Tag Archive | Praise

Sunday Afternoon Fun

What a wonderful day…It began worshiping at First Baptist Church in Brazoria. Wonderful music and an awesome sermon Brother Greg Smith! Nothing pleases me more than to be in the presence of God; captured by His love.

After church we had a great time at lunch with friends Rayfard, Evelyn, and Martha at La Casona in Lake Jackson. Lots of laughter and fun. I am sure those sitting around us got a kick out of us trying to figure out how to utilize the technology we had purchased! Richard and Rayfard were even texting each other at the table. We discussed Apps like Maps, Yelp, Facebook, and Bible + One. Great food and friends always lead to a great time!

We can always count on a little mischief when Rayfard and Richard get together…The “Twinkies”

Once we got home, Richard decided he needs to get the bike out and take it for a spin…So, we were off! As is customary the first stop is always Buc-ees in Angleton for fuel and coffee. Once fueled up we headed out toward Bay City and made a big loop back to Jones Creek. We had a couple of close calls with rain…ended up just a few sprinkles but it was worth it because I love the smell of rain.

And as usual I had my camera…Yeah pictures!!! Here are a few taken along the way…Enjoy!

Love Lee ♥

Thanksgiving 2010

Nov27

I so love getting together with family and friends and this Thanksgiving was no exception! I am so blessed to have such a warm and loving family. We live, love, and laugh a lot!

The day started off very peaceful. I enjoyed my quiet time with the Lord; reading my Bible and praying. Then, it was time to get the turkey in the oven. Martha and I teamed up and got the dressing started. The meal was planned to start at 1pm and things were going as planned.

The first to arrive was my precious granddaughter Cheyenne. She was carrying a plate of homemade treats she had made all by herself. She chose a recipe from her cookbook, and purchased all the ingredients with her own money. She did such a wonderful job…I am so proud of her!

Second to walk through the door was Cheryl, Ken, and Shawn with awesome treats in hand and was wearing some of the most beautiful smiles. Shawn has gotten so big I have to look up at him now.

As I continued to putter around in the kitchen, family and friends continued to stream through the door and I quickly lost track of who came when. I could tell when another person would arrive when I heard the volume rise and squeals of excitement could be heard throughout the house.

Soon after my dear friends the Cannans arrived, Alisha made her way to the kitchen, washed her hands, and began helping me de-bone the turkey. A concern Alisha had voiced to her mother about Thanksgiving was the turkey. She was worried it might be dry. Thank goodness I soaked the turkey in a brine for over 24 hours…Her concerns were quickly put to rest when she took her first bite.

As everyone began to arrive, the buffet table began to fill up. My family has always been good to pitch in and bring sides and desserts. One thing for sure is God had blessed each member of our family with the ability to cook. The food was phenomenal and as always there was more than enough for everyone to eat.

As is our custom once everyone arrived we circled around the table and each person voiced what they were thankful for. There is seldom a dry eye in the room when we are through and this Thanksgiving was not different. One of the most tender moments was watching my sister and her husband embrace after the blessing. I was blessed to be a witness to it. God is so good and has richly blessed my sister and her husband.

Soon after the meal was over Susan ran to the store and picked up a couple of newspapers end the hunt was on. Everyone was in pursuit of an item they were going to purchase on “Black Friday”. Who would have believed the newspaper would provide the whole family with hours of entertainment.

Oh, and speaking of entertainment…We had piano playing, ballet, and hand slapping games, and of course FOOTBALL…Activities of different sorts in every room. Priceless times!!!

There were some who were not with us this Thanksgiving and they were missed terribly. Both Richard and Smokey had to work, Lindsey spent the holiday with her dad, Rayfard and Evelyn were celebrating a family member’s birthday, Debbie and Greg were in Arkansas with their grandkids…Our oldest daughter Tori lives out-of-town and was not able to come home but called to wish everyone “A Happy Thanksgiving”. To each of you…”You Were Missed”

What fun memories we made, what great food we ate, and what incredible thanks we gave to our Father in heaven for blessing us!

We are family…

Love Lee ♥

I Love to Hear Him Sing

Nov14

Music has always been a very important part of Richard’s and my life. In fact music served as the medium which brought us together. In high school Richard sang in the choir and played a French horn in the band. I will never forget the moment I realized just how gifted he was…

He was playing in a band concert one evening and invited me to go. He appeared on my front door step wearing a band uniform covered in medals; medals he had won in competitions. I have always loved a man in uniform but for that uniform to be covered in BLING!!! (Did I mention, I Love Bling ♥)

Richard has continued to exercise his passion for music by singing in the church choir and by singing solos when asked. But more important than how he sings, it is what he sings…

Richard’s passion for the Lord becomes evident with the release of the first note from his mouth. He sings of the God’s love, mercy, and grace with such conviction and emotion…

Today, I celebrate as I get to not only attend church and worship my risen Savior, I also get to witness my precious husband sing joyfully to the Lord and worship our Savior in song.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalms 33:1

We would love for you to join us for worship at First Baptist Church Brazoria in Brazoria, TX. at 10:45 AM

Love Lee ♥

Why Me?

Nov7

I love a good “chick flicks”! I love how 99.9% of the time the story ends with “Happily Ever After”…But, have you ever thought how boring a “chick flick” would be if they had not had to go through some “stuff” to reach that happiness; if they had not fought to get to the Happily Ever After? Our lives are much the same. There is so much drama and adversity we have to endure to get to the happy…Have you ever wondered why or better yet wondered why me???

In II Corinthians chapter 12 Paul talks about his “stuff” but he didn’t call it “stuff”, he called it a thorn. He even explains why he has to go through all his “stuff”…

“…I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me , ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:

In this passage, Paul acknowledges his “stuff” has a purpose. Did he want his “stuff”?… NO!!! In fact he pleaded with God to take it away from him.

Do you have some “stuff” in your life which you have pleaded with God to remove?… Are you tired of dealing with it?… Feel like giving up?

Wait, hold on…according to Paul there is a reason for the ” stuff in our lives is it make us strong.

Hmmm…Interesting concept isn’t it…

In hardships: Those circumstances in life which are hard to endure. Something that causes discomfort, suffering, poverty, or pain. Whether the “stuff” in hardships can both physical and mental.

Persecution: To be oppressed or harassed with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs or to annoy persistently; bothered

Difficulties: Those obstacles in life that are difficult or bring you trouble or distress.

At some time in everyone’s life they have reason to ask, “Why me, why does my life have to be so stinking hard?”

Here’s why…

Your “stuff” becomes your testimony!

How effective could you be if you had never walked through your “stuff”. You can not speak as an expert unless you have been through it. When you have walked through adversity it adds credibility to your life.

Hmmm…if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, had everything you ever wanted and more, would you be taken seriously by one who was living in poverty and had no idea where their next meal would come from? NO!

Everyone has “stuff” and everyone’s “stuff” is different but not everyone uses the “stuff” they have been through to minister and help others. So rather than ask…”Why Me?” perhaps we should thank Him for allowing us to have “stuff” in our lives which will be our future testimony and perhaps ministry. By using the “stuff” you have been through to minister to others…

You Ever After Will Be Happy!!!

Love Lee ♥

The Value of Recognition

Nov5

I will never forget playing the role of Widow Carney in the musical “Oliver”, it was both challenging and fun. I like all my other classmates worked hard to ensure the production was a success. What I never expected was to receive the award for “Best Supporting Actress”.

Wow.. I didn’t even know there was one but it was such an honor to receive the award. In fact, I still have the trophy today.

What I learned from receiving this honor was…

It Is So Important To Recognize People For What They Do!

Today this concept was reinforced when I attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary’s Awards Ceremony. Watching my Granddaughter Cheyenne receive awards for “A” Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and the coveted Gator Award was priceless. Cheyenne beam as she looked around the room and realized everyone she had invited was there. While receiving the award was very important to her, it was more important for those she loves to witness her receive the awards.

I am so very proud of Cheyenne…She worked very hard for her awards. I would also like to thank the teachers and administrators at SFA Elementary for recognizing the children for their hard work!

Recognition is vital for the well-being of an individual. So, I ask you…

Have You Recognized Someone’s Efforts Today?

Love Lee ♥

Good Morning…

Sep30

The alarm goes off and you drag yourself out of bed. Then stumbling to the kitchen for that cup hot coffee and grunting at anyone who crosses your path on the way. Not a pretty sight!!! Now let’s rewind and try this view…the alarm goes off, you reach over and turn the alarm off, you lay there conscious of you surroundings…listening to the quiet while saying a “Good Morning Prayer”. A prayer with the following components; praise, thanksgiving, guidance, and protection.

Praise

Praise elevates us into God’s presence and power. The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). Praise is an expression of worship; a way of setting aside time to honor and adore our creator and sustainer. If verbalizing praise to God is foreign to you or you have no idea of what to say, I recommend the book of Psalms. David is referred to as “A Man After God’s Own Heart” and it is easy to understand why when you read how he is able to express his adoration for the Lord. Below are an examples of David’s words of praise.

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High Psalms 7:17

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:11

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalms 52:9

Thanksgiving

How can we as Christians not give thanks to our Father for all He has done for us. He loves us, protects us, and provides for us. And it is those provisions and blessings we should be forever grateful. Having an attitude of gratitude is a challenge if God’s provisions are not recognized as such. Until we recognize God owns it all, is in charge of it all, and distributes it all then we will never see the need to say “Thank You”

In Ephesians 5:20 it says we should “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again, He owns it all, is in charge of it all, and distributes it all…Everything we have is on loan from the Lord; family, friends, possessions, job, health…EVERYTHING!!!

Now, having said that, I don’t know about you but, if I gave a gift to my child and she never showed any form of appreciation or gratitude or took it for granted, I am not so sure I would keep giving! Using that analogy why would our Heavenly Father want to keep pouring out His blessings on us if we do not show a little excitement and gratitude?

I encourage you to never, never, never take anything from the Lord for granted. Oh did I mention, everything we have is on loan from the Lord…so I guess we have a lot to be thankful for.

Guidance

When is the last time you asked for someone to show you how or the way out of a situation? Well, I feel certain it has been more recent than the last time you asked God…

Perhaps by asking God at the beginning of your day to lead you through it, your whole day might have turned out totally different…Perhaps BETTER! It is so easy to call out to Him and ask Him to be your guide, to allow your path to be filled with ease rather than strife, to place the people who need ministering to in front of you, to lay someone on your heart to pray for, to give you favor in all you do. David prayed for guidance.

Psalms 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalms 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalms 43:3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Psalms 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Psalms 139:10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

He is there for you. He wants to bless you. He wants to lead and guide you. But, once you ask and He gives you what you ask for, don’t forget the Thanksgiving that needs to follow.

Protection

When you wake do you pray a hedge of protection about yourself and about your family? David did…he prayed protection over others in Psalms 5:11, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” I know for fact God cares for our safety. He is our Daddy God and He cares for us and wants nothing to harm us His children. Below are some additional scriptures show all we have to do is call out to God and He will honor our request.

Psalms 40:11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me.

Psalms 59:1 For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

Psalms 69:29 I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

Now, here is the catch…You prayed for protection, now you must thank Him in advance and trust you and your family is under His protection…DO NOT WORRY!!!

So now rather than wake up and you drag yourself to the coffee pot; you might want to start your day with praise and thanksgiving then ask for guidance and protection over your day. THEN…you can go get that cup of coffee!!!