In Your Loving Memory

May 24, 2013

photo credit: wildaquyenle.tumblr.com

In Monday’s post, Death is Not the End, I mentioned that a member of our church had gone on to be with the Lord. Today was the homegoing celebration for this dynamic woman of God, and I was once again reminded that there is nothing better than eternal life through Jesus Christ. She will be tremendously missed, but she has gained more than what any of us could ever give her here on earth.

You are so loved Sis. Margaret, and I know we’ll meet again one day!

I LOVE YOU ALL! GOD BLESS!!!

You Are Appreciated…Blog Awards!!

May 20, 2013

By lifeofaministermom

Who doesn’t love a pleasant surprise or two? Well in the last week I’ve been blessed with 2 blog award nominations from a couple of incredible women. I never take such nominations for granted, and their thoughtfulness is appreciated!

Before I get to that, I do want to extend a HUGE hug (and an apology too) to 2 other marvelous gals whose nominations I failed to follow up with. Although it was many moons ago, LOL, thank you to the dear, dear Juliana at simplyjuliana for bestowing me with the Super Sweet Blogging award, and I encourage you to check her page out!! Secondly, I want to acknowledge the dynamic Shandra of Shandra Harris With heart Wide Open, whose powerful posts and Blog of the Year nomination truly made the end of 2012 a special one for me!

Now on to today’s business.

I would definitely consider one of these lovely ladies a long-time blogging bud, and a constant example of motherly wisdom and love. The second is a new friend, whose inspiring posts and heartfelt comments make my spirit soar!

Darla, whose blog Through the Lens is always a ray of light, nominated me for the Sunshine Bloggers Award.

I’ve linked back to her blog (click on the purple highlight above), and here are 7 fun facts about me:

1. I eat and write with my left hand, but I throw with my right.

2. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was in college…during an internship in Alaska!

3. My husband and I celebrate two wedding anniversaries. (Check out the details here )

4. I did not know the gender of my baby until she was born.

5. Growing up, my favorite superhero was Gambit of the X-Men.

6. I attended Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL.

7. I don’t eat chocolate, raw tomatoes, or peas.

Please check out my bright and sunny nominees. Their constant encouragement and/or beautiful images inspire me!

1. Terra at Living Simply in Abundance

2. Diane at The One Thing I know For Sure

3. Shannon at Revelations in Writing

4. April at Always Bob’s Wife

5. Amy at The World is a Book

6. Linda, A Nature Mom

7. Bill at Unshakable Hope

8. Elissa at Reality of Christ

It’s Geraldine’s turn (The Valor Society-By Geraldine) and although we’ve only recently been acquainted she definitely feels like family! I love the connections I’ve made here via WordPress!!

A message from Shaun, the creator of this award:

This is an award for everyone who is part of the “Word Press Family” I started this award on the basis that the WordPress family has taken me in, and showed me love and a caring side only WordPress can. The way people take a second to be nice, to answer a question and not make things a competition amazes me here. I know I have been given many awards, but I wanted to leave my own legacy on here by creating my own award, as many have done before. This represents “Family” we never meet, but are there for us as family. It is my honour to start this award. Thank you, Shaun @ http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/

Rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate 10 others you see as having an impact on your WordPress experience and family.

4. Let your 10 Family members know you have awarded them.

5. That is it. Just please pick 10 people that have taken you as a friend, and spread the love.

I will add 3 more fantastic bloggers to the list I’ve shared above.

1. IT at This Man’s Journey

2. Kirsten at God’s Chick

3. Sis. Caddo at Grace Pieces

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND LET’S CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE LOVE!

BE BLESSED!!

Monday Motivation: Death Is Not the End

May 20, 2013

By lifeofaministermom

photo credit: favim.com

My daddy, John E. Boyce, passed away last night after a yr. long battle with cancer. Pls keep my family in your thoughts and prayers, but God provides the peace which surpasses all understanding. The peace that brings me joy knowing that my earthly father accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ and will now be with our Heavenly Father in eternity. Hug someone you love, and daddy, I’ll always be your princess…

What you just read is the post I shared on Facebook the night my father died, nearly 3 and a half years ago. As I reflect on those words, I know it was only by the grace and strength of God that I was able to make it through such a difficult time. Don’t get me wrong, my heart was broken and I cried like a baby when the morticians carried his lifeless body out of the house, but through it all I had God’s peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP)

⁶Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

⁷And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

His Word was the first thing I reached for after receiving the phone call, and it was His Word that opened my eyes to the glory found in knowing the bigger picture.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (AMP)

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 (AMP)

What joy!! Scripture clearly tells us that eternal life with our Lord is infinitely better than what we have here on earth. I know we all have wonderful people, things, and experiences that we cherish, but ultimately this life is a stepping stone to being in the presence of the Almighty Father!

Wait a minute, pump the brakes. Are you actually celebrating the fact that your daddy’s gone?

Why yes I am! Of course I miss him like crazy. Of course I get sad and mad when I think about all he’s missed. It infuriates me that I can’t pick up my phone and call him, nor will he be by my side to share in my daughter’s growth. I can’t text him a picture of her or tell him about her latest milestone, BUT, he is in a far better place! The truth is, for all the hurt associated with losing my dad, I know he has obtained much, much more!!

I share all of this with you today, because death, no matter who it is, is always a time of reflection. Our church recently experienced such a loss as a dear sister in the Lord was called home. Challenging as it may be for our flesh to comprehend, we must put on the mind of Christ and realize that our earthly loss is her heavenly gain!

For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. Philippians 1:21 (NLT)

She, (along with my daddy), are now in a place of healing, hope, peace, and love. They are in God’s presence, and truthfully, there’s no better place to be!

So be encouraged today as you experience sadness. Grieve as you must, but never forget the beauty of being with the King!

John 17:1-5 (NLT)

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. ²For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. ³And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. ⁴I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only way to experience the blessing of eternal life. If you don’t have a relationship with him, and would like to know more, please feel free to contact me at lifeofaministermom@gmail.com.

BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL AND HAPPY MONDAY!!

But We Still Have Each Other!!

May 17, 2013

By lifeofaministermom

Yesterday I had a thought. It was nothing brand new or earth shattering, but at the time I felt it was important enough to share. I knew this statement was just as much for me as it was for anyone else who read it, and I truly took those words to heart. Fast forward to this evening, and my husband came home to discover that our storage locker was broken into. It’s clear that the culprits just grabbed what was on top, which happened to be the bin containing keepsakes from our wedding. With my shoulders slumped I simply sighed at the news, while my husband confessed the Enemy’s defeat. We prayed for restoration, peace, and Holy Spirit conviction to come upon the guilty party, then my diligent and faithful hubby began walking around to scan the area. I returned inside to set my mind on praising the Lord.

Psalm 149:5-9 (NLT)

Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. ⁶Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— ⁷to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, ⁸to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, ⁹to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!

I’m not going to lie. This wasn’t easy at first. I slowly began with nodding my head as I sat still and listened to the lyrics of the various songs. I was angry, hurt, and unsettled about what happened, but the one thing I know for sure is that God is greater! Before too long my lips began to move, my arms were extended in the air, and I was on my feet. I was praising Him for who is, and giving him the glory that it was simply a box and nothing more. Material items are one thing, but family is everything. The devil may’ve hit a sore spot (anyone who knows me knows I’m extremely sentimental), but he won’t steal my joy!

Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

I know there is safety in His presence, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself when my daughter insisted we read her Bible before bedtime. Ahh the little things…

I’m so glad we still have each other!!

In Bible Study this week, we discussed the prevalence of all the negative stories we constantly hear about. In times like these, when people show you their worst, remember that there are still those who want to show you their best. Click on the links below for some good news!!

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

http://www.happynews.com/

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news (this is probably our preferred site)

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape

May 17, 2013

By lifeofaministermom

If you read my post, First Came Marriage, then you know that my husband and I just celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Yay! We decided to mark this special occasion with a weekend getaway (our first since our daughter’s been born) to Lake Tahoe. It’s a gorgeous place and we had the BEST time! It was definitely the escape we were looking for!!