Just have to brag on my sweet husband. I am turning the big 3-0 next week and we celebrated my bday this weekend because I am helping my mom with a wedding next weekend. So Friday night the kids spent the night with his parents and he took me to one of my favorite restaurants, Pappadeaux! Then he took me shopping to spend some bday he money that he gave me and we rented movies. His present to me, was so sweet... We pretty much remain on a budget around here, and I handle the bills and finances, so every year he has to ask me, how much can I spend on your birthday, and I am always like, oh you just probably shouldn't get me anything. So this year, he saved up some cash for the last couple of months and stashed it in a book and suprised me with it and gave it to me so I can go shopping, which is the best gift ever since I LOVE to shop! It was so sweet because I don't have to stress about the money coming out of our account or whatever. How thoughtful! THEN Saturday night he planned a surprise mini-party for me at a bowling alley. My family came and (I even won one game) and we went to dinner afterwards. He put so much thought into all of it, he is the best. Of course, I didn't have a camera and Amy forgot hers, so no pic's! : (
I am starting to run again. I really enjoy it and it makes me feel good! I love to go to the Trinity River on Sat mornings and run. There are so many people down there running, I love the atmosphere. I would love to get a group of people together and start running sat mornings and maybe Sunday evenings. If anyone wants to come, let me know! I know of 2-3 people that want to do this so we have a small group already!
We will be staying home tonight but plan on cooking a nice meal, Fried mozzarella for appetizer, Stuffed Shrimp and Crab Ravioli, Cesar salad and garlic bread. We normally stay home 0n New Year's Eve but try to make the night fun and special. Tonight we will probably compete on the Wii sports all night! Happy New Year to all of you! Have fun and be safe tonight!
I heard a great sermon this past Sunday at our church called Moving foward. You can listen to it at gatewaypeople.com. I wanted to share some highlights with you.
To move foward you have to deal with your past! The longer we delay in dealing with these things, the longer it will take us to move foward with God. Take the regrets and mistakes you have made and use them for God's glory. You can redeem that mistake you made, you can make a ministry of those mistakes! Lay it down and when the devil comes back to taunt you with it, tell him to go take it up with God because that is what you have done!
To move foward you have to deal with unforgiveness and bitterness. Do an inventory of your thoughts and check to see if you are carrying unforgiveness and bitterness. Lay it down, your not going anywhere with Jesus until you do.
To move foward you have to confess secret sin. Sin we justify, sin noone knows about that we enjoy, maybe some small dishonesty, maybe it's unforgiveness. Be honest with God, tell him you are struggling with it, and when you are honest and sincere about it, the Holy Spirit will wean you off of that sin.
To move foward you have to stop your negative views of God. Maybe you have been burnt by another church or pastor. We need to seperate what people did and what God did.
To move foward you have to end dangerous realtionships. (not talking about marraige here) There are some dangerous people out there. The devil uses dangerous relationships to keep us from God. A dangerous relationship is one that does not help you get closer to God. Don't dump lost friends, witness to them, but then remove yourself from a close friendship with them. "Bad company corrupts good morals"
To move foward you have to reconcile broken relationships. "As far as its possible with you, live at peace with other's"
The things that will impact us the most this coming year are the things we have no idea are coming. This is why we have to become a people so broad and deep spirtiually, that by the grace of God we can handle whatever comes our way!!
Isn't that awesome! I pray that we all have an amazing 2009, that our best days are in front of us, and we experience God's blessings and favor in 2009. Happy New Year!
