“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you', it will be enough.” -Meister Eckhart

131. rising early, spending a morning with my family

132. willing, helping hands of teenagers

133. a meal with my husband, sharing

His mercies are new every morning...

and fresh every evening. Who can know the number of His benefits, or recount the list of His bounties? Every sand which drops from the glass of time is but the tardy follower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of His kindness, and with the yellow gold of His affection. The river of time bears from the mountains of eternity the golden sands of His favour. The countless stars are but as the standard bearers of a more innumerable host of blessings...How shall my soul extol Him who daily loadeth us with benefits, and who crowneth us with lovingkindness? O that my praise could be as ceaseless as His bounty.
C.H. Spurgeon

more of the daily gifts . . .

127. waking to less pain, a true gift

128. lunch with mission-minded friends, planning

129. a gift from a generous friend

130. shopping with two teen girls, precious time

More Gifts for the List...

126. scripture, the Holy Word
that reminds me I am in need of God's healing touch

For I will restore health unto thee,

and I will heal thee of thy wounds,

saith the LORD...

Jeremiah 30:17

Overcomer

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have OVERCOME the world!

John 16:33

Since the discouraging surrender of my personal goal to run in the Peachtree Road Race on July 4 because of a weak ankle caused by a bone cyst (noncancerous, fluid-filled cavity within the bone), I have been slack in any type of exercise program and haven't been eating as healthy as I should. So this week I determined that I would return to exercise and healthy eating habits. To return is painful.

Zoe Elmore says, "The pain and struggle of "returning" to a healthy lifestyle after a self-imposed exile in "The Land of Me" is just that; a painful struggle! When the hard work of life (physically and spiritually) enters our lives it is tempting to retreat back into 'the Land of Me' in order to comfort and soothe ourselves instead of going to God; the great comforter."

It's all about perseverance...a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. How often I am tempted to give up only to be satisfied with a temporal fix! Father, forgive me for drawing back, recoiling in times of difficulty. Help me to rely on You to overcome those things in my life that get in the way of glorifying and honoring you.

Back to the 1000 Gifts List...

125. yellow gerber daisies

I will give thanks to You,

O Lord my God,

with all my heart…

Psalm 86:12

Graduation

Griff, Savannah-Jane, and Taylor after Griff's graduation - 5/24/08

I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

are walking in the truth.

III John 4

My son Griff graduated from high school this past weekend. What an honor it is to be called his mother. He was decorated with all sorts of drapings around his neck to recognize his achievements in high school. Of course I am proud of him. However, the pride I have for the scholarly achievments he received pale in comparison to the pride I have in knowing he is maturing in his walk with the Lord.

He entered the world with a struggle, a fight to live, a stubborn will.
I fretted. I worried. Then I relented and cried out to God... he belongs to you...You love him more than I do...You created him... I commit him to You. He belongs to You. Your will be done.

Stubborn will still persists. Mine and his.
Again I fret, worry, then surrender. Praising God that my son questions, seeks answers, and searches. How else will he truly know God? How else will he experience an authentic walk with Christ?

How else will I know the depth of the Father's love?

Still so many lessons for me to learn.

When Abram arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians took one look and saw that his wife was stunningly beautiful. Pharaoh's princes raved over her to Pharaoh. She was taken to live with Pharaoh.
Because of her, Abram got along very well: he accumulated sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, men and women servants, and camels. But God hit Pharaoh hard because of Abram's wife Sarai; everybody in the palace got seriously sick.
Genesis 12:14-17


What a world it would be, where everyone's choice only affects themselves! But that's not how it is, and we know it.

Distracted by my ringing cell phone, I admittely and ashamedly almost ran through a red light today. That wasn't the only close call. I put my car in reverse to back out of a one-way parking spot when out of nowhere a truck came barreling through the parking lot the wrong way, narrowly missing my back end. There was someone to blame in both of these near misses. In the first close call, it was my fault...I shouldn't have let a ringing cell phone come before my driving. In the second close call, the other driver was at fault...he disobeyed the traffic flow of the parking lot. Regardless of who is to blame, had an accident actually occured, others would have been affected by one person's wrongdoing. Had I actually ran the red light, I could have seriously injured another person and wrecked their vehicle all because of my wrongdoing. Let's say the wreckless driver in the parking lot had actually collided with me. I could have been seriously injured by his offense and the back end of my car would have been nonexistent!

I thought about those incidents today and concluded that rarely does sin against God affect only the offender.

Lane Craig Thompson says, "... God's rule for our lives says that what we do will affect others -- good or bad. The lack of purity will bring shame, doubt and defeat into the local body of Christ, and others will eventually succumb to the temptation to sin. The commitment to purity will bring about a community of healing and freedom unlike anything the world has ever known."


Our sin can affect others. No one is an island. The negative affects from individual sins can resonate in ways that we cannot predict.

Father God, help me take my sin seriously...to recognize it, admit it, and confess it. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Gratitude For The Gifts Bestowed...

119. a luncheon celebrating Griff's high school graduation

120. Bible Study with fellow believers

121. an encouraging word from a friend

122. an invitation to Honors Day for children I taught

123. puppets donated for our Trinidad mission

124. God's perfect timing

Lazarus

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

I was privileged to participate in a Bible Study on the Gospel of John chapter 11 today.

This is the story of Lazarus.

Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was very sick, but He did not come as soon as they wanted him to.

Lazarus died.

When Jesus finally arrived Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.

The crowd mocked Jesus saying, "Hey, you made the blind to see. Why didn't you prevent his death?"

Martha said, "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

Mary said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Jesus said, "Your brother will rise again."

The people mourned Lazarus' death.

When Jesus saw their tears, he wept.

Did he weep because Lazarus had died, or were there other reasons for his tears?

Perhaps he wept because of the people's disbelief. Jesus understood what it was like to be rejected by family, unbelievers, and even believers. In spite of the humiliation, rejection, and ultimate death on the cross, he always exhibited compassion, gentleness, forgiveness, and peace to all.

The rest of the story...

John 11:43-44 says, "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."

Weeping Jesus, suff’ring One,

Whose tears and sorrows we may trace;

In the Book of God’s dear Son,

We see His marred yet smiling face.
Weeping Jesus,Weeping Jesus—died for me.
Weeping Jesus, royal King,

And yet an humble sacrifice;

Thou didst give Thy life to pay

For us the great redemption price.
Weeping Jesus, oh, what love

Was shown through Thee to men in sin!

Is the human heart too hard

For this great love to melt and win?
Weeping Jesus, more each day

I would be filled with only Thee;

Grace my heart and life, I pray,

With meekness that the world may see.

Barney E Warren - 1911

Mission Opportunity In Our City!

theme for Backyard Bible Club

... we are ambassadors for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20

All believers are called to be missionaries. We are His hands and His feet. As believers we are instructed to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone in our city, county, state, nation, and world. Please pray about this opportunity for missions right here in our city!

The Backyard Bible Club ministry is a way to connect with kids in the community. The club is designed for children ages four - twelve and involves Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts.

We are dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children from all backgrounds and walks of life, encouraging them to a life of dedication and service to our Lord Jesus Christ. The message of the Bible is very important. We want children to know what God has spoken through His word.

We will be ministering in two apartment complexes this summer. Each of these sessions will run Monday through Thursday (June 2-5 and June 9-12) from 9:00 am til 11:45 am.

If you have any questions, would like to be a part of the team, or wish to make a donation for supplies, please contact me at ggmorgan61@hotmail.com.

Go Ye Into All The World!

fishing boats - Maracas Bay, Trinidad, West Indies

And Jesus said unto them,Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:17-18

Our family, along with two other team members will be serving God in Trinidad, West Indies again July 25 through August 6, 2008. Opportunities for service include:

-Leading a morning VBS for approximately 200 children ages 5-15

-Leading an afternoon VBS camp at an orphanage

-Youth Praise & Worship services-Drama & Skit ministry

-Ladies Bible Study

-Teacher training for the teachers at the church's special ed school, FAITH ACADEMY

-Setting up a children's library at FAITH ACADEMY

In addition to your prayers, we certainly would appreciate donations. You may drop off materials in the office of First Baptist Church, Douglas or email me and I will make arrangements to pick up donations.

Some suggested materials include, but are not limited to:
lunch bags for creating books, staplers, staples, pencils, pens, Bibles, sticky note pads, markers, hygiene items - pump soap, toothpaste, craft materials, seashells - all sizes, Dollar Store plastic visors that could be decorated on, sea animal foam shapes, Beach theme materials for VBS (the theme is Outrigger Island), VBS shirts for children, sentence strips, gently used educational games, flash cards, glue sticks, construction paper, manipulatives for counting, tape, adult scissors, child scissors, ziploc bags - all sizes, etc.

If you would like to make a financial donation and receive giving credit, you may write a check to First Baptist Church with a designation on the memo line of your check: TRINIDAD MISSION TRIP. The mailing address for First Baptist Church, Douglas is…

First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 790, Douglas, GA 31534

Any questions, email me at ggmorgan61@hotmail.com

And be grateful...

Charles Atlas - 1951

...Be strong in your faith,

just as you were taught.

And be grateful.

Colossians 2:7

I am grateful for...

115. people and events that taught me to be strong

116. God's perfect timing

117. community-wide mission opportunities:

a Pregnancy Crisis Center

and

community Backyard Bible Club

118. friends who pray and believe God

Rejoice in our confident hope.

Be patient in trouble,

and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12

God is always on time. His way is perfect. I can not manufacture or create situations where He will operate. I hope in the Lord, my trust is in Him alone. I am learning that I must trust Him with a patient confident hope, praying continually. He will not let me down. He will not forsake me. His plans are best and He wants to give me a future and a hope. Hallelujah! What a promise!

"In his exposition of the martyr Stephen's famous sermon, Pastor Mark Gibson says, "God will fulfill all that He has sovereignly ordained at the perfect time. For the believer, the call is to face all of life's difficulties, trusting God to do all that He has promised at just the right time."

Trust Him.

Rocking Chair

Be to me a rock of refuge

in which to dwell,

and a sheltering stronghold

to which I may continually resort,

which You have appointed

to save me,

for You are my Rock

and my Fortress.

Psalm 71:3

Ignoring all caution and warning, in impatient desperation I stepped up into the seat of the rocking chair to boost me up to a new height. A dangerous position to be in, to say the least. The unstable, wobbly, rocking chair swayed, throwing my balance off. I fell back attempting to catch myself. The hard floor caught me instead, jarring me, bruising me. I picked myself up off the floor. Too late, I concluded, rocking chairs were not intended to be step stools.

How often I fall and fail! Attempting to stretch and reach new heights, to touch His face when all I need to do is sit. He will come to me if I am willing to be embraced, to be held, and calmed.

These arms have rocked three babes. I remember the joy of holding them in my arms, calming them until their little bodies relented and fell asleep. What peace. Restful, calm, sleep.

Lord help me to concede, surrender, and rest in your arms.

Be patient, o soul. Worship Him at all times. Breathe. Take everything in.

He is with me in this place.

Psalm 73:28 says, But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.

112. sitting on the porch, rocking

113. tears, cleansing me

114. an embrace from my daughter

1000 Gifts List continues....

110. an ongoing conversation with God

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. --Brother Lawrence

111. laminin (click on link below)
I am held together by the cross

watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Prince Caspian

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I am excited about the release of the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian this Friday, May 16. Whether or not you read the book you will enjoy the storyline in the movie, based on the book by the same title written by C. S. Lewis.

Devin Brown writes, "In Prince Caspian we enter a world where things are not so obvious. Lewis makes the choices in Narnia more complex to mirror what happens in real life. As we journey further into our faith, often our greatest struggles involve determining what God would have us do."

I can testify that as I voyage along, the choices and decisions I have to make involve a struggle between my heart and my head. My heart is broken over things that are going on in our community. I see so many confused teens, families breaking apart, and sadly, complacency in the church. My heart says to act, do something, jump, make a difference, etc. But then my head says, wait, be reasonable, it will cost you something. It may cost you everything!

The verse from Proverbs 3:5-6 is clear. It says to trust Him with all my heart, not my head. That doesn't mean that I blindly accept the call. I must ask for wisdom from God, acknowledging who He is. Alone I am incapable of making a difference but with Him, however, all things are possible!

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes, "Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary. He told us to be not only as harmless as doves, but also as wise as serpents. He wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head."

"All that you know is about to change."

(Aslan, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian)

Singing Praises

Sing praises to God and to his name!

Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.

His name is the Lord— rejoice in his presence!

Psalm 68:4

adding to the list of 1000 Gifts...

107. Preparing a meal for special friends and family

108. Singing hymns before and after supper

109. Praying for our community with other believers

Praise Him

But ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth the praises

of him

who hath called you out of darkness

into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

If you are a believer, you are God's possession. You have been purchased with a price. He has called you out of the darkness into the light. You are set apart, holy....not because of your deeds, but because of what He did for you.

Charles Stanley says, "What makes us holy is not what's on the outside but who is on the inside."

He deserves our praise! He saved us from our sin! Recognize and confess your sin! Recognize He is sovreign and holy. Praise Him! Hebrews 13:15 says, Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Psalm 100

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Gratitude Fills My Heart

Sunday dinner table set for mothers

Gratitude is born in hearts

that take time to count up past mercies.

- Charles E. Jefferson (1860-1937)

104. Honoring mothers past, mothers present, and mothers to be

105. Homemade poundcake with homegrown peaches and blueberries

106. Rain quenching the dry earth

A Virtuous Woman

Me, Moma, and Puff - Edgewater, Florida, 1967

Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

I can think of no better example of a Proverbs 31 woman.
Happy Mother's Day to my Moma!
I love you.

Quotes About Mothers

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
~William Goldsmith Brown

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.~Tenneva Jordan

If you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

Mother is the name for god on the lips and hearts of all children ~Brandon Lee

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Jewish Proverb

Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed...Deuteronomy 28:5

103. fresh, hand-picked peaches from Burke

Forget Not All His benefits

Bless the Lord,

O my soul,

and forget not

all His benefits.

Psalm 103:2

102. husband home from a week-long trip

The Nest

I know that this nest, this humble home

was built for more than just my own.

He provides so I can provide for others. A place for wounded feathers. A refuge under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 36:7 says, How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Words of Love

The idea and inspiration to begin a list of 1000 Gifts- things I am thankful for came from a fellow blogger, Ann Voskamp. She invites everyone to consider thankfulness and gratitude as "a fixture of your soul." Begin your list today by counting the blessings, with your own 1000 Gifts List.

101. Thankful for words of love, a letter from a precious one...

Dear Morgan family,

Throughout the process of life we are faced with many adversities. I feel blessed to have such wonderful people who have had such a constant and positive influence on my life during these times. God has shown me what love truly is by shining his love down on me through your family. I could never thank you enough for the never-ending laughs, timeless memories, and walking by my side in my journey of becoming a woman of God. I truly thank you for taking me into your home, loving me, encouraging me, and allowing me to be a part of your lives. When my family fell apart, I never knew I would be able to be a part of something as special as you are. You have shown me that through any obstacle love conquers all and God is more powerful then we could ever imagine. You have also shown me how imortant it is to love others, as God loves us. These special memories I have shared with your family will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope God will continue to bless your family. I have the highest hopes and best wishes for such a special family as yours. I will definitely miss all the fun trips, delicious meals, and crazy jokes. Thank you again for all your kindness, generosity, and love you have bestowed upon me.I love you all. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Dominica

Fly Away

Striking,
Diminutive,
Wounded child
Searching
For home,
A place,
A refuge
Nest here
Teach me
Remind me
Reveal me
Release me
Heal me

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

I prayed for each of my children as I cradled them in my arms. Dedicating them to Him, realizing early that I was just their mother. He was their FATHER. Trusting Him with future relationships, ones that would make a postive impact on their lives.
...a mother's sincerest prayer.

She came to him troubled, uneasy, hurt, and confused on a cloudy, dark, and dreary January afternoon. This beautiful young girl entered my world, too. Admittedly she caught the eye and stole the heart of my oldest son. But what happened in my heart is truly God's handiwork. I am changed forever.

At first I felt like God hadn't heard my prayers. I struggled with their strengthening relationship since I had prayed for someone that would positively influence his life. How could this wounded one?

Over time I have realized that perhaps another mother had prayed for her child, too.

My son who had received

now had the opportunity

to give to someone else.

God answers our prayers from wisdom far greater than ours. I thought my son needed a strong Christian girl; God knew that my son needed to be a strong Christian man.

She questioned,

she observed,

she pondered,

and then she prayed.
She prayed and asked Christ to change her,

to take up residence.

And oh how He did!

She is a living testimony of a life changed,

put on a right path,

touching others with His love.

Wise beyond her years.

Compassionate.

A disciple.

A missionary.

A counselor.

This precious one.

Through my tears I hugged this precious one goodbye this morning. She is flying away to another nest. Another page turns in her life, and mine, too. She taught me so much about God. She reminded me of where I once was, revealed to me things I needed to deal with, let go of, released me from hurts, and healed me in the process.

I already miss you, sweet one. May God grant you a safe flight and a happy landing.

I love you, Dominica.

If I keep a green bough in my heart,

the singing bird will come.

Chinese Proverb

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune

Without the words,

And never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson

More Blessings

99. attending Taylor's graduation from SGC

100. sound of bagpipes playing, reflecting on my ancestry

The love of a family

is life’s greatest blessing.

-English Proverb

Escaping the Trap

"Blue Bird" - Joseph De Camp, c. 1919

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25, 26

Dr. James MacDonald of Walk in the Word ministries tells about a bird who had mistakenly flown inside his house, now trapped by fear and in danger of hurting itself because of its new environment. The only way to save the bird and keep it from hurting itself was to capture it. It was the only way to give it true freedom. He goes on to say:
" Little did it realize that secure in my hands it was better off than thrashing around the room. As quickly as I could, I got to the front door, launched the bird in the air, and it flew away. Sometimes we feel like the worst thing that could happen to us is to be confined in God’s hands. The Bible often presents us with choices that will form boundaries around our lives. Too often we fly from this protection, banging into windows and walls, looking for escape. If we submit to God’s Word, we fear we’ll lose our autonomy or worse, our freedom-all the while killing ourselves in our frantic independence.”

When Satan entraps us we are deceived and blinded. We are fearful of losing our autonomy, our freedom, and our free will. But if we are honest with God and ourselves, the reality is we have already lost it. Only God can expose truth to us and put us on the correct path. God, in his love, exercises His sovereignty, His dominion, His power. Real freedom and liberty comes when we surrender. That's when He delivers us from the snare, the trap of the enemy.

Filled With Gratitude...

If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. Rabbi Harold Kushner

93. spending the day with fourteen inquisitive, lively 7-year olds

94. fresh snow pod peas

95. Psalm 23:4

96. safe flight for husband's journey

97. the generosity of others in my path today

More Thankful Thoughts

88. celebrating life with my husband and six amazing young people

89. taking in the beauty of Cirque du Soleil

Blessed are those

that can give

without remembering

And receive

without forgetting.

90. facing my fears on the water rides at Typhoon Lagoon

91. meditating on Psalm 19...a favorite Psalm of one of my favorite teens

92. lunch at Cheesecake Factory

Meditating On His Word

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:2

I have never been a coffee drinker, but while in Bermuda in October where afternoon tea is taken daily, I developed a taste for hot tea. My oldest son is proud of his mom's most recently developed habit. He is somewhat of a health expert and testifies of the benefits of tea drinking.

I watched my son prepare a cup of hot green tea yesterday. I was certain that the water wasn't hot enough because it took longer than usual for the water to change color. But as he waited patiently, allowing the bag to steep in the hot water, soaking it thoroughly, the contents of the tea bag eventually permeated the water. Had he removed it too quickly, the tea would have been weak, having little flavor.

This made me think of how I need to meditate on the Word more every day, allowing it to soak into my spirit.

Ponder

Reflect

Contemplate

Consider

Review

Repeat

Think

Analyze

Feel

Enjoy

In our culture it seems we all desire busyness and actvity instead of just getting quiet and still. Because of this I believe we often miss out on the richness of the promises and blessings in the Scriptures. We are impatient. Therefore we are like weak tea...no flavor....bland and tasteless.

Thomas Watson wrote, The reason we come away so cold from reading the Word is, because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15