Tuesday, August 10, 2010
When Your Courage is Tested
Even the most dedicated Christian women may find her courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies of life. After all, we live in a world filled with uncertainty, hardship, sickness, and danger. Old Man Trouble, it seems, is never too far from the front door.
When we focus upon our fears and our doubts, we may find many reasons to lie awake and fret about the uncertainties of the coming day. A better strategy, of course, is to focus not upon our fears, but instead upon our God.
God is as near as your next breath, and He is in control. He offers salvation to all His children, including you. God is your shield and your strength; you are His forever. So don't focus your thoughts upon the fears of the day. Instead, trust God's plan and His eternal love for you. And remember: whatever the size of your challenge, God is bigger.
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
-excerpt from my daily devotional
Monday, August 9, 2010
CC Ink
I "inked" two of the littles today. Sam was quite desperate for a Batman sign, and Rachel was just thrilled to death to get just "random" drawings on her foot. I have to admit: it was pretty fun!
Rachel Gift Ideas
Angelyn got Rachel her very own American Girl Doll a few weeks ago, and ever since, "Christie" joins in with the rest of the family in whatever activity we are doing (dinner, TV time, etc). 10-year-old girls are impossible to shop for. Not anymore!!! I can tell you now, whatever the occasion, Rach will be THRILLED to get ANYTHING from this website that can be used for the newest addition to the Corley Clan!
Is This Even Possible?
These days, I really only watch MAYBE two hours of television a week. I just don't have the time anymore. But, I spend my two hours wisely. I love, love, love, love the Fox show, "So You Think You Can Dance." These dancers in this video clip put the SYTYCD dancers to shame.
Click here
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Perfect Friend
Let's get this picture straight in your heads before I ramble on about my day. Rusty teaches Sunday School (Grapple) for the 5th graders, and one of the other teachers in the room is about-to-pop pregnant! She was unable to be there this morning, so I offered to help out until the fall semester begins. So, there you have it. Rebekah -- the Sunday School Teacher. Take a minute and pause...let that soak into your brains before you keep reading because this stuff is good, and I'd hate for my Total God Makeover into a Sunday School Teacher to be a distraction.
Ok. If you've taken a moment, you may now continue.
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I Samuel 18 speaks about an amazing friendship between Jonathan and David.
....Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt....
Just think about that..."because he loved him as his own soul?" A "covenant?"
How many people do you know that you can truly say that you love them that much?!
The girls in Grapple said that they loved ALL of their friends as much as they loved themselves. Of course, they did. Then, when I asked them if they would take all of their clothes off and stand there naked (like Jonathan may have done for David), they all hesitated. I snickered a little because I knew the answers, but I wanted them to really think about it.
How MUCH do you really LOVE your friends?
Then, I took it to the next level.
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Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
I asked the girls what the "key" word was in this passage. Of course, it took them a little bit, but finally, my point was made. ...there is "A" friend. If we have trouble giving up just our clothes for our friends, imagine how difficult it was for Jesus to give up His LIFE for us!? Imagine how much He must love us?!
You probably aren't in 5th grade if you are reading this, but there's a pretty good chance that you have a best friend...or two....or, if you're lucky...several. But, ask yourself this: would you give your friend all of your clothes?
Would you die?
Jesus Died for us!
John 3:16
~~~~~~~~For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
What kind of friend are you?
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~
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the Lord about it:
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
-Mary Stevenson
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Saturday, August 7, 2010
~ Some Notes I Needed ~
I love it when I look back at my notes from church, and even though the notes applied to something in my life at that time, it's amazing how they can apply to something completely and totally different today...something that I never expected them to apply to.
Kent taught out of Philippians 3: 12-14
As I picked up my Hannah Montana note pad that I use for notes (I only had to pay $.50 for it!), I opened up to the teaching out of Philippians. My notes are pretty scattered about, and really only make sense to me, but if you read it like a story, they seem to make a little bit more sense...I think.
Kent taught out of Philippians 3: 12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.I was faced with my own selfishness and pride today, but isn't that normal for us as human beings? I think where I went wrong was that I was assuming that my way was the right way...even though it wasn't. The "right way" is to completely follow God's instruction for your life; to totally trust in Him for everything. Today, I felt that because someone was not following "my" way, that made them "wrong", but here God goes again with those subtle reminders (more like a slap in the back of the head). "There is none righteous, no, not one..." (Rom. 3:10).
As I picked up my Hannah Montana note pad that I use for notes (I only had to pay $.50 for it!), I opened up to the teaching out of Philippians. My notes are pretty scattered about, and really only make sense to me, but if you read it like a story, they seem to make a little bit more sense...I think.
- Something that may be so obvious for you may not make a bit of sense to someone else. Their eyes aren't open. We can't open their eyes; only God can
- There is so much for us all to learn.
- Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Prov. 12:1)
- We are to be corrected, and continue to receive instruction. We can never know it all. -- teachable, learning attitude.
- We should always grow in our walk.
- A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgement. (Prov. 18:1)
- The best is yet to come!
- Don't focus on the past!
- The end of a thing is better than its beginning.
- Push forward
- Walk by faith
- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:1,6)
_____________________________________
Walk by Faith. Keep Pressing Forward. Forget the Past.
Friday, July 30, 2010
American Girlies
Rachel's dreams have come true! Angelyn got Rachel her very own American Girl doll. Her name is Christie. Now, Rachel, Kate, & Laney will be able to have tons of girly time!
What is She Talking About?!
Practically, since Emmy started talking, every time we drive down the road beside our house, she said, "Kaul-Kaul". For whatever reason, no one has been able to understand what she has been talking about. It was like she was messing with us. I even drove down the road as slowly as possible, and I just couldn't figure it out! Until the other day....
Finally! At last!
"Kaul-Kaul" is the sound that the tires make as they go over a small bump in the road.
My life is complete.
Emmy (Teet a Teet)
Little Miss is all about accessories, and really, really, really like brushing her teeth (just like her Momma)! I think this may be one of the very first pictures that she has actually smiled (intentionally) for the camera...in her entire life!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sarah - 3 Months
Sarah smiles all of the time. We have officially established a schedule, and she does very well with it. She goes to bed around 8:00pm and sleeps until anywhere between 6:00am - 9:00am. She's such a pleasant little too. She will cuddle with and smile at anyone and everyone who pays her any attention.
The bigger littles have certainly enjoyed Sarah. Emmy loves to talk to her, love on her, and touch her. Sam makes up a new song nearly every day, Rachel is just the best little mommy in training around, and Cody, I think, is secretly thrilled to have yet another sister!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Pouty Face
Emmy has finally figured out how to express her disdain with my telling her to quit making so much noise. Today, in the car, she literally pouted for 15 minutes because I told her to stop fussing. She wouldn't even make eye contact with me!
This is the first (and last) time that this attitude will be tolerated, but man, is she not the cutest little on the face of the earth or what?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Grandma's Visit
Grandma came up for a weekend visit over the 4th. She got to love on all of the littles (even Emmy), but Sarah seemed right at home! Thanks, Beth, for the great picture!
Friday, July 2, 2010
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