A great post by Beth Moore

I enjoy reading Beth Moore's blog. I have posted her last blog post below. It is well worth reading.





Like many of you, I’m a thinker. Years don’t come to ends or beginnings without me getting caught up in what’s behind or in front of me. That’s good if it leads to change. That’s bad if it leads to dread. We’ve all heard this definition of insanity: doing the same thing the same way and expecting something different. Yet, for the most part, we live life in that maddening loop. One of the things God has taught me along the way is to try to hear from Him about one area at a time that He’s pinpointing for change. Much more than that is too overwhelming. Anyway, He’s a God who’s into process with the lives of His children. We need look no further than Philippians 1:6 for proof of that. What He may begin in an instant He may complete over a lifetime. Instead of making a list of resolutions for 2011 that are broken by the time they’re spoken, is there simply one thing about us we really wish to change? I could think of a dozen things I’d like to change but this is the one I think God is pinpointing as our joint effort for the top of 2011: a mental loop I tend to get into when I get offended or hurt by someone I love. I have come to believe that my first minute’s reaction is what determines the cycle of the next (usually miserable) two days. So, here’s my specific prayer for the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.


My Dearest Abba Father,
I’ve lived long enough to know that any 12-month period of time on Planet Earth winds a pathway through thicket and thorns. It’s just too long a period of time not to get hurt or offended. I also know that You have tucked many joys in the oncoming year and I don’t want to miss them because I can’t quit obsessing over what’s hard. You’ve gone to measurable lengths in the last year to show me how the enemy of my soul operates in one specific area: he can’t block You from blessing Your children so he tries to block Your children from enjoying it. I do not want him to cheat me of reaping from anything rich You send my way this year. Even the treasures hidden in darkness. As this year ends and a new one begins, I am so thankful that I have Your Spirit without limit in my life and that, with You, change in a long pattern really is possible. You’ve done it before in my life. Come do it again. I am asking You in particular, Abba Father, to run to my aid in that first moment when an opportunity for offense happens and urge me by Your Holy Spirit to head into a thought-loop that spirals upward rather than downward. Simply put, help me to get over things fast. Honestly, Lord, sometimes I just make life harder than it has to be. Some things that wound me aren’t even about me. Help me to see where I’m jumping into somebody else’s loop and to quit getting hung by my own. I choose joy in resting this petition at Your feet, Lord, and I refuse self-condemnation or fruitless regret. You never would have brought this to the forefront and called for it in prayer if You didn’t have something good in mind. You began this work. Now come and take it to the next level. I’m excited about it, Lord, and see a glimpse of liberty on the horizon. Thank You, Father.

Beth Moore

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we were at home on Palatine. Momma came and stayed at Cynthia and Earl's house for the weekend. They came and joined us for the day. Also, Bobby and Marlene came and brought their whole family to join us. We really enjoyed having Bobby, Marlene, Jeff, Celinda, Maddie, Logan, Greg and Taylor. Kynn smoked the turkeys and everyone else made side dishes. Of course, we had way too much food. After we ate, it was outside to play football, basketball, and ride the four wheeler. It was a great day.

Thanksgiving 2010

Logan tackling Christopher

Logan and Daisy

Kynn and Celinda

Marlene and Christopher

Jeff, Celinda, and Logan

Earl and Cody

Oh Yes!

We have had such a good Christmas this year. Instead of "major" gifts, we took a cruise with the whole family from Dec. 17 - 23rd. We got home in time for a lazy Christmas Eve and attended our church service. Bobby and Marlene came over after church for breakfast for supper. Christmas day we hung out and ended up at Bobby and Marlene's for steak and a movie. Last night, we got a phone call from Alex and his family (our foreign exchange student from a few years back.) AND, today we woke up to snow. We have had some really nice days at this time of year. What a blessing.

#4 My Bible

Here is a poem that I have written in the pages of my Bible. I am not sure who wrote this one. If you know, please leave me their name in the comment section. I would love to give credit where credit is due. I hope you like this poem.

Autobiography in five short Paragraphs

Day 1 - I walked down the street. There is a hole in the street. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Day 2 - I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I didn't see it. I fall in. I can't believe I'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault. It still takes me a long time to get out.

Day 3 - I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it there. I still fall in. It's a habit! My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Day 4 - I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Day 5 - I walk down a different street.

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

Just have to say it!

I know it is silly, but I must say it,

Go Gamecocks! Beat Auburn!