I'd Forgotten How Terrifying The Car Wash Can be.

I can almost hear the evil music playing now.. 

I know, It's just a car wash. It's sweet and gentle and will give you a nice clean sparkly car on the other side. 

If you can make it to the other side.. 

Maybe it was a horror movie from years ago. Maybe it's because I've learned I'm a bit claustrophobic. Maybe there is no reason; it just is.  I'm terrified of going through car washes.. 

I really just want out of the car. Seriously. 

I really want to scream and beat on the windows.. 

I really had forgotten about how afraid I am to go through a car wash. I've driven a truck for over 20 yrs. with the topper and other stuff they were way to tall to take through the Automatic car washes. Hubby just runs them up to the Self wash. 

The new Trailblazer I'm driving now needed a wash bad. I figured I'd just pop through the car wash. Easy right,  WRONG.. I didn't start getting panicky till I got in line and couldn't get out. I swear I started to hyperventilate. I paid my money and asked the attendant what to do. I think he saw the panic in my eyes. He said very kindly. "Ma'am, you just put the vehicle in Neutral, yes, that's right, now take your foot off the brake. then when you quit rolling 

put it in gear and drive out"..   

As you might guess I made it out the other side. It was the early afternoon and I could see some light. I also got a little panicky about the car behind me at the end, but no worries, when I quit rolling I popped that baby in drive and headed out the drive going about 35.. 

   

I may try that one again. I think I'll bring some headphones. I need to buy some first, then I'll listen to some nice soothing music or something. That or I'm going to try and find the kind of car wash my daddy would take us too. We got out of the car, a worker would get in and clean the inside of the car while it was going through the wash. Now that didn't scare me at all..  

New Favorite Song...

My new Favorite song this week..  

Say Amen  

Finding Favor  

find it here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRcvcF_0_9M

This life is a journey we walk by faith

And there will always be the mountains in our way

But right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed

As we recall what God has done and how we've seen Him move

If there's anybody here who's found Him faithful

Anybody here who knows He's able

Say Amen

And if there's anybody here who's seen His power

Anybody here brought through the fire

Say Amen

Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow

Just Say AMEN!

Sometimes through the darkness, it's hard to see

So just be brave and follow where He leads

'Cause greater is the one who's in us, than he who's in the world

So child of God remember, the battle is the Lord's

And if there's anybody here who's found Him faithful

Anybody here who knows He's able

Say Amen

And if there's anybody here who's seen His power

Anybody here brought through the fire

Say Amen

Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow

Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow

And seen it time and time again

Then just Say AMEN!

Even in the valley of the shadow when you feel alone in the unknown

Just say Amen, Just say Amen

Even when the storms are raging, Stand and know your not forsaken

Just say Amen, Just say Amen

Is there anybody here, Tell me is there anybody here

Come on and Say Amen

And if there's anybody here who's seen His power

Anybody here brought through the fire

Come on and Say Amen

Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow

Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow

And seen it time and time again

Just say Amen, Just say Amen!

Celebrating The Past , Anticipating The Future..

Today was the day. Today Eastgate Baptist Church celebrated 60 yrs. I was excited to be part of the committee who planned the celebration. Loving photos I really loved looking through the years of photos. I loved seeing the first meeting places, a home, a basement where pickles were stored, a garage along with purchasing and building a Church on two different properties. 

I loved re-reading the Church History. How exciting to see that what God began in the hearts of 25 people has continued on in the hearts of hundreds of Church members. 

I was honored when the Pastor asked me to share with the congregation a bit about how Eastgate had influenced my life. As I spent the next few days thinking about it. I realized that Eastgate had totally changed my life. Everything changed, and I mean everything. 

It all started when my neighbor and her daughter asked if our daughter could go to Vacation Bible School. The Church had a bus, so I didn't even have to take her. I thought it was good for kids to go to Church, so I agreed. At the end of the week there was a family night. Parents and families were invited to come and see what the children had been learning. I didn't own a dress, I still don't, so I borrowed one.  Everything was nice. I remember several people introducing themselves and talking about how sweet our daughter was. 

  

The next day I was rather surprised to see her VBS teachers at the door. They had come to see if Susan could come to Sunday School. I knew kids needed to go to Sunday School, so I said yes, but I would take her. I got her ready on Sunday and took her. I'd heard some weird stuff about those Baptists so I wasn't to sure about leaving her there until I saw where she would be and who would be teaching her. 

As I entered the building a wonderful cheery woman introduced herself and told me all about Susan's class. Then she mentioned they had adult Sunday School classes, and I could stay there "just in case" Susan needed me. I wasn't dressed for Church. as you just read, I didn't own a dress. I was in my "nice" jeans and some kind of band T-shirt.. She told me it was no problem and whisked me to a Ladies Bible Study. She introduced me to the teacher, one of the ladies who had come to the house, and to the class and was off. 

I totally expected to see the "Christian Stink Eye".. you know.. Judgemental glares. I didn't see one. Maybe this wasn't going to be to bad. To make a long story short, I stayed.. I attended on and off for 3 months. Then after a very traumatic life event, I prayed to accept Christ and received Him as my Lord and Savior. 

As I recalled different things that happened I saw how my life was totally changed by the loving people of Eastgate. I could tell you countless ways their love and guidance encouraged me to study God's Word and learn of His great Love. I could call out name after name of those who loved me, mentored me.. (I didn't know that's what it was) and showed me how to be a Christian woman, wife, and mother. 

Eastgate influences on my life. wow.. I talk different, I think different, I see God and His Love and Forgiveness differently. I live differently. Not only did Eastgate change my life, but they changed the lives of our kids and grand kids. 3 generations all touched by God because a few people in 1954 followed God's call to start a new Church. Lives changed because someone came to my house and asked me and my daughter if we'd like to go to Church with them. If that hadn't happened I am sure I would have never given that Church a second thought. 

Lives changed because a group of people were willing to serve God by volunteering their time to drive a bus, volunteer to teach and serve in Vacation Bible School, volunteered to sit at a desk and make everyone feel comfortable and welcome.. Volunteered to teach a ladies Bible study class.. And most of all the many who prayed that God would help them reach their community with the Gospel of Christ. They were willing to serve as God led them. 

Now for 31 yrs. I've had the privilege of serving right alongside some of those very same people. I'm so excited to see where God will lead us over the next 60 yrs. I'm excited to see lives changed. I'm excited I can be part of what God is doing. 

yes, today was a great Celebration Day. 

Katch-up Monday....

I can't hardly believe it's the middle of June already. Where does the time go? I don't know about you but my days seem to rocket by. I really want the summer days to be long, lazy, and I want Summer to last at least 6 months. 

To Catch you up on life at our house. 

1. I ordered and received seeds for the Garden. 

2. We are planting a garden

3. We are NOT planting a garden

4. We Are planting a garden

5. We are NOT planting a garden.

6. I give up. I have no idea if we are or are not. The winter left our garden spot floating. The wet spring has let it floating and soggy and spongy wet. It finally dried up a bit and now is hard as concrete. So I'm guessing no garden this year. Hubby's back has gotten worse over the past couple of years. He just can't horse that tiller around anymore. I hate not having a garden. I love watching it grow and I love putting it up. So healthy for us and so much tastier then store processed stuff. 

7. A new Farmer's market opened in May about 3 miles from us. I've been there at least once a week. I'm hoping it will fill in for most of the garden stuff. We are already getting brown eggs from hormone free, free Range/wandering in the yard Chickens. Love it. 

8. Only two graduations, kids from Church, to celebrate this year. Loved helping with one open house last weekend. 

9. So far no weddings or babies on the way in the family. 

10. One baby on the way at Church.  wooo hoooo 

11. I've actually been to see 3 or 4 movies at a real theater as opposed to red box rentals in my living room, so far this year. :-)  

12. Still not sitting out in the yard yet. Vampire Mosquitoes, as our Pastor refers to them, would carry us away. I am hoping for a few evenings sitting out there with ice tea. Maybe even a bon-fire or 3. 

13. I'm secretly hoping for a trip south to Ky. this year sometime. I'm not telling anyone, so shhhh I don't want to jinx it. 

14. I'm craving fair food. you know.. sweet deep fried yummy-ness 

15. The Awana program at Church ended, but our Summer kids program has started. 

16. Looking forward to VBS in July. I'm the Snack lady. I love it. 

17. I have a new Soldier I'm packing boxes for at our group meetings. He's a cousin. One I haven't had a chance to meet yet. I'm really looking forward to meeting him when he gets home, and hugging his neck. 

18. I am hoping to take a few overnight trips this summer. 

19. I'd really love to go fishing. I miss it. 

20. We spent father's day with my hubby filling our faces with yummy food.. 

That's it for now. Hoping your summer slows down and let's you savor it .....  

Oh Say Can You See On This Memorial Day....

On This Memorial Day 2014, I'm thinking of a day way back in 1814 When a young man wrote our National Anthem. I'm sure you're probably thinking "Uh Karen, today is Memorial day, It's got nothing to do with the Star spangled Banner". 

You would be partially right. The song was written during the Battle of Fort McHenry. That has nothing to do with Memorial Day, but what you may not know is something happened during that battle that would show the lengths to which our forefathers would go to fight for Freedom and birth a new Nation. 

Prior to the Battle beginning that day the message had been sent to the Commander of the Fort that they need only lower the flag, and that would signal their total Surrender. That would end the war and the British would win. The men at the Fort knew what would happen if the flag fell. Their New Nation would fall. The soldiers made a commitment that day that our Military still makes today. The Flag would Not Fall. 

The Flag and the flag pole were hit by the rockets that night. As some of those Soldiers close to the Flag were gravely injured they would use their body's to prop the flag pole up. In the morning their dead bodies were found lying atop each other making sure that Flag did not fall. That same Love of Freedom, Country, and our Flag motivate our young men and women to make that same kind of commitment today.

I hope as you head out to the beach today or BBQ with family and friends you will take a moment to reflect on the day. I hope you will take a moment to remember the sacrifice of family members, of those who have lived in your community, or those who've had books  about them written or movies made. Remember their sacrifice. 

If you would like to read more about the Story behind the star spangled banner you can click on the link below. 

The story behind the star spangled Banner: http://www.historybuff.com/newsletter/july08.html

"Francis Scott Key, a Baltimore lawyer at the time, visited the enemy's fleet the day prior to the bombardment of Fort McHenry. He went aboard the ship to attempt to secure the release of a Maryland doctor, who had been abducted by the British after they left Washington. The lawyer was able to get the commander to agree to release the prisoner Dr. Beanes, but not until the next day and they both had to remain on board their ship until then. The commander also told them that they would be bombarding Fort McHenry that night. The fort commander was sent word to the Fort McHenry Commander, that whenever they wanted to surrender, all they had to do was lower the United States flag. As long as the flag was flying, the bombardment would continue. However, once they lowered the flag, it meant total surrender and the British would win the war.
An eerie silence fell across the early morning darkness and the young Baltimore attorney breathed a sigh of relief. It was after 1 A.M. on the morning of September 14, 1814 and it was the first time in more than 18 hours that things had been quiet. Since 7 A.M. of the previous day more than 1,800 bombs, cannonballs, and the new Congreve rockets had lit the sky and shattered the peaceful harbor. From the deck of his sloop behind the enemy fleet, the young Baltimore attorney breathed a sigh of relief. The flag was still there! 

Upon discussing the previous night with survivors of the great battle, he learned just how much keeping the flag flying had meant to the soldiers. The flag itself was hit many times and had holes in it. In addition, several times through the night a cannon ball had hit the flag pole. It was hit enough times that the pole was actually leaning and in danger of toppling over. Brave men rushed to the pole to help prop it up with their bodies and arms. When one man holding the flagpole up was shot, another was ready to take his place. This is how they kept the flag flying all night!" 

Nothing Compares...

I was just listening to one of my favorite songs by "Third Day".  

"Nothing Compares"

You can find it here. 

Here are the Lyrics: 

I've heard all the stories

I've seen all the signs

Witnessed all the glory

Tasted all that's fine

• Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

  Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

  
  

  I see all the people

  Wasting all their time

  Building up their riches

  For a life that's fine

  
  

  I find myself just living for today

  'Cause I don't know what

  Tomorrow's gonna bring

  So no matter if I rise or fall

  I'll never be alone, oh no
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nothing compares to God's Love for me and you. 

Nothing compares to the Promises He has made to us. 

Nothing compares to His sacrifice for us. 

Nothing compares to knowing Him. To having a real relationship with Him. 

Nothing Compares !!!

Holy Week Pt 8.. He Is Risen...

Wow.. The past week has flown by. The Women have made preparations to take spices and prepare Jesus' body. Remember the Sabbath was about to start and the women had to wait till the first day of the week.

I'll bet the women took their time walking to the burial place. I know I wouldn't have been in any hurry to get there. All that blood and now they needed to bath their Master's body along with the other preparations using spices. No, I don't think they hurried to the tomb. I bet they walked a little slowly.  

I can't imagine their shock at finding the stone rolled away. they knew it had been there. Some of them were there when Joesph of Arimathia had placed the body in the tomb. They had seen the Stone rolled in place. I'm sure in the early morning they were hoping at least one of the Soldiers posted there could move the stone for them. 

*Luke 23:55-56

55As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Luke 24:1-12 NIV

The Resurrection

1But very early on Sunday morning^a the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man^b must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

8Then they remembered that he had said this. 9So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.12However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

I Can't imagine their shock as they saw that stone rolled away. I can just see Mary running inside. I'll bet their first thoughts were that someone had taken Their Lord in the night. How could they do such a thing.. But then 2 men suddenly appeared and asked why they were looking for the living among the dead "He isn't here! He is risen from the dead !...   

Could it be true? Really True, Jesus had risen from the dead. I'm sure they immediately remembered all the times Jesus has eluded to it. They hadn't really understood it then, but now, oh my, could it really be true..  

I love that these ladies Rushed back to the upper room. I bet a couple of them had all they could do to keep from running back. They told the disciples and they scoffed. They didn't believe it. Those poor women were so grief stricken that they were imagining things. Peter Jumped up and ran to the tomb to look for himself. He peeked inside and saw the empty linen wrappings. He walked back to that upper room wondering what had happened.. 

What had happened? Was it just the crazy talk Of some hysterical women. The body was gone. The stone had been moved. Peter did see it for himself. So what had happened. What if the women were right? What if Jesus had risen from the dead?  He had called the dead to life. They had seen him do it. Lazarus had walked out of his tomb still wrapped in the burial cloths. How was it possible. He was dead. Really dead. 

They would soon see Jesus for themselves. They would talk to Him. See his hands and feet, and know it was really their King. 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples  Luke 24: 35-49

35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he ate it as they watched.

44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,^f beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48You are witnesses of all these things.

49“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

 Those things that Jesus had said came flooding back to the disciples. Jesus not only appeared to them, but to others also. He had finished the work His father God had given Him. He had paid the price. He had taken on the sin of the world. He had taken the wrath of His Father and bore it so that when we believed on Him and repented of our sin, We would no longer be condemned. 

The amazing thing about all this was that Jesus didn't die for just those who had gone before Him or for just those of that time. The promise of Salvation and Redemption was planned for all people who would come after Him. All of Mankind for all time. 

My prayer this Easter is that you know the freedom of that Salvation. That you have repented of your Sin, and that you've asked Christ to come into your life and be Lord/Boss over you. If you have never done this. You can do it right now right where you are. Yes, even reading this Blog post. Just talk right to God. just like you'd talk to a dear friend. Acknowledge your sin. Ask God to forgive you. Believe that Jesus died to take the punishment for you and your sin. that He rose again to conquer death and the grave. Tell God you want Jesus to come be the Lord of your life.  This sounds simple and may even sound a bit foolish to you. You may not even understand how all this works. You don't have to. just do it. Then find a Bible Believing Church. Tell folks what you've done. If you've been part of a Church go speak to your Pastor. Get involved in Bible study. Learn what God says in His word and how you can apply it to your everyday life.  

I'm praying for you. The Message of Holy Week is one of Amazing Grace, and Unfailing Love. Don't miss it.. Declare it with me Every day of your Life.. 

He is Risen...