Hosanna to the Son of David

How many times am I like those who shouted these words?

Some of these were the same people who also cried, "Crucify Him, crucify Him."

James 3:8-10 say, "The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse man who is made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."

How many times does my family see me in a light that is different from all those around me? Do I act different towards them than I do at church or with friends?

I embrace Christ as my Savior and yet, how often am I ashamed to share my hope in Him with other?

Unfortunately, I find myself getting caught up in the emotion of the moment, probably, a lot like those who laid down the palm branches. What I feel should not dictate my actions. As I grow change more into the image of my Lord, what I feel should change too.

As I bring forth my "palm branches" of Thanksgiving today, may my heart not desert my Savior.

#120~ The gardener's pruning...this is so painful, but so necessary.

#121~ Forgiveness...I can't fathom the forgetting that my Master accomplishes.

#122~ Little arms wrapped around me and kisses given as my little one goes with her papa skating. Just a few months ago separation anxiety existed. "Trust your Daddy, little one."

#123~ Beginning a new year for me on this earth. May this next year bring many joys...the sorrows are so difficult.

#124~ Watching my littlest man, dance when he doesn't think anyone is around. If I look close enough, I can see that dear baby still in those big, brown eyes.

#125~ My morning tea...coconut chai or peach ginger...both satisfy

#126~ The Passion week of Christ...going to the cross, doing His Father's will.

#127~ Dad and Mom...I know I have listed them in the past, but each day that goes by, that they are still part of my life, I am thankful.

#128~ God's direction and wisdom he has given my dad to care for mom during her health crisis. Every new information we find directs us to what he has been doing already.

#129~ Chrissie, my dear friend, who sharpens my iron more than she knows

#130~ "Mr. Cartwright's" job; so many are losing theirs, so thankful he remains employed

#131~ "Hoss" is becoming a new creation. Each phone call shows a softening of his once hard heart. Please keep praying for him while he is at Agape.

Gratitude is the Attitude

#112 ~ Watching my beloved children feed the ducks and birds all the while remembering they really don't need our bread. Mt. 6 reminds me of my heavenly Father's loving hand that takes care of his creation.

#113 ~ No matter what happens with the dreaded health care bill, I know my Sovereign Lord wins in the end. Are you on His side?

#114 ~ A 11 year old, light green van that happens to be ours; it still runs and , oh joy, no payments needed!

#115 ~ a phone call with our beloved oldest this last weekend that brings so many mixed emotions.

#116 ~ Our faithful friends who minister at Proclaiming the Gospel.

#117 ~ This program that helps to revive my heart. Thank you Ms. DeMoss.

#118 ~ The daddy of this household that is so lovingly patient as he works with his precious "Marie" teaching her how to tell time and use money.

#119 ~ Listening to ,"O How I Love, Jesus" being played on the keyboard by my oldest little girl.

#120 ~ Encouragement from the life of Jonathan Edwards

Good News!

#100~ We have the answer and cure for all those hurting in the world. Why don't we share this news more readily?

#101~ Sharing the excitement of my little one as she welcomes Tangy and Nemo to the Ponderosa

#102~ Words with my dear mom on the phone; she sounded strong; what else would I expect?

#103~ The movie that has changed so many marriages and lives. Every time my love and I sit down to watch it, it changes us some more.

#104~ Great attitude and reflection from my oldest little man. He is making great strides.

#105~ My awesome Dad who is taking such great care of my mom right now. He gives her wonderful physical, spiritual, mental and emotional support during this difficult time.

#106~ Finally, finishing our first Sequential Spelling book; and while I'm at it, I'm so thankful for that program. Those of you looking for a spelling cirriculum for little ones that struggle, I highly recommend it.

#107~ God has used this man to change my man

#108~ 72 hours of rain this last week

#109~ Saturday was the day that all people who live in Florida know why they live here

#110~ Thank you, sis, for sharing Psalm 112:7 with me this weekend.

#111~ God's Word, plain and simple

March Blessings

My life is full. Full of blessings that many days are taken for granted. I sit here at the computer typing with ten fingers, hands that work, a mind that has aged, but is still active.

#90 ~ Wonderful, warm heat that people many years ago did not have the privilege of enjoying, and yet, somehow managed to live life to the fullest.

#91 ~ A special notebook that shares the sacred thoughts between my youngest son and me.

#92 ~ The turn of a doorknob in the wee hours of the morning reminds me my littlest one needs some love

#93 ~ Psalm 103, This is what my cherished family is memorizing.

#94 ~ Our new Friday night ritual: helping out at the Apt. Ministry for our church. Beautiful friends of ours have started a Good News Club for the children that live in low income housing in our town. Lots of hurting faces, lots of needed love.

#95 ~ Our litte red and blue chairs...you know, the little tikes big plastic ones...that carry little feet up high to be in eye range of all that's happening.


#96 ~ Dinner with my in-laws that has become bi-weekly...love sharing food and conversation with them.

#97 ~ curled up feet in front of the space heater...making hearts warmer

#98 ~ Hoppy Toad, Hop!...hearing my "Marie" play this fun song on the piano, makes me want to dance around.

#99 ~ Reminders from my "Proverbs 31" magazine that I need to enjoy my children, not just instruct, teach, correct and discipline.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Today I want to focus on specific Thanksgiving to Jesus, my Friend.

#75 My High Priest

#76 My Mediator

#77 My "Daddy" Abba

#78 My Alpha and Omega

#79 The One Who Holds All Things in His Hands, especially my big, little man

#80 My kind and gentle Shepherd

#81 The One Who sustains the breath of Mankind

#82 My advocate, who makes intercession for me and grants me forgiveness every time I fail

#83 The Creator, who humbled Himself to come as a mere babe, knowing He would die

#84 My Righteous Judge

#85 My Strong Deliverer

#86 The Cleft of the Rock into which I hide when the world seems to be crumbling around me

#87 The Bread of Life that fills me like nothing else can

#88 My Fountain of Life

#89 My Sovereign, Most Holy God

Attitude of Gratitude

Before you place your feet on the floor, give thanks to your magnificent Creator for all His blessings.

# 66 The Word that is a Light to my path and Lamp to my feet

#67 War of Words by Paul David Tripp
This has become part of our family worship time at night. All conflict begins with our words.

#68 Making a love gift for the place where my oldest treasure resides

#69 Truth; this is a lost concept in this tolerant society we live in

#70 Friends that help sharpen my iron

#71 Answering lots of questions during the day from all of my little people; anything from math to the most beloved question of "Why?" I don't always have the answers, but am so glad I'm the one being asked

#72 The burning of candles; what a cozy and warm place an abode can become

#73 Busy hands that work diligently to finish a love gift

#74 Celebrating birthdays; each year is one more blessing of God's goodness

Blessings in Color

Memories of my darling daughter's knight in shining armor (who happened to be her Daddy) giving her carnations (the dried ones in the picture) for her 7th birthday tea party.

Books, Books and more books from the library. My little women love taken inside these stories.

Quiet people that keep my littlest one quiet during school.

The sweet heart and soul of "Little Joe". He and his Daddy (with other men and boys) have the privilege of studying I Timothy together in Bible Hour on Sundays. He is going to be a strong leader.

The beautiful marriage words "Mr. Cartwright" and I uttered to each other one windy November Day in 1994.

The many school lessons my children are learning. What a privilege to teach them!

Beautiful Remembrances of Past Years...my treasures have grown so quickly!

Standing on the Promises

God's promises are what keep us going....In the midst of whatever trial you find yourself in, trust Him. Praising Him and praying back His promises prove to be what transforms a hurting soul.

~ My beautiful marriage band that every day reminds me of my vows

~ Friendship with my mother, who is fighting cancer right now naturally...and boy, is she a fighter.

~ Rain, rain and more rain

~ The laughter of Little Joe...it is so infectious

~ Great conversations with our Tennessee visitors, who I call Dad and Mom

~Measuring my monsters....wow, how they grow each month...and wishing I could have the pencil marks on the laundry room wall for my biggest monster

~ Electricity...thinking of those needy ones in Haiti

~ God's Word that brings healing, especially the Psalms

~ This recipe...it is delicious!

~ James 1:2-4

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

The Great Giver

Have you ever stop to think, "Do I deserve all this?"

We are a blessed people. Blessed by our Creator who has lavished on us abundantly.

~There are loved ones visiting. Gran and Boompa are staying for two and a half weeks...yipee!

~ Porcupine bristles (the name my wee one gave to the 4 o'clock shadow on Mr. Cartwright's face)...although we like it better when its smooth

~ Ability to consume raw milk....legally.

~ Those intimate times with my "Marie" when she opens up her deepest heart secrets....from those depths comes questions like, "Mama, did my birth mother love me?" My darling daughter, the answer is a resounding yes. Even though your birth circumstances were less than comfortable, there was another alternative, and praise God, she didn't choose it.

~ 4 Women who chose life over death....allowing me to me a Mommy.

~ Brother Lenz, Brother Jackson, Ma'am, Brother Wilkie, Brother Trainer, and all the other staff that are ministering to my Almost Man

~ Jesus, the name that brings healing and restitution

~ Tears that cleanse the body, soul, and spirit

~ The Worship Fellowship where I find my kindred spirits

Another day of Thanksgiving

Gifted Musicians who help to bring our worship to Christ

The Cross where my burden has been laid

Trials that bring my hinds feet in high places

The prophets of old: Habakkuk, Daniel, Jonah, Amos, etc.

Warm slippers on cold mornings

The gentle caresses of my love's rough hands

Running, clean water from our well

Forgiveness

The beautiful buds on my Christmas Cactus that waited to bloom until I was home from our Christmas vacation

My precious circle of girlfriends known otherwise as "Mangoes"

Romans 8

The sound of a bouncing basketball as my hubby and son play "Jesus" (instead of horse) with an unsaved friend in the neighborhood....always a good opportunity to give the Gospel.

Our beloved friends from church that help out with "Marie's" hair...this is always a challenge for her "white" mama. :)

Grace, more and more grace, grace exceeding my sin and guilt

Contented Heart = Thankful Heart

helpful little ones

my diligent man....he allows me to stay home and has never complained about working every day

religious freedom and freedom in Christ

hearing my "Marie" pray

the joy in "Little Joe's" eyes when he plays trumpet

my precious nephews and nieces

the continuous blessings of Christ (Romans 7)

the Titus 2 Women in my life

Susan Heck

bouncing beads...when my littlest one runs through the house, you always know where she is!

the tender kiss of my love

raindrops after many nights of hard freezes

then the sun coming out