The First Noel

Last night my Sunday School class went out into my neighborhood.

We prayed for the the people that live in my community.

We sang Christmas carols. The First Noel. Away in the Manger. Silent Night, Holy Night. We Wish You A Merry Christmas!!!

Each class member walked in the cold of the night with a prayer in their heart and a song on their lips.

Of course I knew some of my neighbors would be surprised, some would be delighted and some would not understand why we were singing or why we prayed. For those who do not understand why we sing or why we pray; it is because we have hope, peace and an everlasting life with our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

God is so amazing! HE keeps filling my soul with joy!!! Jesus is my hope, my joy and my purpose for living here on this earth.

HE came as a little baby. Born in a manger. HIS mother from man. HIS FATHER GOD!!! From the very beginning HE has existed. HE came down to this world that HE created for us and time began. HE knew we needed HIM.

HE designed us to be HIS children. To worship, to praise and do HIS WILL!!! The will that HE designed for each of HIS children.

My mind can not understand how a virgin can give birth to a child. My heart completely understands.

GOD is our FATHER!!! HE sent HIS SON, JESUS to come into this world for us. If we could only accept HIM by faith. HIS virgin birth. HIS death on the cross for our sins. HE was born and HE knew HE would die to save a world full of sinners.

Do you know HIM? Not as just a man that died on the cross, but as the only GOD-MAN that has ever touched this earth. The only GOD-MAN that could take the penalty for your sins and for mine.

HE is the TRUE source of happiness. HE is the alpha and the omega!!!! Why would you want to continue a life without HIM?

Take my word for it . . . you are not truly living . . . without HIM!!!.

May the LORD open your heart to HIM. To happiness. To peace. To life. Merry Christmas. Bren

I KNOW JESUS IS WITH ME!!! (birthday give-a-way)

GOD is so GOOD! HE is continuing to bless me with happiness!!! I can feel the presence of the Lord with each breath I take. I can see the beauty in all of God's creations. GOD has opened my eyes and ears to see others that need HIM; to hear other's pleas for help.

I know GOD hears these prayers. HE knows HIS children are hurting.

If we could surrender our hearts and our minds to the Lord . . . seeking HIS WILL . . . HE will indeed mend our hearts and our minds with happiness, peace and the plan HE has designed for our lives.

I have been praying that God would show me HIS exact purpose for me. I understand that HIS purpose is do HIS WILL!!! I understand that when I opened my heart for HIS WILL; I truly desire nothing else but HIS WILL! My prayers are for HIS purpose, HIS kingdom, HIS WILL for my life here on this earth. To serve God for HIS glory and seeking HIS WILL is my purpose!

Thank you Lord! I praise your HOLY NAME!

GOD gives and gives. I would like to share my Saviour, Jesus Christ; for without HIM I would not have a life here on this earth or a life in Heaven when my body will no longer exist. If you do not know Jesus, please take this opportunity and read on the sidebar, "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" .

It's not December; however I just could not wait another minute to share my special gifts with you. Below is a Spa Eye Bag. Just pop it in the freezer (in a zip lock bag) for at least 30 minutes and then take it out and place it on your eyes to reduce eye puffiness. I also like this little bag to go on my forehead when I have a headache. Works like magic!!

The two little hearts below are so sweet! You can hang them on a wall or add them to decorate any craft you create. The picture is a little blurry. One heart says "May this house be filled with love and laughter" and the other one says, "Home is where you hang your heart". I am not sure if this little bottle is hand-made or factory made. What I do know is, it is one of the smallest bottles I have ever seen. The stopper can be removed to add scented oil or perfume. I also understand that the man selling these at the Christmas Show was from India. I also bought some scented oil too; but removed the oil so I can send this little bottle out in the mail.

These small gifts I have included in my Give-A-Way! Now if you live in the United States and would like to enter into this Give-A-Way, just leave me a comment about "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" on the sidebar. Also let me know if you know Jesus as your personal Saviour. Please leave a e-mail address or a blog address for me to contact you. My son, Caleb will choose one name out of a jar.

God bless you all. Bren

Thank you, Lord

Dear Lord,

Thank you for opening so many doors in my life here on this earth.

Help me God to do YOUR WILL.

Lead me Lord.

Direct my steps.

Use my hands Lord to uplift others to YOU.

Thank you Lord for your many blessings.

Thank you Lord for saving me from eternal hell.

Thank you Lord for my family.

Thank you Lord for my health.

Thank you Lord for my friends.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to worship YOU with boldness.

I honor YOU LORD.

I praise YOU LORD.

YOU are my everlasting Father.

You are the Prince of Peace.

I lift up my voice and sing praises to my HEAVENLY FATHER.

I love you Lord.

Your grateful daughter, Bren

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD!

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Psalms 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The above verses are from my King James Bible.

Did you notice that the last five verses above repeated the bottom sentence?

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

How often do we forget to thank the Lord?

HE IS GOOD!

HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER!

My daughter and I attended the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte NC.

As my daughter and I admired all the beautiful crafts, decorations and beautiful things at the show, my heart was full of God's amazing GOODNESS! HIS GRACE!

My heart was compelled to lift up praises to my HEAVENLY FATHER!

To sincerely thank HIM.

To offer up to HIM my complete self; with total gratefulness.

To give thanks to a HOLY GOD!

To give thanks to the ONE TRUE GOD!

To thank HIM for my salvation!

To thank HIM for the many blessings HE has poured out on me.

To thank HIM for my beautiful daughter, Maleah.

My daughter and I enjoyed our day together. It was a true blessing of the Lord.

Just a reminder; Children are a blessing from the Lord.

My daughter and I observed many interesting events and objects.

One that caught our attention was this potter from NC.

This potter worked carefully as he formed each piece of clay

into a wonderous work of art!

This potter made me think of my POTTER that formed me and you.

For HE is the POTTER

and I am the clay.

There are many things that my daughter and I saw that made us think

of our Heavenly Father.

This little light of mine . . . I am going to let it shine.

The bottles are beautiful and easy to make for your home.

Christmas lights are placed inside the bottles.

Little pumpkins and autumn leafs were taped to side of the bottles.

So simple but yet so beautiful.

Just like God's Salvation.

There were so many lovely things to see.

My daughter and I continued on our way.

We stopped and took several pictures.

Here are some of our favorites.

Plant holders made from tristed branches by a very talented fellow.

Our favorite decorated room!

Oh what a blessing to share my day with my daughter and share my joy

with all of you.

God bless you all.

Look for more pictures to come.

My daughter and I took many pictures of beautiful Christmas decorations and crafts at the show. I will sharing those with you soon.

Bren

The bridge (or should it be called tunnel) goes under water to allow movement of ships . In order for ships to pass, this bridge is half under the water. You drive down in the water and then come out on the other side. Truly a marvelous piece of engineering! This bridge is between Sweden and Denmark. The picture was taken from the Sweden side.

One of my friends sent this amazing photo to me.

I keep thinking about

the phrases below.

"Keeping your head above water"

"Sink or swim"

"Bridge over troubled water"

I guess I am beginning to have happy thoughts again.

OK!

I know my sense of humor is not the greatest.

If you could see the smile on my face; you would laugh too.

Thanks to all my friends that make me laugh.

You truly are a blessing from the Lord.

Bren

Four Easy Steps to a New Life

1. God Loves You!

The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"

The problem is that . . .

2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.

The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”

The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,

3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."

God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.

4. If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."

Did you pray this prayer?

Happy Fall!

My mother loved Fall. She loved the bright colors of the leafs and the flowers. The lily above was one of her favorites.

I love Fall too.

The picture of my mother and me was taken on her eighty-fourth birthday in

July of this year.

I know the colors that Mom is enjoying now are too incredible to describe.

My heart still aches, but I know Mom is happy now.

God is so wonderful.

HE is healing my broken heart.

HE is allowing me to enjoy the beauty of HIS creations.

Thank you Jesus for restoring my soul.

Forever Grateful.

Bren

Brotherly Love

I John 4 11 - 15

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

The above verses are from my King James Bible.

As most of you know my mother went home to be with the Lord on October 8, 2009. Since my mother has left this earth I have been able to receive and observe God's love from many that confess to know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. I have also come to realize that many that speak of God's love do not demonstrate the words from their lips.

I John 4 : 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

I John 4 : 17 Herein in our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as He is , so are we in the world.

I John 4 : 18 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

I John 4 : 19 We love HIM, because HE first loved us.

I John 4 : 20 If a man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I John 4 : 21 And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God loveth love his brother also.

My mother's death has taught me many things. Love is a constant presence of God's children. Deceit, jealousy and bitterness are tools that are crafted by the evil one. The judgement of other's is in God's hands. To truly love others is not an act; it is a commandment from God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

My prayer is to love as YOU love. To love without a second thought. To be loved as your child. As your child, to love as YOU have imprinted on my heart. To love because YOU are my FATHER. It is my desire to love. My heart can not escape the love YOU have placed there. I am thankful YOU are a constant presence in my heart, my soul and my life. Thank you FATHER for pulling me through. Forever your daughter, Bren

Thank You All for your Prayers

Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and cards.

God is comforting me.

I miss my mother.

The hope in my heart is I know I will see her again.

Letting go and going on.

Going on with this life that God has created for me on this earth.

Happiness.

Joy.

Sorrow.

Time continues.

My Savior, Jesus Christ is standing with me.

The peace that passes all understanding is stamped on my heart.

Bren

My Mother is with Jesus in Heaven

Today at 11:00 a.m. my mother went home to be with the Lord. I know she is happy in Heaven. I know my mother is walking hand in hand with Jesus.

She has suffered so long on this earth.

I will miss my mother; there are no words to describe how my heart aches.

My joy is to know she will not hurt or cry anymore.

My joy is to know she is with the Holy Savior, Jesus Christ.

She will get to see my grandparents, my daddy, my brother Glenn and my sister Judy.

As I watched my mother pass from this life to her eternal life with Christ, I saw peace on her face. I sang softy in her ears. I said, Mommie keep your eyes on Jesus.

As I looked at my mother's beautiful peaceful, sleepy face I was reminded of how much she looked like my sleepy doll when I was a little girl.

Miss Sleepy was my favorite doll.

I talked to my mother on Monday. We talked about my little doll, Miss Sleepy.

Mother laughed softly when I repeated the phases of Miss Sleepy.

"Mommie kiss me good-night."

"I want another drink of water."

"I go nite-nite now."

I fed my mother vanilla ice-cream.

My mother said, " I have lived a long time."

I said, Yes you have Mom.

I told Mom that I was fine here.

I asked my mother to keep her eyes on Jesus.

She said, she would.

I sang softly in her ears, "Oh how I love Jesus."

I prayed with her.

I told her I loved her.

I told her it was OK to go.

On Tuesday she seemed well.

On Wednesday her breathing became labored.

The family was called in.

My husband and I stayed late into Wednesday night.

My brother and sister stayed with Mom.

I kissed my mother good-bye and told her I would see her soon.

When I get to Heaven I will be able to kiss my mother again.

We will talk about Miss sleepy.

We will walk with our Holy Savior on streets of Gold.

I love you Mom.

I will see you soon.

Your baby girl,

Bren

Mama Wants to Go Home

How do you tell your mother that she will never return to her home?

How do you go on each day knowing that your mother could die

at any given moment?

Why do I feel so helpless?

The only answer to all my questions was answered by a soft and almost hushed sound that radiated in my heart.

Mother is longing for her home.

Her pain has been numbed by all the medicine; but her heart is searching to be comforted by the only ONE that can take her home.

Most of the time my mother stares with many small blinks in between. Her eyes opening and closing and searching for what seems lost to her on this earth.

Images become fuzzy and colors collide together like a stained glass window.

Mother sees and hears things that others do not.

When I sing to her, she mumbles ever so softly, "oh how I love Jesus, oh how I love Jesus".

I say to my mother, trust Jesus, Mommie.

HE is watching over you.

As a child I struggled.

God has allowed me to forgive.

God has allowed me to love.

God has given me strength to continue; for what HE has called me to do.

To forgive, to love and take each day as a blessing.

Just like my mother, often my eyes become cloudy.

My Savior, Jesus Christ sends the tears; just like rain to wash all the clouds away.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for my mother. Give her peace Lord.

Bren

What is The Love Dare?

"The Love Dare" is a journey of 40 days of dares that consist of unconditional love that will make your marriage stronger than ever before. If you have seen the movie, "Fireproof" you will be somewhat familiar with "The Love Dare". Before beginning "The Love Dare", I highly recommend that you view the movie "Fireproof" with your spouse before "The Love Dare" Peacekeeper’s Wives Lunch On October 3, 2009. For those who will not be able attend in person I would recommend that you buy the book, "The Love Dare" and take the journey of your life. I dare you to choose unconditional love for your marriage. Now with all that being said; I am wondering if there are any wives out there that would be willing to share your experience with "The Love Dare". If so would you be willing to share with "Seeking Grace" readers? Question 1: Have you taken "The Love Dare"? Question 2: Can you tell us about the dares that you thought were special? At least 2 dares. Question 3: How long have you been married? Questions 4: Would you recommend "The Love Dare" and why? Question 5: What does unconditional love mean to you? Remember your responses may be left under comments. Also remember comments that are negative to "The Love Dare" journey will be deleted. For those that live in the United States and answer the above questions; you will be given an opportunity to win a copy of the movie "Fireproof". Winners will be chosen at random; all questions must be answered. Please leave an e-mail address if you would like a chance to win the movie, "Fireproof". Thanks and God bless you all. For Peacekeepers Wives; I hope to see you on Oct 3.

Bren

In the Arms of Jesus "Baby Isaac"

PSALMS 116: 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of HIS saints.

Isaac Samuel went home to be with Jesus this morning at 2:00 a.m. We will miss you Sweet Baby. I know Jesus is holding you close. Heaven has a new angel. You have touched so many lives here on this earth. We love you.

Please continue to pray for Isaac's family and his church family.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jesus spoke these words to HIS disciples before HE left this earth.

In God's Hands,

Bren

I love you, Mommie

Yesterday I visited my mother at the nursing home facility. When I walked into her room she informed me that she needed to go "pick up her mother". My mother's mother, my grandmother passed away when I was just a little girl. I could not understand my mother's speech and I did not understand what was happening to her. She continued to tell me she needed to go home and get the house ready. I tried in vain to make her realized where she was and who I was. I finally ran out into the hall and asked what was happening to Mom. The nurse told me that Mom's pain is unbearable for her now and they have to keep giving her very strong medicine to ease her.

As I looked at my Mom I realized my Mother is dying. I broke down into my husband's arms. My sobs were uncontrollable and we stood in front of my Mother's room holding each other. My husband looked at me and said, "It is going to be alright". I am so thankful that my husband Joey was with me. God knew I would need him to be there.

As we entered Mom's room again Ms. Clota sat crying. Although no words were exchanged everyone understood what was happening. The nurse came back in and asked Mother if she knew who I was. My mother looked confused and said, "They like you and you are not going to hurt me." I said to my mother as I placed my hand on her chest, It's me Mom, it's me, Brenda. For awhile she was still confused. She said that my Aunt Leila was there and I asked her what Aunt Leila was telling her. She mumbled something . . . that I could not understand. My Aunt Leila died last Spring.

Finally the nurse came in a third time. The sweet little nurse expecting her first child explained that Mom's medicines had to be changed and that the Hospice nurse would be evaluating Mom again this week. We are praying that if it is Mom's time to go be with Jesus that she will be able to spend her final days at the Hospice House so her family can be there with her when she goes.

Mother finally realized who I was as I sat beside her bed. I told her I loved her so much. She said she loved me too. I said I know you do, Mom.

The pain hit her hard and the nurse brought more medicine in.

Joey decided to take me out for a break and to try to eat. As I walked out into the parking lot the sun was so bright. My heart was breaking and felt as if I was a walking piece of clay.

When we returned to the nursing home facility Mother was resting. She asked me if I saw the puppies. I said yes to my Mother. "They are cute" she said. I said, yes they are Mom.

My husband and I tried hard to push back the tears but they came anyway. My mother said to me, " Your hair is so pretty". I told her she had beautiful hair too. I pushed her gray hair back from her head with my hand ever so softly.

I sang to my Mother "Jesus Loves Me" over and over. She said I like that. I sang "Amazing Grace" she said that was her favorite. I think she was trying to sing with me.

She needed to rest and let the medicine take the pain away. She said in a very low almost faint voice that, " God's timing is not like our timing". I said I know Mom. When Jesus calls you home, it is OK to go. I assured her I was fine here. I asked her to keep her eyes on Jesus and HE would help her.

My husband came over to the other side of my Mother's bed and we held my Mother's hands. My husband began to pray. His tears running down his face. I turned my head away so my mother could not see my tears as my husband prayed for Mom.

Mother said she wanted to rest now. I said I love you, Mommie. She opened her eyes and said, "How many times have you told me that? ". I said, OK Mommie I won't say it again. She smiled at me and said, " You better say it again".

I kissed her good-bye and said I love you, Mommie. She laughed and said. " I love you too". I said my good bye and walked out of her room.

My mother gave me the serenity prayer years ago. I needed it then and I need now.

Bren

Pray for Baby Isaac

Background Story

On July 22, at 35 weeks gestation, we got some difficult news about our little guy on the way. What we found out is that Isaac has a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) - that's the technical details to say that he has a hole in his diaphragm. Complicating this problem is that his stomach and, possibly, some of his intestines have moved up into his chest. The biggest concern is his lung development and getting his blood pressure stabilized in the days after he's delivered. He will need surgery to move the organs in their right places and to repair the hernia, but it's going to be a long road of wating and recovery as he continues to stabilize and his lungs develop.Samuel "Isaac" was born on Thursday, August 13, at 8:58 p.m. The neonatology team was able to quickly intubate him and get him on a ventilator to help him breath and prevent air from entering his digestive system. So far, Isaac has experienced many of the common scenarios for a baby with CDH. At five days old, he had to be placed on ECMO (a heart/lung bypass) to oxygenate his blood. He was having trouble keeping his oxygen saturations high enough and exchanging the CO2 in his blood. The other benefit of ECMO is that it reversed his pulmonary hypertension in the right ventricile of his heart within the first 24 hours. This means that the lungs are able to receive the blood at low pressure and effectively oxygenate the body. To date, his pulmonary hypertension is still under control and appears to be maintaining as they prepare to wean Isaac off of ECMO.In the days ahead, we hope to get Isaac off of ECMO, get him stabilized for surgery, and begin the recovery process after his surgery is completed. We expect to have difficulty with his respiratory system; potential pulmonary problems and high blood pressure; and possible difficulties with beginning feedings and digestion after the surgery is completed.Through everything, we have seen God's unfolding plan as He continues to care for our entire family. Many of the worst-case scenarios and possible problems have turned into praises as we see God do amazing things and continue to keep us from harm. Thank you for praying for us and looking forward with us to see what God will do.

The background story was written by Jason, Isaac's dad. Isaac is our pastor's grandson.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

Please pray for Isaac and Isaac's family. Thank you and God bless you all.

Bren