Mother's Day Thoughts

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

What joy the birth of my sons has brought to me! As I held each one of them in my arms and kissed them for the very first time, it was truly LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! Lots of fond memories fill my heart today as I am remembering MY first Mother's Day!

Many times I have felt like my job as stay-at-home "MOM" has been of small significance and not very glorious! I have sulked in the fact that women "out there" in the world get so much more praise from society in their professions. Many women have lots of degrees and education, they make more money, they appear more "blessed" from a worldly standpoint.

Then I am reminded of the timeless worth of the job of "MOTHER". For, what degree of education can replace a hug and a kiss, what amount of money can buy Love, what value can be placed on the care of and attention to all the details of raising a family. No job can ever replace the joys of being there for a baby's first step, first words, teaching your little one to read, watching and caring over your children as they grow into youth and then into adults. Truly, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world", in that being a Mother isn't just about having children. It's about molding and shaping the next generation. And more importantly, it's about teaching and training the next generation to be godly genuine Christians!

I am so thankful to God for this amazing privilege!

I am certainly not a "perfect" mom, and my young men are not "perfect" children (although I think their pretty fine!), but I am so happy that God chose to put us all together and call us a family!

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me and giving the the chance to be called "MOM"!

Psalm 5:11

Psalm 5: 11 (NKJV)

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.

Hymns vs Praise Chorus

The following is TJ's input to the Greer Family blog:

Do you know what the difference is between a hymn and a praise chorus?

Here's a little example for you; (It's a really old example, sorry if you've seen it before!)

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," said the farmer, "it was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."

"Praise choruses?" said his wife. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like hymns, only different," said the farmer.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked his wife.

The farmer said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you "Martha, the cows are in the corn"' - well, that would be a hymn. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:

Martha, Martha, Martha,
Oh Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,
the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows
the white cows,
the black and white cows,
the COWS, COWS, COWS
are in the corn,
are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn,
the CORN, CORN, CORN.

Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus."

The next weekend, his nephew, a young, new Christian from the city came to visit and attended the local church of the small town. He went home and his mother asked him how it was.

"Well," said the young man, "it was good. They did something different however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs."

"Hymns?" asked his mother. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked his mother.

The young man said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you 'Martha, the cows are in the corn' - well, that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense
Hearkenest they in God's sun or His rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to the bright shining day by and by
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn
Where no vicious animals make my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.'

Then if I were to do only verses one, three and four and do a key change on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.

Softball Barbies!

While playing at the park the other day, I saw this team of young girls playing softball. What struck me as funny was their unusual uniforms- black and HOT PINK polka dotted knees highs!! And while the girls were cute, it seems sad that sports have now come down to a fashion statement. The looked like little barbies, with helmet, glove and bat accessories!
(My guess is that you'd never see a boys team dressed like that! )

Mikki turns 14!

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, MIKKI!! (May 2)

A day at the local park provided me an opportunity to get a new picture of Mikki for his birthday post. With kite, frisbees, and a cheerful fetching companion. our dog Lizzy, we had a great time!

We Love You, Mikki!