Here Goes...

Well, I guess this week has been a wonderful indicator that a new routine and a new schedule is going to be a MUST in my life.  I got back from Disney World on Sunday night, Jordan started a Little Drill Team camp on Monday and I started working in my new classroom.

Wednesday & Thursday were required work days - meetings all day - for the teachers.  And here it is Friday.  I'm just now finding time to get to one of my favorite places... Living Above.

Please don't equate my absence from my blog as absence from the Lord.  I've still been reading my One Year Bible... but then jet setting off to parts of my new life.

I have to admit... honestly here - that I'm a bit nervous.  I've been in my classroom, I've been around my new co-workers, so I've had a very small taste of the new world I'm about to enter.  I'm both excited and nervous.

I feel like I have a HUGE "unknown" awaiting me.  My Math brain wants desperately to solve for this unknown - this "X" if you will.

So, on this Friday... I thought this song was very fitting.  Enjoy!

His Word Sunday

What a precious gift!!

We're on our way home from Disney World & we all had a wonderful time!!

As we got on the road to travel home we had church in the car. We sang the Chris Tomlin song, "How Great is Our God". Afterward we all shared a way that God showed His greatness to us this week.

Then I read these verses from my One Year Bible...

Psalm 24:1
 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
      The world and all its people belong to him.


 Proverbs 20:12

 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
      both are gifts from the Lord.

I just wanted to take this time & place to thank the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to take my kids to such a magical place!!

Then I want to thank everyone who helped to make this trip possible. When John moved to Heaven I wondered how we would pay bills & because of your love for God & John, not only are my bills being paid... But my kids enjoyed Disney World too.

This week is a beautiful picture of how the earth is the Lord's & all that we see, hear & experience are gifts from the Lord!!!

Thank you everyone!!

His Word Sunday

Overwhelming Victory

As I'm typing this we're on the second leg our our journey to Disney World. We should arrive there today around 3-4pm.

From my iPad I'm having difficulties uploading pictures... See facebook for trip pics!

We've already had church in the car! JP opened us up in prayer & then we sang a praise sing together & then my Sis led us un a devotional from the 10 Commandments! It was great!

See this picture!
http://gallery.me.com/ppfranklin#100008/Devotional

Friends & family... This is the picture of "overwhelming victory"!!

Check this out...

Romans 8:35-37(NLT)

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[c]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Despite all our recent heartaches... HE is still giving us victorious joy!

Enjoy your overwhelmingly victorious Sunday!!

I just might bend - but I won't break!

I think I'm as excited as the kids!!!  In about 24 hours we'll be getting in the car to go to Disney World!!  John & I always dreamed of some day taking the kids there.  I know he's smiling in Heaven knowing this dream is finally coming true!

For today's song I wanted something really fun & peppy - to go along with my excited mood.  I've been listening to this song as I've been driving to Kilgore every week to help me wake up - and boy has it worked.

I love it for many reasons... here are a few of the lines that I like,
"I just might bend but I won't break" - this is all because of God in my life!

"when life won't play along & right keeps going wrong, & I can't seem to find my way, I know where I am found, so I won't let it drag me down"

I know where I am found!  I am 100% found in the Lord's hands.  And today, He's letting me dance... all the way to Disney World!!

Today, the Franklin family is doing the happy dance!  So let's MOVE!

Enjoy this fun song!

An Important Role

Many of you know I read my One Year Bible as my daily prayer time.  For the Old Testament portion we are currently in 1 Chronicles.  If you know much about Chronicles you know that this should almost be retitled, "The Book of the Names" - oh my!!!  Chapter after chapter is filled with name after name!

It can get exhausting to read... and yet I really try to read these, at times unpronounceable, names - searching for a little nugget of truth that might be embedded within them.

Today I found that little nugget!  Check this out...

1 Chronicles 27:33 (ESV)

Ahithophel was the king's counselor, 

and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.

I know it doesn't seem like much now - but hang on... hear me out.

For what seems like the past 27 Chapters all we've been reading about was the role all these, "named men" had.  Everything from army officers, keepers of the treasuries, those over the sheeps, camels, and donkeys, those over the olive trees and wine processes.  And let us not forget those over each and every gate!

Then all of a sudden - amongst all these very important roles we find where scripture allows us to see who was King David's friend.  The role of "friend" got a mention in God's very Word - it was that important!

So this morning, here on my blog, I want to thank all of you for being my friend.  (Those local, those afar, and those whom I have never hugged or seen in person but are just as close as if I had)  If God can see fit to make sure Hushai got a mention in His Word for being David's friend - I can at the very least send out props to all of you for being my friend.

I would imagine that it was at times hard to be the king's friend.  Maybe that's why Hushai was mentioned.  Perhaps it was because his role of "friend" was more important than we realize.  I too recognize that it's not always easy being someone's friend.  And yet, it's still an important role.

Today, take seriously your role as "friend".  You may not ever get a "mention" like Hushai - but your job as "friend" is equally as important.

How can you do this today?  Start with prayer.  Do you regularly pray for your friends?  Then, do things to let them know you love & support them.  Send them a quick email, text, or when you see them - really look them in the eye, smile, hug... These are all priceless things!

I know because you've all done this for me - even when it was hard to do so!

I love the friends the Lord has given me!  You all are such blessings in my life!

His Word Sunday

How do you handle speculations?

I started a new Ladies Bible Study this past week.  I love it!  It's full of scriptures, (which I love by the way), and I came across an "oldie but a goodie" this week.

I saw something new in it this time around, (which I also love)....

Everyday thoughts & speculations fly through our mind.  Sometimes these thoughts are for good and sometimes they send us in a downward spiral.

One sad thought or worry or speculation leads to another and another and another and before you know it - we're blue, depressed, and almost to the point of being dysfunctional.

So what are we to do?

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Today, as you file into church - get ready for that Sunday afternoon nap - or however you fill this day, do something for me....

DESTROY those speculations and anything else you know goes against the knowledge of Christ!  You are a new creature in Him and He loves you very much!

TAKE CAPTIVE those thoughts and bind them up for this will allow you to be obedient to the Lord.

And let's together catch those downward spirals from begin so destructive.

Constant

Whew!  What a week I've had!  From last Friday to yesterday (Thursday) I "lived" in Lufkin, Fort Worth, Laneville, & Kilgore.... gracious!  And... I have to do it all over again next week.

Can something just be constant - for once?!  I have had SO many changes in my life lately I often wonder, "Is there anything that is constant in my life?"

I heard this song and fell in love with it!  Thank you Lord for reminding me of Your steadfast love!