Whatever

I wanted to share a song that God gave my daughter recently. She sang it this past Sunday night at our church.

Here she is singing...



I love the words to this song. And can I brag? I love my baby's voice.

From my heart,

Sheryl

Dear God

I want to thank YOU for what YOU have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed,
I am thanking YOU right now.

I am thanking YOU because I am live.

I am thanking YOU because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking YOU because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking YOU because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I am thanking YOU because YOU have not given up on me.

Thank YOU, Lord.

Easter

Sunday was a wonderful RESURRECTION DAY intermingled with some difficulties. I hate to say that. I wanted it to be all about Jesus. But, in the beginning and the middle, I made it about me.

On Sunday mornings I pick up my mom and take her to church with me. We have a wonderful time worshipping together and I love helping her since she has trouble getting from one place to the other with her walker.

So, Sunday morning I actually got to her house a little early and helped her with her make up, taking her medications and getting into the car. We were ready to go. All I had to do was lift her heavy walker into her car and we were on our way. Well, I opened up the back of her van and there from bottom to top were boxes of soda. Oh my! I could not believe my sister's family had forgotten to take them out. In retrospect, it can happen to anyone and it wasn't something I should have gotten upset about. Did you see the word should?

Well, then I got her out of her car and got her in mine. It is very difficult for her to get in my van because it too high up for her. But, with the grace of God we did it and headed down the road.

There is this one parking space that my mom and I like to use. We go to a small church so EVERYONE knows we use it. Well, it was taken. GRRRRR. I have a feeling God is going to be working on this area of weakness in my life. Uh oh. Anyway, I got her into her Sunday School class, I got in mine. With much guilt I must tell you I told my class about my difficult morning. Why can't I keep my big mouth shut? They saw the humor in it and I began to teach the lesson--yes, you heard that right. The one venting about difficulties was actually the teacher. After much prayer we began our lesson and had a wonderful time talking about the women coming to the tomb...well, I'll save that for another post.

Church was awesome! We praised the Lord through song, prayer, fellowship and the WORD. So wonderful. During the service my mom reached over to me and said, "Did you remember that today is your Dad's birthday?" Well, in all the hustle and bustle, I had forgotten. It was a sort of bittersweet moment. But, then I remembered that my Dad was celebrating the resurrection with the ONE who was resurrected! So cool. I'm looking forward to the day with I can celebrate alongside him and look into the eyes of my LORD.

Even though my husband is out of work, we set aside some money to go out to eat. We went to my Mom and husband's favorite place, O'Charleys. We all ordered and then began to talk about Sunday School, my issues of that morning, etc. My husband's food came, my daughter's food came, my food came....Mom's didn't come. So, we asked about it. It finally came and the meat was so rare it was bleeding (sorry, I hate that visual). So, they took it back. Mom told us to begin to eat and she had some soup that they brought out to her. We got finished and still no meal for Mom. She was getting tired, I was ready to be home and the waitress was frustrated. So, we boxed it up and she finished it at home. Poor Mom.

Well, that afternoon my hubby and I decided to take a nap...he slept, I didn't. Our daughter was out with her boyfriend's family. She came home tired and sick...threw up about an hour after she got home (Oops! let's move on).

Well, I finally plopped into my chair and watched one of the episodes of Easter Experience. If you get the TBN or JCTV channels, watch for this show. They have six episodes and I saw a new one last night. I hope they show them all eventually. So good. It began in this room...all the disciples are gathered, along with Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene. The two Marys and Peter spoke about how Jesus had affected their lives and how they didn't understand the why he had to die. It was so good. I highly recommend it.

God had brought me back to what the day was all about--Him, His Son. Thank you LORD. He is so good to us. He sent His One and only Son to take the penalty of sin in MY place. Thank You, Father; thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Holy Spirit for living within me.

Well, since I didn't take one picture while I was at church yesterday, I'm going to show pictures my husband and I took on Saturday as we travelled around Marietta, GA. So much fun. There is no music. I'm still learning how to do this.

Please forgive me...and pray for me...I know some hard lessons are ahead to help me with my weaknesses.



Marietta in April from Sheryl Dean on Vimeo.

Sheryl

HE'S ALIVE!

I cannot say it better than MckMama. Please check out her post.

From my heart...

Thank you LORD

A Voluntary Sacrifice

I have been studying Isaiah 53 for tomorrow's Bible study lesson.

I am forever amazed and what God and His Son did for me.

I love the way we are told that He grew up before Him lie a young plant. While Jesus was growing up on this earth, God was watching Him. I'm sure this is not amazing to you, but it is so neat to me.

I guess I never really thought about it. But, during those years in Nazareth; years we know nothing about, God was watching over Jesus.

As He became a man, people did not recognize Him as the Messiah. His appearance did not tip anyone off.

I can look back on what Jesus did and think how oblivious the people where as He walked through their lives. But, Scripture tells us that His appearance would not give away the fact that He is God's Son, the Messiah.

In Isaiah 53 we are told how He takes on our sicknesses. But, I don't think this is our physical illnesses. Now, don't get me wrong. God is still in the healing business. It's just that in these Scriptures (Isaiah 53) I believe He is talking about spiritual sickness, sin.

Jesus took ALL OUR SINS on Himself. Sometimes my sin is enough to wear you down. But He took the sins past, present, and future on Himself. No wonder He cried out asking why God had forsaken Him. God will not look at sin. And in those moments, Jesus was carrying all sin. WOW!

As we prepare for Easter. Let's think about all God did during this week.