2009: DECEMBER - IT'S ABOUT THE CROSS

Thank you for stopping by. I am posting my favorite Christmas video for your inspiration. Be sure and scroll down to the bottom to pause the playlist songs before viewing the video. May Jesus be the reason for everything you do in your life. Please know that no matter what your circumstances GIGATTAATTGIG!!!
God's richest blessings on you, Patti

2009: October 22, 2009 JOY IN THE MORNING

.
For over two weeks I have not been able to write a post. For some unexplainable reason, each time I started, I felt like it just wasn't the right time. Oh, I had plenty of things to write about. Several of you had sent me things. I also knew four stories that needed to be shared, but for some reason or another, I just couldn't do it. Now, I know why. I needed to wait for yesterday, October 22, to happen in one of those four stories.
.
My husband, Steve, wrote this this morning. He has given me permission to share it with you.
.
TWO TELEPHONE CALLS
.
Call number one: This past May, Stacy, my oldest brother, called me from Rochester, MN and said, “Steve, we have a Christian family from Minnesota who has temporarily moved to Philadelphia, PA. The man is seeking cancer treatment and I was wondering if you could reach out to them?” I asked Stacy their names and telephone number and contacted the family immediately. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that as a teacher at York College (1995-2002), I knew the wife and mother of the family, as well as all of her siblings as ex-YC students.
.
A few days later, on Saturday, May 30, I put some groceries together for the family and drove across the river to Philadelphia. I visited with Scott and Bonita and their four little children in their single-bedroom efficiency – thus beginning a relationship that will forever impact my life for good. Scott gave me his “card” that on one side is the picture of his and Bonita’s four children with the statement, “We pray for our Daddy”; on the other side the words “GOD IS GOOD” (Psalm 73:1) and the following note – “Your prayers for Scott’s healing are greatly appreciated. His updates can be found on the following website. www.caringbridge.org/visit/scottmcendree”. (OR, over on the right sidebar on their family picture)
.
The next day, Sunday (May 31, 2009), the McEndree family drove 45 minutes to worship with us and participate in our 5th Sunday fellowship. The children loved the hot dogs! Scott put it this way on his daily post:
.
Sunday, May 31, 2009 8:36 PM, CDT
.

Today was a relaxed, enjoyable day.

We had been checking on

a couple different churches in the area.

God blessed us today as we worshipped

with the Pitman Church of Christ

http://www.cochrist.org .

At the beginning of worship

we stood up and

they prayed a special prayer for us

and some members gathered around us.

Afterwards we met

and spoke with many members

and joined in their 5th Sunday picnic downstairs.

The kids loved the hot dogs and chips

and we all enjoyed ourselves.

We feel blessed to have a church family

with connections even though

we are so far away from home.

.

For the next two months, we enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping with the McEndree family every Sunday. On one occasion I remember they couldn’t make the 1 and ½ hour round trip because of Scott’s poor health, and another time they had worship as a family on the Jersey shore. Otherwise, they were with us, blessing our fellowship of believers.

.

Scott never felt very good – he just didn’t want to miss anything! On Wednesday night, July 22, 2009, before the McEndrees returned home to Minneapolis, MN to decide further treatment, Patti and I had them and the Mansdoerfer family over to our house for supper. Afterwards, we all went to our Pitman Wednesday night prayer meeting where the elders called Scott and Bonita and children up front and prayed over them. After receiving the elders’ blessing, Scott, blessed our church family. This simple act epitomized Scott McEndree: he was blessed and he blessed. Praise be to God!
.
Even after the McEndree family moved back to Minnesota, we kept up with them through their website. Hardly a prayer session went by without someone praying for Scott’s healing and for Bonita’s strength and courage as well as for the entire McEndree family. The months of August, September, and our present October found Scott and Bonita continuing to pursue any cancer treatment leads possible, asking for prayers all along the way.

.

Scott lived life to the full as much as anyone I’ve ever met! He continued to work when possible, he and Bonita took their kids to the park, Phillies’ games, fishing, to the softball field, to the pool, and of course, to church. Plus, Scott went camping on two separate occasions in the last two months. Almost a month ago before their flying to Reno, NV to see about another cancer treatment option, one of our brothers from the church, Brian Mansdoerfer, spent a week with Scott and some other men on a camping trip just south of the Canadian border. What a man’s man! What a husband and father! What a brother in Christ! What a friend!

.
Call number two: My brother, Stacy, called me again yesterday afternoon (2:54 pm EDT, October 22, 2009) and said, “Steve, Scott McEndree has died and gone on to be with the Lord.” I cried out “Oh, No!”

.

After hanging up, I wept and wept. This morning during our men’s Friday a.m. prayer session, I couldn’t stop weeping for Bonita and the children. Yes. I know Scott is in a much better place; I know he is no longer suffering; I know he is where we all long to be. But, I can’t help but cry for a faithful young widow who freely gave years of her life, since 2002, to serve her husband and stand in the gap for his healing. My mind races back to one of Scott’s earlier website post about his thoughts about his wife, Bonita:
.
Friday, March 20, 2009 1:01 PM, CDT:

.
"I think of all I’ve been through

and the stress it can take on a family,

and on a marriage.

I have thanked God many times for my wife.

If I were not a Christian,

or if divorce was an option,

then I would worry about Bonita

wishing to leave me and

get away from the cards we have been dealt.

Before I ever asked Bonita to marry me,

I knew divorce would never be an option for us.

We both believe that God wants us to

stay together to uphold the promise

we made to each other before Him,

“In sickness and in health”.

No matter how bad it may get,

or how good things may be,

I never worry that Bonita will leave

and I never think of leaving her.

We are married,

stuck together…

WHAT A BLESSING!"

.

Yes. The blessing of marriage – two godly servants, matured and maturing in the fires of suffering, faithful to God and to one another, and in tune to the other’s needs… so, I cry for Bonita. And I can’t help but cry for four small children who will never again have the blessing of sitting in their daddy’s lap, having him stroke their hair and bless them with words of kindness and wisdom. I can’t help but cry for a godly family that will never, on this earth, be the same. I cry for Scott’s parents who have lost a godly son, his sister who has lost a godly brother. I cry for Bonita’s family – her parents, brothers, sister, sisters/brother-in-law who also accepted Scott as family. Traditions like family camping trips will never be the same. I cry.
.

As I’m sitting at my computer typing these words I can’t help it, the tears just keep rolling down. My faith says Scott is better off and at peace; my feelings cry out in pain.
.
Two phone calls: I am forever blessed. I was introduced to a family where the man was the godly shepherd of his flock and the woman, his strong helpmate and loving companion. I came to love and admire four little children, who even in their own unique personalities and different sets of energies and inquisitiveness were so obedient to their parents and exceptionally respectful and kind to others. I witnessed a family as I believe God envisioned family to be. Not perfect – just as complete as I’ve ever witnessed a family. Now a great loss has come and I cry out,
.

“O God,

please hold this family close in Your lap;

speak Your blessing upon them;

stroke their hair

and lead them through this life

and forever more where we all long to dwell –

with You!”

.

I’ll finish my thoughts today with one of Scott’s website posts over eight months ago (February 8, 2009) and a word from God:

.
“The personal challenge I face is

to keep my chin up and walk forward.

Many of us are able to praise God

when our lives are going well.

How many of us know we can praise God

during the storm?

It makes me think of the Casting Crown’s song

“Praise You In This Storm.”

Here is a link to the song lyrics

if you are not familiar with the song http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/praiseyouinthisstorm.html

My heart is torn,

but I will praise the God who gives and takes away.

To help us praise God everyday through these treatments,

Bonita and I have been gathering some scriptures

and what we’d like to do is post a scripture everyday.

We will be thinking on and praying on

these scriptures each day and

would encourage you to do the same…”
.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have obtained

our introduction by faith

into this grace in which we stand;

and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only this,

but we also exult in our tribulations,

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4 and perseverance, proven character;

and proven character, hope;

5 and hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God

has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit

who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless,

at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man;

though perhaps for the good man

someone would dare even to die.

8 But God demonstrates

His own love toward us,

in that while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

having now been justified by His blood,

we shall be saved

from the wrath of God through Him.

10 For if while we were enemies

we were reconciled to God

through the death of His Son,

much more, having been reconciled,

we shall be saved by His life.

11 And not only this,

but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

(Romans 5:1-11)

God is good.
Steve
.

NOTE FROM PATTI:

.

Christians understand that this world is full of struggle, challenges, and heartache. We believe that no matter our circumstances, God is good all the time and that God always keeps His promises. Therefore, we look forward to eternal life.

.

On October 22, Scott's family posted this on his Caring Bridge site:

• God called Scott home this morning. Information to follow.
• Psalm 100:5
  For the LORD is good
  and His love endures forever;
  His faithfulness continues
  through all generations.

2009: SEPTEMBER 20 TO OCTOBER 4: GRIEVING WITH HOPE

The last few weeks I have...

1. had several friends who have passed away
2. had several friends who have had relatives who have passed away
3. had several friends who have had brushes with death
4. attended the funeral of the sister-in-law of my friend Dottie (our church secretary)

.

As is often the case in times like these, I meditate about my own life and the lives of family and friends. I rejoice with the families of those who have died in the LORD.

.

This weekend, I attended a Women of Faith conference in Philadelphia with 49 other women in our church group. We joined other women at the Wachovia Center to make it about 18,000 women. There were many things that touched me deeply. Yet, one in particular touched many of us... hearing Steven Curtis Chapman... seeing his two sons on stage with him... contemplating the grief that their family has experienced since the tragic death of youngest daughter/sister Maria in their family driveway...

.

I came home Friday evening and read/watched multiple things on the internet that told the Chapman's story. I found one that was extremely well done and would like to share it with you as the remainder of this post. When times like these come, because GIGATTAATTGIG... we can grieve with hope!!!

.

Romans 8:24-25

For in hope we have been saved,

but hope that is seen

is not hope;

for why does one also hope

for what he sees?

But if we hope

for what we do not see,

with perseverance we wait eagerly for it..."

.

.

Revelation 14:13

.
"And I heard a voice from heaven, saying,

Write, 'Blessed are the dead

who die in the Lord

from now on!'"

"Yes,"

says the Spirit..."

2009 - SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 20 - MAKING GOD'S GOODNESS PERSONAL!!!

Recently as I was visiting with my friend, Janet, she said something in passing that meant much more to me than she intended. She talked about giving scriptures to go with a person's name. Scriptures that would be an encouragement to that individual... scriptures that might describe who that person is or the journey that he or she has been on. Since our daughter Jessica's 26th birthday was last week, I knew that was something that I wanted to do for her. As I have shared before, Jessica has had 24/7 migraines and chronic pain since she was 12 years old. She had multiple surgeries as a young child. She also has multiple challenges with her eyes. She is no stranger to difficult circumstances. Through the pain, she has graduated from high school and been a student at 3 institutions of higher learning. She has worked with and mentored people "on the fringe" and found herself standing to defend her God in classes where God was cursed.
.
I sat down to write some verses with Jessica's name and in a short amount of time God, in His goodness, gave me some powerful messages from Job and Hebrews for Jessica:
.
.
J - esus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before Him ENDURED …

Hebrews 12:2

.
.
E - arlier days after you had received the light,

when you stood your ground in a great contest

in the face of suffering (Remember?).

Sometimes you were publicly exposed

to insult and persecution;
…. So do not throw away your confidence;

it will be richly rewarded…

persevere

so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what He has promised.

Hebrews 10:32-37

.
.
S - ee to it that no one misses the grace of God

and that no bitter root

grows up to cause trouble…

Hebrews 12:15

.
.
S - lay me, yet will I hope in You!

I will surely defend my ways to Your face.

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,

for no godless man would dare come before You!

Job 13:15-16
.

.
I - f I speak, my pain is not relieved;

and if I refrain, it does not go away.

Surely, O God, You have worn me out;

you have devastated my entire household.

Job 16:6-7

.
.
C - onsider Him who endured such opposition

from sinful men,

so that you will not grow weary

and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3

.
.
A - pproach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

.
.
Powerful! Thank You, God! Thank You for this gift that You gave to Jessica through Janet and then through me! Giving encouragement to each other is so powerful when it's through God's own Word!
.
.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

"For God has not destined us for wrath,

but for obtaining salvation

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep,

we may live together with Him.

Therefore encourage one another,

and build up one another,

just as you also are doing."

.

.
.
Who could you encouarge this way? Besides my immediate family members, there are many others who have come to mind who would benefit from such a gift because life IS hard. Just this past week alone...

• I attended the funeral of a virtuous woman who died in her sleep at the age of 60, one month after her physical exam gave her a "clean bill of health". Her memorial service was a celebration of GOD'S GOODNESS in her life!
• I listened to someone pour out her heart to me about her abusive son-in-law and her fears for her daughter and grandchild. She ended our conversation pointing to heaven and then putting her hand over her heart, saying, "GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME..."
• I listened as another someone shared of deep wounds from anothers words. She said, "Patti, I'm hurting! Please continue to pray for me! I know that GOD IS GOOD and He will see me through this." Then, she proceeded to talk about how she had doubled, tripled, maybe even quadrupled her time spent in the Word and prayer.
• I stood in a store and had a conversation with a young lady as I was looking to make a purchase. The more we talked, the more connections we had. Not only was she a believer, but she had been on a very long journey trying to decide what she wanted to do with her life. Through it all, she saw the GOODNESS OF GOD in her life. She now is completing her college degree and plans to spend her life as a teacher around the world for missionary kids.
• I sat in front of my sister-in-Christ, Tanya, during our Sunday morning service. She had propped herself up on a chair next to the wall with heating pads plugged into the wall to help her pain. Tanya has spent the last few years in excruciating pain with one thing after another. After the worship service, she said, "I now have two tumors growing on a lung and evidently one of those tumors is touching a _____ nerve.... God will get me through this, Patti... He always does."

.

Yes, Tanya! GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

2009 - AUGUST 23 to SEPTEMBER 6 - JESUS BRING THE RAIN!

.
It's interesting when two people in the same town pray for totally opposite things to happen on the same day. Years ago, my husband Steve was the preaching minister with a church in west Texas. One day two men came by his office at different times. Knowing that Steve was steadfast in his prayer life, the first one, a farmer, asked Steve to beg God to bring the rain so that his crops in the field would be nourished and not die. The second one owned a roofing company and business had been slow. He requested that Steve pray for God to send just the right kind of hail storm that people would need to have insurance companies replace their roofs, thus giving him plenty of business. God answers our prayers with "NO!" or "YES!" or "WAIT!" He also weighs the thoughts and intentions of our hearts!

.

If you read my last post, you know the dilemma that barometric pressure and an ensuing storm bring to our home. As Hurricane Bill has headed for the shore, the climate on the East Coast has definitely been effected. I'm sure that there are some people who need the rain and are thankful for the storms. I scream - GOD HAVE MERCY - on days like yesterday and today! I have the head knowledge that there are reasons for most things and that GIGATTAATTGIG! Sometimes my heart screams otherwise!
.
Over the past few weeks, multiple people have removed themselves from the GIGATTAATTGIG group on Facebook. Several have informed me that the more they have thought about this concept, it seems that their lives have gotten tougher. Several are just not sure that they really believe the phrase. One person emailed me and said, "Faith just seems so hard to hold onto or trust anymore." James, the brother of Jesus, responds to this in the book of the Bible that he wrote:
.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4

.

There are several contemporary christian songs that address this issue of "rain". They get us to pondering on whether or not GIGATTAATTGIG. I have put two of those songs on this blogs playlist. As you have been reading this, Michael Smith's HEALING RAIN has probably been playing in the background. Will you join me in listening to the second song on the playlist and following along with it's thought provoking words below?
.

BRING THE RAIN by Mercy Me

.
I can count a million times

people asking me how I can praise You

with all that I've gone through.

The question just amazes me.

Can circumstances possibly

change who I forever am in You?

.
Maybe since my life was changed,

long before these rainy days,

it's never really ever crossed my mind

to turn my back on you, oh Lord

my only shelter from the storm

but instead I draw closer through these times.

.
So I pray:
Bring me joy!

Bring me peace!

Bring the chance to be free!

Bring me anything that brings You glory!

And I know there'll be days

when this life brings me pain...

but if that's what it takes to praise You -

Jesus, bring the rain!

.
I am Yours regardless of

the dark clouds that may loom above

because You are much greater than my pain.

You who made a way for me,

by suffering Your destiny...

so tell me what's a little rain!

.
So I pray:
Bring me joy!

Bring me peace!

Bring the chance to be free!

Bring me anything that brings You glory!

And I know there'll be days

when this life brings me pain...

but if that's what it takes to praise You -

Jesus, bring the rain!

.
Holy, holy, holy!

Holy, holy, holy...

Is the Lord God Almighty...

Is the Lord God Almighty...

.

NOTE -8/23/09 @ 10:30 p.m.: Since posting this early this morning, I have learned that the group Mercy Me had a car run into their tour bus this month. There has been tragedy. A comment made by one of the singers includes these words:

.

"Every night on stage when we introduce our song,

“Bring the Rain”,

we talk about God being in control.

If we believe what we say,

then we must continue to look at how

He will get the glory through this,

and bring healing to so many."

.

You can learn more by accessing their website here:

http://www.mercyme.org/main/

.

GIGATTAATTGIG!

2009: AUGUST 9 TO AUGUST 23 - TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS

.
It is even in the storm that the strength, majesty and power of God are revealed:
.

1. The hours of pressure before the storm arrives...
2. The dark clouds and rumbles in the distance...
3. The moment of stillness...
4. Then, much like Psalms 77:17-18 describes, "The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, Your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked..."

.

Some of you have shared on Facebook about some of the amazing displays of God that you have seen in the storms, the last few weeks. I've heard of majestic lightning shows in Kansas and Nebraska. One person shared about a storm causing so much electricity in the air that the hair on people's arms stood on end in Texas. A status or two said, " enjoying more global moisturization" and "I LOVE THIS WEATHER!"

.

Our daughter has excruciating headaches from multiple triggers including barometric pressure. She can tell you about 3 hours before a storm will hit with great accuracy. I have never paid as much attention to storms as I have lately to the multitude of them that have come our way in South Jersey. Today there have been two - one this morning and one as I am typing this. As the pressure changes and the darkness envelopes outside our home, the pressure builds inside Jessica's body to where she is almost paralyzed. There is no place that she can be touched on her body without it hurting. Now, as I watch the rain subside and the sinking sun peak out behind the trees, I know that her pain will decrease soon. There is light... hope... at the end of each storm for relief. Still, it is a horrible condition! God have mercy! We know that You are good - no matter the difficult circumstances!

.

As Job said in his darkest times, in Job 13:15-16...

Though He slay me,

yet will I hope in Him;

I will surely defend my ways to His face.

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,

for no godless man would dare come before Him!"

.

I remember another storm. It was 1986. We were moving from Indiana to western Nebraska. Steve was driving the U-Haul truck. Behind him were two cars holding our 4 children, my sister, her husband, and me. It was night and we were on Interstate 70, in Illinois, east of St. Louis. Traffic was heavy and the storm was torrential! Our vision was limited. Driving was tedious to say the least. Then, it happened! The U-Haul truck stalled. We had to slam on our brakes. I screamed, "LORD save us! LORD help us!" It seemed that there would be no way any of us would get out alive. Hope seemed fleeting as we heard horns and the whiz of the cars passing by...

.

Then, in almost slow motion, not understood by any of us at the time, it seemed that there was no traffic, no one coming behind us. It was as if we were in the eye of the storm. It was as if God took His hand and held back the traffic.

.

It was later that we were to learn that a trucker had seen our horrific situation and radioed back for miles for truckers to build a wall of protection in front of us, beside us, and behind us. They did! They moved traffic over to the left of what I believe was a six lane spread of highway headed west. We were able to get our cars over to the right and breathe easier until more help arrived.

.

Oh, I know... not everyone has such a "perfect" ending to a story like this. In this case, I am 100% sure that God chose to answer our prayers with "YES!"

.

Just as I was typing the word "YES!", Jessica's door opened, and she headed down the hall... she is moving again... hope... LORD, save us! LORD, help us! GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND

WHEN THE STORMS OF LIFE COME?

.

2009: JULY 26 TO AUGUST 9: WHAT DO MIGRAINES AND PKU HAVE TO DO WITH YOU?

.
I often need to recalibrate my mind to think the way God thinks as opposed to the way that I think. We have a daughter who has had many and varied physical challenges since birth. I am not the same person that I would be had Jessica not been in my life. Last year, as she was getting ready to graduate from college, Jessica came back home to live with us because of her 24/7 migraines. We have been to many places in this country seeking medical help for her. We have tried an array of therapies, treatments, procedures, medications, and diets. Above all, we have prayed fervently. Almost daily I process this scripture:
.

John 9:1-3

"And as He passed by,

He saw a man blind from birth.

And His disciples asked Him, saying,

"Rabbi, who sinned,

this man or his parents,

that he should be born blind?"

Jesus answered,

"It was neither that this man sinned,

nor his parents;

but it was in order that

the works of God might be displayed in him."

.

I have put to memory a scripture that reminds me to renew my mind to think God's way and not get off track and think my way:

.

Romans 12:22

"And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

.

I have friends whose lives are full of huge challenges because their children have special needs associated with autism, cystic fibrosis, AD/HD, learning disabilities, bi-polar, schizophrenia, etc. Yet, it is through those challenges that they say God has helped to mold, shape, grow, and enrich their entire families.

.

Last week, I got a very special email from my friend who has a son who has PKU. Children born with PKU basically cannot metabolize protein. Unless just the right diet is given, the child's brain cells will begin to deteriorate and eventually mental retardation becomes an unwelcome guest. This story that I am about to share in my friend's many faceted life is two part. I'll let her letter to me tell the first part. I'll tell the second.

.

• FIRST PART: "Dear Patti, This is an example of how God's timing is so different from our human conceptions... As you know B. and I have been struggling with the financial burden as well as worrying about being able to provide the best care for E's PKU with our limited and ineffective insurance. We have prayed fervently for 5 years over this situation. Recently we were told that the grant we were utilizing to offset the $10,000/yr cost of E's Medical formula would expire when he turned 5 years old. All along God was working everything out, even through B's lay off. If he hadn't lost that job, we wouldn't have this new (job and) insurance. Two days after E's 5th birthday, we were notified that Formula and Special Low Protein Medical Food is 100% covered! Praise God. GIGATTATTGIG!!! Love you, M

.

Yes, M, GIGATTAATTGIG! He was good a year and a half ago when your house burned! He was good every time you took E to the emergency room! Just like you said, "all along God was working everything out..." So, why do we worry? Why do we not trust?

.

• SECOND PART: Last year, E was in the hospital several times. At one point, he was in CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). M asked me "Why one more hospital stay?" She was weary! My husband and I tried to visit and encourage as often as we could. Eventually, E was released from CHOP and as they were checking out, M asked where E's nurse was because she wanted to thank her. She was informed that his nurse was off that day. When M asked if she could get the nurse's name to write her a thank you note, she was shocked to find that his nurse had the same uncommon last name as M's maiden name. M wrote E's nurse a note with her phone number telling her this new found information. She asked the nurse to give her a call. That phone call was the call that M had been praying about for years! E's nurse was M's long lost half sister! ..... This has been a wonderful year for strangers to become friends. M has gotten to know more extended family that she did not know that she had. It's been a time full of many blessings! God knew all the time that this month her sister would buy a house just down the road from M and her family. God knew that today, E would be getting ready to start school in the fall with the foods that he needs and his new aunt living right down the road. GIGATTAATTGIG!!!

.

God says, "Ask and you will receive." Why do we so often think that it has to be in our timing. Our job is to patiently wait! Two families! Migraines! PKU! God's timing is often different from our own, yet GIGATTAATTGIG!

.

JUST A NOTE: M and I have a friend in CHOP hospital with her 3 year old daughter waiting for a heart transplant since January. Today, Tuesday 7/28/09, the heart has arrived. God's timing is everything! You may click here for updates: http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/

.

2009: JULY 12 TO JULY 25 - THE WHITE FORMAL DRESS

.
Guest author: Dr. Steve Sikes
.
Patti and I are new to the Northeast... South Jersey... but we are not new to understanding the goodness of God and/or seeing how He works in and through His people. The following is one of my favorite stories of how much God is involved in our simple, everyday lives:
.
My Dad and Mom worked in children’s homes for 36 years; 18 of those years, Dad was the Superintendent of Westview Boys’ Home outside of Hollis, Oklahoma. Westview was completely supported by the generous donations of christians. Clothes, food and other items were given to the Home on a regular basis to help take care of the 65 boys.
.
My family grew up on a cotton farm a mile from the Boys’ Home. I have seven sisters and five brothers and almost all of us attended a small country school, along with all of the boys at the children’s home. My GIGATTAATTGIG story goes back to the mid-1960s and centers on my sister Sharla and her upcoming 8th grade graduation ceremony.
.
Sharla is one year younger than I am, so I remember this account as a freshmen in high school – soon to be a 10th grader! Sharla was told by the school that she would need a white formal dress to wear for the 8th grade graduation ceremony. All of the rest of the girls in the 8th grade class had a white formal dress – except Sharla! Mom said that we couldn’t afford to buy one, but we could sure pray. I remember us praying for Sharla to get a white graduation dress, but day after day nothing happened. Sharla prayed! She knew God would answer her prayers!
.
Two days before the school’s graduation ceremony, a big box came in the mail, addressed to Westview Boys’ Home. It was filled with second-hand jeans, shirts and even some sneakers. (Clothes and shoes were regularly marked and put in the storage room for any boy who needed them in the future.)
.
After emptying the box and marking and putting away the clothes, it was discovered that the box wasn’t quite empty! At the bottom was a brown sack with a note attached which read, “I know this is a Boys’ Home but if there is anyone who can use this, please take it.”
.
The sack was quickly opened and found enclosed was (you guessed it!) a white formal dress – just Sharla’s size! Amazing!! I am sure you can imagine the screams and the “Thank you, God” exclamations made that day!
.
As Mom and Sharla and others were in prayer believing that God would provide a white formal dress, someone else, who was listening to the Holy Spirit, was convicted to extend God's goodness via a dress to a Boys’ Home! The result ended up being much more than a young 8th grade girl getting a white formal dress for her graduation ceremony. Much more! Our entire farm family had the seed of truth planted in our hearts forever that God is involved in our everyday lives and He really does answer prayer!
.
So, my friend, my encouragement is for you to keep on believing that God has your best interests in mind – in both the informal and “formal” times! Our faith rests in the One who is always good and faithful. Plus, if God chooses to send a white formal dress to a Boys’ Home at just the right time – He can address our every need!
.
God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!

.
.
.
PATTI'S NOTE: Sharla grew up... went to college... became a missionary... married... she and her husband Kent eventually became missionaries in Quito, Ecuador where they still minister today. Kent and Sharla have raised 3 children to adulthood, still have one at home, and one who has already gone home to be with the LORD. They all testify to God's goodness. Faith can be passed on from generation, as it was from Jack and Robbie Sikes to Sharla, then from Kent and Sharla Marcum to their children and now from their children to their grandchildren. There are many faith stories of this family that we will share from time to time on this blog. In the last few weeks there have been tragic circumstances surrounding Kent and Sharla's son, Joshua. You may connect to Joshua and Julie Marcum's ongoing faith story here: http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/07/perfect-peopletrust-god.html
.

2009: While waiting...June... July... BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!

While waiting...
.
GIGATTAATTGIG!
.
That is what the Tim and Cristi Schwamb family believe as they wait on the LORD. Tim and Cristi's 3 year old daughter, Lauren, needs a heart transplant. No one wants someone else's child to die so that another might live. Yet, all this family knows to do is trust God and WAIT. And, that's just what they have been doing.
.
Cristi and Lauren have been in a hospital room at CHOP (Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia) since the beginning of January - TRUSTING AND WAITING. This video was made by Tim and Cristi just a few weeks before coming to CHOP. This family is an inspiration to me as I have watched them live out what they say here. I have seen set backs, additional difficult circumstances, sleepless nights, and months of separation not deter them from praising God.
.
May you join me in being blessed as you watch. You may need a tissue or two before you finish watching. We welcome you to leave messages of encourgement for the family afterwards. GIGATTAATTGIG!

UPdate:  On 7/28/09 Lauren received a new heart!  
UPdate 7/28/10 - Happy 1 year new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/11 - Happy 2 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/12 - Happy 3 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/13 - Happy 4 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/14 - Happy 5 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/15 - Happy 6 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/16 - Happy 7 years new heart birthday, Lauren!

GIGATTAATTGIG!

2009: JUNE 28 TO JULY 11 - BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!

While waiting...
.
GIGATTAATTGIG!
.
That is what the Tim and Cristi Schwamb family believe as they wait on the LORD. Tim and Cristi's 3 year old daughter, Lauren, needs a heart transplant. No one wants someone else's child to die so that another might live. Yet, all this family knows to do is trust God and WAIT. And, that's just what they have been doing.
.
Cristi and Lauren have been in a hospital room at CHOP (Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia) since the beginning of January - TRUSTING AND WAITING. This video was made by Tim and Cristi just a few weeks before coming to CHOP. This family is an inspiration to me as I have watched them live out what they say here. I have seen set backs, additional difficult circumstances, sleepless nights, and months of separation not deter them from praising God.
.
May you join me in being blessed as you watch. You may need a tissue or two before you finish watching. We welcome you to leave messages of encourgement for the family afterwards. GIGATTAATTGIG!

UPdate:  On 7/28/09 Lauren received a new heart!  
UPdate 7/28/10 - Happy 1 year new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/11 - Happy 2 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/12 - Happy 3 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/13 - Happy 4 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/14 - Happy 5 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/15 - Happy 6 years new heart birthday, Lauren!
UPdate 7/28/16 - Happy 7 years new heart birthday, Lauren!

2009: JUNE 14 to JUNE 27 - I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

This is Franny Stetser. A year ago, in June 2008, Franny went on to his eternal home, with his awesome GOD, after a brain hemorrhage took him from this life. Franny was 46 years old and had only been born again since April 2007. Yet, to those who knew Franny well, his conversion was truly life changing.
.
In May 2008, Franny was replacing the upstairs toilet in our house and he and I were visiting. He asked me if I knew his "story" and I said, "maybe just a little." He went on to tell me about his relationship with the owner of the construction company he worked for. Franny and Rich had been friends for 18+ years. Franny said that there were many things he had done to Rich that were not good and that he was not proud of, yet "through all the times I disappointed Rich, he never stopped loving me."

.

In fact, Rich let the incredible goodness and love of his God live through him to serve Franny. This eventually made Franny want to have the kind of life that Rich had. Franny began to understand that it was only JESUS who could give him eternal salvation, erasing all of his sins and giving him a clean slate and a fresh start. So, he decided that is just what he wanted. He followed through on answering this question of the scripture Acts 22:16: "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name."

.

Since repentance is about turning away from your past way of life, Franny deeply desired for that to happen. He really wanted the kind of transformation to take place in him that he had seen in his friend Rich. Not too long after Franny took the steps necessary to become a christian, Rich and Franny started sponsoring AA meetings in our church building on Monday nights. He began to change in how he lived his life from the inside - out. Sandy, his wife began to see the changes. His friends and family took notice. His favorite song became, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE! Franny knew God's amazing mercy, grace, and forgiveness and was excited for what his eternal future had to hold for him. He and Sandy certainly did not realize that it would come so quickly.

.

.
After the intense shock and grief of his death, Sandy began to question her relationsip with God and wanted what Franny had come to know. So, after days and nights and weeks of studying God's WORD - The Bible, Sandy, her daughter Kristi, and Kristi's husband, Tim, decided to do what Franny had done as Galatians 3:26-29 says. They became children of God just like Franny had:

• "You are all sons of GOD through faith in CHRIST JESUS, for all of you who were baptized into CHRIST have clothed yourselves with CHRIST. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in CHRIST JESUS. If you belong to CHRIST, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

.
Here is Rich baptizing Sandy into Christ on Sept. 13, 2008.

.
God's love is patient! He was patient with Rich, Franny, Sandy, Kristi, and Tim like scripture says in 1 Peter 3:20-22:
.

"GOD waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward GOD. It saves you by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at GOD's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him."
.
It's been a year since Franny left us! He had come to understand what Peter had said about JESUS in Acts 4:10-12:

• "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

.
We can only imagine what Franny now knows or sees or has experienced. We walk by faith and not by sight... we believe that life here on earth is hard, but Jesus has shown us that GIGATTAATTGIG!
.
Join us as we celebrate God's goodness and love with these two videos set to the song Franny had come to love, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!


.
.

2009: MAY 31 TO JUNE 13 - IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES

.
"God doesn't love me because of my performance. He loves me in spite of my performance." - Steve Sikes.
.
Thank you God for your grace! GIGATTAATTGIG!!!!!!!!!!!
.

2009: MAY 17 TO MAY 30 - GOD IS LIGHT... GOD IS LOVE...

The God of this universe is a Spirit. As His creation, we were made in His image. Yet, because there is a spiritual battle going on, between the forces of LIGHT and the forces of DARKNESS, at some point each person wanders away from the LIGHT. Some people are turned off when they hear the word SIN, yet it is that word that means we've wandered away from our CREATOR... from the LIGHT of His presence.
.
The Bible says in 1 John 1:5-10 that,
.

"God is light,

and in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him

and yet walk in the darkness,

we lie and do not practice the truth;

but if we walk in the light

as He Himself is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin,

we are deceiving ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned,

we make Him a liar,

and His word is not in us."

.

The Bible also says that "God is LOVE!" He loves us enough to help us get back to living in the LIGHT - if we are willing. Sometimes He must use tough love, although His ways are kind and full of mercy!

.

Below, you will find two videos that are ment to encourage you.

• The first one is called GOD'S CHISEL... a little skit to get us to thinking.
• The second one is to the music GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, begins with Jesus describing THE BLESSED LIFE and it's rewards. Then, right afterwards Jesus says that people who lead this kind of life are both "salt" and "light" to a tasteless and dark world (my paraphrase). Friend, when we let Him live through us, we can lovingly light our world and know that GIGATTAATTGIG!!!!

.


.

.

.

2009: MAY 3 TO MAY 16 - WONDERFULLY CREATED BY GOD AND LIVING IN HIS PRESENCE

Honoring our God Who designed a humanity made in His image. Praising Him for making mothers and the whole conception and birth process. We are wonderfully made! GIGATTAATTGIG!
.



.

2009: APRIL 26 TO MAY 2 - YOU ARE THE EVERLASTING GOD

We know that Life is Hard, but God is Good, so we say, GIGATTAATTGIG!.

.

After you read this post and watch the video, join us with a comment about a time when you saw the goodness of our EVERLASTING GOD during a really hard time. We'll have a drawing on May 2 with the names of those of you who leave comments and the winner will get a framed print done in beautiful calligraphy by artist Cindy Grubb. This is what is taped above my computer screen as reminder:

.

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God,

the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might

He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the LORD

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:28-31
.

.

2009: APRIL 19 TO APRIL 25 - GOD THE CREATOR AND GOD THE SCIENTIST EXIST AS THE ONE GOD

GIGATTAATTGIG...We are so grateful!

LET THE UNIVERSE PROCLAIM

THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY!

• God first created LIGHT: Genesis 1:2-5 says, "Then God said, "Let there be LIGHT"; and there was LIGHT. 4 And God saw that the LIGHT was good; and God separated the LIGHT from the darkness. 5 And God called the LIGHT day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day."

.

• Then, God created the two great LIGHTS and the stars: Genesis 1:14-19 says, "Then God said, "Let there be LIGHTS in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for LIGHTS in the expanse of the heavens to give LIGHT on the earth ";and it was so. 16 And God made the two great LIGHTS, the greater LIGHT to govern the day, and the lesser LIGHT to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 And God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give LIGHT on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the LIGHT from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day."

.

• Jesus, came to the world to be the LIGHT: John 8:12-13
  12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the LIGHT of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the LIGHT of life."

.

• Jesus called His disciples The LIGHT of the World: Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the LIGHT of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives LIGHT to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your LIGHT shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. "

.

Astronomers have selected the top ten

most amazing pictures

taken by the Hubble Space Telescope

in the last 16 years.
.

"... they illustrate that our universe

is not only deeply strange,
but also almost
impossibly beautiful."

Michael Hanlon, Daily Mail

.
After correcting an initial problem with the lens, when the Hubble Space Telescope was first launched in 1990, the floating astro-observatory began to relay back to Earth, incredible snapshots of the "final frontier" it was perusing.
.

.

1.

.

The Sombrero Galaxy

(28 million light years from Earth)

was voted best picture taken by

the Hubble telescope.

The dimensions of the galaxy,

officially called M104,

are as spectacular as its appearance.

It has 800 billion suns
and is 50,000 LIGHT years across.

.

.

.

2.

The Ant Nebula,

a cloud of dust and gas whose name is Mz3,

resembles an ant when observed

using ground- based telescopes.

The nebula lies within our galaxy

between 3,000 and 6,000

LIGHT years from Earth.

.

.

3.

.

In third place is "Eskimo"

or Nebula NGC 2392.

It's face is surrounded by a furry hood.
The hood is, in fact, a ring of comet-shaped objects
flying away from a dying star.

Eskimo is 5,000 LIGHT years from Earth.

.

.4.

At four is the Cat's Eye Nebula.

.

.

5.

The Hourglass Nebula,

8,000 LIGHT years away, has a
pinched-in-the-middle look because the winds that
shape it are weaker at the centre.

.

.

6.

In sixth place is the Cone Nebula.

The part pictured here is 2.5 LIGHT years in length

(the equivalent of 23 million return trips to the Moon).

.

.

7.

The Perfect Storm,

a small region in the Swan Nebula,
5,500 LIGHT years away,

described as "a bubbly ocean
of hydrogen and small amounts of oxygen,

sulphur and other elements."

.

.

8.

Starry Night,

so named because it reminded astronomers
of the Van Gogh painting.

It is a halo of LIGHT around a
star in the Milky Way.

.

.

9.

The glowering eyes from 114 million LIGHT

years away are the swirling cores of

two merging galaxies called
NGC 2207 and IC 2163

in the distant Canis Major constellation.

.

.

10.

The Trifid Nebula,

a 'stellar nursery',

9,000 LIGHT years
from here, where new stars are being born.

.

If you are convicted by the pictures of creation that you have seen here OR maybe you are new to this concept of believing that a loving, living CREATOR exists as your HEAVENLY FATHER please access the website DOES GOD EXIST? The site is authored by a friend of mine who is a former atheist. John Clayton became a christian years ago in the same church where my husband and I have previously ministered . John has spent his christian life as a scientist showing how GOD is THE SCIENTIST AND THE CREATOR of the universe, and how the BIBLE told many things about science years before science ever figured them out. Please check it out here at DOES GOD EXIST?

.

http://www.doesgodexist.com/Charts/CheckableBiblicalAccuracy.html

.

Thank You, GOD! GIGATTAATTGIG!

.