Thanksgiving!!!

Just wanted to share a few things here today, things I'm thankful for.



1. My kids Jonathan, Kirsten, Sarah and Lizzie! They are the reason I get out of bed every day!



2. My church family here in Lockney. I love them very much. They have seen me through some very difficult times.



3. The United States of America! Whether you're Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, we live in the single greatest democracy in the world.



4. Our service men and women that, past or present, are fighting for our freedoms. I especially want to be thankful for the parents and family members of those service men and women.



5. Friends, both new and old, that encourage me daily.



6. My mom. She continues to inspire me!

7. My sister Shellie.

8. My home, car, food, daily stuff we usually don't put a lot of thought in being thankful for.

9. Small town living. Don't know how much longer I can make a living here, but thankful for my time here.

10. Jesus Christ! I left him for last cause I wanted the space to tell you why. You see just at the right time, he came into my life and rescued me. I was lost, but now I'm found. Cleansed, redeemed, justified, sanctified! Romans 5:6 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Think about that for minute. Christ died for me? Preston Belt? With all of my problems, faults, iniquities and sins, he died for me? I spent most of my life thinking he died for the Godly folks. The folks who were perfect in every way. But right here in the bible it says He died for me!!! And you!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A pricked heart!

The girls and I made a fast trip to Quanah this weekend to check on mom. We had a really good time there with her. On our way home this morning we stopped and worshipped in Childress this morning. Trey Morgan is one of my favorite preachers and that whole congregation lifts me up. During one of the prayers this morning, my heart was pricked. The guy giving a prayer this morning asked forgiveness of our sins and then said something else, he asked that we forgive those who have sinned against us. That may not be a big deal for most of you, but it hit me right where it hurts. When was the last time I asked that I forgive those who sin against me? Then tonight here in Lockney, guess what Jay Don's sermon was? Luke 11:1-4 "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, " When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation".

Now I have read this several times. And I try hard to pattern my prayers after this. But, again, how many times have I asked to forgive everyone who sins against me? Not very often, if I ever have! Too many times I remember the things others do to me. And too may times I try to pay them back or get revenge.

Today I am going to start praying that I forgive everyone who sins against me.

Letting go

Why is it we have such a hard time letting go of loved ones, even when we know they are going to a much better place? Paradise. I can't quite get my arms around that. Wondering what it must be like to see paradise? I catch myself wondering that often.

What is paradise? Paradeisos is the Greek word for paradise meaning "a place of blessedness, from the base meaning garden - paradise". As i was driving home today, I spent most of the afternoon thinking about what heaven must look like. I wondered what a dry land cotton farm would look like in heaven. What a pasture must look like and if there is any animals there grazing. What a city must look like, with it's streets of gold. What a building looks like and if there is buildings there. I know that Jesus has gone to prepare a home for us. Is that just a resting place or does it resemble anything here on earth. John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." And we sing the song "I've got a mansion just over the hilltop" that paints the picture of a huge home in heaven. Solomon talks about how this life on earth is "meaningless, chasing after the wind" our true treasure awaits us.

I'm going to miss Helen Foster. Her long talks and her gracious smile. But I know that she's in a better place now, with Van. And I hope she's met up with my dad and they are all friends looking down on us!