special!  Didn't want to miss a thing, I seem to stay in the moment taking it all in. That mindset made me appreciate this special time of year more. After researching the meaning of Thanksgiving in my last post, it made it more meaningful.  I spent more time thinking through how blessed we are and have been over the years.

Traveling home yesterday, I thought back over the last few days spent celebrating with our children.  I think it was one of the best. It was so relaxing. When we arrived we were well organized with all our purchases ready to prepare the big meal.  Didn’t leave the house for days, until the time to say goodbye. As we left we were talking about our next month gathering for Christmas. We have so much to be thankful for, our heart are full.

Here is a little mini recap of our time.  The night before we left home I was up until midnight. I made two cakes the family likes.  A white iced pound cake and caramel cake. I think you can tell I just slapped the icing on the white cake.  Hey! the looks don't count it's the taste that matters and this was a good one was gone in no time......

Rob had ask me to make a caramel cake I hadn’t made one in years.  It was a hit making me feel good that I could please them.  They kept bragging on my creation until the last piece was gone.  What do you think?

The meal was prepared by Rob and myself he has a kitchen that would make the Food Channel studio sorry.  I enjoyed rattling his pots and pans even had the knives I see those chefs use on TV.

One downside not being use to sharp knives like that my hands looked like I had been in a battle had to use two bandaids, but it was worth it!

                                  Phil had to make a trip to the store for my medical supply...

Lyla waited by the window until his return.....

.......had plenty of football all day on TV while we enjoyed the fire.












Can’t beat candle lite all around and a warm fire at the close of the day in an old fashion fireplace, sitting and talk about old times when the kids were little.....
 

Coming home yesterday I was thankful that my memory bank had lots of new entries to cherish for the future.  Now it's your turn, take a little time to look back on your Thanksgiving Day 2011. Hope you have some memories that will be good ones for a long time.


Ask yourself these questions...
                 
What was the best thing we did that day?

What do we want to remember to do again next year?

While it is on your mind make a file of this year's menu and grocery list to pull out next year to jump start you for another time of good memories....

THANKSGIVING IN AMERICA 101...

Next week we are heading out to our sons house, we're gathering with our family for THANKSGIVING DAY.  I love this time of year.  I'm making a list to pack right now for those days with the kids.

OH WOW... The menu is in the making! I can just see it in my mind and taste it right now. It will look something like this, you know what I mean, you going to have yours too!!!......

My mind is wondering this morning about where this day of celebration called THANKSGIVING DAY really began. I want to know the real meaning besides a time of having a table full of food,
kids getting out of school for a long weekend...............and heaven forbid, all the talk about Black Friday, the AFTER THANKSGIVING SALE, .......I avoid!!!....

Started looking around the internet for my answer.  I ran across an interesting woman who researched and wrote about where it all started.  Makes for a good read to  jump start us in getting back on course for the real reason we celebrate this day of THANKSGIVING. As you read this play "lets pretend" with me and think of being there when all this was declared.....

*What is the real meaning behind Thanksgiving? Catherine Millard writes:  
We can trace this historic American Christian tradition to the year 1623. After the harvest crops were gathered in November 1623, Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony, “Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts proclaimed:

    "All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill… there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings."

This is the origin of our annual Thanksgiving Day celebration. Congress of the United States has proclaimed National Days of Thanksgiving to Almighty God many times throughout the following years. On November 1, 1777, by order of Congress, the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation was proclaimed, and signed by Henry Laurens, President of Continental Congress. The third Thursday of December, 1777 was thus officially set aside:

"…for solemn thanksgiving and praise. That with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor;… and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them (their manifold sins) out of remembrance… That it may please Him… to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety under His nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth of 'righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost'…"






Then again, on January 1, 1795, our first United States President, George Washington, wrote his famed National Thanksgiving Proclamation, in which he says that it is…

 "…… our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced…"




Thursday, the 19th day of February, 1795 was thus set aside by George Washington as a National Day of Thanksgiving.







Many years later, on October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, by Act of Congress, an annual National Day of Thanksgiving "on the last Thursday of November, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." In this Thanksgiving proclamation, our 16th President says that it is…

   "…announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord… But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, by the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own… It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people…"



 ......... So it is that on Thanksgiving Day each year, Americans give thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings and mercies toward us throughout the year....

When you pray this year around your table remember to add how grateful we are for our forefathers declaring this day a day of THANKSGIVING.  Give thanks to our Almighty God, the creator of the universe for His blessings and for the men and women who are not with their families on that day serving our country that we might have freedom. 

Pray our country will continue to stand on these values!!!

* Author: Catherine Millard. Text excerpted from A Children's Companion Guide to America's History, Horizon House Publishers, Camp Hill Pennsylvania.)

THE LIFE OF MY FLOWERING CHERRY TREE ....

The Flowering Cherry Tree is one of my favorite trees. I planted three almost nine years ago, we enjoy their Spring production of beautiful pink blooms. Soon those little peddles drop all over the driveway when the green leaves push forth. The wind blows and it looks like snow flakes in the air and on the ground.......

In Summer months it is so round with a stocky trunk, looks like an elephant leg at its base....

Rich green leaves during Summer bring an astonishing growth you can almost see it happening.... 
                                              

It sits on the edge of Caeden's race track looking on as he races by....

Autumn arrives with a slow steady change, leaves begin to turn from yellow to orange in full color.  The Cherry Tree now stands with a proud look, we begin making the “oohs and ahhs” as we notice the Fall season begins.....

Just as you get use to its bright glow in the warm sunshine of Fall on it color, you remember to stop and look because in a few days they will be gone.....

The feel of Winter comes around when the first frost appears, with winds that sweep across its branches taking the leaves to the ground.  The leaves are............. GOING.....

                                                  GOING................

                                                                                     ........GOING.......

          
                                                                                                  .......GONE.....

GONE into a dormant stage during the Winter months with snow sometimes covering its branches.  It sits in some kind of “pregnant silence” with an inter building of the tree for the next year. 

 It is at that time I begin to look for the start of some tiny little buds beginning to appear for the start of another life cycle springing forth again in the Spring starting another year pleasing to the eye.

Who but God can make this happen?.....

Hum!  if you think about it, we are like that tree we might be going through a cycle just like a tree.  I want to be like a tree I want to keep growing and I want a deep root system to withstand the “winter days” in my life.  When nothing is going on, I have to remember it IS going on and it is called “pregnant silence",  a time of inner growth that has to happen when you go through seasons in your life.  What season are you in?  It will pass so enjoy life, as it TURNS, TURNS, TURNS.!......

LOVE ONE ANOTHER.....

                           John 15:17  "These things I command you, that ye love one another."

Woke up thinking how we are to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.......

Checking my email this had come in and jump started my "Blogging Thoughts"..... 

Hi All: Here is a late update:
Well, here it is a week since Shirley's knee surgery and things are progressing really well. She got up to 100 today on her knee bend. Isn't that great. I am so proud of her and the way she has been able to do the exercises. I am still holding up well and yes, I am still in charge a little bit. Thanks for all your prayers on her behalf and do not stop now. We still have a ways to go before you can quit.
 
God Loves You And We Do Also!!
Rev. Roy B. And Shirley I. Bateman, Sr.

As I read this I thought how this husband has loved his wife and cared for her while she has been down with knee surgery.  There was a time she was by his side when he needed her after his surgery and she stayed right there for him.  In fact, their fast recovery maybe be for this reason.... because of the loving care they both gave and received from each other.

Here is the note I sent to them sharing my thoughts...... 

Roy and Shirley,
I just want to thank you Roy for your care for Shirley during this difficult time of her knee surgery. As a wife, I see your loving spirit for your Bride.  I know she is getting it because of your love for her and for the things she did for you during the time you were out of commission.  I remember a time when she even had to deal with snow in the hospital parking lot.

Just had this on my mind and thanking Father for using you both to show us His love for us. It's a picture of how we are to stand by one another when they are "down" until they can get up and walk again on their own. ….in Shirley's case that is really true!
Our prayers are with you!
Mary Mason

PS...Don't know if you have read this before, but every time I see the winter Geese going south I think of the story of how they care for one another, that is what we are to do for others:


THE GOOSE STORY……

Whenever a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.  If we have as much sense as a Goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed in the same way we are going.  When the lead Goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another Goose flies point.  It pays to take turns doing hard jobs with people or with Geese flying south.  The Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  What do we say when we honk from behind to encourage another to stay focused in life’s journey?


Finally, when a Goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shots and falls out, two Geese fall out of formation then follows him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with the group.  If we have the sense of a Goose, we will stand by each other just like this …..

Take away for the day....Be on the outlook today for those who need our/His love and care when they are down? 

Remember to .........LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

OK! ITS EARLY BUT LET'S THINK ABOUT IT......

Just thought I would get you in the mood, can't wait to pull out the tree or cut the tree haven't decided yet about that this year, put on the music, get a fire going, bake the cookies, address the cards, go shopping for just the right gifts enjoy some snow maybe, maybe just maybe in the South we will get some snow again this year.....

Do you know what I am talking about?  Yes you do!!!

Now don't get me wrong I will not forget Thanksgiving that will come but sitting here tonight I am day dreaming about that that special time coming around again.  It's my favorite time of the year.....


I love to watch this it's amazing! These guys are creative to pull this off,  thought I would put it out here for you to watch.....

 Look for more to come after the Turkey Day!!!

IS YOUR MIND CLUTTERED?.....

If you answered "YES" to that question then you have come to the right place to learn how to De-Clutter Your Mind.  You get in a mess when you get over loaded with so many thoughts, it gives ground to your "flesh" the big WDF can creep in.... "Worries, Doubts and Fears".

Several years ago I ran across this information, don't even know where I got it but I know one thing, it has helped me and it can help you if you put them into practice.

They are so simple and easy but will bring peace and quite to your mind.  The results you will notice instantly!!! ...

                                              


                                                                                                                                                                   10 WAYS TO DE-CLUTTER YOUR MIND

There are articles about how to de-clutter your home or your desk, but if anything needs de-cluttering, it’s your mind.

 While your brain is a complex and confusing organ and your mind is certainly not like an inbox that can be sorted through,  De-cluttering your mind is actually not difficult.

 You can sort through your mind, even getting past the scar tissue of old hurts and traumas, with these simple actions:

1. Breathe: Take a few deep breaths and then just focus on your breathing for a few minutes. It has a calming effect, and allows other thoughts to just float away. 



2. Write it down: If you have a bunch of things on your mind, get them on paper and off your mind.



3. Rethink your sleep: If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or your sleeping pattern isn’t ideal, it can affect you a great deal. 



4. Take a walk: Get outside and do some kind of physical activity; it clears your mind.

5. Do less: Cross half the things off your to-do list; just pick a few things to get done today, and focus on those.

6. De-clutter your surroundings: Having a lot of stuff around you occupies part of your mind, even if you don’t realize it. 



7. Identify the essential: This means figuring out what is most important in your life, and focusing on these things. 



8. Get in touch with nature: Looking at the ocean, a river, some trees or anything “green” can be calming and focusing at the same time. 



9. Go slower: Walk slower, talk slower, drive slower and even work slower. All of these things tell your mind that you’re not in a hurry, and that you want to take life at your own, non-rushed pace. 



10. Single-task: Multi-tasking fills your mind with a lot of clutter, without a lot of productivity, instead of multi-tasking, single-task by focusing on just one thing at a time.

BE.........................................................

A DAY OUT AND ABOUT WITH A SURPRISE VISIT.....

You’ve noticed by now.....I'm enjoying the changing of the seasons. The temperatures are going from warm to cooler. The smell of smoke from chimneys are  beginning to be in the air and the color of the leaves this year….what can I say?

Beauty is all around us as we look in amazement.  Go take a walk or drive out some back roads and look around before the leaves fall and the trees are bare.  A season will go and the beauty God’s displayed will be missed if you don’t get up put aside “those petty things” that concern us and go experience the good things in life.

Yesterday I woke up thinking, the things that we do every Monday can wait, “those petty things”.  I mentioned a plan to Phil for our day, he agreed we could make a trip to Atlanta and see our grandson at his school.  We would surprise him with a visit and have lunch with him.  It was Halloween and things would be crazy but what did that matter? We could maneuver around it,  have our own fun and we did!

We left early, made the track over the mountain.....

............but not until I shopped at a local store for items for Amy our DIL.  She loves to decorate their house for Fall and Caeden  really like it.  Phil stopped long enough for me to arrange them on the dashboard of our truck to take a picture to show Caeden when we saw him at school...

We got to his school a little early checked in at the office as visitors at Walker Park Elementary in Monroe, GA.  It was the first time we had gone inside to see what a nice facility it was, the building is only a few years old.  Right away we noticed how friendly everyone was.  Also how well organized their system was moving around so many children.  Just got to thinking how they daily equip the children with an education for their future.  The smell of the school cafeteria made us go way back in our memory thinking of our own school days.

On one wall was the hand prints of the children making the American flag......

We couldn’t wait until his 11:10 lunch time and for him to walk by and see his grandparents waiting.  It would be a big surprise. 

We had time to observe several things as the children filed by orderly with their teacher.  I began thinking of all the hours their teacher had dedicated to this cause, educating themselves to educate children for their future.  What a gift to come from someone to another.  I had never stopped long enough to think of such a thing, that it took time, effort and lots of money.   In some cases, I bet they are still paying for those bills.  My thanks went out to them in that moment.  I prayed silently for each one as they walked by as I looked in their faces.

Finally, he saw us as he was walking in the straight line with Tyler his best friend since the second grade, walking with him.  He ran and hugged us with a smile on his face.  We were so glad we took the time for our grandson that day, he leaned over and said to us, “I just was thinking about you guys and how I missed you and what a good time I had visiting you on Fall break.” 

WOW! I would not have missed that quality time for the world!!!......