Momlinda’s blog

Have you ever been touched by a particular verse of scripture?  Matthew 23:37 has always been that one for me. 

Matthew 23:37 (KJV) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

I remember the first time I heard that scripture when it felt as though my heart would break.  It was in Little Rock, Arkansas on a Sunday morning service when Bro. Don Lutrick was preaching.  I don't think it was what he said about it or how he said it but I was filled with emotion. 

Perhaps the picture of Jesus reaching out in love to a group of people that had rejected Him over and over brought it.  Maybe His cry, as a mother hen that by instinct protects her own chicks in danger struck me. I don't have an explanation but I know it can be applied to me. 

I have heard God's word all my life.  I have understood it from childhood.  And yet, I withdraw from His love and sink into depression because I don't see things happening as I would have liked. 

I need to run to Him this morning and get my focus corrected again. He beckons to me to run to Him and I must!

I am going to do something that I try never to do!  My husband's life verse was: Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things." He tried very hard to abide by that but his melancholy personality found it very hard to stick with it.  It was easy for me to be carefree and optimistic because he was doing enough worrying for both of us. 

Now that I have no one to worry for me, I find myself rethinking so many things.  I do know that God is in control!  I do know from where my strength comes!  BUT sometimes I sink to such a low and I give in to self-pity and despair!  I am ashamed of that.  It really shows my lack of faith.  It is one thing to talk about faith but true faith should be backed up with a life of trust and not depression. 

I am missing Mike so much!  I miss his companionship, his love, his yardwork, his art, his music! Right now I think so much about how much he could have helped out in the music program at church now.  Bro. Satterfield would have loved Mike.  He is so spontaneous and Mike could have jumped right in there and played whatever he wanted in whatever key he needed!! He could have put his special touch to the quartet and been so proud of Ryan's being a part of it.  I miss being able to sing a song, completely free of stress, knowing that Mike knew the right chord to make the best harmonies and that he could cover for me if needed.  I have come to the place that I realize how much I NEED him in that area. 

Another thing I miss is his support and help in discernment.  I have always accepted things at face value!  I hate ever having to question motives and actions.  I WANT to believe the best about everyone!!! I WANT to follow a leader!!!! I want there to be just one person in this world that I can relax about and know that he is right and I can believe everything he says.  At this age, I am beginning to understand that person does not exist!!!!  Everything must be analyzed and weighed against scripture.  That is hard work!!! 

It has been so long since I posted.  I have gotten led astray by Facebook!:(

I am back into my counseling course and have finished the first section.  While waiting for the next section, I have been rereading some of my textbooks.  Please allow me to expound upon the marriage textbook.

The Bible teaches that marriage was instituted by God and for His purposes.  If a marriage is to be glorifying to God and thus satisfying to both parties involved, it must be based on biblical principles. 

There are a few references to the marriage relationship in the New Testament and I give you those references for your own study.   They are: Ephesians 5: 23-33, I Peter 3.  The description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is also a helpful reference. 

It is crucial to understand that God is the author of the marriage relationship and that when our marriages reflect His preferences, we are blessed.  The bible teaches that the relationship between a husband and a wife is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.  If that is kept in mind, many of the expectations of the world will be seen for what they truly are. 

Here is a direct quotation from my counseling book, to help state a concise goal:

“The basic aims in marriage counseling are

1. To secure a commitment from both parties to Christ and to His Word as the standard for all that is done and said, which will
2. Foster and establish companionship between them, understood to be the essence of marriage, leading to
3. Unity in intimacy, which exhibits
4. Growth, and which
5. Exemplifies the relationship between Christ and His church.”

Notice that this makes the foundation sure and eliminates all the fluff.  No matter what we want from our marriage, there is a way to have a blessed marriage and it is within the confines of what God expects.  Satan desires to confuse the issue.

The passages in Ephesians and I Peter clearly state the requirements for both husband and wife.  Wives are to be submissive to their own husbands.  Submission includes the acts of respect and obedience.  A wife is to respect the authority of her husband and submit to his leadership.  “And since a husband’s authority is conferred to him by God, it is God whom wives respect when they respect their husbands, and it is God whom they disrespect when they don’t.”(“Solving Marriage Problems” by Jay E. Adams)

Husbands have the requirements of loving leadership and gentleness within the marriage. 

I quote another passage from the above-mentioned book:  “Nowhere in the New Testament is the wife commanded to “love your husband.”  But in the space of the few verses in Ephesians 5, four times the husband is commanded to love his wife.  Love clearly is the task of the husband and not the wife.  The husband is to initiate love, to maintain love, and to see that love grows in the marriage.  That is his responsibility.”

With these firm definitions in hand, we can determine where our marriages may be failing.  If, as a wife, you are not fulfilling your part of God’s command in the area of submissive respect and obedience, you must confess that sin and bring your life into line with God’s command.

As a husband, if you are not taking the lead in loving your wife with gentleness, then you are at fault and need to make your confessions and correct your situation. 

Last night I was so privileged to be able to lead another soul to the Lord.  We have prayed for Linda for several years.  I continue to pray that the Lord will use RU and the workers to encourage and help her as she tries to use what she has learned to break her addictions. God is faithful and will be true to His word!!

Luke 15:7 (KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:10 (KJV) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Tonight was a very special night at RU.  I just want to say that being able to lead a soul to the Lord is the most special thing you can experience in this life and yes, I do know what Mike is doing tonight!

Welcome to the family Diana Urwin!

Can you believe it has been so long since I last blogged?  I can't!  I joined Facebook and that has taken my time recently.  I love seeing everyone's pictures and reconnecting with old friends. 

The last post was a cliffhanger!!  How is little "Pippi", you ask! hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Here is the story.  Miss Kitty did NOT enjoy the new friend.  She was extremely jealous and mad at me.  She wouldn't even sleep with me even when "Pippi" was in the crate.  She even cut back on eating. 

The final blow came when I returned home from work one day to find my earphones to my keyboard in the floor with the wires chewed off.  At first I was mad but then I thought I could always buy another set.  The next morning I happened to notice that the stool for my keyboard which had a black plastic-covered foam seat had been attacked on two corners.  Foam was sticking ou and black plastic was scattered over the floor.  That was the last straw.  I packed that little girl up and took her back to the animal hospital.  Even though I had paid $75 for her, I felt like I was a step ahead financially without her threatening my furniture and Miss Kitty's emotional well-being! ;) Miss Kitty was extremely happy to have her small domain back and we have lived happily ever after. 

We spent a nice day with Casey and Maleah yesterday for Thanksgiving.  Rena and I went Wednesday night and spent the night so we could cook on Thursday.  Sheila and Roger came over around 4:30 and we had a good meal and a couple of hours of fellowship.  I just wish Shawn and Shannon could have been there. 

I am thankful for so many things.  There is still tomorrow to start on my diet and I DO have to do that.  I will make no more comments about that.  

I have a good job and it has several nice benefits that I have never had before. 

I have Ryan and Rena right there in the house with me though I have my own privacy. 

I have a good church and our new pastor and his wife are very friendly.  I still miss the Himes and don't suppose I will ever really get over their leaving.  The older I get the less I like change. 

Well, I just did the unthinkable.  I got ANOTHER kitten.  I just felt sorry for Miss Kitty.  She was alone so much of the time.  This will provide some interaction for her while I am gone to work. 

I called Imperial Animal Hospital where I got "Miss Kitty "aka "Fiona" back in August of last year.  They did, indeed, have kittens.  They had just become available for adoption this weekend. 

I thought all the way there about what I wanted to call her.  It just came to me..."Pippi Longstocking"! I knew I wanted it to be another female but I didn't put any restrictions on color this time.  When I came in to see them, they had about 8-10 of the cutest little kittens.  They were all very playful. I picked this one out because Maleah wants a gray kitten so bad and I knew she would like this one.  The girls at the IAH had named her "Delores".  I informed them of the name change. 

Now, will my plan work?  It remains to be seen.  Miss Kitty has spent so much time sleeping and she wants to play early in the morning.  Maybe this will provide her with a playmate!!!  More to come!

PS:  Check out her pictures!

Yesterday I was getting ready to go to leave work when I got a delivery from Judy's Flower Basket!  I was totally shocked.  See them over there!  They were beautiful.  Maleah had sent them and I thought it was so sweet of her but wondered why she had done that.  Come to find out, she had ordered them online and they were to be delivered today because 42 years ago Mike and I were married at Bible Baptist Church in Port Arthur, Texas.  It was the beginning of a very exciting life.  I certainly didn't realize it would be so short but I am thankful for the almost 40 years we had together. 

Thanks, Maleah for remembering!!!

The other new photo addition is someone that ought to be a part of our family! She started cutting our whole family's hair when she was fresh out of beauty school.  We went to her wedding and saw her through two pregnancies. She gave Ryan his first haircut and maintained everyone's hair through all the different stages.  Alas, I am the only one left but I am still regular as clockwork.  May I introduce Denise!!

Well, enough of my foolishness for one night. 

Wow!  It is almost 10PM and I am just now getting home.  I am so far behind on my Accounts Payable that I wonder if I will ever get caught up again.  I'm sure it will happen.  I enjoy those holidays(July 4th) but I was already behind and I didn't need to lose a whole day, not to mention that this Thursday we have a few hours off because they have a memorial planned in honor of the work that MetalTek employees did on the Pentagon Memorial that is to open in September.  All the benches for the park were made right here in our foundry.  (Pretty impresive,  huh!)http://memorial.pentagon.mil/  Check out the website.  It is pretty interesting. 

Well, I am getting far behind my schedule for the counseling course.  I got stuck on three very important lessons and I feel like I need to stay there until I comprehend, plus there is a lot of reading to be done also. 

In the vehicle department, I have some decisions to make.  My transmission is giving me fits.  I just put $1500+ into the car to get the airconditioner fixed, also, new tires were in order a couple of months back AND new brakes because that is a problem with the 2004 Maxima.  I just went ahead and had ceramic brakes put on.  So, basically, I have put quite a bit of money into the car and it has 106000 miles on it.  I have no idea what the transmission will cost.  I don't want to get a new car and start making payments again.   So, I suppose that answers my questions.  I can't think of anything else that could go wrong on it!!! Of course, I could be wrong.  I'm just going to trust the Lord!!

Well, the old eyes are burning and I need to hit the hay! 

God is so good and even when we are tired and worn out we can have peace in knowing that we have a life to share.   Thank you, Lord!!

to know the Saviour....living a life within His favor....having a change in your behavior, happiness is the Lord. 

Oh, hi there!!  Just singin' a song!  Funny how just a little note from a friend can bring such joy.  Jennifer.....YOU are the winner! "Friend for a day!!!" LOL.   You have me in such giddy mood!

Actually, things have been going pretty smoothly in every area of life.....well, except for the occasional BAD day at work.  This was a horrible week for payroll but it is over and hopefully next week I can get A/P caught up.

We had a very enjoyable evening at camp last night.  Maleah and I went and checked it all out.  It was so green and pretty out there and the air conditioning in the dining hall is quite an addition.  We were very cold!

Bro. and Mrs. Satterfield are doing a very good job and we really like Jim and Wendy Berry.  They will be a good addition to the school staff.   Bro. Satterfield and Bro. Berry seem to be men of great energy.  WHEW....reminds me of dad back in the day. 

Well, just wanted to stop and leave a quick note. 

Thanks again, Jen!