When you need a little help from a friend.....

Something from today's Word pulled a heart string or ten for me.

Exodus 17:11-13, NLT

11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

Gave me goose bumps. How many times have I faced obstacles, trials, been grief stricken, or was carrying a huge burden and have my family/friends hold my hands for me. When we are ready to throw the towel in and revert back to Egypt, here comes the sisters, food in tow:), and all seems well again. They know exactly what to say, when to say it and will hold you up till you are back on your feet again.

Or, better yet, they will stand in the gap for you and face your enemy with much prayer. When you have friends/family that will stand with you against the wiles of the devil, without ceasing, you can overcome!

I'm thankful God knew that we needed a support system. We cannot travel this road alone. With God as my helper and my family/friends at my side, the valleys don't seem as low!

Making a u-turn here, IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST MAKING SURE YA'LL KNEW IT WAS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SURVIVED THE AUDIT!!!!!

And for some reason this song just popped in my head, "Standing on the promises of God." Maybe you needed to sing it with me today:) lol!! Scroll down and sing with Alan Jackson. Your welcome. Now that you can't get it out of your head......lol!!!!

Carrie

Alan Jackson - Standing On The Promises

Guess who's the Big 10 today?

Yes, my niece J! Hubby calls her Aunt J! He loves to aggravate her, doesn't he J? lol!

Niece J is my PR person. She makes friends easy and loves to have a good time! She is a tomboy like me. But can get dressed up if she has to:) Unlike me, she is a dog lover.....the more dogs the better. She is an athlete...aren't we glad she didn't take after her Mom:)jk...love ya sis...really she is a mean basketball and softball player, and would love to play football for her Dad...if a certain someone..uhhum...Mom...would let her:)

Anyway, I hope you have a Happy Birthday! I love you!! Looking for my birthday hug and I'll make sure you get your one lick to grow on!!

Oh...and....I'm getting you a bag of grapes for your birthday...that way we both can enjoy!!!

Love,

Aunt Carrie

Speechless!

40:3-5 Job answered:
"I'm speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I've talked too much, way too much. I'm ready to shut up and listen." The Message

I'm speechless too! When God speaks in that mighty of a way, what else can you say.

You know as a parent there are times when you are trying to explain to a defiant child why you did this or that, and all they want to do is argue with you? So you have to resort to your loud voice:) and say hey, just who do you think brought you into this world:), now be quiet and listen to me!! Well, I feel God had, had enough of Job's mouth! Oh how many times has He had enough of my mouth? Ooooh way too many I'm afraid. And He gets my attention. It may not be through the whirlwind that Job heard Him, but I know. Thankfully He gave me a conscious. You know when you have done wrong.

I can't wait to read what happens in tomorrow's conversation between God and Job.

Have a great weekend,

Carrie

Pushed to the limit.....

Ever been there? To the limit. Yeah, me too! Or at least I think I can't take anymore. I've witnessed this on different occasions these past few weeks. Seems everyone is at their breaking point.....me included. The enemy knows our weaknesses and boy does he ever know how to push our buttons:)

I covet your prayers for a dear friend of mine, who has been pushed to her limit and back. Please pray that she will have the patience and stamina to continue on. This situation involves being the care taker of her Mom. When the roll reverses, it is not always an easy one.

In our daily Bible readings, we are seeing how Job is responding to his woes. What I read today really stuck with me. Job 36:10 says, "He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil." 36:17, "But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don't worry, judgment and justice will be upheld." 36:21, "Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil."

When things aren't going my way, the defense mechanisms go on autopilot. Why me? Why now? Why not? Why do good people suffer? Isn't that the million dollar question? I have by no means the answer, but what I got from today's lesson is that no matter what comes my way, God is in control. He knows what I need, whether it be good or bad. It's how I deal that matters the most. And that should be reflecting God's light in my darkest hours.

Let's join our hearts, mind and souls and pray for each other as we make this journey together of reading the Bible.

The song, "Stand" sums it up for me.
[Verse]
What do you do when you've done all you can And it seems like it's never enough? And what do you say when your friends turn away, you're all alone? Tell me, what do you give When you've given your all, and seems like you can't make it through? Stand and be sure Be not entangled in that bondage again You just stand, and be sure. God has a purpose. Yes, God has a plan. Tell me what do you do when you've done all you can And it seems like you can't make it through Child you just stand You just stand Stand Don't you give up Through the storm , through the rain Through the hurt , through the pain
[Chorus]
Well, you just stand When there's nothing left to do You just stand Watch the Lord see you through Yes, after you've done all you can You just stand Don't you bow, don't bend Don't give up, don't give in Hold on, just be strong God will step in and it won't be long
VERSE
Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past? Tell me, how do you deal with the shame? And how can you smile when your heart is broken and filled with pain? Tell me what do you give when you've given your all. Seems like you can't make it through? After you've done all you can After you've gone through the hurt After you've gone through the pain After you've gone through the storm After you've gone through the rain Prayed and cried, you've prayed and cried Prayed and cried, prayed and cried After you've done all you can, you just stand. Child you just stand, when there's nothing left to do You just stand Watch the Lord see you through Yes, after you've done all you can You just stand.


Let's just square our shoulders back and hold our head up and JUST STAND!!!

Standing for Him,
Carrie

The Eagles

Yes, we were there!! Live and in person!!

We sat....not:)...we totally embarrassed our children...as we leaped to our feet, hoooping, hollering and singing with our loud voices for 3 1/2 hours.

There is nothing like a good childhood memory........

Your welcome boys. We are looking forward to the next one.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Random Thoughts......

on Daily Bible Readings...



I am absolutely loving it! And I'm not even behind!!! Reading Job is not always a pleasant thing. It's down right depressing to read of Job's trials. However, I'm not discouraged. Each day God gives me a nugget I can carry with me from the text. Like what kind of friend am I when trouble comes to someone close to me? How do I handle the valleys in my life? Please visit Wendy. She has lots of great insight on each daily reading.



on the book club, Spectacular Sins, that Lisa and Missy are hosting.....



I just got the book yesterday and sat down to read last night. I was expecting this huge book that would scare me just looking at it, and to my surprise this is an itty bitty book. Ya'll I can read this!! And it makes sense!! I can't wait to finish it. As soon as I began reading the intro it was one of those light bulb moments! I've been feeling as of late about the urgency of reading God's word and getting down to the nitty gritty, the ugly stuff, and this is exactly what this book is about. The cold hard truth. No more soothing sounds or bear hugs. I need that. I need to be awakened to the realness of sin. Can I handle it with a yellow belly....no way. I'm praying God will whip me into shape so that I have a rod of steel for a spine!



on the work scene....



Psalm 34:13 says, "keep your tongue from evil." In other words, say nothing even if it means letting someone think they're right even when we know they are not." I go around saying this verse over and over in my head. Praying my tongue is listening:)



on Mom.....



She is doing good. It's such a blessing to be able to say that. Please continue to pray for her.



on Hubby and kids......



I ask that you pray for Hubby. His job has become so heavy on his heart it's often hard for him to leave it there. The economic turmoil of the country affects everyone, no matter if you have lost your job or not. Each one of us carry a unique burden directly associated with the crisis. As for the kids, well let me say, there is never a dull moment:) I'm still hearing strange noises from the bedrooms....guitar noises for clarification:)....and these noises are sounding like music now!

on the new blog design......

Well, let's just say, I'm in the re-decorating mood. And I'm so ready for SRING!! I guess this new look, is due in part to the fact I'm hanging curtains, re-arranging everything, and on the hunt for a new shower curtain for the boys bath. Hubby sat down on the couch last night and looked up and said, "you changed the lamp shades on the kitchen light." Yes dear, that was two days ago:) lol!!! Glad you noticed.

Have a blessed weekend.....

Carrie

How to Dress for 40 Below.....

Carrie

Drum Roll Please........

First off, would someone please inform me as to how to do the random number generator thingy? It seems much easier than how I had to do this drawing. Which was the old fashion way of putting the numbers in a hat and drawing one out. Whatever works...right:)

K. So I'm shaking the hat and reaching in to grab a piece of paper........

And the winner is........Cindy from Consider It all Joy! Here is the comment she left:

I'm sure you know which one I'm going to quote."Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance much finish it's work so you may become mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4Bless you and hope I win!

Congratulations my friend!! I hope you enjoy the calendar!

Please visit Cindy here. You will be blessed!

Love and prayers,

Carrie

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is no easy task. Only with the help of God, can we truly forgive one another. Joseph did just that. He forgave his brothers who did this horrific crime against him. Luke 6:28 says, "Pray for those who mistreat you." Ouch! Do I really have to:)....yes, yes a thousand times yes.

I've been dealing with some personal hurt at work and boy it's not easy to forgive. What I do know is that if you don't, then the bitterness will consume your life and you will be no good to any one. Every aspect of your life will suffer due to unforgiveness. Christ set the perfect example of forgiveness. And my life pales in comparison to what He suffered for things He had not done. That is LOVE!

Stress can make you want to quit, but God can give you the strength to carry on...if only we ask. Believe me when I say that I have asked, prayerfully, earnestly sought His will in this situation. Thing is, it's really not that big of a deal on the grand scheme of things. Maybe at the time it seemed huge, but really it's not. I'm thankful He is healing my heart and has given me peace and direction on how to forgive!

Can you relate? Has someone hurt you so bad you didn't think you could ever forgive? If so, I beg you to ask God to heal that hurt and give you the grace to forgive. He will! And you will be free to spread His light to a lost and dying world.

Before I go, I wanted to remind you to please enter to win this calendar. I absolutely love it! The pictures testify to the awesomeness of God's splendor! Don't forget to leave a comment with your favorite scripture.

Have I told you lately how much I love each of you? Your presence in my life is more than I deserve. Over the past year you have listened to my grumblings, insecurities, family fun times, prayed for Mom, and left me encouraging words. I can never thank you enough. That's what sisterhood is all about!

I will announce the winner of the calendar on Monday, January 19th!

Love to all,

Carrie