Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Reminded of a great song this morning...

There is NO greater place than in the presence of God!


The more I seek you
The more I find you
The more I find you
The more I love you

I want to sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath
Feel your heart beat
This love is so deep
It's more than I can stand
I melt in your peace
It's overwhelming

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Getting mad at God

That's exactly what I did yesterday. I got mad at God! The whole time I was screaming at Him about recent events it was like I was watching myself in 3rd person and all the while not being able to stop myself.

As crazy as it is going to sound, I was upset about spending money on taking my Son to the doctor. Let me say here that I will put my children before myself and get them whatever medical help they need, even medicine for a double sinus infection.

The part I got mad over was the fact that we have spent SO MUCH money these past couple of weeks getting the cars fixed, yup, carS! All this after we moved in September, had a baby, and all the financial expenses that go along with that. So adding another $40.00 copay and prescription cost to that just put me over the edge. And we have to take Asher to the doctor tomorrow for his 4 month checkup; another $40.00 copay. I am just being real here people! It seems lately that the end of the money is getting here before the end of the month. :/

I do not put money above God, but the question I ask myself is why then did/do I react the way I do and be concerned about money, or the lack there of?

I know, even when I get mad and have to ask for forgiveness and thank God that he didn't strike me dead during my "fit throwing", that God is taking care of us. Always has and always will! But lately it just seems that enough is not enough. And yet as I type this I know that I am blessed beyond my greatest imagination.

I am not asking for sympathy from any of you. I just wanted to be real with you! Hey, I can have a bad day too.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The "Gut" feeling

I think we can all try to ignore that "gut" feeling but I think, if you are a Christian, that "gut" feeling is the Holy Spirit telling you which direction to go and to do this or not to do that. Oh how many times I have ignored that "gut" feeling!

My post from yesterday said, "the truck has GOT to go!" The only thing is though...that truck is paid for and the transmission that was just put in it has a 90 day warrenty so if there are little quirks with it, atleast I have 90 days and if there are still problems, they will put another one in it at no cost. Of course I am hoping that NOTHING else happens to the truck.

We currently have the chance to purchase another vehicle but it will come with a car note, atleast for 3 years. I am not ready for another car note...not even for 3 years.

So today I have been driving the "chance to purchase" vehicle and the whole time, in the back of my mind, I keep hearing, "not now! Why are you really wanting this vehicle?" Of course the reason I want this vehicle is because I am tired of things happening to my current and me wondering what's going to happen next!

So, what is my decision you ask?...I will be returning the "chance to purchase" vehicle today and getting my explorer back. And though it has had its share of problems it is paid for, still running, thanks to another engine almost 4 years ago and another transmission 2 weeks ago, and it still looks nice; especially when it is all washed and detailed!

With this decision, that "gut" feeling has lifted. Yes, I would like another vehicle but not now so I am expecting the explorer to run and run forever!

Remember to listen to the gut feeling. And also remember that God gave you a brain. Yes, we are to pray about things but common sense is, well, common sense!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Truck...

...has GOT to GO!!!

I had to take it to the shop again this morning. Even though it did not do for them what it did for me I can't take any more chances on it.

Lord, I pray that you bring the right vehicle for us. You know our finances and you know the future so I ask that You Will be done! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Staying Home...

I enjoy getting a snow day, or ice day as it was yesterday. To be able to get up, on a day that you normally would be heading out the door to work, and lay around in your bed clothes all day with your hair unfixed does something good for the body.

Now, I love my two Sons but a snow day does change things when you have children; they are not as relaxing as they use to be, but still fun nonetheless! I always tease that if Jennifer would get a job that pays mega bucks I would stay home and be Mr. Mom! I am not so sure of it after yesterday. I'm not complaining, I'm just trying to give you some humor.

We might have had ice and snow outside but it looks like a tornado went through the inside of our house all thanks to a 22 month old being inside all day long! You will be proud of me though...I am slowly letting "some" of my OCD go and therefore my house still looks like a tornado went through it. (I am sure I will have to pick it up by this evening!) Hey, I said, I was letting "some" of my OCD go...not all!

I may have mentioned this already but I really feel that God is going to do some HUGE things in 2011. I feel it for our family and I sense it for others as well. One thing I know God keeps reminding me of is, "Do not worry! I am in control! Trust in Me!" Yes, He has always told us to do these things but we are stubborn humans and think for some reason that we can do a much better job than He so we try to handle it ourselves. Tisk, tisk, tisk! Shame on us...shame on Me!

So people...today is 1/11/11. Not sure if all ones means something spiritual or not but I would like to say that it is a reminder that we are only promised this day so do not worry or fret about tomorrow, for you have not been promised tomorrow! THIS is the day the Lord has made so let us REJOICE and be glad in it!

Have a blessed Tuesday Blogger World! I am back at work and ready to see what God has in store. I thank you Father for the job that you have blessed me with. I thank you that, come May 1st, I will be here 11 years! Father, I ask that you continue to bless me above and beyond anything I can think or imagine! Continue to change my heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Nobody Greater

What a way to start off the morning! "Lord, I thank you that there is NOBODAY GREATER! I thank you Father for your forgiveness for the times that I thought that You and You alone were not enough in my life to be the Source of my strength; when I relied on others instead of you! Father, I thank you for the peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord continue to teach me to stand in your peace in the good times and bad times! Nobody Greater than you! I love you Lord!" Enjoy the song.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The truth hurts...but the truth will set you free!

I came across the below info on the internet. Since I am on a "leave of absence" from Facebook I thought it to be interesting.

Seven questions:

1. Do you check your Facebook status in the morning before checking in with God?

2. Are you disappointed when people don’t respond to your posts?

3. Do you waste too much time on Facebook?

4. Do you use Facebook to avoid real life contact?

5. Do you have intimate conversations with the opposite sex under the guise of counseling?

6. Do you use Facebook to complain about life or people?

7. Are you always truthful and loving in the things you post?


To be truthful...numbers 1,3,6 really hit home with me; which only goes to show that a time away from FB is the best thing for my life right now.

Below are some scriptures that we all need to be reminded of:

Seven Scriptures to apply to our lives:

1. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

2. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

3. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I corinthians 10:31).

4. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

5. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:14-15).

6. “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut” (Proverbs 10:19, NLT). “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19)

7. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:8-9).

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

You better keep running...

...until I decide to get rid of you!

On Christmas Eve around noon I got into the Explorer, 04 model, and as I was backing out of the driveway the "service engine soon" light came on and a few seconds later the "over drive off" light started flashing. Never a good sign for any light to come on.

All I kept thinking was the last time the "service engine soon" light came on my engine blew up. Actually the truck started making a loud noise and shaking and then went dead and that's when the light came on. THANKS FOR THE WARNING! That happened around Oct. 2007. We bought the Explorer used around Oct. of 06 so I was NOT happy at all that the engine blew a year later. No warning...no nothing! Well, we still owed money on it so I had to get the engine replaced; and I do not believe in being upside down on a car loan so I refused to take what little amount they wanted to offer to me as is and purchase another vehicle.

Everything had been going fine up until Christmas Eve. After those lights came on the truck started to shift rough and slip. Yup, you guessed it, the transmission.

A few days later, the inspection from the mechanic confirmed that it was the transmission and told me what the cost would be. After talking to the Bride about our options we decided that putting a used transmission in would be our best route. This time, the truck is paid for and we are enjoying NOT having a car payment and we are really NOT ready to get another car loan.

Well, the truck is finally ready to be picked up this afternoon. I know the mechanic that did the work so I know he did a great job. He said that it drove great so I am anxiously waiting to go pick it up. All I ask now is that the truck keeps running until I decide to get rid of it. I really DO NOT want anything else to go wrong with the explorer.

Through everything though I will say that I will NEVER buy another explorer. I know mechanical things can happen to any car and sometimes automakers have a bad year on certain models but enough is enough. These high dollar repairs along with the normal repairs add up.

So keep running Explorer...you 2004 explorer with a 2005 transmission and a 2006 engine. I'm starting to think about the old Jonny Cash Song, "One Piece At A Time"

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Living w/o Facebook

I decided Sunday that I would be taking a Leave of Absence from facebook for a while. The only thing that I would be doing is responding to FB messages that appear in my email or sending a FB message to someone if I do not have their email.

So far, so good! It had become very addicting and I would find myself checking on it numerous times throughout the day. Since I have a computer at my desk I would leave it minimized at the bottom of the screen and refresh the screen off and on just to see the latest who, what, when, where, how, why, etc. As if me knowing made a difference. Don't get me wrong, I like keeping up with friends but again, it had turn into an addiction.

It has been nice these past couple of days to not HAVE to know WHAT is going on. With that said, even now I want to sign-in and see what is going on and what I have missed. (addiction)

Everyone of "my friends" lives on FB will continue on whether I know about it or not. And if you haven't noticed, I have wrote on my blog 3 or 4 times thus far in the new year. Go Me! :)

Who knows how long I will be off of FB? I didn't give myself a certain time. I will return when/if I return. I guess the good thing is that each of you still get to hear from me through my Blog. It's like you are the "Chosen Ones!" :)

Have a great evening!

GREAT is Thy Faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Family pics

To see pics of our family please go to my Brides blog. She worked hard this weekend to post L-O-T-S of pics so go see them and enjoy! Copy the link below into your search-engine. :)

http://jenbsnyder.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 2, 2011

2011

ALREADY! It's 2011 already! In 1998 I graduated high school. In August of 98 I moved to Birmingham. In 1999 I started Jeff State Community College. My last semester I started working at my current employment. Yup...May 1st will be 11 years that I have been there.

I never thought that 11 years later I would say that I was still at the same company. Now, you can think what you like but it is a great company and if you show up, do your job, and prove to them that you have the companies best interest in mind then you will be treated right. Of course all of us would love to be making millions but I would have to say that I make pretty good and hoping that there is always MORE money to come! ;-) We have to get paid right! 11 years later they keep paying me so they either like me or can't get rid of me, but since they keep paying me I am going to keep showing up! And you can't beat the hours...7am-3:30pm.

Moving on...Did you make any new years resolutions for 2011? I know we all have the "normal" resolutions, trust me, I could stand to loose weight, but what about deeper resolutions? Resolutions of the heart! How about a Change of Heart! Have you allowed this Sin filled World to consume you in some of its beliefs? Do you find yourself being more negative than positive? Have you found yourself agreeing to things that you know are not right but the reason why you agree is because you can't see it getting any better?

A great resolution to make is the one that is in God's word, "Create in me a clean heart of God and renew a right spirit within me." Folks, we have to WAKE-UP! The devil is prowling around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. He is looking for lukewarm Christians. The Bible says that if we are lukewarm God will spit us out of his mouth. He would rather have you cold than lukewarm because if we are a lukewarm Christian we are doing more harm than good to the kingdom of God. Lukewarm means that we are complacent. Have you become complacent?

I know the personal things that I MUST make as my resolutions for this year. If we watch the daily news and believe what it says I could go crazy in thinking that we are in for a financial destruction and pretty soon we all will be standing in a food line somewhere hoping to get a few cans of food and some bread.

Remember, "we are in the world, not of it!" "Our help comes from the Lord!" Gods word is clear, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord! I lay down the worry of this world. My God has been clear to me...I will NEVER leave you Eric nor forsake you! I will be with you ALL the days of your life. I am yours and you are mine! Do not be bothered by the things of the world or by those who hate or despise you. Remember, the world hated me first and surely if they hated me they will hate you.

This year...Be Bold, Be Strong, for the Lord thy God is with you...always and forever!

And one more thing before I go: Pray without ceasing! In everything, make your requests known to God! Allow God to answer you. It is okay to ask for prayer from other believers but I charge you to first make your request known to God. He has the BEST answer for you and his answer will not bring confusion. I dare say that when we request prayer from others regarding the issues of the heart we get more confused. Gods answer(s) will not bring confusion. Ask ANYTHING in My Name says the Lord, according to my will, and it will be done!

Happy 2011 Blogger world! I can't wait to read and hear all that God is doing in your lives this year! Take each day one at a time and cherish each moment because it is going by quickly. Pray without ceasing and in everything give praise to God! Keep your faith in God and not the cares of this world.