My friend's new book

My new blogger friend, Gina, at The Shabby Chic Cottage has just published a new e-book. I hope you'll visit her blog at http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net

I love her Transformation Thursday party, and I think you will, too. Gina is so creative. You are going to love her style and her stuff. Stop by and visit.

How pleasant it is...

"When the rabbi dances....everybody dances!" shouts Rabbi Jem, my husband each Erev Shabbat. Everyone who is able joins him to dance the hora to our favorite Hebrew song, Hene Ma Tov. In English the words are "Behold how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity."

The song ran through my mind last night as our congregation joined with five other local churches to worship God in a community Thanksgiving service. Rabbi Jem joined Methodist and Baptist pastors, a Catholic priest, and a Pentecostal preacher in conducting the service. We worshipped God in different types of praise music, liturgy, and prayer.

My heart swelled with pride as I listened to my husband praise the believers for stepping out of their denominational boxes to worship together. He also encouraged us to work together for the good of the community and to minister to those in need around us.

Unity was a beautiful thing to see last night, and I pray we will go forward as believers together.

Attitude of gratitude

Years ago, my 80 year old Jamaican neighbor, Carmita, taught me to be thankful. We prayed together often, and she always started her prayer, "Lord, thank you that I can see, and hear, and talk, and walk, and think, and that I have strength to work for you."

Carmita's glowing face, her energy, and her whole attitude toward life flowed from her gratitude to God. I learned from her example, and now start my prayers with those same words. I hope to be like her when I grow up.

Whining and complaining

We often wonder how the children of Israel could whine and complain after seeing all the miracles God did in bringing them out of Egypt.

Reading Psalm 106 this morning, it suddenly occurred to me - would I trust or whine and complain? A recent change in my life made me realize I would be one of the complainers.

I humbly asked God's forgiveness, and went back to remember all the miracles God has done for me in the past. I got a new perspective and an attitude change.

Jonathan's first visit to the Punkin Patch yesterday. He's my sweet punkin.

A thought-provoking quote...

“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them…providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church…the need is for Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt that it sets men aflame.” Rev. C. H. Spurgeon

I'm a happy, blessed woman

So happy because 1 1/2 weeks ago, I became a grandmother. Baby Jonathan was born 10/2 and he is a beautiful, healthy little bundle of joy. Thank you, Father, for your gift in my old age. Thank you, Lord, that I have a wonderful husband (the best in the whole world) and two beautiful, happy married daughters who have wonderful husbands, too.

Thank you, Lord, for this happy day - my birthday! Breakfast in bed (prepared by my wonderful hubby), phone calls from my daughters, friends, mother, and the beautiful bouquet of flowers I just received from my sweet hubby). Looking forward to more surprises from him (he says) as the day goes forward....can't wait! My cup overflows...