Faith brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts.

Romans 5:1-5.

We are joyfully praising the Lord today.

In Christ's Love,
Peg

This is the day that the Lord has made!

And we are rejoicing in it. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. We are praising Him this beautiful day for:

Good sleep
A beloved who is there
The way that He designed man and woman to be a team and one.
For beautiful babbies
For family
For friends who become family
For the ability to laugh until I cry
For the Blood of Jesus that covers us and binds us.

And for new grace and mercy each morning. Thank you Sweet Precious Jesus.

In His Sweet Abiding grace,

Peg

If I feel this way then how does the Lord feel?

We've had a tough week here at La Geron. It's been a very emotional week full of disappointment and tears for all of us. My babbies have had some rough lessons and it breaks my heart that they've had to deal with this right now.

We spent the last two days scraping girls off the floor and praying and then crying some more with them. The truth of the matter is that there is just no fixing these things for them.

That is our first reaction; we, as the mama and daddy, want to fix these things for our babbies. That's what we do. And that is especially what I do.

So this morning as I am meeting with the Lord I realize that if I feel this way for my babbies then how much more He hurts for us when we have to go through these trials. There are just some roads you have to go down; some valleys you have to walk through - there is no other way. We have to deal with it and when we get to the other side of it we will be better for having walked that path. There are no words that will explain the depth of His love, pain and anguish for us as He helps us through these times.

So today we are living Psalm 121.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills --
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip --
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you --
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm --
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."


Under Christ's Watchful Care,

Peg

The Audience of One

I wonder why it is that we, as women, mothers, wives, daughters, friend, daughter-in-laws and the list goes on, care so much about what others think?

I know that for years I have been concerned about what others think of me. Do I meet the standards the world has for me? Do I look the way the world tells me I should? Am I the parent the world tells me I should be? Maybe I SHOULD go to work and send my kids to public school, maybe I shouldn't have the number of children we have, maybe I should be the thin, focused-on-myself woman the world tells me I should be, and On and ON and ON the list in my head would go and it would keep me up nights. And send me on a quest to read the latest books, magazines etc to see what changes I needed to make in me to be that Woman.

And then one day the Lord met me in the midst of that worrying, sick pit in my stomach all the time place. And do you know what He told me? He told me that I don't have to worry about any of those people! That I don't have to be constantly making changes. That HE is the audience I live my life for and HE is the ONLY person that I need ever worry about what He thinks of me. Well, I have to say that released in me a burden that has not returned. I am the woman he wants me to be. And He loves that woman.

Is it an easy place to be in? Not always. What is right is always a hard thing to do and a hard place to be. But I have to say that when you know that every choice you make needs to be out of obedience to His will then it is a sweet, place of rest. And I like the freedom this place gives me. I like living my life for His pleasure. And I know that He takes pleasure in my focus on Him and the good things He has for me and my family when we are obedient to Him.

So who are you living your life for? Whose approval are you waiting on before you finally declare yourself the person who is worth something? Try living your life for YOUR audience of one - Christ alone.

Living in the center of His grace and love,
Peg

Missing my babbies!

This week we've got two girls gone to camp. I dropped them off Monday and I missed them before I left the parking lot. My sweet Sophia and Charlotte are home with me. Sophia has been a great help and joy to be around. She is really starting to come into her own. I love the young woman she is becoming.

My Em and McGinley are having a great time I'm sure. I know they love being at the campground. It is one of our family's favorite places in the whole world. I hated to leave the other day when we dropped them off. It is so peaceful and just soothes our spirits so very much. I'm sure it has to do with the Spirit of the Lord permeating the very soil there.

So while they are there enjoying themselves, making new friends and meeting the Lord in a new way I pray for their safety. And I enjoy and despair the quietness of my home.

In Christ's Love,

Peg

The sweet spot..

A few months ago we went to a retreat and the speaker spoke of the "sweet spot". He said that people who play golf or baseball often will talk about the "sweet spot" on the club or bat. It is the spot that when you hit it you know and it is a good hit. I've been thinking about this a lot these last few months. He said the Lord has a sweet spot he wants us in and we will know when we are there.

As I've been thinking about this I have encountered a song I'd never heard before sung by Amy Grant. It is called "Sweet Will of God". It was written by Lelia N. Morris in 1900. It is actually in our hymnal at church; #462. Amazing that things are yet the same 108 years later.

So this song has become my prayer for my life. I won't sing it for you - you all know I can't sing but I will share the words with you. May it become something that brings you closer to the Lord.

"Sweet Will of God"

My stubborn will at last hath yielded; I would be Thine and Thine alone.
And this the prayer my lips are bringing: "Lord, let in me Thy will be done."

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee. Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

I'm tired of Sin, footsore and weary; The darksome path hath dreary grown. But now a light has ris'n to cheer me; I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee. Sweet will of God, still fold me closer Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

Thy Precious will, O conqu'ring Savior; Doth now embrace and encompass me; All discords hushed my peace a river, My soul a prisoned bird SET FREE.

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee. Sweet will of God, still fold me closer Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever, My wayward feet no more to roam. What pow'r from Thee my soul can sever? The center of God's will my home.


Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee. Sweet will of God, still fold me closer Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

Have a blessed and sweet day!

In Christ's Love,
Peg

Things I'm thankful for today:

That I have my girls with me and that they like being with me (well most of the time).

That my beloved is willing to work so hard for us.

That I am saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

That I have good friends and family to make me laugh, pick me up when I'm crying and share my joy and sorrows.

That I go to a Bible preaching/teaching church with people who love the Lord and work hard to serve Him.

That I am able to have an effect on the way my girls think and love on other people.

That I know exactly what my girls are learning and what they are interested in because I teach them and they tell me what they like about school.

That I am able to share my love for Christ and what He has done for me and my family openly and without persecution.

And for friends, far and wide, who are praying and lifting each other and us to our Father's throne of grace and mercy.

I'm just thankful to be able to see the blessings we have each and every minute of every day.



In Christ's Love,
Peg

Life is too short.

The Lord has been working on me for the last several months. I have had it indelibly placed on my heart the urgency of our mission here as Christians.

There truly is no time left for us to sit on our hands. We have to be telling others about the Lord and how He came to save them just like He saves us. God is good in all things.

I have to share one of my favorite songs right now. It's by a group called Group 1 Crew. Now I know this kind of music is not every one's cup of tea but please take the time to listen to the words of the song.

God loves you and He does not want that any should perish but that all should know Him as their Lord and Saviour. Please don't wait any longer if you haven't already dedicated your life to Him. HE will carry you through.





Life is too short. Tell people that you love them and that the Lord loves them. Show them with your actions every chance you get. That is what I plan on doing.

In Christ's Love,
Peg

Happy Fourth of July!

We hope you enjoy this day with your family and friends. We praise the Lord that we are living in a free country founded on the principals of the Word Of God by men who loved Him who is able.

In Christ's Gracious and Giving Love,
Peg

What we did today at our house..

(and that is Charlotte giving the bread "bunny ears")

We made bread! I made pepperoni rolls, ooey-gooey bread (cinnamon swirl), regular honey wheat loaves and something new - challah! Michael asked for some sandwich rolls for taking his lunch/dinners. He just made his first sandwich with them. I'll let you know what he thinks. It smells great here!

In Christ's Abundant Love,
Peg

Appreciating good health..

We have had sickness at La Geron for the last week. Today is finally the first day that everyone is feeling 100%. I thought we were done Saturday. Not so - I still hadn't gotten sick. I thought I had made it under the wire. Well, I sure felt bad Sunday evening. Yesterday I was miserable. I hate being sick. I just went to bed and slept. My sweet Sophia, thank the Lord, was able to run things pretty efficiently while I rested.

I think we have not properly appreciated our lack of sickness these last few years. My family has had the occasional cold or upset tummy but nothing major. Praise the Lord! We realized yesterday when Michael went to take Em to get her stitches out that we have only used $60 of our Flexible Health care spending fund. It is July! Praise the Lord! So we will be thanking the Lord each day for our good health and continue doing all we can to maintain it.

Today I am thankful for good health, available health care when we need it and for the ability to Praise the Lord in all things. Even when I'm feeling pretty junky.

In Christ's Love,
Peg