Happy New Year!

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad!" I can hardly believe that 2009 is here, primarily because I have not recovered from 2008. I thank God for every new day and new year, today is no different.

Our family has a tradition that instead of making New Year's resolutions, we choose to make a list of everything we are thankful for and then pray to seek God's direction for the days ahead.

With each new year comes uncertainty. We never know exactly what tomorrow holds, but we can know for sure that God is sovereign and at work to accomplish His will and purpose in our lives. I am so very thankful for that truth. Our health may decline, our job may change, we may face death or any number of "uncertainties"........but God never changes, His word is always Truth, His love is perfect, His righteousness unchanging, He is just and Holy!

Jonathan Edwards was a great pastor, recently Nancy DeMoss shared on her radio show that she "discovered not too long ago a series of 70 resolutions that were written by Jonathan Edwards. He, as you know, was a great pastor and Christian thinker and leader -- one of the men God used in a significant way in the first Great Awakening here in the United States.

In his memoirs we have a list of 70 resolutions that he made over a period of a couple of years. I did not know until recently that all these resolutions were written by the time he was 20 years of age."

He said, "Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, but what tends to the glory of God."

"Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God"¦Resolved to do so, whatever difficulties I meet with, no matter how many or how great those difficulties."

He said, "No matter what happens in my life, no matter what I face, no matter how hard it is -- I want to live my life for the glory of God." Isn't that what the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31? "Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do everything for the glory of God." (paraphrased)

You say, "How does this live out -- this matter of living to the glory God?" Some of his resolutions show the very practical way he envisioned living life for the glory of God. For example in his use of time he said, "Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it [or use it or maximize it] in the most profitable way I possibly can."

He realized that one day in eternity he would be giving account to God for how he used his time here on earth. He wanted to be able to look back and to say, "God I have glorified You with what I did with the moments that You gave me here on earth." He wanted to live wholeheartedly.

He knew this would bring glory to God. So there's a sense of earnestness that comes through in these resolutions. He said, "Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live."

Can you imagine most of us thinking that way? Once we settle the issue -- that it's not about me; it's not about my convenience; it's not about my comfort; it's not about my happiness -- but all that matters is that God is glorified, that He is pleased with my life. Then we can endure and bear up under circumstances and challenges that we might not otherwise be able to face -- if we know that my sole purpose for living is to bring glory to God. So Edwards resolved to live purposely.

As part of that, we then see that he resolved to live a growing life, not just to stay where he was spiritually, but to keep pressing on, to keep seeking new heights in his relationship with the Lord.

He knew that the study of the Scripture was an important part of living a growing life, and that was how he would bring glory to God. He said, "Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently that I may find"¦myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Edwards said, "I'm resolved to strive every week to be brought higher [spiritually], and to a higher level of grace, than I was the week before." That's a challenge to me. As I was reading his resolutions last night I found myself wondering, "Am I further ahead spiritually this week than I was this time last week?"

How about you? Have you grown in grace, in your knowledge of Christ, in your knowledge of His Word in the last week? Have you grown in the last months?

Think about where you were a year ago. As you look back over this past year, can you say, "I've grown spiritually. I know more of the heart and the ways of God. I've grown in grace. I'm not where I want to be. I'm not where, by God's grace, I'm going to be, but by God's grace, I'm further in my walk with Him and in my ability to glorify Him than I was this time last year."

Do you love Him more? Do you know Him more? Are you pleasing Him more with your life? Are you growing in your walk with God?

Have you settled the issue? Edwards did. He settled the issue, "The purpose of my life is to bring glory to God, and that's all that really matters."

Have you settled that issue? If you haven't, then life will be for you one non-ending wrestling match -- resenting, resisting, struggling with the circumstances that come into your life.

But if you say, "Lord, all that matters to me is that You are pleased, that my life reveals to this world what You are like"¦." It was one of the Wesleys who said that our job here on earth is to give the world a right opinion about God.

That's what Edwards was saying. "I want with all my might, in the way I use my time, in all of the details and circumstances of my life, I want to shed great glory on who God is. Excerpt taken from http://www.reviveourhearts.com.

So, whether you read Edwards list of 70 New Year's Resolutions or you choose to just make a quiet list of all of the things you are thankful for and pray that your life would serve the purpose God has intended to accomplish through you here on earth.........I challenge you to take the time to put God first place in your life, your home and your family in 2009! Happy New Year!

Congratulations to Lydia!

A proud mama congratulates her oldest daughter, Lydia, who graduated from the University of Georgia, yesterday, with a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Lydia is officially finished with her formal education, for now, after being diligent for the past 20 years without a break. We are so proud of her accomplishments. She is currently a second year elementary school teacher and will continue to teach.

Congratulations!




P.S. Bruce and I also celebrated our 27th Anniversary today!

More pictures from the luncheon!

Leanne and Marlesa, "just two southern belles who lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvve PINK"


Marlesa Ball Greiner, Miss Georgia 1986

Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!

Our ladies luncheon was awesome this past Saturday, I am so grateful for God's goodness to our women's ministry. Here are some photo's of last weekend, and as they say pictures are worth a thousand words:

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The Christmas season is almost here! You may think, "wow, she has jumped the gun on Christmas this year!" Not so my friends, it is only 48 days until Christmas day, but Christmas begins this week at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. The annual Ladies Luncheon will be hosted on Saturday, November 15, so in the next few days we will transform the ROC into a Christmas celebration. It is definitely one of the highlights of the year, with over 400 women guests and 53 tables individually decorated to display the hostess' joy of Christmas.

The following week we begin decorating the Living Christmas Tree and sanctuary for the Christmas program, another highlight in our church year. With all of the trees, celebrations, parties, programs and decorations, nothing compares to the real reason that I love Christmas. I love Christmas because I love the Christ of Christmas!

My heart grieves when I look at the depraved world around me and then I have hope, because of Christ. We have the answer for this lost and dying world and that answer if Jesus Christ--the real reason for the season! So this year, starting on Thursday for every light wrapped around a tree, I will be praying that I can become an even brighter light to shine forth the love of God. With each ornament, I will be praying that God will bring revival to my church, community and the colleges that my daughters attend. With every bow that I tie, I will be praying that God wrap His loving arms around my family for protection, guidance and provision.

This wonderful Christmas season, I choose hope, I choose Christ, I choose Light, I choose Peace, I choose Joy and I am so very thankful that the great God of the universe, who is Almighty, Holy and Divine..........chose me!

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
John 15:16

Tough Times

These past few weeks have been very tumultuous in our country. The nation is witnessing one of the most unusual political campaigns in history and the economy is experiencing one of the greatest crisis since the Great Depression. In almost every conversation that I have with friends, family and even strangers, these issues seem to be at the forefront of our minds.

God is teaching me some amazing truths as I watch the changing history of our great nation unfold before my eyes.

Through His word, the Bible, I have been reassured that the great God of this universe is in total control of everything.

He promises that He "will never leave me or forsake me."

God alone is the satisfaction for my soul. Salvation secures our lives for all eternity and soul-satisfaction ensures abundant life on earth.

God gives great power, through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, for those whose believe!

I have to constantly "take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ" and the weapons of our warfare are not of this world but spiritual weapons that will demolish every stronghold and anything that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God.

Prayer is the KEY to experiencing the practical reality of God's amazing peace.

Isaiah 26:3 states "You will keep me in perfect peace, when my mind is steadfast on You and I completely trust in You!"

Enjoying God's presence is possible and a great privilege in the life of a believer. Although times are tough and we are living in difficult days, there is hope and there is a future because of the finished work of Christ Jesus my Lord!

Today, is a bittersweet day for me as I remember the anniversary of my precious mama's homegoing to heaven. I truly thank God upon every rememberance of her life and the cherished memories that will always be with me. I am most grateful for her faithfulness to pour the truth of God's word into my life and for her prayers that have blessed me even after her passing. Although words can not describe how much we miss her, we continue to "rise up and call her blessed among women!"

In Loving Memory of Marcella Eldridge Wood
March 1, 1939 - October 22, 2004

"For Such A Time As This"

Throughout the course of Biblical history, God has chosen to use women during very crucial times. One of my favorite stories from the Bible is the great story of Queen Esther. A beautiful young Jewish girl that God found favor with and used in a mighty way to save the Jewish people and change the course of history. The famous line from the book of Esther occurs when her uncle Mordecai challenges her to stand up for the truth and that God had placed her in the position as queen "for such a time as this." Esther followed God in obedience and was willing to risk her life to do so.

During the craze of the upcoming presidential election, I believe that God has chosen Sarah Palin, Govenor of Alaska, to be salt and light in this nation and to rise up in strength and power "for such a time as this."

Recently, I read a story told by Marilynn Blackaby in her new book Experiencing God Around the Kitchen Table where her husband, Dr. Henry Blackaby, had been impressed by God to meditate and really ponder a scripture from the Old Testament that says "when the foundations crumble, what will the righteous do?"

That seems to be the overwhelmingly pressing question for America today? The foundations literally crumbled on 9/11, and they continue to crumble very rapidly today. So, I ask you, what will the righteous do?

We need to PRAY, VOTE and campaign for the McCain-Palin ticket. Oh God, that you would have mercy on our country and grant us a President and Vice-President who cherish life and will fight to defend and protect this great land.