HAPPY HOLIDAAAAAAYS

THANKSGIVING AT K-BOOTH'S APARTMENT









NICK'S GRADUATION AND CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS
I'm not sure where our camera was when we actually opened presents with my parents and Shea and Sylas and the boys...but Mamaw made Jason a sweet stocking!











CHRISTMAS IN KENTUCKY
Our camera battery died while at the Diffey's apartment just before we went to Ryan and Sarah's to exchange gifts so sorry I don't have pics of Christmas with the family! But isn't Calvin so cute?







NEWS YEARS PARTY AT THE COLLIN'S HOUSE HOSTED BY LISA MOREL

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

I don't know about you but Sunday mornings growing up seemed to be the morning our family fought the most. There was grumbling and complaining, and no doubt I did my share (especially if I had to wear a dress). Well, we are sinners and must be on our guard against sin in our lives but we also have an enemy that wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He certainly doesn't want us to go to church where we get fed and encouraged in our walks with the Lord and where we spend time praising and honoring the Father. This past Sunday was no different. With a closet full of clothes I 'couldn't find anything' to wear. As I spoke my thoughts out loud my loving husband said, "First of all, we're not gonna whine." He was more joking than he was serious but I was convicted. That still didn't change the fact that I didn't like what I had on and still couldn't put together an outfit. Finally I found something I was comfortable in and that was decently cute for church. Nonetheless, Satan and my sin nearly ruined the morning. On the way to church I wondered how much of that was my sin and how much of that was Satan using everything he can to take my focus off God and onto self. I think they go hand in hand and for some reason Satan has pummeled me more in the last few months than he has ever in my life. Needless to say I was encouraged by one of the songs we sang that morning in church. God is so good:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are
great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours thro' him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.

If you think about it, please pray for me that I would not be unaware of Satan's schemes and that when he does attack that I would not believe his lies and succumb to depression and tears. Pray that I would put on the full armor of God and stand firm. And I will do this BY HIS GRACE. I pray you too will stand firm against Satan's attacks. Let us not forget we have an enemy that seeks to devour us and to call on our God, the Mighty Fortress that never fails.

By His Grace

I believe a new chapter of my life is opening up. The title of my whole blog, "Live Worthy of the Gospel", comes from Philippians 1:27. Most of you who know me know that that has been my life verse since summer of 04. I sign every email with it. The truth of it is still amazing but I'm seeing it in a whole new light now. Before this summer I lived out that verse by doing missions. Now, I'm daily faced with the challenge of living worthy of the gospel in the ways I conduct myself such as in humility, patience, forgiveness, gentleness, love, etc. I would venture to say that I have realized that walking daily in those Christ-like qualities is harder for me than doing missions. So, now the phrase that seems to be coming to mind is, "By His Grace...". I will be honest...I have never been tempted more in my life to walk in anger and bitterness and pride and laziness and selfishness as I have in the last four months. I have given in many times to those sins and I have often given over my joy to Satan without much of a fight. I also have not been so pummeled by Satan's many lies before as I have in the past four months. He is the father of Lies and he is good at what he does. BUT...By HIS GRACE, we are more than conquerors! He has given me the ultimate victory over sin and death and Satan's lies. I spoke with a good friend of mine yesterday and realized we were both in the same boat spiritually. Married, single, it doesn't matter...when we don't choose the Lord we grow cold. Sin creeps in and brings death. But By HIS GRACE He never lets go of us. My friend said to me, "He chose me when I didn't want Him so I need to choose Him." That is so good to remember. Well, we sung a hymn this morning in church that I think applies perfectly to the situation. Here are the lyrics:

O great God of highest heaven, occupy my lowly heart;
Own it all and reign supreme, conquer every rebel power.
Let no vice or sin remain that resists Your holy war.
You have loved and purchased me-make me Yours forevermore.

I was blinded by my sin, had no ears to hear Your voice;
Did not know Your love within, had no taste for heaven's joy.
Then Your Spirit gave me life, opened up Your word to me;
Through the gospel of Your Son gave me ENDLESS HOPE AND PEACE.

HELP ME NOW TO LIVE A LIFE THAT'S DEPENDENT ON YOUR GRACE;
KEEP MY HEART AND GUARD MY SOUL FROM THE EVILS THAT I FACE.
YOU ARE WORTHY TO BE PRAISED WITH MY EVERY THOUGHT AND DEED;
O GREAT GOD OF HIGHEST HEAVEN, GLORIFY YOUR NAME THROUGH ME.

Great lyrics huh? All I know is that BY HIS GRACE, and dependent on His grace alone, I will live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Once again (and my heart has been cold) my heart only desires that He be known, worshiped, and glorified. Praise God that He is a gracious and loving Father that displays incredible patience with us as sinful, adopted children. I pray I will rightly reflect the image of my Father in the way I display patience and love and forgiveness towards others.