Count It All Joy

I mentioned previously 2 of my friends and I are reading the book of James during August. A mutual friend of ours suggested we select one book and read it for a month. This helps get God's word rooted deep into your heart and mind; lets it soak in. At the beginning of the month, I would read the 5 chapters everyday and now as the month has progressed, I've focused on 1 chapter a week. Unfortunately, I'm still stuck on chapter 1. I have to kick it in gear to finish the book by September!!! There's just so much detail!!!

I wanted to share this excerpt from John MacArthur's commentary on James 1:2:

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (worketh patience)." James 1:2-3

"The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize that they are not liabilities but privileges, ultimately beneficial and not harmful, no matter how destructive and painful the immediate experience of them might appear. When we face trials with the attitude that James admonishes, we discover that the greatest part of the joy is drawing closer to the Lord-the Source of all joy- by becoming more sensitive to His presence, His goodness, His love, and His grace. Our prayer life increases, as does our interest in and study of the Word, and in each of those ways our joy increases all the more." (page 21-22) (emphasis of mine added in bold)

I had to post this because this describes in many ways how I have felt not having a child. I have said and hope to always say, if it meant going through infertility and not having a biological child of our own, in order to draw me close to God, to experience Him and His Word, than I am grateful. It is a privilege to walk through a trial in order to comfort those who are in the middle. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4..."who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction." God has given me that opportunity this year. At times, Bryan and I are in the midst of a trial. But in other times, we have walked through part of our trial and we can comfort those who are behind us on that road.

Count It All Joy, My Friends!!!

I tried and tried to find a video of "Count It All Joy" with Shannon Wexelberg. But I could not find a decent one. If you know of one, would you comment or send me an email.

If you can, listen to this version of "Count It All Joy" with Charles Billingsley, Scott Krippayne, & Shannon Wexelberg on iTunes.

The B-I-B-L-E

YES THAT'S THE BOOK FOR ME!!!

I recently purchased a new Bible. I love a new Bible and especially this one. It is WIDE MARGIN which is excellent for note taking and journalling. I love to write notes or date references or explanations next to verses. I had been wanting a wide margin bible for a long time. Over the past few weeks, I've been working in my new Bible and getting some notes in. There is also a section to index additional notes you wish to take down.

Myself and 2 of my girlfriends have committed to reading/studying the book of James the month of August. So my next favorite new purchase is this:

I had no idea I would like to read a commentary as much as John MacArthur's commentary on James. I told Bryan I could read this like I would a fiction book. It is not boring at all. And, it is completely fascinating and enlightening. I would recommend his commentary to anyone. Gaining knowledge into God's wonderful word is so exciting to me. I'm so grateful for this opportunity in my life where I can learn His word and I hope I can make good use of my time in study. Bryan and I hope to have the whole set of commentaries from John MacArthur.

I had debated on buying a MacArthur study bible, but after getting my wide margin and using the commentary, plus listening to sermons from here, I've just about turned my new bible into the MacArthur study bible!!

My last two Bible study tools:

I love to write in blue ink in my Bible and this pen does not bleed through the pages. The highlighter is almost like a crayon and doesn't bleed through either.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

What are some of the things you do in your Bible study?

Share with me some of the times you have experienced God's word come alive in your life.

Summer Time !!!!!

Here are some words that could describe my last 2 months....

B-U-S-Y

LIFE CHANGING

B-U-S-Y

EMOTIONAL

B-U-S-Y

DIVING DEEPER INTO GOD'S WORD THAN I HAVE IN A LONG TIME

B-U-S-Y

DECISION MAKING

B-U-S-Y

DYING TO THE FLESH

B-U-S-Y

TOTALLY DEPENDING ON GOD

B-U-S-Y
GRATEFUL FOR GOD'S WRITTEN WORD TO GUIDE BRYAN AND I SO CLEARLY

Can I be honest....Events, decisions, and commitments over the past 2 months have outweighed spending time blogging. There are several "things" that should not be blogged about. And there are some things that should not be discussed on the world wide web. And I am there now. So as my boss would say..."In a nutshell" maybe these pictures will help catch you and myself up with what we have done since June. And then, I can get back to shorter posts and eventually catching up with all of my friends in blog land!! I have missed you and I have thought of you. I hope my absence has not caused me to loose some of you. I'm hoping I can pick up where I left off.
But I have to tell you...I'm trying to keep my priorities more in line with the convictions I have experienced the past 3-4 months.

Here goes the catch ups to end all catch ups!!

Fourth of July in Ada

Bryan and I eating fried food from Butler's in Ada!!! We miss the hot bar, but our stomachs, thighs, and other body parts do not!! :-)

Visiting 1 Night at Falls Creek Church Camp

Nathan Isaac Young's 1st Falls Creek Experience

Swimming with the Gortons

Swimming with Jesse & Katie

Cooking Steaks for our Friends

Bryan is a mean grillin machine

Cutting Down the Tree in Our Front Yard

We've decided to stay "planted" where we are at for now. We are not selling the house.

Puttin' Up Corn

I felt countryfide!!!

Our friend Dustin Whitmore (he's single) and Bryan shuckin'

Spending an evening and into the early morning hours with my F.A.M.

Friends and Moms

Carla Young and Freddi Booth

Spending time with this little man and visiting with his parents

Nathan Isaac Young

My Cousin Eric's Homecoming from Kuwait

Eric made it to Oklahoma on Monday and then on Saturday we had a Welcome Home Party at our house and had over 30 people in our little house. I've decided when someone asks what they can bring my response will be "How about a 1ooo more square feet!!"
Sometimes I pretend Jesse & Katie are mine and Bryan's!! Shhhh!! Don't tell the others!! :-)

Bryan and Jesse "resting" after the entertaining!

My Cousin Scott & His Family Visiting from Arkansas

Scott and his wife Becky have 2 children; Sarah Beth & Brandon Scott.



I watched Jesse for a couple of hours while the guys went and hit some golf balls. This is the picture of the cousins. Cutie putooties!!



We ate at Jake's Ribs in Chickasha. Scott had not eaten there in probably 12-15 years!!

We took them on a tour of OU and Owen Field. They are huge Sooner fans and I think they loved it.

Redhawks game with my work

My boss Judy and grandchildren, Ava & Stella. You may recognize them as my sweet little friends.

My niece turned 16!!! What????!!!!



The girl can cut some cake!!

My grandma is visiting from Oregon and we got to see her at my sister's house. Grandma is moving to Austin, Texas! Yippee!!! That is so much closer for us. Sad that it is the Longhorn capital! Boomer Sooner!!
I hope to catch up with you soon!!!