Christ.

My blog is titled Life, Christ and other things.  I've decided to title each of my blog posts to correspond with my blog title.  So, this post is on Christ and my walk with him.

I've begun the Exploring Ministry class at church with 3 other people.  This is the class Chris took when he felt the calling to go into the ministry.  While I do not think God is leading me in that direction, I did want to take this class mainly because I am not sure where my path is.  I have felt a push to do something, I just don't know what that is.

One thing we have been assigned to do in the class is to write a funeral for someone.  Each of us was given a specific type of person.  One in the class is designing a funeral for an infant, another got a suicide victim, I can't recall what the third person has, but I am suppose to write a funeral for a parent.  I neglected to ask if it was for my own parent, I am going on the assumption it's for any one's parent.

I haven't yet begun working on this assignment yet, but intend to this weekend.  Quite an interesting assignment to say the least.

January turning into a busy month.

I haven't posted much in the last week or so.  January is turning into a very busy month at church!  Evening events have kept me from home and the computer...which is probably a good thing!  Also, I just haven't been inspired to write anything.

Hopefully God will give me a nudge and an idea that I can write down soon.

Scripture.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV

Let it snow!

After a winter that has mostly felt not like winter, we are getting snow and it's cold.  For most of December and up until now in January, we have had above normal temps and hardly any snow at all.  But, in the last week or so it's like Mother Nature is trying to make up for it.  A decent snow last week, and now a decent snow today.  I like snow...as long as I don't have to drive in it!   

This winter was supposed to have been a bad winter with higher then normal snow fall.  It's going to have to do a lot of snowing to make that prediction come true.  And, it can happen, I suppose.  

But...we can all be happy that it is only about two months until Spring! 

Scripture

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

What ifs.

Sunday evening Chris and I had a discussion.  Almost an argument..well, very close to an argument.  Something that has been on my mind lately is that he does not have health insurance.  I have insurance, but it is expensive and it comes with a 10,000 deductible.   I sometimes wonder if it's even worth keeping, but it's one of those things I'm too afraid to drop.  His current job does not offer insurance, so he is going to try and apply for a State of Indiana health plan available to people who don't make a lot of money and who's jobs do not offer it. He cannot apply for it until March 1. My insurance is going up in February, so dropping it is becoming more and more likely.   But, then I ask the questions...What if?  What if one of us is in an accident, or one of us gets diagnosed with cancer, or if one of us had a heart attack...do we just die because we have no insurance and no means to pay for medical treatments or procedures?  What if.  I tend to live and dwell on the "what ifs".

I wish Chris could find a job that would provide these things.  In Rensselaer, there are not many jobs like that available....especially to a man who is about to turn the age of 50.  Looking for a better job is what triggered our discussion.  I want him to search harder for such a job, he on the other hand likes his current job.  Likes what he does, likes the hours, likes the fact there is almost no stress.  It doesn't pay a lot, but as he said...for the first time in a long time he feels happy.  

He gets very frustrated with me as I am still dwelling on the "what ifs".  Why can't I trust in God to cover the "what ifs"  he says to me.

I don't know why.  I don't know why I dwell on the "what ifs".  Why can't I get past the "what ifs"?

Scripture

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV

January 14, 2012

I have learned something this past week.  It can be really hard to plan and throw a surprise birthday party.  I wanted to do this for Chris, he turns 50 next month.  Had originally scheduled it for February 11.  Completely forgot that we both have an Emmaus Team meeting that day.  This I discovered after I had sent an email to several people.  So, I moved it to February 18.  

Chris mentioned to me a few days ago that he was asked to organize a Valentines dinner that the men's group at church is doing.  Guess what day!!! February 18.  So, after talking to our Pastor, he and I both figured we could still do it, but after the dinner.  I had turned in the request form at church for the fellowship hall...and placed it in the inbox of the head of Trustees who approves them.

This morning at the Men's Group meeting as they were planning the dinner, the Trustee head was going through these request forms.  He said to everyone.."I have a request for the fellowship hall the day we want the dinner...Chris your wife turned this in!"    DOH!  Pastor Darren tried to save it by saying..."Maybe she just wrote the request for someone else."  

Oh well, the cat was let out of the bag.  Pastor Darren called me after the meeting...laughing, and yes, it was funny.  Lee, the Trustee called me...he felt really bad.  I laughed and told him not to worry.  I think this party was doomed from the beginning.  Maybe God was telling me that spending money on something like this right now was just not the thing to do.  And, I had been wondering just how I was going to pay for the meat for the dinner and other expenses that you know will come up for it.  

Not really sure what the lesson is in all of this, I'm sure there is one.  I do have to sit back and chuckle at how this all turned out.  So, for now...no birthday party.  Maybe just a cake!

January 11, 2012

“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6 NIV

January 10, 2012

Today at lunch, Chris and I had a discussion and we wound up arguing over what we were talking about.  I tend to get quiet when I'm upset..he raises his voice.  He then left to go back to work and we were still mad and quiet to each other.  About 10 minutes later, he pulls back into the driveway and comes in to apologize.  He said it really bothered him that he had left mad.  

That made my day.  This is something he normally does not do.  And it is something we should all strive for.  Don't leave mad, don't go to bed mad.   Doing so can be something you will regret later.

January 9, 2012

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

January 6, 2012

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13 NIV

January 2, 2012

The New Year is upon us and it's 2012!  Hard to believe.  This year marks 30 years since I graduated high school.  I can remember being 13 and thinking people over 50 were old.  Well, next month my husband turns 50 and I will be 48.  I have reached the age that I once thought was old.  Where did the time go!

We spent New Years visiting our friends, the Garland's, in Brookfield, Illinois.  We had a really nice, quiet weekend.  We watching television, visited, made some really good food to eat and even managed to stay awake until midnight!!!

I am hoping that, through the grace of God, Chris and I have a wonderful 2012.  The past couple years have been a rough roller coaster.  But, no matter what happens we will get through it with our trust and faith in the Lord.  Not to mention all the wonderful friends and family we have.