Learning Joy

Just two days ago a great man went to be with Jesus. Tony Snow was a wonderful newsman. Jeff wrote the following:

Some of you probably don’t know who Tony Snow was. He worked a news man, a radio host and served as speech writer for one president and a press secretary for another, but he will be most remembered as a kind, positive, honorable Christian who always had a smile on his face and never had a harsh word to say about anyone, even those he was currently debating.

In February 2005 he discovered that he had colon cancer, the same cancer that took his mother when Tony was 17. He had his colon removed, but the cancer spread anyway. By July 2007 it was in abdomen and that’s when Tony, who was never afraid to talk about his faith, wrote this article for Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html. It’s worth a read and it’s worth sharing with others, which is why I’m sharing it with you.

Tony Snow is survived by his wife, Jill Ellen Walker; their son, Robbie; and daughters, Kendall and Kristi.

ok, so I have been thinking of the 100 days of blogging thing. I was wondering if anyone was interested in reading my blog if I did this? Would you like to see me do 100 days of blogging? would you comment & encourage me? Let me know!

I love quizzes, especially Bible ones! Go here: http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Bible-Challenge.html to take this month’s Bible Challenge Quiz.

conformity
DEFINITION:
(noun) agreement with or adherence to custom or rule; correspondence in form or appearance; acting according to certain accepted standards; orthodoxy in thoughts and belief

Brought to mind this verse – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Jonathan really loves getting the Lego kits in the mail. He received this one today and immediately put it together. It’s Indy & his Jeep. 🙂

This morning my little flip-over calender had this verse on it –

“The king said to Ittai the Gittite, ‘Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your countrymen. May kindness and faithfulness be with you.'” – 2 Samuel 15:19-20.

This seemed kind of depressing to me. I wanted to know more. I wanted to know if Ittai the Gittite went his merry way or stayed with David.

The note under the verse said this, “David was humiliated, weakened and mocked. Yet in this passage we see the result of David’s decision to look away from the terrible circumstances in his life and shift his attention to God.” I didn’t get that at all from the verse. The verse left me feeling like David was just sad and alone. So I decided to look it up and see what happened.

2 Samuel 15 is the chapter about Absalom leading a revolt against his father, King David. So David was sad, and feeling sorry for himself. However, in the midst of that, God was there to support him! If you read the very next verses, you will see –

“But Ittai replied to the king, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.’ David said to Ittai, ‘Go ahead, march on.’ So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.”

God gave David people who believed in him. God strengthened David by surrounding him with a whole troop of people who supported him. Isn’t it amazing that God would care so much to show His love to us through others? When we lost the baby, I was overwhelmed by God’s love. It seemed everywhere I turned, God was showing me He loved me, especially through His body. At times, I felt like His love was like a bubble around me – it emmanted from His people and protected me, and supported me.

Okay, so I clicked on the link that said “click here to see how you can adopt a soldier”. It’s too cool! You can bake for the soldiers, or make a blanket … or even take care of their pets!
With July 4th coming up, I am reminded more & more of what our freedom costs. Please help support our soldiers.
http://soldiersangels.org/

go here and look at this picture – http://soldiersangelsgermany.blogspot.com/2008/06/trust.html – it is a priceless reminder of why we are over there in Iraq. At the bottom of the page, you can click-through to see about adopting a soldier deployed abroad.

ISFJ – Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
The Nurturer

ISFJs are sympathetic, loyal, considerate and conscientious. They will go to any amount of trouble, when it makes sense to them, to help those in need. ISFJs operate most comfortably in situations where the rules are well defined and where traditions are to be upheld. They focus on providing practical help and services for others and for the organizations they serve. They are often self-effacing in getting the job done, and they are willing to make necessary sacrifices, especially for their families. They are at their best quietly providing assistance and making sure things are in proper order.