A Well Sharpened Sword

This is reprinted here with permission from my wonderful hubby. I was so touched by it that I wanted to share it with all of you.



We went by for our usual hugs,

If you don't know who I'm talking about click here.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f3f81e94fefac1757ff8


and she had to move this book out of our way on the couch,
as usual. In fact I cannot remember when that book has not
had to be moved out of the way to make room to sit down
on the couch with her and visit.


I have had to move this book many times before but a little voice said
take a couple of quick pics of this.


This worn book is the most important part of her daily life.
She is ever, always reading this worn book. It's like she
is almost attached to it. When I realized the power,
the hope , the faith that has transferred from the pages
of this book to her and then to many, many of us who love
her, I thought, " Wow! This is worthy of some special attention."


When I thought about how much reading was done to put the wear and tear on this book and then thought about how much of a treasure of faith and love is stored by this book being used to this point , I realized that what I have in these little quick pics is more priceless than a world famous painting.



See, my friends, this is a true living battery charger for life today, and
every day. This is a power pack, a mountain moving, faith giving,
living link to our personal LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
So as this wonderful lady always says,
"BE SWEET AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS."

Little Fife

I am soooo excited! Our newest grandson is due any day. So far we have only seen him as an ultrasound image or a hidden form in his mamma's belly. But soon we will see him face to face.

He's going to be a big boy, over nine pounds. I believe that will be a good size to hold and feel comfortable with.

He will be the first for our daughter and son-in-law, and first babies are always special. But he will be our eighth grandchild. And everyone of them are special! (I know. Every grandparent feels that way.)

His first name will be Samuel. I don't think the middle name is decided on yet. At first we just affectionately called him 'Little'. But now he is Samuel or Sammy or sometimes just Sam.

I picture him as robust, alert and active. I believe he will be one that will want to touch, taste and experience everything he sees, a bouncing baby boy in every way. I see him as smart, quick and inquisitive. I think he will learn fast and retain much. I hope he will have his daddy's musical talent and curly hair, and his mommy's wit and creativity. I know he will have deep roots with the Lord because that is his heritage from past generations.

I know his parents are going to be the best mommy and daddy. They have so much love to give, and such a wise perspective on parenting. It is going to be so rewarding to watch as they raise little Sam in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

So,yes, we are eager for this child to arrive. He is going to be such fun!

My Two Cents.....

I have a lot of opinions, and when it comes to politics there are just a couple of things that I would like to see happen.

First of all, I think that all politicians should be held to a high standard of honesty and integrity. Maybe a '3 lies and you're out' rule would be good.

Secondly, I firmly believe that no politician should be paid more than the average middle class American, and that the benefits they receive should be comparable as well.

The problem, in my opinion, is that politicians feel that they are somehow not subject to the same standard of living or the same moral standard as the rest of us. Therefore, since they are so out of touch with our reality, how can they govern effectively?

Sadly, I see a 'Lord and Serf' culture hidden in our present day society. Braveheart anyone?

Fun Blog

This is the funnest blog I have ever run across.

http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-button.html

If you want to smile, this is the place to visit. I am amazed at the multitude of ways Katie finds to add interest to otherwise mundane things or times. I visit this blog often just to remind myself that we don't have to take life so seriously. Some moments of our lives should be fun and carefree!

My advice: Bookmark this one and visit often. You'll be glad you did.

Octuplets....

Since I am sleepless again tonight, I thought I'd just check out the news on the net. And, yes, there are yet more stories vilifying the mother of the octuplets. I find it sad that this woman's own mother is being reported as putting her down in almost every interview. Whatever Nadya Suleman's motives for being implanted with so many embryos, the fact is that this is a beautiful miracle! Surely God's favor was on this woman for all these babies to have survived and to be doing so well!

OK, so some want to address the medical expense of all these preemies, and the possible 'drain' they could be on our health care system. I work in a hospital and I could write a book about irresponsible, non-compliant patients and how they are a drain on our system. Want to discuss alcoholics, drug addicts, smokers, not to mention those who are constantly in the ER with vague symptoms just so they can get a legal buzz? Would it surprise you to know that most of the above mentioned patients health care is paid for by the government? And why is that? Because they have chosen a destructive lifestyle that has left them disabled. Besides free medical care, many of these also get assistance with rent, utilities, and food. Now that is a drain!

Now, please don't misunderstand. I am not against these people. Frankly, they help keep me in a job. I'm just saying that maligning the mother of the octuplets for this reason is totally ridiculous.

Well, what about her ability to care for all these kids? Just this week I spoke with an elderly woman who was the mother of 16 children. She was amazing! And she was surrounded by love. Compared to some elderly people I know who are alone, either because they have no children or their children cannot or will not visit, the lady with 16 kids is so blessed. No one will deny that caring for 14 children, 8 of them newborns, is going to be a tough job. But God put us all here to be family to one another. And if the Christians in Nadya Suleman's life pitch in to help like those in the lives of other parents of multiples have, then she will manage. In just a few short years those babies will be able to do much for themselves. And as they grow up together, they will never feel the loneliness that plagues some children that have no siblings.

My parents had 7 children. We didn't have a lot of material things. We wore hand me downs and ate simply. I never had a room of my own and seldom had a bed of my own. Sharing was a way of life. So was looking out for one another. And working along side my siblings and parents was considered normal. We were 'family' in every sense of the word. I think it will be somewhat the same for Nadya Suleman and her children. They will make it, and the difficulties will make them strong. And it will all be worth it.

Who knows what kinds of wonderful contributions these children may make to this troubled world. What if from this 'batch of embryos' there will be one who is destined to discover the cure, once and for all, of cancer. Or perhaps one of them will develop that car that runs on water instead of gas. Who knows? But time will tell. In the meantime, I hope Nadya gets all the help she needs. It's not our place to judge. I prefer to marvel at what the Lord has done. And I look at it this way. It replaces 8 aborted children. PTL!!!

Poetry

I've been writing poetry since I was in grade school. Just a little hobby of mine that only a few close friends and family knew about. Here are a couple of poems I wrote in recent years for my children. I have four fabulous sons and one beautiful daughter.

My Son
My son, what will your life be like,
What will your future be?
What untold joys and sorrows wait,
What wonders will you see?

Have I prepared you well enough
To deal with what's ahead?
Have I imparted courage
That will chase away all dread?

Will you be strong in troubled times,
Yet tender in your heart?
When others look to you for help,
Son, will you do your part?

When temptations beckon you
Will honor be your creed?
Will you give up your own desires
To fill another's need?

Will you look at your children
As a blessing from above?
And be to them what they need most,
A father full of love?

I pray your life be kissed by God,
No matter what may come,
And that He'll be your strength and shield
When all is said and done.

I know that seeds of greatness
Have been planted deep in you,
And what the Lord has promised
Is the thing that He will do.

So listen closely for His voice,
And do not fail to hear.
A whispered prayer will move His hand,
For He is always near.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Daughter
I remember well the day you arrived,
A tiny, pink bundle of love.
No doubt in my mind as I looked in your face
That you were a gift from above.

You fit in my arms so perfectly then.
You still fit there perfectly now.
I'll cherish and treasure each loving embrace
As long as our Lord will allow.

In watching you grow, and watching you bloom,
I know just what I am to do.
By God's grace and love, for the brief time you're mine,
I'll plant seeds of Jesus in you.

I know that one day you'll be leaving this nest
And the shelter of this 'mother hen'.
God, give me the grace to allow you to fly
As I offer you back to Him.

(Thank you, Jesus, for my wonderful children!)