Finger of God

A blind woman was healed...
Manna fell from heaven...
Gold dust sprinkled about...
Gems falling from heaven...
A women's heart healed by 8 year olds...
A dead man brought to life......................................

These are just a few testimonies from a movie my small group watched last night. The DVD is entitled "Finger of God." Several people had been a buzz about this movie at my church for some time now and my pastors wife lent it to me to watch. I was so thrilled to finally get to sit down and watch it. I was over come by the "challenge" that the above is/should be the Christian norm. Hey that is what I want my walk with Jesus to be like:) I want to see and be part of miracles, signs and wonders. I know things like this are a tough pill to swallow for some but trust me if you experience healing you wouldn't doubt it anymore and I assume the same of the other wonders. I don't think God wants us to sit idly by and play church or "do religion" I think he wants us to do the things he has empowered us to do through the Holy Spirit. He says we will do the things he has done and even greater things. This quote from the beginning of the movie keeps ringing in my head "Religion is what you are left with when the Spirit leaves the room." WOW I don't ever want the Spirit to leave the room....or my life for that matter. So what do you think ready to start listening to God and see what he is challenging and calling you to do?? I think this is becoming my norm and the norm in my church. I like when I expect God to show up and he shows out! My walk is forever transformed!

HALLWAY

Last April our small town was hit by a tornado. Bringing a new fear to my family of all storms. Yesterday school was let out early due to impending bad weather and possible tornado's. As soon as I got my children home we had a warning for our area and into the hallway we went. I took the radio and flashlights. Cooper was so scared he said to me "Cooker (as he calls himself) scared need bebe." Bebe is his most prized possession a now ratty blue blanket he has had since birth. I should have known better to take cover without it...So I went quickly to find it. It seemed like we spent hours in that hallway doing homework, playing games,reading books and listening to weather reports. Cooper however was bored so he used my flashlight as entertainment. Needless to say we need batteries before the next storm. After the lose of things my children heard about and saw after Aprils twister they decided they needed to take their most loved dolls, books, toy cars and play phones in to the hall with us. I didn't think I would ever get all the JUNK out of the hallway when our town got the all clear. Luckily our town was spared this time but a small town north of here was not so lucky I pray for a quick return to normal for all those affected. I love rainy nights and we so needed that rain...I on the other hand HATE storms and tornado weather. I am glad we are at the end of tornado season that is until it returns in the spring!

Taco Soup

Someone asked me for this recipe so I am sharing it on here! I am thinking about making my own recipe blog what do you think???


Taco Soup
1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
1 sm onion
1 can kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
1 can rotel
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can whole kernel corn
1 package taco seasoning
1 package hidden valley ranch dressing POWDER
sliced black olives optional

Brown meat and onion until done. Drain and add to crock-pot. Drain and rinse corn. Drain Rotel. Combine all ingredients with meat in crock-pot along with powder seasonings. Let cook around 4 hours on high or all day on low. Then enjoy over tortia chips with sour cream and olives on top. It is really yummy and a crowd pleaser:)

Love Compassion and Forgiveness

Just yesterday I had a nice phone conversation with a dear friend. We were talking about a TON of things but we had a nice long talk about loving like Christ did. Wow and I had this thought...If we all loved, showed compassion and forgave like Christ did we could change the world. There are so many un-churched people out there searching for a peace in their soul. But for whatever reason have turned away from the church and God. I think sometimes Christ followers who don't show the above give the rest of us a bad wrap. I don't know about you but I would rather love someone, show them I care and forgive when needed and therefore show them the face of Jesus instead of looking down my nose at them driving them away. I know it is not always easy to love someone...trust me I have been really tried on this one before but it is the greatest command of all right?!? I am always telling my kids to love like Christ did and then I gripe about someone 5 minutes later. It is not my place to judge anyone but to love them so they can see Jesus through me. That is my goal for myself and my family that people might be able to see Jesus through us and our actions. I know I won't be perfect at it and I know I will fall way short alot of the time. But I can try...I will try! I wouldn't be the person I am today without someone showing me love, compassion and forgiveness like that of Christ and I wouldn't know that He loves me so if someone had not shown me that love!

Menu Making Monday

Well this is a day late but...I am going to start sharing my weekly diner menus with you. I have tons of friends asking me what I am cooking all the time and how I stay on a tight grocery budget. Hey and if I am telling the world what I am cooking them maybe there wont be as many repeats thus making my hubby VERY happy. I hope you all will share yours sometime so we can be inspired. So from now on Menu Making Monday will be my Monday morning post:) I actually make my menu on Friday in preparation of my grocery store trip but Menu Making Monday will be when I share my "revised" version with you.

Sunday-Lunch: Taco Soup
Diner: Chili Dogs (Hubby cooking so that is his choice)
Monday-Diner: Taco Salad (that is a taco double wamy)
Tuesday- Diner: Beef Stir-Fry with rice and green beans
Wednesday- No cooking this week we will eat at church
Thursday- Diner: Crock-pot Chili with cornbread
Friday- OUT TO EAT My family goes out to eat all 5 of us every Friday night honestly we are better but sometimes this is the only day of the week all 5 of us get to enjoy a meal together and I love the break from having to cook!

So whatcha ya cookin???

The Cost Is...EVERYTHING?!?

Yesterday was Sunday and we had a wonderful church service and some great friends over for lunch. Our pastor preached on Stewardship and about doing you part. He said something rather profound at least it was to me..."The impossible is possible and the price is EVERYTHING!" Sometimes as a Christan this choice of "lifestyle" cost you all you have friends, money, power etc. It is important to realize the sacrifice that was made for you and that the same ONE who died on a cross for you wants to love you and bless you! I want to see the impossible become possible or dare I say the norm?!? I am willing to pay the cost even if it is EVERYTHING. I would like to leave you with the verses he shared yesterday with us. To the ones at the McClendon household they were powerful and made a huge impact!

Luke 19:23-27
Then he said to them all "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

And just in case any of you wondered I am out of my "funk". I had to face a couple things head on and realize I serve an AWESOME God and he will work His will in my life when He is ready and on His timing. I will serve him no mater the outcome as I am the daughter of a KING!

Duece is a S.T.A.R

About a month ago Duece won an award at school and since I like to do a little "scrap booking" on my blog I wanted to share it.

I for the life of me can not remember what the S.T.A.R stood for. But to sum it all up it is for a child of good character. I couldn't be more proud of my sweet, kind, helpful, HUGE hearted little boy. I think they give this award out every month...I think his sweet little friend Emma is up for one next she sure deserves it:)

The Value Of A Praying Husband

As I shared yesterday I have been going through a rough time as of late. But after a long conversation with my hubby I realized I have something very good to be thankful for. I have a praying husband. As the one who prayed for many years for him I know how hard it is when you pray for your spouse and there is no answer or "change." Michael shared this morning his "trouble" about his prayers for me not being answered. I reminded him of the long nights I had spent praying for him and it took several years to see the fruit. After my reminder he said he would continue to pray for me like never before. I am so thankful to have a praying husband.

When I was pregnant with Cooper and undergoing complications he prayed. He prayed when Cooper was indeed induced early. He prayed ALOT when that same child was thought to have had a "possible early fusion of the sutures in his scull"...Our sons head was flat and changed shape in mear days. He has prayed over our home, finances, and for Gods blessing upon us. He now prays for a new job for himself, a refreshing of myself and soul, he prays for our children, our family and friends, and he prays for our recent struggle to have another child.

My husband prays for this family every time he is with the Lord. I have realized now the true value of a praying husband and thank God for that part of him everyday.

Knowing Gods hand is in your situation

As of late I have fallen into a terrible funk a little mild depression. Michael and I have been going through 2 profound (for us anyway) struggles the past couple of months. (I wish I could share exactly what they are but this is not the time for that.) I have found my days of being a cheerful God serving, family serving stay at home mom replaced by doubt, fear, worry, and a spirit of total laziness. I am hard pressed to get showered and dressed most days and haven't been able to keep a handle on my housework in quite some time. I have let total madness become to atmosphere in my home in the evening with little ability to control it. I am working so hard to climb out of the hole.

A couple weeks ago my very thirsty spirit was given I nice BIG Holy Spirit drink at our revival and while I received clarity and confirmation on Gods promises in my life I find myself still struggling in depression. I am pretty sure this is Satan's way of trying to stomp out all God is trying to do for me. My Gods bigger than any funk or depression that I might be in and I am always comforted by the Bible verse that says "He knows the plans He has for you, plans for good and to prosper!"

I know God has a plan and his hands are all in our situation. I am sure when it is all said and done I will have seen His face and felt His hand.

The most wonderful time of the year...

Oh how I love this time of year! It makes my heart smile when the leaves change, weather is cooler and everyone is cozy inside. I have almost always loved fall it is by far my favorite time of the year. And now in North Alabama I know it is here by the blue jeans and light jackets every member of my family donned today for the first time in MONTHS. It was great.

One of my favorite parts of this time of year is this means I get to start making soup again. And most of the time the first solid week it is cool I make soup almost every night. Soup just warms your soul if you know what I mean. Then Duece reminded me of one more fall favorite HOT CHOCOLATE. Now that is what I am talking about with a dollop of whipped creme.

Just for fun here are a list of my favorite things about fall in no particular order!

Leaves Changing

Leaves Falling

Colorful mums adorning my porch

Pumpkins left uncarved to usher in even Thanksgiving

Jeans oh how I love thee

Soup chili, potato, tortia this list could go on and on

Light jackets

Sweet baby sweaters

Hot chocolate

Pumpkin patch trips

Riding through the State Park

Apple Cider

Pumpkin Pie

No more 100 degree days :)

The only thing I miss as fall arrives is .... flip-flops And I hate changing all the season clothes around. Happy Fall Y'all!