A Goodly Heritage

I take for granted so many blessings in my life. One of these I realized a few weeks ago at our family reunion. We had our reunion in the Black Hills of South Dakota with my dad's side of the family. It was a great time. We were there over a Wednesday evening. We usually attend church on Wednesdays for our church's Bible Study and Prayer meeting. Since all of our family is Baptist and we have 4 pastors in our family we decided to hold our own Bible Study right there at our cabin. We sang songs and had special music from the 4 girl cousins and also from my dad and uncle. And then my cousin Phil preached to us. He said he was only going to give a devotion.....no....he preached!! It was a great message on God's goodness. But as we were having our little church service, I started thinking of how blessed our family is. Not very many families can have a church service or Bible study during their family reunions. There are so many families who believe SO differently when it comes to spiritual matters. But all of my extended family on my dad's side believes the same. And that is such a blessing! I know Grandpa and Grandma Lydick were watching from heaven and saying "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

"Yea, I have a goodly heritage." Psalm 16:6

Updates

I know I have not been on here in a LONG time. There just hasn't been alot to write about. Our life is busy as usual but just nothing extremely exciting. I am now about 4 months into my pregnancy and everything is going good. I am past the nauseous stage and tired stage so I am VERY thankful for that. That has got to be the worst part of pregnancy. We have also had some trials in lives of people dear to us. Our Associate Pastor Doug Taylor found out his leukemia is back so that has definitely been a hard thing on our church and on my dad. But thank the Lord, Doug has been such an inspiration to all of us with how him and his family have dealt with this. It is an awesome thing to see God working with them and through them. They are such a blessing to our family!! My mom has also been have some health issues. The doctors so far can't find what's wrong but she knows something just hasn't been right. So, we pray the Lord will give the doctors wisdom to figure out what is going on. And then an older man in our church passed away last week. He was such a blessing to our church. One of these people that would do anything for anyone and not ever want recognition for his actions. Such a humble man -- he will be greatly missed. So, it has been busy but with stuff that is not always fun to write about. Pray for my parents right now -- they have had alot of stress lately and hopefully will soon get a break from it all!!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging buddies! I hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends. And I hope you remember who's birthday we are celebrating.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. " John 3:16

My Bible reading today...

God laid a verse on my heart last night ("What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." Romans 6:1-2). So, for my Bible reading this morning I read all of Romans 6. It just really says alot and I thought I would share it here.

Romans 6
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Goodbye to my buddy Dagen

Well, Jason just left a little while ago to take Dagen to the vet. We are having him put to sleep. The treatments didn't seem to be working and he was getting worse. This morning I couldn't hardly bare to watch him trying to get around and he was peeing all over himself and the house. It was not a good site. So, we just said it's time -- it's not worth putting him through more pain and suffering just so we can have him around a little while longer. But I am going to miss him -- he has been such a good dog and a great friend. Thanks for all the comments and thoughtfulness from everyone!!

Update on Dagen...

Just want you to know that we didn't put Dagen to sleep. Jason took him to the vet today and they want to try steroids one more time. So, we have to give him those and then keep him in his kennel almost all the time for the next couple of weeks to see if just some rest with the meds will help him. So, I'm thankful he will be with us for awhile longer BUT I hope this isn't just prolonging the inevitable. We'll see :-)

My dog Dagen...

Most of you know we have two miniature dachshunds and I love them SOOOOOOOOOOO much!! They are my buddies. Well, Dagen, our older one is having problems with his back (dachshunds are known for this) and I'm dreading the inevitable (putting him to sleep). I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. But he is doing pretty bad. Today he has been just dragging his back legs behind him and he has been pooping in the house. So, I know it may be time but I just don't want to do it -- he is such a good dog. I made an appointment for tomorrow so they can check him again and see if there is anything else to do but I'm afraid it is the end. So, sorry this is a sad post but I need to write about it. Here's a couple of pictures of him -- my buddy!!

Hmmmm......

So, why is it that so-called Christians have such a hard time obeying God's word? I know it's because of our sin nature, but doesn't the Bible say "give NO place to the devil"? So, why then do we put ourselves in situations that give place to the devil?? This I cannot seem to understand. I see Christians daily letting the devil have places in their lives where they are allowing themselves room to fall into sin. Putting yourself in a place where you KNOW there is going to be temptation to sin is (in my point of view) asking to fall into sin. So, then when we end up doing something REALLY dumb, why are we surprised? We put ourselves there knowing that we should not be there in the first place. So, again, I know we are going to sin, but when we go into a situation that we KNOW we should not be in and then we sin, I think this is willful sinning against God. I know I'm not perfect -- believe me I AM NOT -- the Bible reminds me of this ("For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God") -- but my prayer is that I will always put myself in situations where I can glorify God and not disappoint him. Thank you for listening to me ramble -- hope this makes some sense.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just want to wish everyone a VERY Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all of the great blessings God has shown upon us this year -- what a GREAT God we serve!! I have a loving husband, a good kid, and a great family who all love the Lord -- and for that I am truly thankful. I am excited about spending Thanksgiving with all of our family. It should be a good day.

Psalm 136:1

"O give THANKS unto the LORD;

for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever. "

I also want to share a recipe with you that has become a request every year. It is for Chocolate Cream Pie -- yum, yum!!

Old-fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie

1 baked pie shell

5 Tblsp. flour

1 cup sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

5 Tblsp. cocoa

2 cups milk

3 eggs, separated

1/2 cup oleo

1 tsp. vanilla

Sift flour with sugar, salt, and cocoa. Add milk. Stir until smooth. Place in a double boiler (or a saucepan -- that's what I use) and cook for 12 minutes. Stir to prevent lumping. Beat egg yolks. Add to the above mixture and cook for 3 minutes. Stir often. A wire whip is helpful for the stirring process. Remove from fire and add oleo and vanilla. Mix. Cool slightly and pour into pie shell. This makes a 9-inch pie. Top with Cool Whip.

Salute to the Troops!

Happy Veteran's Day! I want to just say "Thank you" to all our men and women out there that are serving or have served in our nation's military. I also want to say thanks to the families that have to sacrifice their time away from their loved ones that are serving. I can never fully understand what military families go through -- I see some of it with my sister and her husband but it's still not the same as being in a military family. So, "Thank you!! We are indebted to you!

"And I'm proud to be an American

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me.

And I'll gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today.

'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God Bless the USA!"

New President

Well, this long, long presidential election is finally over. I am disappointed with the results but it's done so we have to move on. I will now be praying for our country more than ever before -- praying this President doesn't take us down a wrong path and praying for the safety of our country. May God continue to bless America!

I Voted!

I voted today. And I am praying each person did their duty as an American citizen and voted. I was just reading some blogs and thought I needed to voice my opinion about this election and some of the issues. I want people to know that honestly neither one of these candidates are great. They are both socialists technically. I mean they both signed for this 700 billion dollar bailout plan -- that is nothing more than pure socialism!!! But the difference between them is John McCain is a Patriot -- he has fought for our country and will continue to fight for our safety as a nation. Unfortunately, Obama is friends with people that would love to sell our country off to places that would love to see our country fall. He is friends with men who are proud to say they hate our country -- how can you be friends with people like this?? So, for that, how could you vote for someone who is okay being friends with people like this?? That I cannot understand. I heard something yesterday that was pretty good -- with the associations that Obama has, he could not have gotten any job with high security clearance (FBI, CIA, etc.) but he can become the next President? the next Commander-in-Chief?? WOW!!

About some of the issues:

Welfare:
I think it is one thing to help people out till they can get back on their feet. But usually that is not the case. Most people that are on welfare have been on welfare for their whole life -- that is the only way they know -- their parents were on it -- their grandparents were on it. They don't know any different. They have never even tried to make a life for themselves. The Bible says "if a man shall not work, neither shall he eat." Sorry but I don't feel sorry for people that have no initiative to get off their butt and try to work to feed their children. That may sound harsh but it's true. I'm not working hard so I can feed other people's families -- I'm working hard so I can feed my family!!! Government was NOT put in place to feed people -- it's purpose is to protect the people from outside harm. It is the place of people to help out other people less fortunate. The Bible talks about that too -- helping out the widows and others in need. If people would do their part, Government wouldn't have to. But since Government is taking our money and giving to whoever they want it makes people not want to give anymore. So, it has had an adverse effect on the way it should be.

Health Care:
Is health care a right or a privilege? Back to the welfare thing. Government should not be involved in health care. I also don't think we need insurance programs. Insurance has made prices of health care sky rocket -- the free enterprise system that America was established on is gone from the health care system. If it was given back to the private sector prices would drop drastically and everyone would be able to afford it for themselves. Think about it -- if you got rid of all the insurance paperwork, insurance fraud, etc. -- that alone would bring prices down. Less work and less money spent. There was a show on 20/20 awhile ago showing universal health care, insurance run health care, and private sector health care. It was AMAZING how health care run in a private sector was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more affordable and so much better all around. Doctors would then be competitive and that makes prices come down. And they showed countries that have universal health care -- it is NOT better -- you are on a waiting list for MONTHS to see a doctor. People in Canada come to America for surgeries because they can get them done sooner here. The military health care here in America is Government funded -- and let me tell you it is not better. All I ever hear from military families is how they hate going to the military hospital for anything -- it is always a mess. What does that say for "great" universal health care?? Not much! I don't want that!

Iraq war:
At this point the debate about if we should have gone to war with Iraq is not a question. It doesn't matter -- we went -- now we HAVE to finish it. If we don't, that war will become greater than we can even imagine!! Iran is right next door -- they will move in -- take over Iraq and then we are in a worse place than before the war. They HAVE weapons of mass destruction and they will use them. Again going back to the people Obama associates with -- they hate America and would love to see our great land destroyed. So, think where that will lead us. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad this war has not been fought on our land -- but if we leave there, it very well could be on our land next. So, we have to finish. And Obama making a promise to get out of there -- he can't promise that -- he's not president yet. He will see what is really going on there if he is our next president and THEN he will have to decide -- and I think he will see we do need to finish (that is if he really wants to protect our country). And someone said we are headed for another Vietnam -- do your research -- Vietnam was lost because politicians in Washington were running that war instead of our Generals who are trained to run a war. Let the military do it's job -- Congress has no clue how to run a war -- they hardly no how to run the congress sometimes! If we let our great military do it's job and stop politicizing everything we could have this done soon and our men can come home. But if we leave now it will not be better later!

I did think of our country and what's best for it when voting today and I pray daily for our country. We need God back in our country and in the lives of our citizens. There is so much morally and spiritually wrong in our country today -- people don't even know the difference between good and evil -- the Bible says in the last days "they will call good evil and evil good" and that is surely the case today. Christians "look up - your redemption draweth nigh!"

Something to think about before you Vote!

This quote was in our church bulletin this morning. I just thought it was a great quote and something to really think about when voting.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the people discover they can vote themselves Largess (gifts, money, favors, etc.) out of the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that democracy always collapses over a loose fiscal policy -- to be followed by a dictatorship. "
-- Lord Woodhouselee

This is where America is headed. If we vote in a Socialist President ("...the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury...") the result one day could be our great country collapsing into a dictatorship. My prayer is that our nation will turn back to God and the great principles our country was built upon. Please vote responsibly this Tuesday!!

What is wrong with people today?

I just don't understand so called "Christians" today. Here is a news clip of someone in the Christian community that has lost all respect from me -- I just cannot believe this!! How can you call yourself a Christian (a follower of Christ) and not believe EVERY SINGLE THING the Bible (God's word) teaches? This is quite disturbing to me -- I like several of Ray Bolt's songs but I will definitely think differently about his music now. Here's the article:

There is shock and sadness in the Christian community over word that famed Christian music singer Ray Boltz has publicly announced he’s living a homosexual lifestyle.
"If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live...I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself." Those were the words of Ray Boltz in an interview with the Washington Blade about his decision to engage in homosexuality. Boltz, a father of four who was married for 33 years before officially divorcing his wife this year, is well-known for his widely acclaimed songs "Thank You" and "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb."

The disclosure by Boltz was stunning news to former homosexual Greg Quinlan who is now with the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

"I’m absolutely shocked. I've got some of his CDs and cassette tapes –- tells you how long it's been around. When he says he's born that way, we know now for a fact that that's false. In fact, just last year in March, the director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins, said this: homosexuality is not hardwired. There is no gay gene. We mapped the human genome. We now know there is no genetic cause for homosexuality."

When asked about Boltz's homosexuality, The Gospel Music Association -- the group which gives out the Dove Awards -- told the Blade, "We do not comment on the lifestyle choices of people in our community."


According to Quinlan, by making such a statement the GMA seems to be "enabling a behavior that is totally inconsistent, incongruent with the message of the gospel."