Dog Days?

Have you ever heard the term "dog days"? I have heard this all of my life and never really understood it, until now.

Websters, defines dog days as:

1. The period between early July and early September when the hot and sultry weather of summer usually occurs.
2. a period of stagnation or inactivity

Both of these are a very accurate description of this time period, but "dog days"? So, this is what I discoverd and wanted to share with you!

In ancient times different people in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by connecting the stars. One constellation put together in late summer, in the northern hemisphere was called Sirius or the "dog star". In late July Sirius rises and sets in conjunction with the Sun.

It is even so bright during this time the Romans believed it added to our heat. SO... they named this sultry period of 20 days before this conjunction and 20 days after, the "dog days" after the dog star.

Today, dog days occur between July 3rd and August 11th. However, our sultry heat is not caused by added heat from the dog star, but by the earth's tilt. Now don't you feel better that you know why people refer to this time as the "dog days"?

So, everyone stay cool, drink some good ole' iced tea, turn off the lights and turn up the air and watch out for the dog!

I Started Life Twelve Years Ago

In August of 1993 I was sitting in the cafeteria of the college I was attending, when I saw a guy walk in that took my breath away. He was so cute! He just had this smile that made my heart skip a beat! He was wearing a multi colored shirt and blue jeans with brown leather shoes. He was PERFECT!! I even told my friends I was sitting with "well there he is!", they said "who?" and I said " the man I am going to marry"! Eleven months later, on July 23, 1994 that dream came true.

WOW! We have already been married twelve years! Time has gone by so fast. Here is the synopsis: we moved 6 times, we have had 8 cars, we have gained ALOT of weight, we have had 3 wonderful children, Sid has had 3 jobs, we have been members of 4 churches and 3 gyms, and I am still in love with my perfect man. Would I do all over again? In a heart beat. So in honor of 12 years here are 12 reasons I love him so much:

1. He brings joy into my life!
   
2. He is a great leader for our family.
3. He taught me how to be strong and know why I believe what I believe.
4. He admits when he is wrong and seeks to make it right.
5. He sneaks little pieces of chocolate in his pocket at work and brings them home to me.
6. He wants me to be the best I am able to be.
7. He gives great back rubs!
8. He helps me any way he can.
9. He supports me and my wild ideas.
10. He accepts my friends.
11. He kills my spiders!
12. He puts the seat down

That was just a little fun and a little list. I could go on and on about the things I love about this man. I thank God He brought Sid into my life. I thank him for the fun times, the still times, the busy times, the bad times and the sweet times that follow. I thank God for making Sid for me. So, I have loved the last 12 years when I really started living and hope we are blessed with 70 more! ( I love you honey! Thank you for teaching me to blog!)

Madshack, Mitchago, and That Other Guy!

This past Sunday when we got home from church, my 5 year old daughter was so excited about her class at church. I asked her what she liked so much and she replied "Mrs. Penny told my favorite story", so I said "and which story was that?", she replied "Madshack, Mitchago, and that other guy". Then she said "you know Mama, those guys who didn't get burned in the fire".

After retreating to the back of the house for a good laugh, I really began to think about what she had said. She had truly enjoyed learning a bible story, not only did she listen and learn, that bible story was now her "favorite". What did she know? She knew these three men were thrown into a very hot fire and were protected by God. Did she have all the names and details correct? Nope. Not even close! But here little heart was still changed by what she heard. She knows that God will protect his own in all circumstances. She saw that story as absolutely amazing and that included an absolutely amazing God.

Several other thoughts came into my mind that day. That is how God wants us to feel about him and all the stories of his might and his people that he gave us. He wants us amazed, astounded, in-awed, by our God! Think about the verse in Luke chapter 18 where it says:

" I tell you the truth, anyone who will not recieve
the kingdom God like a little child will never
enter it. "

So think about it...what is your favorite bible story? Do you have all the details right? Does it matter? Follow the example of a child and don't get caught up in trying to impress someone with all of you great attained knowledge. Take what you do know, and tell someone your favorite bible story and why! Just maybe a life will be changed by your simple adoration for God.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished
on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1

I just read this and thought it was beautifully put!

Where the Echoes Stop

by Erwin Raphael McManus

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Far past where sound has abandoned thought.
Where silence reigns over redundancy.
Where once well said is more than enough.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where words must be born to be heard.
Where speech is a gift and not a curse.
Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where meaning is rescued from noise…
Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition…
Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one…
Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason…
Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where substance overthrows the superficial…
Where courage conquers compliance and conformity…
Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.
Where I only say what I believe.
Where I only repeat what changes me.
Where empty words finally rest in peace.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

“Be still and know that I am God…” -Psalm 46:10a

4'11" Tall!!

I had a very eye-opening week! It all started when my oldest son was measured at the doctor's office on Monday...he was 4'11" tall. For those of you who may not know me, that is only 6 inches shorter than me. This is my baby, how can he be so tall so soon!

Then I went to see a friend of mine who just had a baby boy. Standing there looking at that baby I thought to myself "my 4'11" was just that size, and it seems like last week!". Then we went and had pictures made, and there it was again. My baby was becoming a very handsome young MAN! Don't get me wrong I am very proud of the man he is becoming, but does it have to happen so fast!

As one of my friends was looking at the pictures, she commented about how much she loves getting their pictures made when they are babies. I told her I always felt the same way, until now. Now I want even more pictures because I see just how fast this precious time is getting away.

So, to all of you parents out there...stand back and admire the beautiful children God has blessed you with. Watch how fast they grow. Pray for them. Pray that God makes them wise and strong in faith. Pray for their future job choices . Pray for that person who will one day still their hearts! Enjoy the long nights and the busy days. And get their pictures made! 

Sitting at the kids table

Growing up we always came to my grandparents house in Greenville for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The house was always crowded and there was always way too much food, so everyone sitting around one table was impossible. The "adults" sat at the dining room table and the "kids" sat at the "kids" table in one of the bedrooms. As we grew older and could better feed ourselves we moved up to the bigger table. This felt like such an accomplishment, to be acknowledged for growing up and maturing. We even began to get responsibilities in the kitchen, helping to prepare the meals.

God has really been bringing this back to my thoughts lately. I realize my relationship with God is very much like this. He did not intend on me staying at the "kids table" , and he did not intend on spoon feeding me my entire walk. He wants me to continue to mature and build my relationship with him. Basically, He wants me to be able to feed myself and not depend on other people for my feeding. Why? Because he wants me to be active with what he is doing in my life, so I can grow more! In the Bible He says to "go" , "do", and "be". He also said to "seek" and "ask". But how can we do anything just sitting and being spoon fed?

Another example that came to mind was this....
For those of you who know me, you know there is need for physical improvements! Well what if I got up every morning and watched Denise Austin(big aerobic instructor). What if I only listened and made notes, but I never put anything I learned, heard or saw into practice? Guess what? Nothing changes. I am still the same overweight out of shape person. Just as miserable as I was when I started being"spoon fed" by Denise Austin. See,if I wanted to truly change then I would have to realize real change comes by putting it to practice.

We can look and look for all the quick fixes for our lack of spiritual growth, but the real fix for our spiritual needs is in living out our faith every day. It will never change by finding something to stir a temporary emotion that makes everthing feel right. Eventually, we are still in the same shape!

What have I learned? I am responsible for my relationship with God. My wonderful pastor is not responsible for where I am in my walk with God. Is he an encourager, and guide? YES. BUT, he is not able to fix all of my problems. No human being is. So what do I need to do? I need to quit blaming everyone around me and get my head out of the hole I have it stuck and get busy about God's work! I need to study God's word---EVERYDAY. I need to pray about everything and at all times. I need to share(like this) with others what God is doing. I need to listen to others around me about what God has done for them. And I need to serve others so that they have a chance to come to know Him .

Sun Blockers Beware!!

Just a quick warning.......I always use sunblock on my children, this time it did not pay off! Don't get me wrong, no one got sunburned but we did end up at the hospital! The day before we left the beach we spent most of one day out on the beach. Needless to say we rubbed down with sun block very well.

About two weeks before our trip, I purchased a 12oz. bottle of Coppertone Sport 30spf. . Something in this sunblock caused a severe allergic reaction with my oldest child. After trying everything within our means we ended up with a child in misery at the hospital looking for help.
The doctor said it was definitely a reaction to the sun block and prescribed a steroid and a really strong antihistamine.

As of today, my son feels much better, the rash is going away, and I am dealing with Coppertone. So beware, have a couple of sunblocks to choose from just in case of a problem.

Also, do not hesitate to contact your sunblock brand if there is a problem and save the bottle of sunblock because they will want that. I am having to send my bottle back to them.

Good luck blocking!!