Thursday, December 28, 2006

An Invitation to a Birthday Party

> You are cordially invited to
>
> A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
>
> Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
>
> Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
> but He's always around, so the date is flexible...
>
> Time: Whenever you're ready.
> (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the
> fun!)
>
> Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there.
> (You'll hear Him knock.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
> He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
> new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the
> last.
>
> Tickets: Admission is free. He's
> already paid for everyone...
> (He says you wouldn't have been
> able to afford it anyway...
> it cost Him everything He had. But
> you do need to accept the ticket!!
>
> Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
> far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"
> followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!
>
> Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those
> people who already has everything else.
> (He's very generous in return though.
> Just wait until you see what He has for you!)
>
> Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
> Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
> Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
> Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
> (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> R.S.V.P. Very Important!
> He must know ahead so He can
> reserve a spot for you at the table.
> Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
> reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."
>
> Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!
> Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
> see at the party, share this with someone today!
>
>

Friday, December 22, 2006

Merry Christmas


MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CATES FAMILY TO YOUR FAMILY!!

I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperous New Year. God bless you!


Thursday, December 21, 2006

My husband's blog

My husband has posted some wonderful videos on his MySpace. Go to www.myspace.com/jandscates and go to his blog to view. My personal favorites are "By His Wounds" and "That's My King".

I promise you that you will be blessed by them. And feel free to add him to your friends list and comment while you are there.

We all have an obligation to get God's Word out to the world. These videos are an excellent way to do that so feel free to add them to your profile as well!!

Again, his MySpace address is www.myspace.com/jandscates

I love you all!

God bless!

Love,
Stephanie

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Fw: Stephanie has sent you a blog on MySpace.com!

> This is a message from Stephanie:
>
>
>
> Stephanie thought you might enjoy checking out this blog on MySpace.com!
You don't have to join MySpace.com to view the blog. Just use the link
below.
>
> http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&friendID=17803245
>

And FYI if anyone is interested you can view my MySpace page at
http://www.myspace.com/stephanieangelcates . If you come to my page and
want to add me as a friend, please drop me a message letting me know that
you came there from my Blogger page so I will know that people are actually
reading this!! ;-)

Until next time.......be blessed!

Love,
Stephanie

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Our Yahoo Auctions

We have listed some really nice items on our Yahoo Auctions page. (We are starting to use Yahoo more than Ebay due to the outrageous fees that Ebay charges!!) Please visit our page to check out our items and be sure to forward this to your friends!! The more traffic we can drive to our auctions the better, so we would greatly appreciate your help!! Here's the link:

http://auctions.yahoo.com/show/auctions?userID=jandscates

Thanks so much. God bless!!

Love,
Stephanie and Bo

Fw: WALMART (we just went there last night)

Please read this....it happened right here in Burlington......

Stephanie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of our employees here at Labcorp. Her daughter went to Walmart
Saturday night, when she was going to her car, a lady fell at the back
of her car. She through her pocketbook and bags in the car and stepped
back to help her, she was just lying on the pavement. When she got to
her she looked up and saw two other girls running towards her, it
scared
her so she jumped back in her car. There was a man beside of her in
another car, she rolled down her window and ask if he would help. He
just yelled at them and said we are calling 911, all three took off
running, ( YES EVEN THE ONE WHO HAD FELL ) so please if you go to
Walmart and someone falls behind your car and seems to be hurt, just
tell them you will call 911 or run over them. Nothing seems to amaze
me
anymore, but at Christmas time they seem to fall out of the sky.


This was at Walmart on Garden Road.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Check out our Yahoo Auctions Page!!!

We have listed some really nice items on our Yahoo Auctions page.  (We are starting to use Yahoo more than Ebay due to the outrageous fees that Ebay charges!!)  Please visit our page to check out our items and be sure to forward this to your friends!!  The more traffic we can drive to our auctions the better, so we would greatly appreciate your help!!  Here's the link:
 
 
Thanks so much.  God bless!!
 
Love,
Stephanie and Bo

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Fw: SANTA'S PRAYER IS ANSWERED

> Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at
> Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a
> picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling.
>
> "Your friend?" Your sister?
>
> "Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he
> said
> sadly.
>
> Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw
> her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
>
> "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the
> child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
>
> Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face,
> asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.
>
> When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the
> child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
>
> "What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
>
> "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old
> woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to
> collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
>
> "The girl in the photograph .. my granddaughter .. well, you see ..
> she
> has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the
>
> holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa
> ... any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's
> asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
>
> Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave
> information
> with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could
> do.
> Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon.
>
> He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that
> hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the
> least I can do."
>
> When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening,
> he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was
> staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to
> Children's Hospital.
>
> "Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
>
> Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier
> that day. "C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.
>
> Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.
>
> They found out which room Sarah was in.
>
> A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.
>
> Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and
> saw
> little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her
> family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met
> earlier that day.
>
> A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently
> pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.
>
> And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a
> chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking
> quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family,
> and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and
> forcing
> a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho,
> ho, ho!"
>
> "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed
> to
> run to him, IV tubes in tact.
>
> Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender
> age
> of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and
> excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald
> patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he
> looked
> at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to
> force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon
> Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women
> in
> the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to
> the
> bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully,
> whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining
> eyes.
> Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the
> toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good
> girl
> that year. As their tim e together dwindled, Santa felt led in his
> spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for
>
> permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the
> entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands.
>
> Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in
> angels.
>
>
> "Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.
>
> "Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said. Laying
> one
> hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked
> that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease He
> asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he
> finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly,
> "Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright." The family
> joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of
> hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When
> the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held
> Sarah's
> frail, small hands in his own.
>
> "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that
> is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with
> your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at
> Mayfair
> Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to
> this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to.
>
> He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or
> toys -- but the gift of HOPE.
>
> "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.
>
> He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room
>
> Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed
> between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother
> slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank
> him.
>
>
> "My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This
> is
> the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
>
> One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for
> his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went
> by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.
>
> "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
>
> "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down
> at
> her.
>
> After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each
> child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.
>
>
> "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.
> Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little
> miracle
> and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely
> recognized
> her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much
> different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He
> looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines
> smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
>
> That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.
>
> He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing
> about
> -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed.
> Cancer-free. Alive and well.
>
> He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you,
> Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
>
> If you believe in miracles you will pass this on. I did!!
>
> LIFE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU ...
>
> HOW YOU LIVE IT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD, YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES.

Fw:

This was sent to the Church email. I wanted to share....

Love,
Stef

----- Original Message -----
From: James Cates
To: lighthouse
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 10:16 PM


I love all of my family at lighthousebaptistchrch my father god and my brother jesus has so much for us to do and one of the things is love ever body.I love you all so much and god bless you all love brother bo. __________________

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Fw: Psalm 55:22

> > > I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted
> to=
> > > share it with my family and dearest friends:
> > >
> > > I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in
> traffic=
> > > on Colorado Blvd.., and the car started to choke and splutter and
> die -=
> > > I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only
that
> =
> > > I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to
> w=
> > > ait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make
> t=
> > > he call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and
> i=
> > > t looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I
> got=
> > > out to see if she was okay.
> > >
> > > When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs
> than=
> > > that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard
> wi=
> > > th dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her
> up=
> > > , and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
> > >
> > > At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman,
> the=
> > > ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in
a
> =
> > > car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.
> > >
> > > I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept
> sa=
> > > ying "I don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other
> s=
> > > ide of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California
> and=
> > > that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you
> were=
> > > praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her
> I=
> > > was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."
> > >
> > > I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump
so
> =
> > > she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked
> t=
> > > o the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift
> cert=
> > > ificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the
> kid=
> > > s in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump
> eati=
> > > ng fries and talking a little.
> > >
> > > She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City .. Her
> boyfriend=
> > > left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She
> knew=
> > > she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation
> h=
> > > ad finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5
> y=
> > > ears. They lived in California and said she could come live with them
> an=
> > > d try to get on her feet there.
> > >
> > > So she packed up everything she owned in the car She told the kids
they
> =
> > > were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going
to
> =
> > > live there.
> > >
> > > I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her
for
> =
> > > safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So,
are
> =
> > > you like an angel or something?"
> > >
> > > This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year
> ange=
> > > ls are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."
> > >
> > > It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of
> cour=
> > > se, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got
> m=
> > > e home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but
> I=
> > > suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.
> > >
> > > Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the
> flutt=
> > > er of their wings...
> > >
> > > Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain
thee.
> =
> > > He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
> > >
> > > My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless,
> esp=
> > > ecially for the months in 2006 , and I picked you.
> > >
> > > Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and a copy back
> t=
> > > o me.
> > >
> > > This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we
receive.
> > > There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one
> an=
> > > other.
> > >
> > > Here is the prayer:
> > >
> > > "Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends,
> relativ=
> > > es and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new
> revelation=
> > > of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their
> spi=
> > > rit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
> m=
> > > ercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through
> Yo=
> > > ur grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen."
> > >
> > > I know I picked more than four and you can, too.
> > > When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could You
> pleas=
> > > e get that for me?"
> > >
> > > Being blessed is GOOD...being HIGHLY FAVORED is best! <?XML:NAMESPACE
> PR=
> > > EFIX =3D O /> =
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

prayer request

You all know I don't normally ask for prayer for myself.  But I am dealing with some things that I really need your help praying with me.  The Lord knows the situation, so that's all that matters.  But please lift me up to God, because I really need it right now.  And you all know I would do the same for you.  I love you all and thanks.  God bless each and every one of you reading this.
 
Stef

I need your help!!!!!!

As some of you know, I have a "Blogger" blog that I post to frequently.  It is linked to my website.  I also have a separate blog that I use to post people's personal testimonies.  I haven't had any to submit in a long time so here's where you come in....
 
Please take the time to write out your personal testimony (your life story, so to speak) and please include how you came to know the Lord and the difference it has made in your life. 
 
Email it to me at stef326@hotmail.com
 
I know this will take a few minutes for you, but if you ever want to do anything for God, now is the time.  You never know what a blessing you could be to other people. 
 
Your testimony can be as long or short as you like, but come on people, help me fill that blog up with testimonies of how God has worked in the lives of others.
 
I already have Debbie's on there, but I know there are others of you who have wonderful testimonies....
 
So come on guys, let's do something for the Lord.  He has done so much for us!!
 
By the way, I don't have to put your name on it if you like.  Just let me know that you prefer it to be listed "anonymously".
 
Thanks and God bless.

You are invited

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have alot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinnertable was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor! At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.

What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation foryou. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I love you!

Love,
Jesus

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Grocery Coupons

 
----- Original Message -----
From: Angela Lee
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 10:12 PM
 

 You may already know about this, but the website www.families.com,
has great Food Lion coupons.  There is a lot of free grocery coupons that are posted each week.  The links posted take you to Food Lions website where you can print the coupon sheets.  It is better to print the sheets that have 4 coupons per page because some of the individual coupons won't scan.  We have used at two different Food Lions and have had no problems.  Feel free to share with your friends and family.  I know we all can use help with groceries.
 
Love ya,
Angela
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: Prescription Drugs

I just wanted to share some information with all of you that I have found out.  My husband takes several different kinds of prescription medicines so I have been doing some research on ways to save money on the medicines.  Here's some great info I found:
 
Wal-Mart offers several different GENERIC medicines at only $4 each!!  One of my husbands, we had been paying over $30 for and now we are getting it for $4!!!!!
 
I have attached a pdf file showing all the meds that are covered at Wal-Mart.  If any of your medicines are on there you may want to think seriously about transferring them to Wal-Mart.
 
Also if you don't have any kind of prescription drug insurance coverage, you can go to http://www.freedrugcard.us and enroll with just your first and last name and email address (optional) and you can print out a drug savings card right then.  One of my medicines is not covered under the $4 Wal-Mart plan, but with this card I save about $13.
 
I just thought this info was too good not to share and I hope that it helps some of you.  You may want to pass this on to anyone you know that spends a lot of money on prescriptions or does not have insurance.  (Even if you have insurance, $4 is cheaper than the usual $10-$25 copay!!)  Every little bit helps!!
 
God bless you all.
 
Love,
Stephanie

What's Wrong With This Picture?!?!?!?!


I pulled this off of my friend, Crystal's blog on MySpace. She took pictures of the CHRISTMAS parade in Burlington today but look closely at the sign. Have we gone so far as to take anything having to do with CHRIST out of our lives???? It is not a "holiday" parade!! It is a CHRISTMAS parade. It just makes me sick how we are so concerned about being politically correct that we won't make a stand for our Savior who died for us!! And I have been reading how major stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and others are taking "Christmas" out of everything. They advertise "Holiday" trees, instead of Christmas trees, and they are supposed to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". But I'm sorry.......a "HOLIDAY" Parade?????? We should be ashamed!!! Christmas IS a holiday, but it is so much more! It is a time to recognize the birth of our God, come to earth in human form to take away the sins of the world. Now in honor of His birthday, we want to take His name, and any reference to Him out of all of our "festivities". Tell someone you are starting a petition to have all references of Santa Claus removed from Christmas and people would start a rebellion!! But we stand idly by and let them remove CHRIST from Christmas and never bat an eye.

Well "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord". So you know what that means? That means that we will have a CHRISTMAS tree, with CHRISTMAS ornaments, and CHRISTMAS decorations. We will give and receive CHRISTMAS presents and have CHRISTMAS dinner. We will send CHRISTMAS cards, and sing CHRISTMAS carols. And we will certainly not wish people a "happy holidays" but we will stand with pride and say "MERRY CHRISTMAS". We will ride to look at CHRISTMAS lights and we will read the story of CHRISTMAS from the Bible. And most of all we will give honor and recognition to the One who makes, not only Christmas day possible, but EVERY day possible: Jesus CHRIST.

Oh and by the way....it is only 36 more days until CHRISTMAS. The way things are going though, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Jesus came back before then. But that's ok, because the ones that are left behind won't give Him any credit then either!!

Picture


I wanted to share this with you all. It's a picture of my daddy with my 2 kids and my nephew. I thought it was gorgeous!!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Prescription Drugs

I just wanted to share some information with all of you that I have found out.  My husband takes several different kinds of prescription medicines so I have been doing some research on ways to save money on the medicines.  Here's some great info I found:
 
Wal-Mart offers several different GENERIC medicines at only $4 each!!  One of my husbands, we had been paying over $30 for and now we are getting it for $4!!!!!
 
Just go to http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy and click on the link for the $4 generic drug list.  If any of your medicines are on there you may want to think seriously about transferring them to Wal-Mart.
 
Also if you don't have any kind of prescription drug insurance coverage, you can go to http://www.freedrugcard.us and enroll with just your first and last name and email address (optional) and you can print out a drug savings card right then.  One of my medicines is not covered under the $4 Wal-Mart plan, but with this card I save about $13.
 
I just thought this info was too good not to share and I hope that it helps some of you.  You may want to pass this on to anyone you know that spends a lot of money on prescriptions or does not have insurance.  (Even if you have insurance, $4 is cheaper than the usual $10-$25 copay!!)  Every little bit helps!!
 
God bless you all.
 
Love,
Stephanie

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Judge Roy Moore


 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From:
Date: 11/9/2006 1:13:39 PM
To:
Subject: FW: Judge Roy Moore
 

 

 


 

Subject: Judge Roy Moore

 

 

 

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall.  Please read the poem he wrote. It's below his picture.
 


The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama. Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer.  He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama.  The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

 
America the Beautiful,
Or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.
 
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
Your house is on the sand.
 
Our children wander aimlessly
Poisoned by cocaine
Choosing to indulge their lusts,
When God has said abstain
 
From sea to shining sea,
Our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
And a need to always pray.
 
We've kept God in our temples,
How callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
And Heaven is His throne.
 
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
Who throw reason out the door,
 
Too soft to place a killer
In a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
Before he leaves the womb.
 
You think that God's not angry,
That our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
Before His judgment comes?
 
How are we to face our God,
From Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
But stem this evil tide?
 
If we who are His children,
Will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
And mend our evil way:
 
Then God will hear from Heaven;
And forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
And those who live within.
 
But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
Withdraw His hand from Thee.
 
       ~~Judge Roy Moore~~
 
This says it all.  May we all forward this message and offer our prayers for Judge Moore to be blessed and for America to wake up and realize what we need to do to keep OUR America the Beautiful. 
  
 

 


Pass this on and let's lift Judge Moore up in prayer.            
He has stood firm and needs our support.                  
                                                                         

IN GOD WE  TRUST
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Hope and Faith

 

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If this email devotional is not displaying correctly, you can read the online version by clicking here: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/encouragement/

  Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional       Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Welcome to the Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website. We honor your privacy and time. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter and you will be removed immediately.

 

November 14, 2006

 

Encouragement for Today

 

Principle 1

 

“A Heart of Hope”

Lysa TerKeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries      

 

Key Verse:

Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (NIV)

 

Devotion:

Do you believe that having something to look forward to—to hope for—isn’t “worldly thinking,” but biblical?  As a mom, it’s okay to dream big.  I think we often forget this as our lives become consumed with cleaning, carpools, cooking, and helping provide for our families.  But God designed us to have dreams, and to have them fulfilled.  And, as today’s Key Verse suggests, when our hopes are deferred our hearts can hurt deeply.

 

Think about your life right now. Are you waiting patiently for something you do not yet have? Perhaps it is the hope of having a child. Perhaps it is the hope of physical healing. Perhaps it is the hope of a restored marriage or financial freedom. These are things you can hope for with God’s help.

 

If you have read any of my books or heard me speak, you may already know that my husband and I named our first daughter Hope because of the hope we found in our struggling marriage. We claimed Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”  We believed there was something to look forward to in our life together, something we could not see but desired to have with all of our hearts.  We also knew that this hope was biblically based because marriage was meant to be a blessing and a source of glory to God.

 

Romans 8:24-25 says, “But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”  What other word has a definition similar to that of hope?  Is it faith perhaps?   Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the certainty that our hopes will eventually become our realities.

 

Hope and faith are deeply intertwined. They both require us to trust God for what we can’t see as well as placing complete confidence in His ability to come through on whatever it is that we need.  God knew that Art and I needed a healthy marriage, and as we claimed hope in this area, He began to prove Himself faithful.  Romans 8:28 affirms that we can trust God to “work all things for the good of those that love Him,” even when we can’t see the beautiful tapestry He is weaving from our lives.

 

Hope doesn’t demand a quick fix to our problems.  It provides a sense of joy (Romans 12:12) to sustain us through patient endurance of our circumstances.  God intends for us to hope first and foremost in where we will spend eternity. This can only be done by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you have not ever put your hope in Christ for salvation, eternal life and God’s Word, perhaps you are feeling led to do so now. Jesus longs to give you the hope your soul is crying out for. The hope of eternal life will never fail you. You can always cling to His Word. Through salvation, you will always have something to look forward to.

 

I will leave you with Paul’s words from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Take the gift of eternal life He offers today and hope is just around the corner!

 

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Heavenly Father, please restore my hope for the things I desire that are unfulfilled right now.  If it’s a crisis of faith that I am dealing with, increase my faith Lord!  You are my only hope and I cling to this promise found in Your Word.  Amen 

 

Application Steps:

Write down whatever your hope is.  What are you looking forward to in your life on this earth?  In life after death?  If you cannot think of anything to write, pray that God would give you a vision for something to hope for. 

 

Spend some time praising God for giving His Son Jesus Christ to be your first step in having hope for things to come.  Then thank Him for putting God-given desires within your heart.  If they haven’t yet found an outlet, keep hoping.

 

Reflection Points:

Read today’s power verses and answer the following questions:

 

  1. What do these verses say to you about hope?
  2. What part does trust play in hope?
  3. Based on these verses, what should our hope be rooted in?
  4. Have you ever put your hope in these things?

 

Power Verses:

 

1 Corinthians 15:19, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (NIV)

 

Titus 1:2, “Faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” (NIV)

 

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV)

 

Psalm 119:147, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.” (NIV)

 

Romans 5:5, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (NIV)

 

Additional Resources:

Do you know Him?

 

Good to Me by LaTonya Mason

 

Hannah’s Hope by Karen Kingsbury

 




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Very Interesting

Any of you who know me, know that I am very passionate about music. I love all kinds of music and all different artists. I have also been against music censorship (by the government) for a long time. One reason for that is because FORBIDDEN fruit appears much tastier. When a teenager sees a "parental advisory" label on a cd it makes him/her want it that much more. Of course, I am speaking in generalities here, but my main point is the same: Parents, we need to get involved in our children's lives. We need to know what they are listening to, and what we are allowing in our homes. I'm not saying go through your kid's cd case and throw out everything that isn't by a Christian artist. You have to be led by your own convictions on that. I, myself, as I said before listen to ALL kinds of music. Of course Christian music is predominantly played in our home, but we also listen to country, rock, rap, jazz, oldies, and more. However, the point that I am trying to make is this: WE NEED TO DO OUR RESEARCH - - - WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE LISTENING TO!! I have been doing some reading tonight and I found a couple of very interesting things that I did not know:

Did you know that, in his autobiography "The Doggfather", that Snoop Dogg actually says that he sold his soul to the devil to become a rich and famous rapper?

Did you know that Erykah Baduh spoke at a "Christian" conference where she proclaimed to thousands of people that we are all divine creatures and that God is inside each and every one of us, which makes us gods?

Those are just two examples of artists that I personally have listened to their music and didn't have a clue about the person behind the music.

The devil will try to creep in any way he can and loves to use our ignorance against us. What we don't know WILL hurt us. I encourage every one of you to start researching the artists you listen to. If they are against God in any way, then you shouldn't want their music played in your home! I know of two that I will no longer listen to, and I will start being more careful and better informed of the influences I allow myself and my family to listen to.

I am in no way trying to tell you what to do. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in everything, including what music you listen to. All I'm saying is, don't let satan deceive you. Know what influences you are allowing around you and your family. Then seek God and make your decisions based on what He speaks to your heart.

I just felt led to share this. I hope that someone is blessed by this. I love you all.

Love,

Stephanie


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Monday, November 13, 2006

Fw: Encouragement for Today

I thought this was worth sharing.  It is worth reading because it makes a lot of really good points.  We all need to take time to nurture all the relationships in our lives.  Our relationships are like gardens, if we don't tend to them, they just die.  So read this and then water the flowers in your life!!
 
Love,
Stephanie
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
If this email devotional is not displaying correctly, you can read the online version by clicking here: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/devotionals/encouragement/

  Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional       Monday, November 13, 2006

Welcome to the Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website. We honor your privacy and time. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter and you will be removed immediately.

 

November 13, 2006

 

Encouragement for Today

 

Principles 1,2,3,6

 

“Relationships”

Melissa Taylor, Speaker Team Member, Proverbs 31 Board of Directors

 

Key Verse:

Ecclesiastes 4:2, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (NLT)

 

Devotion:

Relationships are an important part of life. We begin a relationship with someone from the moment we are born and most of us will continue in relationships of some sort until the day we die. God encourages relationships. The Bible is full of them. It is obvious that from the beginning of time, people need people. Even God Himself said about Adam in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.” Jesus, too, did not do life alone. He had His family, friends, and disciples to love, help, and encourages Him throughout His life here on earth.

 

Today, I want to take a look at the different relationships in our lives. I also want to point out the importance of prioritizing them. Friends, if you want to lead a balanced life with purpose, it is crucial to order the relationships in your life God’s way.

 

Number One:  Your Relationship with God. This should be the most important relationship in your life. Don’t say that you don’t have time– you do. We make the time for what is important to us, don’t we? The way to get to know God better is to spend time in His Word. Try spending at least fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time with the Lord every day. More would be better, but do what you can to develop the habit. God’s Word will teach, equip, cheer, encourage, and guide you. 

 

Number Two:  Your Relationship with your husband….if you are married, of course. Just like it’s important to spend time with God, it’s also important to make time for your husband. I have found that this relationship is the one that takes the most effort for me. I love my husband dearly, but I also take him for granted the most. It’s easy for me to allow my children, friends, or just busyness to get in the way of time with my husband. Set aside time each morning and evening to communicate with your husband in some way. Hug and kiss often and say “I love you” whenever you get the chance. Let your actions show him and others that you respect and honor him. One thing that my husband and I have started doing again is dating. Just like before we were married, we go out on dates. It takes time, effort, and often money, but it’s worth the investment. If money is tight, create a date at home or go to the park or for a walk together. Whatever it takes, spend time alone together, and make it a weekly habit.

 

Number three:  Your relationship with your children….if you are a mom. When I became a mom, I did not know what I was in for. I had no idea the extent of sacrifice it would take to raise my children. It’s worth every bit of it too. I once read that kids spell love - T I M E. I believe that with all my heart. God’s Word tells us that children are a gift from Him. We are to treat them like that, a gift. Motherhood is a high calling….possibly the highest we will ever have in our lives. It requires time and special attention. They are only with us for a short time, so let’s make the most of it.

 

Number 4:   Your relationship with others. This includes everyone reading this. Our relationships with other people could include family, friends, business associates, mentors, neighbors and more. These are important, and in order to develop, grow, and nurture these relationships, time is needed. I happen to be blessed with many friends and cherished family members. Although I don’t have time to spend with them each day, I always want them to know how important they are in my life and how much I love them. That takes effort on my part, but what I receive back is priceless. If you find yourself lacking in this area, create special moments with these special people in your life. Make a phone call. Mail a card. Send an email. Invite to lunch. Have a party. Create a “girls’ night out” event. Pray for them. 

 

Ecclesiastes 4:2 tells us that alone we can be attacked and defeated. This says to me, that we need people in our lives. We weren’t meant to go this life alone. It is often someone close to me who reminds me that I’m special when I’m feeling defeated. When I am alone, I often listen to the wrong voice if I’m not careful. The people in my life offer me love, encouragement, and fulfillment that tell me otherwise. I often refer to them as Jesus with skin on. This verse goes on to say that “two can stand back to back and conquer”. Then there is my favorite part. It’s when God is a part of our relationships. “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

 

My Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, Bless the relationships in my life and help me to prioritize them according to Your perfect plan. Above all, I pray that we would grow closer each day. Help me to know you better so I can better give myself to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Application Steps:

Look at the relationships in your life. Take note as to how much time you are spending on each of them. 

 

Set a date with the people in your life who need your time. Schedule your time with God daily and write it on your daily planner if you have one. Plan a date with your husband and arrange for a sitter if needed. Sit down and listen to your children one on one. Let them know you are interested in them. Plan a fun girls’ night out next month. Maybe go to dinner or a movie or play tennis with a friend. Just remember to keep God’s perspective and balance when making your plans.

 

Reflection Points:

Do your relationships stress you out? Maybe it’s because they are out of order. Do a check to make sure you are filling up with God before scheduling anything or anyone else into your day.

 

Does your marriage feel stale, dull, or empty? Think about what attracted you to your husband in the first place. Pray first and then plan some uninterrupted time for you and your spouse. Treat your marriage like it’s the most important relationship to you on this earth. If it’s not, it needs to be.

 

Do your children get your leftovers? Let them know just how important they are to you and that you are thrilled to be their mom by spending some time with them.

 

Are you lonely? Pray for relationships in your life, but go to God first. Ask Him to fill you with His Word and to nurture and grow the relationships in your life.

 

Power Verses:

Psalm 46:10, "Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (NLT)

Matthew 19:4-6, "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (NIV)

Psalm 127:3, “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” (NLT)

1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (NLT)

Additional Resources:

Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes

Capture His Heart  by Lysa TerKeurst

Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes




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