Sunday's treat is David Petete

We went to the Norman Town and Country Church (formerly the Cowboy Church) this morning.  David Petete was there to lead the singing.  We LOVE David and wish we could get him out to Sunscape for a concert.  He's amazingly gifted and also crazy fun...... and he's powerfully devoted to the Lord. Pastor Richard, who by the way, is the preacher friend who married Don and I.  Anyway, he preaches from a chair since his accident.  We're praying that soon he will be able to stand again to preach, but it didn't affect his message.  It was good: Ten Things a Church Should Do or Be.  Very good.  If you're looking at the wall behind Richard and the concrete floor, you may be wondering where this church is held.  It's in the activity building at the Norman Rodeo Arena. That doesn't affect the message or ministry that occurs here, either.Thank You, to Richard and Susan for taking us to our favorite Mexican restaurant in the world, Ted's Cafe Escondido. There are five locations in Oklahoma for your dining pleasure.

After our Sunday afternoon nap, Don and I took a stroll around the park's park.  The owners keep this area across the creek and behind the park very manicured.  It's not fenced, but is still a good place to walk the pets or yourself.Don found a fishing hole!!  No joke, he saw some fish in here, one was about a foot long.  Now, if he can just get them to mow him a path down to the water's edge a few feet down stream from this picture, he'll be set.These are vetch blooms growing wild here.  Vetch is a favorite cattle forage plant.  Milk cows who eat vetch produce very good milk.Well, look what I found in "our park!"  For any new passers-by, I'm a big fan of dead trees with character.  For me, there is so much symbolism in the tree.  This tree has been trimmed maybe one time too many, but I'm glad they haven't cut it down yet.  Oh Look! There's another dead tree in the background!  I see another picture I will be taking in the next few days and it's not the dead tree in the background.God is at work.  I know that was a random statement, but I'm at times just overwhelmed with His love and magnitude.  That the God who created this universe, cares for me and mine, is too big for me to wrap my head around and I love that about Him.  I worship that about Him.  That's what makes HIM GOD.  If all I had to worship was a rock, or myself, or another person, or even a dead tree, what a sad predicament I would be in.  We all need the God who is so much bigger than we can imagine and 'bigger' is such a feeble word when attempting to describe God.  I need the One in control of my life to be so indescribable.  He made me, He saved me and He keeps me.  How do people live outside of this sanctuary that is HIM?  Father, help me to be You to them.

We are SO blessed.

Sunday's Coming is posted!

Don is on a roll! This is several weeks in a row now that he has written his Sunday's Coming. Enjoy!

Count It All Joy, also has a new look!

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

Sunday's Coming

Sunday's Coming went out today. Don is feeling better and we are both rejoicing and so blessed to be used by God in this ministry.

Just click on the title to open "Count It All Joy" and read today's Sunday's Coming and be blessed.

Sunday's Coming

Don sent out Sunday's Coming again this week. Click on Sunday's Coming to read.

Sunday's Coming

Don posted Sunday's Coming today. Go on over to Count It All Joy and check it out.

You CAN count on it & 1 0f 12 commandments

Friday, October 31

Count On It (by Dr. David Jeremiah)

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:3

Recommended Reading
Revelation 19:11-16

When you read or watch The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, you know that what you're watching isn't reality- that it's fiction created to entertain and to convey a message. Unfortunately, too many people - even Christians - view prophecies about the future that way.

Think about it: Millions of Christians being removed from planet earth instantly; a one-world ruler gaining power before being assassinated and coming back to life; cataclysmic natural events in the heavens and on earth; Jesus Christ appearing on a white horse in the sky, accompanied by millions of saints and angels - sometimes people view these happenings like science fiction: They've never happened before, so it's unlikely they'll happen in the future. But you have to ask whether your doubts can stand up against the words of Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul. They both said, in essence, "Count on it. The future of the world is as certain as the past."

If you are not confident that your doubts are stronger than Jesus' and Paul's declarations, consider recommitting yourself to the trustworthiness of Scripture.

God promises to keep His people, and He will keep His promises. Charles Spurgeon

Thanks to Wendy Fury, I will be posting the Twelve Commandments... one each day. The pictures are adorable and the "commandments" are good. Today: I've made up my mind to be happy; it's a choice I make. It's payday Friday here and I love the simple task of passing out checks and greeting the people with a smile and a kind word (and candy today). If you missed "More from Wednesday's Wanderings in SE Kansas" <<==just click on the title here.

Don's report from Branson...

Don sent out Sunday IS Coming this morning after he received an email from Lenny and Ginny Dexter, good friends from Quail Run.  It's really good.

Sunday's Coming

Don sent out his Sunday's Coming this morning and now it is posted on Count It All Joy. Get your tissue.

Also, if you have not yet read the Audrey Caroline Smith Story, I recommend, urge, invite, encourage and beg you to do so. No other human story will inspire you like this one, except the story of Jesus Christ as He walked on earth.

Don't know what this is, but it's interesting and pretty.

In the confusion of all that's been going on with my mom, and everything else around here, I forgot to tell about the surprise email we got this week. Cathy and Jack Montgomery are bringing their granddaughter to Branson next week and they are coming to see us Monday and then we'll go out to dinner together. We are so excited to get to see them again. We miss all of our Quail Run friends so much.... this will be a treat!

Lucy and I went to a local laundromat today and got that chore done for another week. Then tonight the four of us went to the Hard Luck Diner. Our waiter was Gordy Wensel who sang "I Can Only Imagine" upon our request. He was a hoot and we really enjoyed our hour and a half there. We ate slow and had dessert so we could hear all of the waiters and waitresses sing. Jason Yeager was not there tonight. He's also hosting the American Finalists Show at the Grand Palace here. American Idol finalists from the last 7 seasons will be performing here all summer... a different group of eight every four weeks.Lucy just HAD to take the guys to the BIG rocking chair.Is this a hoot or what?!!

Should you need a little perspective....

Jody, author of blog "nitty gritty" wrote today:
She was a miracle to behold...
Angie Smith wrote a letter to her baby Audrey, who was born on and went to Heaven on April 7th. In case you wonder whether God is Real...If you wonder whether or not there is such a thing as Peace on Earth...If you've ever asked yourself "What good can come from suffering?"...If it's been too long since you have 'felt' or witnessed a miracle in this life, then this post is for you.

Sunday's Coming

Sunday's Coming was sent out via email on Wednesday, but I haven't had a chance to post it to Count It All Joy until today. It's short and sweet because we were on the rode.


Blessings from Above to all.

Amen

Quote from nitty gritty: "I have had several inquiries about the first song on my playlist here at my blog. It's titled "Amazing Grace (My chains are gone)" and it's by music artist Chris Tomlin. You can see a video of the song by following the link here.

I have loved it since the first time I heard it. The music and melody just speak to my heart each and everytime it plays. I have been brought to tears by this song more than once. And if you know me well at all, you know I'm not typically a 'crier'.

Today when I loaded the girls into the van to go pick Brock up from school, I grabbed a couple of fresh baked chocolate chip/m&m cookies and wrapped them in a napkin so that he would have warm cookies for the short ride home, rather than having to wait until we got inside the house. It was a small gesture, but one that was met with much gratitude and surprise. It garnered a "You're the best mom ever...I love you!" and to me that's what grace is to me.

It is something so undeserved, so thoughtful and incredible and ...."

I have never met Jody Ferlaak, but I am becoming such a fan. That sounds like she's a performing celeb, but she's not. She just a wife and mom who has been through much heartache and has learned how to "count it all joy." For inspiration, read her blog posting for today, Music and Warm Cookies.

poem by Maya Angelo

This was sent to me yesterday by a beautiful woman and friend.

Christian Women
by Maya Angelou

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean living"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

(through Jesus Christ and so can you)