"For unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the Highest, Peace, good will toward men."Thank you all so much for your prayers!! We all appreciate it so much. This morning during wisdom search, we read Psalm 20, which is a Psalm of Victory! It was encouraging to us; I thought I would share a few verses with you:
Our faith and trust is in a Higher Power, He is in charge; and for that we are most greatful!
As for an update on Dad:
-His MRI was yesterday; it is the same disc and is bulging and worse than before. He is going to try again the Spinal Decompression, to see if it will work again, if not he then we are not for sure what we will do.
-Still on the shock treatment, is a minor help to the pain.
-I took him to his second treatment today in Amarillo, he has one more treatment in the morning before the Christmas break. The office will be closed until January 2nd. Please pray that he improves, and not regresses during the holiday time.
-Please continue to lift him up, that he will not get discouraged at not being able to do things.
Please also keep my brothers, R A, Griffin and Myles in your prayers as they are driving 300 miles this afternoon to go to the other ranch, deliver some things and pick things up. They will be able to spend time with my grandparents, and represent the rest of us for the Brown family Christmas. They hopefully will get back before bad weather sets in Saturday afternoon. We girls are going to do the best we can to keep home fires/ranch fires burning while they are away.
God is in control! What a blessing and reassurance that is!! Enjoy the Christmas season everyone, remember we are celebrating the birth of our King, Jesus who was sent to redeem us all!!
Few minutes later-
Praise!!!
My dear friend Jolynn, who is also my sisters piano teacher was in a wreck a few minutes ago, but she and her sister and friend are okay! Thank you JESUS!! I am going to get them in a few minutes. I am so thankful that God's hand of protection was on them today! The person she rear-ended though was taken in a ambulance as a precaution, keep her in your prayers, please.
I really don't know what it is, but it seems like when it rains it pours. We have had so many things happen in the last 10 days, it is nearly mind boggling. We have had 2 mares get hurt in the last week, Dad's back, three trips to Amarillo all ready this week, Boys leaving, feed trucks not getting here on time, having customers waiting, water well problems.....but you know what? The Joy of the Lord is our strength, when our eyes are one the Child, everything is fine! What peace that brings!!!
Please continue to pray, today is worse, but I know that God is in control. Just like my Grampa Tex said a few minutes ago; "the only place we have to turn is to Jesus,
Dad and Mom are on there way to the Doctor right now, it has already been a long morning for all of us here; seems more like an entire day. Thank you again for your prayers, we all appreciate it so much.
he is the ONLY answer for our problems."
May the Lord Bless and Keep all of you in his Loving arms, may you feel his love ten-fold, and realize his Joy is your Strength!!!
"For where two or three are gathered in My name,
there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20
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I am posting this to ask for prayer for my Dad. This year he has been having back problems on and off. He has a herniated disc and had surgery scheduled in August, but we found out about Spinal Decompression, which stretches your back/spine and get the disc back into the correct positions. So for 8 weeks Dad drove the 85 miles to Amarillo 4 days a week and got so much better. The last 2 months have been really good for him. He was not 100% but was able to do many things he wanted and needed to do.
But, this weekend he is the worse I have ever seen him. We are not for sure exactly what he did, but he is in terrible pain. The last two days, he has just stayed laying down as sitting and standing is painful. Please pray for him, I think he will start going back into Amarillo, but the drive is going to be very hard.
It is hard on all of us to have him down, but please join us in praying for healing and for the severe pain to decrease and that the second round of the decompression would work!! His name is: Rob A.
Thank you all, in advance for your prayers!!!
"For we know all things work together for good to those that love the Lord...." Proverbs 3:5
Well Hello Everyone...do I have a lot of things to tell you! So many good things have happened the last few days!!! So I am just going to share them to you as best as I can....
..::.. Tuesday ..::..
I finished my Government and Range Management Classes!!! Yippee!!! I was so relived to have them over with, especially government. Sarah and I just rejoiced and really were dancing across the floor with the joy! We passed, did not fail and are DONE! God sure is good, he put us together to be each others support system, and then we enjoyed lunch at JT's and celebrated our completion! :)
I then drove to Amarillo as that is where my entire family was for the day. I got some much needed shopping done. Dad had a Dr. appointment in Amarillo and the boys were Christmas shopping. They went home with Ike in tow and we girls, Lydia, Amanda, Mom & I stayed in town for Broadway On Ice! It was a one night only event at the Amarillo Civic Center and for Lydia's eleventh birthday that was Mom's gift to her. It starred Nancy Karigan,and the skating was so beautiful! It was amazing and so much fun to watch those awesome skaters do there thing! The funniest part was the below man, I cannot remember his name...but he was hilarious!! They brought him out with his grand piano on the ice and he entertained us for a while, singing songs about the Panhandle and Amarillo. He was making the songs up as he went along, and the whole audience was rolling!!!
He mentioned Stinnett in his song, and one of my favorite parts as he ended his tribute of Panhandle towns was: "Oh Little Town of Clarendon....." We were all so glad we went. Spending the night at the Ambassador Hotel was fun too!
Wednesday dawned with us up and at 'em, and we shopped until we dropped. One of the neatest presents as a early Christmas, late birthday gift for me from Mom and Dad --
I have wanted a Cannon Rebel for many years...but just would not break down and shell out the money...so waiting does have many benefits! :) It is Rebel XTI, and I am excited. You will be seeing many more pictures on here now. My other point and shoot has nearly performed all its going to and is very ready to retire..I think I am going to oblige it. :)
The Brown family is now home to a 14' Christmas tree, it is lovely and it was fun going to the Boys Scout's Tree Lot in Amarillo and picking it out! Sorry I don't have a picture, but I will soon.
Today, at eight o'clock, I finished my 2007 Fall Semester, I am thrilled and so glad to be home for a while. Part of my celebration was coming home and taking an afternoon nap with Sir Isaac, he's a great snuggling partner. :)
So tonight I will continue to celebrate and catch up on the NFR rounds I missed while I was gone. Watching the PRCA's National Finals Rodeo is a family affair for us..and we sure have fun. :) 
The inside of the card reads:
- Amy-20, working for another 4 point year at Frank Phillips College, lives at home, enjoys being with her family and living to honor the Lord with virtue and insight.
- RA-18, Senior in High School. With determination lives to rope calves and ride broncs; with dependability he is Dad's right hand man on the ranch; deciding what school to rodeo for next fall.
- Griffin-16, Sophomore in High School, won his 1st saddle this year and was year end and finals champion calf roper. Loves books, history, aviation and his black powder rifle. He is very steady and discreet.
- Myles-13, 7th grade, full of life and one liners. Cowboying, roping calves, sketching and reading are some of his favorite things. He is a generous and confident young man.
- Lydia-11, 5th grade; a joyous and compassionate young lady. She is training a new barrel horse, loves to read, do crafts and play the piano.
- Amanda-9, 3rd grade; loves to be outside on her 4 year old colt. School is fun, excels at piano, is encouraging and creative. 1st year to rope and won the breakaway title.
- Ike-2, With enthusiasm and hope he spreads laughter and joy everyday; ropes bulls, rides broncs, loves his dogs and horses; talks up a storm and tells stories of when he was a baby...
"Sending you this greeting to encourage you in
walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
May the joy of Him warm your heart this special season."
"..I have come that you might have life, and that you
have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
To all my blogging friends, A very Merry Christmas y'all!!!
Lord..."I was made to praise You,
I was made to glorify Your name.
In every circumstance, to find a chance to thank You.
I was made to love You.
I was made to worship at Your feet, and obey You Lord.
I was made for You!"
I was made for Him, for His pleasure and His plans. It is not my life to live, but His! For my creature to work and plan His plans for me. I am but a humble servant, leaning always on Him for strength and for courage to face each day in my walk of a lifetime. A lifetime of Loving Jesus Christ and saying yes to His plans for me!
Today I was blessed to buy a little boy named "Isaac" a Christmas present. I ran in Wal Mart for a minute and saw the Salvation Army Angel Tree, stopped and looked and when I saw a four year old named Isaac, I had to buy him something.=)
I saw when I left the package that the deadline for the boxes is December 8th and that is coming up fast, so if you feel lead to donate some of your time and money to bless a young person in need you might need to get around to it here in the next few days.
Clothes, jacket gloves and a childrens bible cost me a little more than $50, and I have to say it made my day!
"For it is true that it is more blessed to give than to recieve!"
Hello everyone,
It had been a while since I have updated on what all I have been up to lately. I have been posting what has been happening in my walk with the Lord, and what has been on my heart the last few weeks, but not the ends and outs of my every changing and ever hectic life. =)
Where to start, well lets see; life here on the ranch and in the Brown family has been going by so fast lately. Little Ike will be 2 1/2 on the first, he is my angel, my little man, the person that keeps me laughing and also keeps me busy cleaning up after all of his messes. I am the most blessed big sister in the world to have in my life Isaac Wade. Being 17 years older than Ike brings a whole new perspective to little ones. Everyone says that when you have children, that is when you know what real love is, I really cannot imagine a love any stronger than what I feel for him! He is talking up a storm, and his new thing is telling stories of when he was a baby! Isaac means laughter and that is what he brings to our life each and every day.
My other brothers are really not little any more, I realize that at the strangest times. When I am upset at them and have to look up to tell them something! :0 "um, I am not near as mad at you right now, your so nice..." No not really. =) Each one is special in their own special way. Mom and I ordered our Christmas cards this year from Shutterfly instead of me designing them myself. (I enjoy designing them, but was having trouble finding a place to print them that is the kind of quality that I wanted.) So we tried something new. Also something new this year is giving brief updates on what all the 7 Brown children have been doing individually. It was fun, but we had to write all of it in under 1500 words. Anyone that knows me, knows I am not a short sentenced person, but we got it with 4 words to spear, yippee!
School has been keeping me busy this semester. Especially Federal Government class.At this present time I am working on my second project, it is due Thursday. When I say project it is not just a few pieces of paper. My first one was over 30 pages in length, this one is not quite so long thankfully! Another thing I am so thankful for is, that my friend Sarah is in the class with me. We are each others support group and the head "nerds" of the class. The ones that are always sticking to business and trying to answer as many questions as possible. We wear our "nerdiness" with badges of honor! ha ha! I have loved my Ag classes this semester. Have learned so much, sigh, really I just love agriculture! Animal Science is a blast. You know you have been taking that class when your sister Amanda, (9) asks a question as she is working on her Human Health workbook, "What is the digestive system?" and you answer without thinking, "Well there is the Rumen..." oops, I think she was really needing the human side of things! Both of my sisters are doing great, becoming such sweet young ladies!
I only have a few more days of class, finals are coming up and then I have a long Christmas break. I have no idea what God will have me do in that time period, or what I will do next semester. I am praying about that and I will just see where the Lord leads. I have been looking at what classes I need to take, and there are some that will be fun and then there will be some that will be a challenge. Keep me one my knees. =)
My brothers just came in, they have been working so hard lately. The leased wheat pastures are ready for cattle to be turned out. To do so hot wire fences have to be built and cattle re-vaccinated and then turned out. On top of all that it has been cold and the long days can just seem longer for them. We girls try to have hot chocolate and coffee for when they get home. =)
My state of health has been improving these last few weeks. I am so thankful for that. Christmas day will be 2 years since I have been having problems, but through it all God has taught me so much about himself, and I have learned so much about myself through the process.
Well this has been long enough for now, May the Lord bless and Keep each and everyone of you in his loving and caring arms! Please keep blogging as I love to read about what all is going on in each of your lives!
To God Be All Glory Honor And Praise!
"The things that are impossible with
men are possible with God.
May it not be that human
impossibilities is just the very
thing that sets His Hand free?"
Lilias Trotter Diary entry, May 22, 1899
from the book "Passion for the Impossible"
by Miriam Huffman Rockness
Our impossibilities are far to numerous to count, but God's possibilities are endless and never bound. If God wills that something will happen it will come to pass. No matter the circumstances that deem it impossible in our eyes, we serve a higher power, A greater God, A Loving Master who has out best interest at heart. Don't bound God and deem a deed impossible ~ The One you serve created Life, Created every single being in this world and then He created the universe itself. Never doubt God's eternal plan, never doubt his will or place he has you at, at this time in history. You were made for a purpose, honour God with yourself. Yourself being your body, your daily tasks, your heart, your mind, your desires ~ all of it should be laid at the masters feet and allow him to do his Possibilities through you, his humble servant, who serves an Awesome God!
Happy Thanksgiving!
May your day leading up be just as special as thanksgiving day. As you look around you & see all the blessings in your life, remember who gave it to you, & how blessed you are to have Jesus in your life!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him & He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5 & 6
Life is amazing, some days you think that life could not get any better and then things happen...pitfalls come and tragedies strike. I guess what sets us apart from the world as Christians is what we do with it. Our decisions on how we are going to handle certain issues. Are we going to look always to the Lord for strength and perseverance, or are we going to grumble, complain, stress out, get depressed, get angry....the list can go on of what our human tendencies are when we don't understand why things happen. Why is it that I am having health problems that are so persistent, why is it that every time I try to encourage others something goes wrong with my computer, why is it that person dislikes me, why...you know I have come to dislike that word. Why. It is a simple word, but when you say it...it seems to always breed discontentment in me. I am trying to stop saying why to God, and say "what" What do you want me to learn from this? What character qualities are your trying to teach me in this situation? I can't say that I have mastered that by any means. I am far from it. But sometimes the first step is the hardest in breaking a habit.
I really do have a habit of saying "why". in the last two years I have had many questions for God, and many of them started with why God, why now, why me, why my health, why so many problems, why so many setbacks, why so many bad days, why so many sick days??? But I have realized that asking why really does not get me anywhere. It just makes me wish things were different when I have not control over it, but I do have control over the ways to look at the problems. I can fall into “why” or I can climb up to “what”. I don't know why but the right thing to do in many situations usually involves a climb. I guess God wants to grant us the satisfaction of a gorgeous view once we reach the summit of the problem we are facing at that moment. Or maybe he knows that those that will make the climb, are really serious about being his daughter or son, and no matter the cost, not matter the sweat, the tears the struggles the pain, we want his blessings in our life! We want to do what is right in his eyes. To live a life that is pleasing unto him, for we know that this life here on earth is not all we are living for. As Christians we have a higher calling, a bigger picture, a greater calling ~ To live a life pleasing unto Christ, to walk the paths of life that he sets before us because we are going to a better place. A place where there is no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears. A place where we can sit as his feet and realize that those little paths we walked down were stepping stones for greater purposes than we could ever imagine. Because we said yes, comes what may I am going to make the best of this situation God has set before me. Because I know that Jesus can see into the future, he can see why I need to learn this today, so that tomorrow I can be able to fulfill the task that God created me to do. To bless this person or to encourage another person. To have the inner strength to conqueror the next mountain for Him.
So the next time you are faced with the option of either saying "why"or "what".I hope you choose “what”. I'm not saying that you will all of the sudden have all your problems dissolve into oblivion, cause I am sorry to say that will ninety-nine percent of the time that will not be the case. But when your realize how small you really are and how big God really is, and come to understand that neither height nor depth, nor principalities, not things present nor things to come can separate you from the Love of God,(Rom.8:38-39) you are encouraged, you are able to look beyond your self. Maybe just for a moment. To be able to look for an instant how God looks at things, and "who" he wants you to become. For it is true that "all things work together for good for them that Love the Lord and are called according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28 Good being in God’s eyes, all we can see today are the temporal things, but God can see the eternal things.
"We are troubled on every side, yet not destressed; we are perplexed but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed." 2 Cor. 4:8-9
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; For the things that are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18
I know that since Jesus was in a human body he was tempted to look at the temporal things, to ask his father “why”, but He persevered, He took up his cross and died for us, so that we might have eternal life. So that we might one day see him face to face and have him say, "well done my good and faithful servant. Welcome to my house, you have run the race of life, you have persevered with divergence, you have done your best in every thing I asked. Your heart was trying to serve me, even though your flesh was weak. You did your best to look at the eternal things and keep walking no matter what. I am proud of you!"
I have to confess that I am not near there yet...But I am trying, my steps are not even baby steps...they just barely inch along. But I am trying. Actually writing this is inspiring me to keep up, keep fighting, to lean not on my own strength, but on the One who has all the answers, who Loves me unconditionally and wants only the best for me. To look at him and say “what Lord” are you wanting me to do? What are you wanting me to learn? How am I to go about serving you in the midst of this trial. What do you need me to do today? Don't ask “why”, but stand up, pick up the grace that is sufficient for you today and say in Faith, here am I Lord, use me today.
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good? Would you walk with Him within the narrow road? Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call? Would you know the peace that comes by giving all? Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall? Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest? Would you prove Him true in providential test? Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His power can make you what you ought to be; His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free; His love can fill your soul, and you will see ’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
Hymn Let Him Have His Way With Thee by Cyrus S. Nusbaum 1898
As I read this hymn this morning its words really made me think, do I LET him have his way with me in every way, in every thing? I do want him to cleanse my heart ane make me free, and I want his love to feel my soul, so I must let him have his way with me! Yes I realize that sometimes his will does not make since to me in my mortal mind, with its human insticts, but My God created everything, and keeps all the stars in their place, the world revolving on its axels, of course he can help me and not let me fall to peices and ruin my life. So today I am going to do my best to let him have his way with me! :)
Dear Friends and family,
I just read this below update on carepage and thought I would forward it on to you! :) It is so encouraging to read all of these updates and see how Billie is facing this trial by leaning back in the everlasting arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are able to access facebook it is worth going and reading and seeing how each update has shown improvement for Billie, and his daily verses are awesome. I know he is so glad to be going to Craig Colo tomorrow as he will be much closer to home and in a great facility. Thank you again for praying. If you would like me to continue to keep you updated please email me and I will put you on my list.
May the Lord bless and keep all of you today!
Because He Lives,
Amy
www.carepages.com
1. register, (easy takes less than 5 minutes)
2. after you register you will be at the carepage home page
3. click on "visit"
4. type "billiesutton" as the patient
5. you will see his latest update on his carepage.
6. is optional, but you can sign up for email notifications of when his carepage is updated.
October 23, 2007 5:30 pm
Billie got to take his first shower today, YAY!!!! He says it was sooooo wonderful. His staples came out yesterday, all 38 of them. Billie was able to be in walking braces today. He says that it was real wierd, they say that it is good for circulation and also keeps his abdominal strength. Billie gave a lesson in Rodeo 101 to all of the occupational therapists. They got a kick out of it.
One therapist was working with an individual that was being a little difficult and the head therapist said, "Come on now, you have to learn how to work with all the patients, not everyone is a Billie Sutton"
Billie is doing a super job with his rehab and is looking forward to Craig. He will fly out of Minneapolis on Thursday at 1:00. He has had such good care and such nice visits from so many wonderful friends. A special thanks to the Corrington's for all of the yummy meals, and good visits. Thanks to everyone while in Minneapolis, we can't tell you enough how much all of your kindness means to us.
Billie's verse today is Philippians 3:13 & 14
Brother's I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Till next time...Dee
Bill, Billie & Renee' Sutton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st. email update:
Dear Friends,
I am emailing all of you today to ask you to pray. Our dear friends Tex and Lois Bennett called today asking for prayers for their nephew Billie Sutton of Burke S.D. He is a pro saddle bronc rider. Friday night he was in Fargo N.D. at a prorodeo and his bronc flipped over with him the chute. It broke his back and he was air lifted to Minneapolis MN. Monday morning, he will have surgery starting at 11oclock. His 11th and 12th vertebras are what is broken and he has no feeling in his legs.
Please keep him in your prayers along with all of his family! We know he grandmother and since he is in rodeo it hits close to home for my family. As most of you know my brother RA rides broncs. So we are all praying for a miracle and that God would choose to heal Billie. As you are all family in the Lord I just wanted everyone we know to join in prayer with the family and friends of this young man. He is in college in Laramie Wyoming. The names of some of his family is, Bill and Renee' Sutton and sister Rheme' and grandmother Betty.
Thank you so much for your prayers and I will let everyone know the results from the surgery as soon as I know anything more.
Walking on Faith,
Amy Brown and family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2nd email update:
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for praying for Billie! All day yesterday, Monday, I thought of him and his family and of all the people that were joining and prayer and asking for His divine touch.Tex Bennett called us last night and this is all the information that I have at the present time.
The surgery went well and his spinal cord is not severed, (praise the Lord!!!) They put in some bone graphs I think, and a titanium rod. The Doctors are not positive that he will walk again but their is hope! He came through surgery fine and the family asked that everyone that has heard about Billie and has been praying, to tell them Thank You! The family said that all 50 states have been recognized in sending up prayers. Wow, the circle of prayers is far reaching and powerful in the Christians of America! :) I will pass on any more information that I receive as I receive it. May the Lord bless all of you! I am going to call later and try to find out more, I just wanted to let everyone know what we had found out.
Because He Lives,
Amy Brown and family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd email update:
Dear Friends,
It is amazing how the Lord works and how news can travel so fast when their is a someone in need. :) Here is the information that I have as of tonight, Wednesday the 10th.
I did not know this until today but when the Doctors took the first x-rays and MRI's they said that the spinal cord was severed and the family should just except the fact that Billie would not walk again... but you know the rest of the story! The family believes that the Lord performed a miracle that night and repaired his spinal cord!!! WOW! Our God is truly amazing! :) The incision is from his neck all the way to the base of his spine. The feeling has not come back as of yet, but he is in a great deal of pain. The Doctors had him set up sometime Tuesday and it just added to it. Please continue to lift him up in your prayers for 1) pain relief, 2)for all the feeling to come back into his legs and 3) him to feel all of your prayers and thoughts as he is still in the hospital. I heard that some friends from Oklahoma are going to try to go up sometime this week to see him in MN. He does have a facebook page but I am unable to access it. So if anyone can, please let me know if contains any new information.
I am leaving tomorrow and will be gone until Sunday or Monday. I might be able to update all of you, but I might not be able to have internet access. I will just see. Thank you again for praying and being apart of a MIRACLE! Our God is so good!!!
May God Bless and Keep all of you.
Because He Lives,
Amy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4th update:
Dear Friends and Family,
I am home and finally able to send out a update on what I know about Billie as of today, Wednesday Oct. 17th. I was able to talk to his great uncle and here is what he knows at the present time:
The Doctors stand amazed at the miracle that we prayed for and received! They have gone back and looked at the first MRI and initially it showed that the spinal cord was broken.....wow! Our God is so amazing! A healing did take place and the family knows whom to Thank, the Creator of the world! :)
There is good news as far as the feeling coming back. Before the surgery they had drawn a line at his belly button where his feeling stopped. So far the feeling has spread down to his pocket area. So that is good news! :) Please continue to pray that his feeling will come back completely! There is a special spinal treatment facility near Denver that he plans to go to. The first available appointment is not available until the first of November. Don't stop praying, but lets give thanks!!!!!!!!!
If you are just now getting this email, you can scroll down to the previous emails below.
Please forward this email to those you previously forwarded to, so they can know what the Lord has done! :)
Because He Lives,
Amy Brown
I read this today, and it is very sobering. Please read, and it will make you rejoice in the Love that Only Jesus can give! :)
A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.
Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Moore's framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."
Brian's Essay: The Room...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.
This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at ." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.
Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel with." The handle was brighter than those around it, seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
This is to let you know that my email address has not changed, but I am having technical difficulties. I really do not know what is going on, but I hope to have the problem resolved as soon as possible. So to those trying to email me, please keep trying as I receive some emails just not all. I hate that I am having updates on dear friends emailed to me and I am not able to receive them! Such a sad state of affairs!!!
I have not updated my blog in a long time....I have been busy with school, so far I am enjoying everything! :) I hope it does not change. I have a test in Animal Science Tuesday....I feel good about it and hope that I ACE it!!! That would be fantastic now would it not?!?! Government has been good so far, though there is a lot of reading involved.
One of the funnest things I have done so far is in my Range Management class. I got to go out 2 days and identify grasses. I loved it, and I do not look at grasses the same now. :) It’s great to know Old World Blue Stem, Side Oats Gramma, Buffalo, Bermuda....the list is endless. I know to some of my friends this is completely boring!!! But I love it! To think I have been seeing these grasses all of my life, but before I just saw all of it as grass, but now my eyes are opened and I see all of them individually. There is a spiritual significance to this as well. God can open our eyes to spiritual things that before we never new existed, but now we are awed at what all God is wanting us to see and understand. To know in a deeper more meaningful way. Our Creator is AMAZING!! It is so awesome how he made every single thing. And how every single cell has a purpose and how life is completely centered on God. He is the one that makes the earth spin, the birds fly, the grass grow, the rains fall, He is the one that forms babies in their mothers wombs and changes the bodies of animals and people as they mature to be able to utilize what they have around them, from mothers milk to whole foods. All I can say is: We serve an Awesome God!
I ment to say my cousin DAN in the below post, instead of my cousin Dad. That really does not make a lot of since. :) I did get to talk to him, and he is nearly home as I write this. It is a long way from Bishop Calf, to Borden County America. :)
I just got back from a weekend in Amarillo...I am 20 years old today. Wow a full decade!! Cannot believe it really, but then again I can as I feel old sometimes...some days.
I also came home to a home made apple pie, made by Ike, Lydia & Amanda. :) cannot wait to eat it. Speaking of which...that's what I am about to do. So off to a eat and open the rest of my packages!
I love to talk on the phone to friends and family!
Friends are treasures to enjoy! So call someone you love and care about
and let them know that you do, and are glad they are in your life!
It is amazing what a still small voice can do, when it comes from the Lord to a person that is doing there best to follow him in all that they do. :) My latest prompting came about two weeks ago. I was sitting in the class room helping Mom get all our school supplies in order and I felt the Lord prompt me to think about what I wanted to do when I got married and had children. I of course answered back....I will home educate them. Then he said...I want you to learn by teaching your siblings. In so doing you will also be a great blessing to your mother. I did my best to ignore it, but it was so real that I could not. I finally spilled it to my mother and she was of course very much in favor of the proposition. :) That evening I then proceeded to call my friend Sheyanne, who is a true friend, (tell you what you need to know, even when you do not want to hear it. :) After she heard what I felt the Lord was calling me to do...she said, "Amy how can you ignore God's desires for you? If he is calling you to do this, you have to do it, or you will regret it someday." Just what I needed to hear! I thought, prayed and asked again if this was what he wanted me to do for sure. And of course the answer was again yes. So, here I am today; such a blessed girl. I am going to do my best to teach my siblings, to the best of my ability and do so as unto the Lord, I am also going to go to school two days a week and take three classes. It is so neat, my advisor who is also my professor in agriculture, Dr. Purswell is a former home schooling dad. He is very supportive of me teaching my siblings. Said he will do his best to work his schedule around me when I need him to. So I can do all I need to do here at home. God does bless me indeed!
To some people this probably does not seem like much, but to me this is a big step. I am committing to do something that I now will not be a breeze, but I know that the end result will be worth all the trials that I am going to go through to finish the task. I feel God has been preparing me for such a time is this.
The following scripture sums up what I feel the Lord is trying to do.
"Even for the same purpose have
I raised thee up, that I might
show my Power in thee, &
that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth!
Romans 9:17
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As I read the words to the below hymn and asked my self the question, am I being all I can be for Christ? Am I being the person that God created me to be when he designed me, chose this family for me to call my own, at this point in history and in this country? Am I fulfilling my God given duty in the way he wants me to accomplish it? Am I a light for others wherever I am. In what ever I am doing? When poeple see me, do they know that I am a child of the King? That I serve a higher power?
I know somedays I get discouraged and want to stop being a "good person" and just let go and do what ever I feel like doing on a whim, but then a small voice that I know is my friend, the Holy Spirit says, "Um, you might not want to do that, because you are a child of the most high God, and he has a destiny and purpose for you, so hold fast to your convictions, dreams, plans and desires. Just wait for What God has in store for you tomorrow and be content with today and accomplish the tasks that are at hand, because it is where God Has you right now!"
I must confess that some days I am glad to hear that, and then some days I wish that it would just go away. But, God has a wonderful plan for me.
As I am comming up on the eve of my 20th year I am understanding more and more that life is a journey that's worth taking and I must live each day to the max, love and learn thoughout each experience. Rather it be good or bad. Hold fast to what I know in my heart is what God wants me to do, and do it to the best of my ability. And when I have those whims...I should just smile and rejoice that I do have a destiny, and when God wants me to accomplish something...he will bring it to past in his own good time, and it will be better that I ever imagained!
So who can I bless today, how can I accomplish something good for the Lord today? The key to that sentance being accomplished is....having a heart that is willing! Boy do I have a lot of work to do!!! I am sometimes so far from being "willing"!!! I must remember that one small step in the right direction is far better than taking no steps at all, with God all things are possible!
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF BLESSING
Harper G. Smyth, 1903
God granted us with one more visit with her the day before she died, what a blessing it was, and I will remember it for the rest of my life! She encouraged us so much and told us all she loved us. I am such a blessed person because of knowing my dear friend Mrs. Sledge!
The below link is a short you tube about our troops, please take a moment and watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
WE CANNOT FORGET OUR MEN AND WOMAN IN UNIFORM!!
They are truly HERO'S!
I received this fallowing email today and thought it would be good to share with fellow American's. It is very interesting, and made me think. We cannot as Christians ignore this issue...because it really is a matter of time before it could be life or death. I know that God is in control, be he also wants his elect to pay attention to the times and be on guard. So please read it, and ponder.....
Can a good Muslim be a good American?
Interesting questions for the Muslim Community to discuss & for research on our part also. Can a good Muslim be a good American? I forwarded that question to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years . The following is his forwarded reply:
Theologically - no. Because his allegiance is to Allah, the moon God of Arabia.
Religiously - no. Because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256)
Scripturally - no. Because his allegiance is to the five pillars of Islam and the Quran (Koran).
Geographically - no. Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
Socially - no. Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
Politically - no. Because he must submit to the mullah (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and Destruction of America, the great Satan.
Domestically - no. Because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34 ).
Intellectually - no. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
Philosophically - no. Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
Spiritually - no. Because when we declare "one nation under God," the Christians God is loving and kind,while Allah is NEVER referred to as heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in The Qurans 99 excellent names.
Therefore after much study and deliberation....Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. They obviously cannot be both "good"Muslims and good Americans.Call it what you wish..its still the truth. You had better believe it! If you find yourself intellectually in agreement with the above statements, perhaps you will share this with your friends. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
Pass it on Fellow Americans. The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our president!!!
my brother, who is also one of my best friends! He is undergoing a hard time right now, but is facing it with his natural charm. :)
Saturday night at state finals in Abilene Texas on his 3rd bronc he got bucked off and broke his right collarbone . He had surgery on Tuesday afternoon. A plate and 4 screws were put in. R A got back home Wednesday afternoon and is doing as well as can be expected. We are trusting in the Lord, and knowing his ways are higher than our ways and he is complete control!
Please continue to keep him in your prayers, we appreciate it so much!!!
Smile! Have the Faith of little children and keep you eyes on Jehovah. He'll not let you down. :)
"The Name of The Lord is A Strong Tower the Righteous Run Into It and They are Safe!!!"
Faith is such a simple and short word, but to live a life of faith, that takes on a brand new meaning. What is Faith? Well it depends on where your faith is fastened. Is it steadfastly anchored in Jesus Christ and Lord of All Creation, or is it in yourself or some other mortal human? When Faith is rooted in Jesus, your faith is secure. He created the universe, you can depend on him to not let you down. BUT, (another little word with big consequences :) You can't let yourself or God down. You must not let others ideas make you stray from the road of Faith God has you set upon. Don't let the devil come and trip or make you doubt your Faith. God is in control...Keep you eyes on him and don't stop walking. If you fall, pick yourself up and with God's strength, say "I can do all things with him who strengthens me!"
You've got what is takes! Walk on Faith!!!
I acutally like things to come about in record time...life is more interseting. :) Take Friday for instance....Mom walked in at 6:30 pm and asked we girls if we would like to go to her parents house. Of course we said yes and then packed up for a 2 night stay with Mimi and PawPaw Griffin. We arrived in Borden County and 12:42 am and had fun being with family.
There are people that like to plan way out in advance...but am not one of them. Mostly because plans can change, so just go with the moment, enjoy the moment and keep your trust in the Lord. So the next time plans change out of the blue....Smile, Laugh, and ENJOY!!! Who knows what can happen tomorrow... its a mystery to discover on the dawn of each new day. :)
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