Celebration & Praise

My dad's birthday was yesterday. It's been one year since his stroke. I remember Mark taking a picture of Cheryl kneeling beside dad's bed on his birthday last year and we were all worried if he would even make it. And now, here we are one year later and he is walking for very short distances, talking slowly, and in his own home with mom!
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

I wasn't able to celebrate with them this year but my positive vibes are being sent their way.

Tim and I went to church last night and kids from ACU were there to praise with us and to listen to Randy Harris - he was excellent! It was awesome to hear some new songs, sing old songs, and blend our voices together in praise. There are times when I like to rock it out with a band... and really get into the songs, the words, and the music.... but you can't beat accapella singing for stiring the heart. It was great to hear Tim's voice singing and blending with the other voices. All around me the voices were being offered up to God in praise and thankfulness. It was peaceful and awe-inspiring.

I wish that non-believers and skeptics could get a glimpse into the kind of joy you can experience as a child of God. It's not about condemning others, judging others, the do's and don'ts, rules and regs.... there is so much more to it than that. Judging another's actions is dangerous business. Because you begin to assign motives.... who are we to assign motives to others??? Only God knows the hearts of men and the motives behind actions. We have to be very careful that we don't taint the term "Christian" by our judgemental, condemning spirits. God will work it all out in the end anyway. He alone will be the judge and the jury. Praise God for that! There is joy in a life devoted to God, and my prayer is that I would live in such a way as to help others understand that. May you also.