That is one of the truest statements I've ever heard. The implications of how a baby changes the life of new parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family members and how each is affected by the birth of a child are endless.
Yet, there is one Baby who changed the lives of every person in the world. His name is Jesus. One of my new blog peeps, Teresa, has a unique business. She decorates homes for Christmas and she has started a new blog: A Baby Changes Everything. Through this blog she is going to share her knowledge with us for FREE!!!! That's right my sweet blog peeps, I said FREE!
Interested in getting expert tips on decorating for the holidays? Just click on the photo in my side bar to hop on over to Teresa's site. I'm always excited when Christmas season is upon us and this year is no different. Especially since I'll be in a new home.
Have you started planning for Christmas? Do you have a Christmas tradition, ornament, or event to share? What will you to today, This Day, to prepare your heart for sharing Jesus at Christmas with the people in your life?
Peace and Joy, Susan
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) To Us a Child Is Born: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "
Volunteers from Kroger, Southern Illinois Healthcare and the American Cancer Society registered riders for the annual Run for the Fund, a benefit for the Coach Kill Cancer Fund. (By Marilyn Halstead / The Southern)
Annual Poker Run for the Fund draws hundreds of riders
By Marilyn Halstead, The Southern
Sunday, August 30, 2009 12:52 AM CDT
DU QUOIN -- More than 1,400 motorcycle riders took part in the annual Poker Run for the Fund. Many, like Carla Jones and Cindy Ruble of Carbondale, rode because their lives have been touched by cancer.
The event benefits the Coach Kill Cancer Fund, which was set up by former Saluki football coach Jerry Kill and Southern Illinois Healthcare to help cancer patients.
Tears welled up in Jones' eyes as she remembered her God mother, grandmother, boyfriend, aunts, uncles and friends who had cancer and talked about what a good cause the Coach Kill Cancer Fund is.
"We are trying to give back," Ruble said.
"And we want to get out and enjoy this nice weather," Jones added.
Jeremy and Sacha Cobin of Christopher make their schedule around this poker run because the cause is good. Jeremy also said he feels a little safer during this poker run than when he rides at other times. "Cars can see more bikes than when there is only one bike. It's easier to see a hundred bikes," he said.
Jeff Noll of Marion said not only is the cause a good one, the event also helps raise awareness of motorcycles on the road. His riding buddy, Danny Noll, heard about Coach Kill's cancer fund and thought this would be a fun way to help out.
"We have all been affected by cancer -- family or friend -- and you never know when you might be next," Noll said.
This is the first poker run that Gina Sherland, Kroger Zone Manager for Southern Illinois, has helped organize.
"Everybody working together, and what a good cause!" she said. "All the store managers and employees work together to raise money."
She added that Black Diamond Harley Davidson was wonderful to help them move the 2009 Dyna Super Glide Custom Harley-Davidson from store to store so shoppers could get a look at it. Tickets were sold for $10, with the drawing Saturday evening at the end of the run. Mark McDaniel won the bike.
Coach Kill was represented by his wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Krystal."The riders really came out and supported what we are trying to do for patients in Southern Ilinois," Rebecca Kill said. "We are really pleased with the turnout."
According to Rebecca Kill, the Coach Kill Cancer Fund helps patients with expenses not covered by insurance, such as transportation costs or medications. Working with SIH allows the group to refer patients to other sources of help when it is appropriate. "There are a lot of avenues out there, but people don't always know about them," Rebecca Kill said.
Gene Honn of SIH said this event alone helps between 60 and 70 cancer patients. The fund began three years ago, but spent a year building resources. In two years, Coach Kill Cancer Fund has helped a few more than 200 cancer patients.
Although a total was not available, organizers announced that the proceeds from this year's fundraising had exceeded last year's total.
This was a great ride yesterday that covered over 200 miles. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Being a cancer survivor, I'm very passionate about supporting events like this one. It is also an opportunity to witness for Jesus. What are you passionate about today, This Day? Use it as an opportunity to tell others about how Jesus has blessed you.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Ephesians 2:29 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household
It's Thursday again......already! Can you believe it? Where does the time get to? Seriously?! This is the day each week where I pause and list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He encouraged me when contracts fell through to purchase a house. He assured me that for whatever the reason, the house God prepared for us was still out there. And, you know what? He was right. See #2.
2. I'm thankful that WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!!! Ok, we still have to get through the inspection, appraisal, and closing....but WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!! Can you tell I'm super excited? It is so not what we started out looking for and I can't wait to see how God is going to use it for His glory. My desire is for it to be a miracle house.
3. I'm thankful for each and every one of you. You encourage me, pray for me, teach me, and love me. Thank you for your prayers about our house search.
4. I'm thankful for my new peep, Kat at Heart 2 Heart. She's a very special woman of God. She seeks out bloggers to interview and she recently chose me. That's right! I earned "Blog of the Week" award. If you missed that interview, you can read it here. You might be surprised by some of my answers.
5. I'm thankful for Sonya @ Truth 4 the Journey who hosts Thankful Thursday. She is an amazing Christian woman who I've grown to love and respect. Just a few short days ago, she lost her dad unexpectedly to a heart attack. Please join me in praying for her and her family during this difficult time; and stop by her site to express your condolences.
That's my list. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and tell me.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV) 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Galileo's telescope helped the astronomer to learn more about our solar system. This is a reconstruction of the telescope. Photograph: Jim Sugar/Corbis
The introduction of Galileo's telescope is celebrating it's 400th anniversary today. For those of us needing a history lesson, including me, Galileo is the Italian astronomer and philosopher who is credited with discoveries about our solar system that would bring him scientific immortality and a whole lot of trouble.
This telescope and the more powerful one he would subsequently produce led to groundbreaking discoveries. The moon was not, as long believed, completely smooth. Another planet, Jupiter, also had moons. Venus showed a range of moon-like phases which could not happen if both it and the sun orbited the Earth.
Galileo's discoveries were, perhaps predictably, not welcomed. He would spend the final decade of his live under house arrest. He was willing to go to jail for spreading the news of his discoveries.
Discovering the love of Jesus and spreading the truth of His word can, in some countries, land you in jail. Having a different point of view and voicing it is rarely an easy task. Yet that is what we are called to do.
Galileo boldly told of his discoveries, whatever the cost. I challenge you today, This day, to boldly share God's impact on your life. It can be as simple as responding to a question of how your day is going or how you're doing. I will be sharing how my strength is being renewed by waiting on the Lord for the house He has for us.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 119:165 (NKJV) Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Project 365: We are already up to Week 34 of 2009 and my pictures for the week of August 16-22 are posted. Please stop by my photo blog, Shutter Clicks to see them and tell me what you think. You can also stop by Sara's spot who is hosting this fun project.
Blog of the Week: It was only a few weeks ago that Kat and I met through commenting on each others blogs. She is the type of person who welcomes you into her heart and makes you feel right at home instantly. In our subsequent comments and emails, I have come to know and love this beautiful woman of God.
One of her talents is seeking out interesting bloggers who have a true heart for God. She interviews and posts the Blog of the Week to introduce us to them. Last week, she asked me to sit in the hot seat of her interview. Let me just say that I was surprised, honored, and scared. If you'd like to find out more about me, the questions she asked, and my responses, please hop on over to Heart 2 Heart. You'll find out some things about me and you'll meet my sweet friend, Kat.
Staying with the theme of interviews, I'm going to ask you a question. What do you still want to accomplish in life? Please leave your answer here and be sure to stop over to see Kat today, This Day. You'll be glad you did.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV) 1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
My dear hubby regularly reminds me that my piles are getting unmanageable and I need to go through them. I have a tendency to be a pack-rat. I hang on to things, probably too long and too much of it. For instance, if I'm not diligent with throwing the mail away as soon as it arrives, it piles up. Or I have a stack of....I-want-to-read-this-article-but-don't-have-time-right-now. Yet, I don't ever seem to get to it. Are you like that?
It's been like that with my blog layout too. I've hung on to links of events that ended long ago. My blog was beginning to look cluttered and neglected. But....I've been soooo busy. I barely had time to get my posts up, visit other blogs that I follow, and reply to comments. I resolved to redesign and clean up my blog....later. I'll tackle that task another day when I have more time to devote to it. But when will that be? It seems there is always something demanding my time and attention.
When my life gets crowded with doing, going, cleaning, planning, watching, exercising, and shopping, it's far too easy to put things off until tomorrow. I begin to neglect my daily Bible readings and study, or prayer and quiet time. Soon I feel like I'm strewn all over the place not really doing justice to any one of them.
What has piled up in your life? Do you feel scattered and untidy in your commitment to serving God? Join me today, This Day, in breaking through the clutter to a life of order in Him.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 94:18-19 (NKJV) 18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. 19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
Welcome. Welcome.....to Thankful Thursday. This is the time each week that I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey to count my blessings. I list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious....big or small because God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He willingly stands up for what is right when others are ready to do what's best for themselves.
2. I'm thankful that God has my best interests in mind. Sometimes (ok, most times) I don't understand why things happen as they do, I always know God is in control and I will be ok.
3. I'm thankful that God is healing a troubled relationship.
4. I'm thankful that school has started and the grand-boy is back into a routine.
5. I'm thankful for the men and women who sacrifice their lives for our freedom. God bless and protect them.
That's my five for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment here or link up at Sonya's.
Peace and Joy, Susan
1 John 5:12 (NIV) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Be obedient, no matter how much the Master's plan doesn't make sense to you.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Give to those less fortunate.
Be generous.
Take time to rest and enjoy the company of friends.
(I LOVE THIS ONE)
Value, honor and enjoy your family, no matter how strange they seem to you.
Help widows and orphans.
Don't watch too much TV.
Remember, you were divinely created with a purpose!
Others were too, Even if they seem way different from you!
So ---- Have fun, and enjoy the abundant life. You will not pass this way again!
'A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.'
Peace and Joy, Susan
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NIV) 17But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Please stop by my photo blog, Shutter Clicks, to see this past week's pictures. You can click here, or on the Project 365 icon on my side bar. Included in them is the Red Rubber Ball sunrise photo that was the inspiration for my last post.
I'd like to thank Sara for hosting this project. Please stop over to her spot and see some of the other great photos from the rest of the participants. Have a great week.
Peace and Joy, Susan
2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
This beautiful sunrise is what I saw this morning. Ok, maybe not exactly what I saw. I'm no where near the ocean or any body of water for that matter. But this morning, the sun was a gorgeous and huge red ball in the sky.
It immediately reminded me of the song by Simon and Garfunkel "Red Rubber Ball." Do you know the song? I started singing it, but could only come up with the chorus. So naturally I "googled" it. This is what I found:
I should have known you'd bid me farewell. There's a lesson to be learned from this and I've learned it very well.
Now I know you're not the only starfish in the sea. If I never hear your name again it's all the same to me.
And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.
You never cared for secrets I'd confide. For you I'm just an ornament, Something for your pride.
Always running, never caring, That's the life you live. Stolen minutes of your time were all you had to give.
And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.
The story's in the past with nothing to recall. I've got my life to live and I don't need you at all
The roller coaster ride we took is nearly at an end. I bought my ticket with my tears, that's all I'm gonna spend.
And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.
After hearing the song and reading the lyrics, it's not quite the song I remembered. This is a sad story of a broken relationship. Did everyone know this but me? I was very young when this song came out and haven't heard it much since then. What I remember most about the song is that, "The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball."
Maybe the song lyrics are an analogy to the scripture regarding sunrises and sunsets. (Matthew 16:2-3: 2He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' 3and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.") Meaning the red morning sky is an indicator that the day is not going to fair well. A red morning sky is supposedly the indicator of a stormy day. Yet, if you have the One in your life who calms the storms, you can face whatever the day may bring.
What storm are you facing today, This Day? Take your troubles to Jesus. He will calm your storm and give you the strength and peace to face anything.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Philippians 4:7 (NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This is the day each week that I participate in Thankful Thursday and list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small....God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband.
2. I'm thankful for the power of the name of Jesus.
3. I'm thankful for my four walls: food, clothing, shelter, job.
4. I'm thankful for coffee. Wait? What? Yep, I love a good cup of coffee.
5. I'm thankful my step-daughter and grandson were not seriously injured on a 4-wheeler last week. He's fine.....she has a torn rotator cuff. Tho painful....very fixable.
That's my five for the week. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave your comment here or hop on over to TTs host, Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey and link up with your own list.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Acts 19:12 (NIV) so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Something a little different today...... Think about this:
Cows
The Constitution
The Ten Commandments
1. COWS - Is it just me or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 20 million illegal aliens wandering around our country
Maybe we should give each of them a cow. (Just sayn.)
2. THE CONSTITUTION - They keep talking about drafting a constitution for Iraq..... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys. It has worked for over 200 years. Besides....we don't seem to be using it any more. (Just sayn.)
3. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse or Congress is this -- you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal', 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery', and 'Thou Shalt Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians... it creates a hostile work environment. (Just sayn.)
Do you have a funny story to share? Looking at the brighter side of life does wonders for the soul and attitude. Let's purpose to put a smile on someone's face today, This Day. You'll both be blessed by the experience.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Job 8:21 (NIV) He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
August is in full swing and it's almost time for fall semester to start! Yesterday, we purchased school supplies for the grand-boy. Our college football season officially starts today. Are you winding down summer activities and preparing for the upcoming school year? What are some fall activities you are looking forward to?
My pictures for my Project 365 are up on time again this week. Hop on over to my photo blog, Shutter Clicks, to see them. Be sure to stop by Sara's blog too. She's our gracious host for this fun project. If you could take a picture of one scene today, This Day, that captures your life what would it be?
Peace and Joy, Susan
Galatians 4:10 (NIV) You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
Welcome to Thankful Thursday! This is the day each week that I list five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small because God honors them all.
1) I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. His warped sense of humor has, at times, laughed me to tears.
2) My dear friend, Patty. She is a true prayer warrior who can be called upon day or night (and I have). I can always count on her wisdom and reasoning when mine seems to have flown out the window.
3) I'm thankful for the sights and sounds of summer: flowers blooming, birds singing, crickets chirping, lightening bugs blinking, water splashing, and children laughing.
4) I'm thankful that God has so richly blessed us that we are able to help our children when they are in need.
5) I'm thankful each and every day that Jesus loves me.
What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and tell me why you are thankful today, This Day. You can also hop on over to Sonya's Truth 4 the Journey our host and leave your comment there.
If you haven't visited my photo blog, Shutter Clicks, recently, be sure to hop on over and see how my summer has been going. It's been fun and busy. Many thanks to Sara for hosting this project. There are 12 to 14 of us who are still hanging in there posting our pictures every week. There are beautiful and interesting photos from some very talented people.
Several of you have inquired about my education, what classes am I taking, what my degree is in. Here's the .....probably more than you wanted to know version. hahaha!
When I first started working at the university, eons ago, I decided to work towards a bachelor's degree. Back then I was very ambitious and thought a career in mechanical engineering or finance would be fun and provide a stable, lucrative income. Which is true but, seriously, the young don't really have a clue!
After a few semesters which included four math courses in algreba, statistics, probability, and calculus, I put my education on hold to raise my daughter. Once she was in school, I decided it was time to look into finishing that degree. But did I really want to go for a degree in engineering? Naw....not really. So I switched majors to Workforce Education which is a natural fit for me.
Sadly, taking only one class per semester off and on didn't seem to make much progress towards that goal line. It was discouraging at times. Plus, life happens and there were detours along the road.
Then in 2005, I entered into a weekend program. This program offers two classes per semester. The classes meet every other weekend. So I've able to knock out three classes each semester: two on the weekend plus one evening class. Pretty ambitious....wouldn't you say? Now I'm down to my final two semesters and will graduate in May with a bachelor of science in Career, Training and Development from the College of Education and Human Services.
It's funny. I never dreamed I'd have the opportunity to go to college. Now, I'll be graduating soon and even considering graduate school. Life is crazy and full of surprises and challenges. I love embracing them head on. What are challenges and life surprises you face today, This Day? Turn them over to the Lord who delights in giving you the desires of your heart.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
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