There are expiration dates on almost everything these days: milk, cheese, chips, dressings, meats, even sodas (pop), and cookies. What do these dates mean exactly? There is the "best if used by date" which means that the product is still edible but may not taste as good. Or you must "use by" this date if the manufacturer will vouch for it. Finally, there is the "sell by" date; don't buy the product after this date. This is the final "expiration" date.
Like you, there is no expiration date stamped on the bottom of my foot or across my forehead that tells me or proclaims when my life will end. When a patient has a life threatening or terminal illness, some doctors will try to predict how much time they have left. "You only have three months to live" or "You have less than a year." There is only One who knows that information.
Many people contemplate their own mortality at some point in their life. Some people live each day as if it is their last. They keep their finances in order, tell their family and friends how much they are loved, and keep their "bucket list" short or complete. On the opposite side, people pass through life like they will never die. The put off taking care of things because there is always tomorrow.
There is no doubt that my physical body will expire and so will yours. It's simply a matter of when. But our spiritual body truly has no expiration date. That spiritual body will spend eternity somewhere. The choice is ours as to where we spend it.
If you don't know Jesus, have put off accepting His gift of salvation, or want to rededicate your life, today, This Day, is the day. For those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, eternity is a mansion in heaven. How do I know? Jesus told me so.
Peace and Joy,
SusanJohn 14:1-3 (NKJV) 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Just pounding out a quick line to let you all know last week's pictures are posted on my photo blog. I'm working on a new post but don't have it finished yet. Today, This Day is a day of reflecting on who I am according to God's word.
Peace and Joy,
SusanPhilippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
As I listened to, then watched, Barack Hussein Obama take the oath of President of the United States I knew it was truly an historic event for this country. There are many beliefs that I do not share with our new Commander in Chief: the freedom of choice (I am pro-life), same-sex marriage (I am for marriage between one man and one woman--only!), gun control (I am for the right to keep and bear arms). These contrast some of our different viewpoints.
In contemplating these differences while listening to his speech, I wonder how he can justify to himself these platforms and at the same time ask God to bless him. But I find that is typical of most politicians. They talk out of both sides of their mouth, try to appease both sides of the fence to keep up their popularity, and eventually show their true colors.
My grandson, Jacob, and I had a discussion about our new president tonight. My words to him were, "it doesn't matter if we like him or not, he is our president, and he is due a certain amount of respect because of the office he holds. We must pray for him, that he seeks and listens to Godly counsel." Then we listened to the oath of office and analyzed it, the promises to us and the promises to God.
Today, This Day, history was made. Now, as we journey together with this new administration, please pray for God's favor, guidance, and wisdom for our president, our nation, and our people.
Peace and Joy,
SusanDeuteronomy 4:6 (NIV) Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
It's been almost a week since my last post. I want to thank everyone for their prayers. My brother is doing better and was released from the hospital Friday. Praise God! He'll be staying with my dad for the next few weeks as he recovers. He is anxious for his life to get back to normal, but there will be a new normal for him.
That's how it was for me when I got saved. I had a new normal, a new standard by which to live. In fact, I'm still learning every day. I'm so thankful the Lord is patient.
I will get back to blogging next week as time permits. But today, This Day, is for my husband.
Be sure to check out my photo blog of the 365 project. I've updated pictures from last weeks' activities.
Peace and Joy,
SusanDeuteronomy 12:7 (NIV) There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
Have you ever planned something out expecting certain results only to be scratching your head wondering what happened? Of course you have. That's just how life is sometimes.
Take last week for example. My week, as usual, was planned and chocked full: meetings, spending time with my hubby and grandson, grocery shopping and cooking, volunteering, and getting work done on my scooter. God added His own agenda to my time: visiting a terminally ill friend in the hospital then attending the visitation because he went home to be with Jesus. On top of that, my brother was hospitalized with a serious infection whose source couldn't be identified and was causing his vital organs to start shutting down.
That caught me off guard more than anything else. Can you imagine being 1600 miles away from your family when you get that kind of news. He has since stabilized. One of his kidneys is working, and his liver function is improving. He is far from "out of the woods" but with thanksgiving and praise, he is better. On Wednesday, if he is improved enough, they are going to perform a cardiac catheterization and determine the type and extent of cardiomyopathy.
His life certainly took a different turn from what he had planned. Like my brother, most people tend to live as though they will see an old age. Dear One, we are not guarantee our next breath. Can I just say, our thoughts are not God's thoughts and our ways are not God's ways and our plans are not God's plans. Sometimes we cannot see His purpose or plan but trust me He has one for you today, This Day. Seek Him!
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I was asked to describe my favorite date with my husband before we got married and decided to share it with you.
This is still one of my favorite things to do with my hubby. We all need to find time for more moments like these:
I remember this particular date like it was yesterday. It was mid-August. The heat and humidity were smothering. We had finished our dinner date at a favorite restaurant and decided to drive through a state park near our town. He drove until he found the perfect spot, an open grassy area. He stopped the car and took out two folding chairs. You know the kind. They collapse and fit into a bag that is slung over the shoulder for ease in carrying. These particular chairs also have a foot rest. Nice touch. While he was getting the chairs from the trunk of the car, I was spraying on my prized summer fragrance, OFF! Mosquitoes find my natural aroma irresistible.
We then strolled hand-in-hand out to the middle of the open grassy patch and set up the chairs. We positioned them side-by-side but facing each other, similar to a love seat. We talked of hopes and dreams as we gazed at the night sky and gazed at each other. It was truly a precious moment. The climate dictated the duration of our star gazing but it is a moment that will always be treasured.
Recall the treasured moments spent with your family and friends today, This Day.
Peace and Joy,
SusanMatthew 6:21 (NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
There is a new photo icon on my page that will lead you to my new blogspot. Yep, I figured I didn't have enough going on what with working full-time, going to school part-time, being a wife, chairing a committee for the local Relay for Life, riding my scooter, and writing my regular blog; so I'm going to take a photo a day in 2009. What? Crazy you say? Probably. But it should be fun.
The photos will be uploaded on Sundays, which I think is manageable. Don't you?
My challenge for this project is to see God, His blessings, and His creation thru the lens as I progress with my photography skills and learn the features of my new camera. Just click on the Project 365 icon and it will take you to Shutter Clicks. If you have suggestions, tips, comments, or a challenge, just drop me a note. I'll take it all under advisement.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
What are some of your memories from 2008? Did you overcome enormous obstacles? Perhaps someone close to you passed away or was diagnosed with a life threatening disease. Were there joys in your life such as a marriage, a birth, or a job promotion? Maybe you were able to purchase that long awaited home or new vehicle.
There were a couple of noteworthy hurdles passed for me in 2008. One was when my hair had grown long enough so I no longer had to wear wigs. YAY! Another was passing the two year mark with no recurrence. PTL!!! I'm also five classes closer to getting my BS in education and am now classified as a senior.
Those of you who have been following my blog from the beginning know I am a cancer survivor. I don't dwell on this fact, nor do I voice my concern about recurrence. I believe God healed me for His purpose and to bring glory to His name. As long as He permits, I intend to tell others of His miraculous healing power, His love, His grace, and His mercy.
Sara is a gal I met thru the blogging world who overcomes hurdles daily. I recently ran across Sara's blog and believe God is using her to touch the lives of others. As you will read on her blog, she suffers from an incurable disease that will eventually fuse her joints together. I cannot even imagine the pain this process inflicts. Yet, Sara, like Job, praises God in spite of her burden.
That is an example for each of us: to praise God and live the best life we can with what He has given us.......not yearn for what we lack. Accept the gifts, challenges, trials, and triumphs as God's way of drawing you closer to Him. By these, He will prove that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. Believe God today, This Day.
Peace and Joy,
SusanRomans 4:3 (NIV) What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
