Please continue to pray for Thomas, the four-month old boy who had heart surgery last week. Several complications have arisen, and little Thomas has had a rough week. But we know that our God is more than able to handle this situation, so please continue to lift Thomas and his parents in prayer.
Michael, the young man with the head injury is doing wonderfully. They have removed the ventilator and he is able to sit up some and to verbally respond to some basic questions. He has a long way to go, but again, we know that God is BIG as we pray for Michael and his parents. Thank you God for what you have already done in the lives of Thomas and Michael!
My friend Carrie at Farming On Faith is having a contest and she is giving away a pair of reading glasses. If you haven't yet had to start wearing "cheater" glasses to see close up, trust me you will. I didn't think it would ever happen to me. I have two pair :). But I would sure like to win these, they look purty!!!!
Finally, I want to let you all know that I will be "missing" from blogging for a few days. We are headed out of town for a family reunion. Please pray for us for a safe, smooth flight there and back. I especially ask that you pray for the Holy Spirit to give me an opportunity to share Jesus. Just like each of you, I have many unsaved loved ones. Pray for Jesus to give me words to speak that others might come to know Him.
I will catch up on all your blogs when I get back, and I'll share some pictures of our family and our trip! Thanks for all your prayers!!! They truly are appreciated! I am so blessed to have each of you in my life!
Down On The Farm with Robbin Griffith
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Hay Season
Disclaimer - I did NOT take the above photo. My camera is having "technical difficulties" so I have been unable to transfer the picture to my computer. But, for you "city folks" this is what we did yesterday!
I spent most of yesterday afternoon on a tractor. A tractor with a hay rake hooked up to it. Summertime in Missouri means hay season. We bale the hay to feed to our cattle during the long, cold Missouri winters. Our cattle would starve without that hay, so we take baling hay very seriously.
It was so hot yesterday it was absolutely miserable. And no, in case you're wondering, the tractor I was on did NOT have a cab.
But next winter when the snow flies and the cattle are standing around munching on hay, and standing behind the hay bales to get out of the cold north wind, we will remember these hot days, and smile.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Answered Prayers
Thank you all so much for agreeing with me in prayer for Cole, and for Michael and for Thomas.
Michael's condition is really improving. They are hoping to remove the ventilator this week. He is much more responsive and can nod his head "yes" and shake his head "no" to some basic questions. These are baby steps, but mean so much to his parents, as we can only imagine. Friday will be four weeks since his head injury. That he is even alive is truly a miracle.
Thomas, the four-month old baby, had a great day yesterday as well. The surgeon was able to repair the aneurysm in his heart. They did not replace the leaky valve in his heart, but instead worked to repair it. It isn't fixed completely, but it is working MUCH more efficiently. This will allow him to begin gaining weight, and strength.
Ladies, please continue to lift these two young men, and their families, in prayer. They have long roads ahead of them, but thank God, our God doesn't get tired, neither does He sleep. He never leaves us or forsakes us, and never means NEVER. Praise God for answered prayers. And thank God for mighty women (and men) who know how to pray.
Michael's condition is really improving. They are hoping to remove the ventilator this week. He is much more responsive and can nod his head "yes" and shake his head "no" to some basic questions. These are baby steps, but mean so much to his parents, as we can only imagine. Friday will be four weeks since his head injury. That he is even alive is truly a miracle.
Thomas, the four-month old baby, had a great day yesterday as well. The surgeon was able to repair the aneurysm in his heart. They did not replace the leaky valve in his heart, but instead worked to repair it. It isn't fixed completely, but it is working MUCH more efficiently. This will allow him to begin gaining weight, and strength.
Ladies, please continue to lift these two young men, and their families, in prayer. They have long roads ahead of them, but thank God, our God doesn't get tired, neither does He sleep. He never leaves us or forsakes us, and never means NEVER. Praise God for answered prayers. And thank God for mighty women (and men) who know how to pray.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Prayer for Three Young Men
Good Morning my friends! I hope the sun is shining on you, and I pray The Son is shining in your life. Today I would like to ask for prayer for three young men. The first young man is my son, Cole. Cole is at Boy's State this week. Boy's State is a leadership and citizenship program held each year. Nearly 1,000 of Missouri's outstanding junior boys are there learning about leadership and government. Please pray for Cole to be safe while he is there and for God to use him while he is there. I know Cole was chosen for this honor for a reason. And I know that God has a plan.
The second young man needing prayer is Michael, the boy with the head injury. It has been over three weeks since Michael's injury and, while he is making progress, it is very slow. He still has not fully regained consciousness. I am praying for God to heal Michael and to comfort his family.
The third young man needing our prayers is a four month old baby boy, the son of a co-worker. Thomas was born with heart problems that continue to worsen. He has already had three heart surgeries and he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Tuesday). Thomas has a valve in his heart that is defective, and he has an aneurysm in his heart. His doctors have called all the major pediatric cardiac hospitals in the United States and they have never seen these two conditions simultaneously. The doctors have been trying to put off operating on Thomas to give him time to regain his strength and gain weight, but now they say they can wait no longer. Ladies I ask that you agree with me in asking for God to heal Thomas, and to strengthen his parents. We know the Great Physician. We know that healing Thomas, and Michael, is absolutely nothing for our God.
So today I ask that you pray like you would want prayer if Michael, or Thomas, were your sons. Today I am speaking healing into both their lives, in Jesus name, and I ask that you agree with me. Our God is an Awesome God, and today He is on the throne. Join me in coming boldly before that throne, in faith, believing God for miracles in these young men's lives.
The second young man needing prayer is Michael, the boy with the head injury. It has been over three weeks since Michael's injury and, while he is making progress, it is very slow. He still has not fully regained consciousness. I am praying for God to heal Michael and to comfort his family.
The third young man needing our prayers is a four month old baby boy, the son of a co-worker. Thomas was born with heart problems that continue to worsen. He has already had three heart surgeries and he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Tuesday). Thomas has a valve in his heart that is defective, and he has an aneurysm in his heart. His doctors have called all the major pediatric cardiac hospitals in the United States and they have never seen these two conditions simultaneously. The doctors have been trying to put off operating on Thomas to give him time to regain his strength and gain weight, but now they say they can wait no longer. Ladies I ask that you agree with me in asking for God to heal Thomas, and to strengthen his parents. We know the Great Physician. We know that healing Thomas, and Michael, is absolutely nothing for our God.
So today I ask that you pray like you would want prayer if Michael, or Thomas, were your sons. Today I am speaking healing into both their lives, in Jesus name, and I ask that you agree with me. Our God is an Awesome God, and today He is on the throne. Join me in coming boldly before that throne, in faith, believing God for miracles in these young men's lives.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
One Thing
I was a church kid. We went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, and anytime in between the doors were open, we were there. I went to Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, you name it. And since I've been an adult, I've pretty much done it all at church too. I've taught Sunday School, been a Kids Camp Counselor, sang on the worship team, been a Youth Sponsor, lead a ladies Bible study. I know all the old hymns, and not just the first verse. I remember all those Bible stories from my Sunday School days too. Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. Daniel in the lion's den. Noah building the ark. David and Goliath. Yep, everybody remembers that one. The young man with a sling shot and five stones who took down the giant Goliath. What a story of courage.
Well, David grew up. He spent years running from King Saul. And he made some huge mistakes. David committed adultery. David committed murder. And David paid mightily for his sins. II Samuel 12:10 tells us that the Lord told David that the sword would never depart from his house. The baby that David had with Bathsheba died. David's son Amnon raped his own sister Tamar. David's beloved son, Absalom, was killed.
And yet, through all this David loved the Lord. David never forgot that he was nothing without God. And in the midst of all of this turmoil and heartache, listen to David's prayer - Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Now I can tell you I have had some bad times in my life. And in those times I have cried out to God. And when I cried out I will be honest and tell you that I was begging God to FIX the problem. Save my loved one. Heal the sickness. Forgive me of my sins. But not David. In the midst of the mess David had made of his life, the ONE THING he asked of God was that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and to gaze upon his beauty.
Oh, if we could just be more like David. If we could get our eyes off of the situation, off of the problem, off of the sickness, off of the turmoil, and just seek Jesus. I struggle with this many times. It is easy to praise the Lord in the good times, but in the bad times, when I'm face down on the floor crying before God I've got my eyes on the situation and I'm begging God to help me. But what if, instead of asking Him, once again, to change something in my life, I asked Him to change me. I asked Him to change my heart so that He is the ONE THING that I desire above all else.
II Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is what David had figured out. That what we endure here on earth doesn't last. That heartache that seems too much to bear, it is temporary. That situation that doesn't ever seem to get any better, one day it will be erased from my memory. The only thing that lasts is Jesus.
So today, I am praying Psalm 27:4 into my own life. "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple." My desire is to spend eternity with Him, and to rest in His peace until that day.
Well, David grew up. He spent years running from King Saul. And he made some huge mistakes. David committed adultery. David committed murder. And David paid mightily for his sins. II Samuel 12:10 tells us that the Lord told David that the sword would never depart from his house. The baby that David had with Bathsheba died. David's son Amnon raped his own sister Tamar. David's beloved son, Absalom, was killed.
And yet, through all this David loved the Lord. David never forgot that he was nothing without God. And in the midst of all of this turmoil and heartache, listen to David's prayer - Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
Now I can tell you I have had some bad times in my life. And in those times I have cried out to God. And when I cried out I will be honest and tell you that I was begging God to FIX the problem. Save my loved one. Heal the sickness. Forgive me of my sins. But not David. In the midst of the mess David had made of his life, the ONE THING he asked of God was that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and to gaze upon his beauty.
Oh, if we could just be more like David. If we could get our eyes off of the situation, off of the problem, off of the sickness, off of the turmoil, and just seek Jesus. I struggle with this many times. It is easy to praise the Lord in the good times, but in the bad times, when I'm face down on the floor crying before God I've got my eyes on the situation and I'm begging God to help me. But what if, instead of asking Him, once again, to change something in my life, I asked Him to change me. I asked Him to change my heart so that He is the ONE THING that I desire above all else.
II Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is what David had figured out. That what we endure here on earth doesn't last. That heartache that seems too much to bear, it is temporary. That situation that doesn't ever seem to get any better, one day it will be erased from my memory. The only thing that lasts is Jesus.
So today, I am praying Psalm 27:4 into my own life. "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple." My desire is to spend eternity with Him, and to rest in His peace until that day.
Monday, June 7, 2010
My Front Porch
Our front porch is pretty sad looking. Bare actually. We have lived here for over 12 years, and in those 12 years I really haven't done anything to it. See??
Told ya! Well, I've been thinking that I need to dress it up a little bit. Make it a useable space. In order to use it, there needs to be a place to sit. So, I took this swing that I have had for years and put it on the front porch.
Then I went to TJ MAXX, have I mentioned I LOVE TJ Maxx and Marshalls, and found this cute little "bistro set." I am all about buying something at a discount. I don't pay full price for anything. If you don't shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls you are really missing some bargains. Isn't this cute?
Well, I was on a roll. I decided the swing needed some pillows. So, I found these at Wal-Mart. I think it really dresses up the swing, don't you?
Wow! It's amazing what a difference a few items can make. Incidentally, I used bleach water to try to take the mildew off the concrete but I didn't have much luck. Does anybody have a sure fire way to clean the concrete? If you do, please share it with me.
I am still looking for a cushion for the swing, I'm thinking black and white, and I need a rug to put at the front door. I found a stand for my garden flag and set this out too.
I still have some work to do, but I sure think it looks a LOT better than it did. Keep checking back for the finishing touches. And, feel free to leave your comments/suggestions. I really enjoying hearing new ideas!
Wow! It's amazing what a difference a few items can make. Incidentally, I used bleach water to try to take the mildew off the concrete but I didn't have much luck. Does anybody have a sure fire way to clean the concrete? If you do, please share it with me.
I still have some work to do, but I sure think it looks a LOT better than it did. Keep checking back for the finishing touches. And, feel free to leave your comments/suggestions. I really enjoying hearing new ideas!
Friday, June 4, 2010
She's Baaack, Updates and a Sneak Peak!!!!
Thank each one of you so very much for your prayers. My daughter flew home from Washington D.C. mid-week so now she's back home all safe and sound. She had a wonderful time and, while this momma of course thought of her every minute, God heard all our prayers and truly gave me peace about her being away from home. Thank you Lord for peace.
Michael, the little boy with the head injury is slowly improving. While he hasn't regained complete consciousness, he has wiggled his fingers in response to the doctors, and has some eyebrow movement. All of these are good signs. Ladies, please keep praying as God continues to heal Michael. Not that God NEEDS time to heal Michael, but He knows all and He has a plan.
If you've been wondering about my Grandma, I am happy to report that she is exactly the same. If you will recall, the doctors diagnosed her with cancer and gave her just days to live, three months ago! Unfortunately, the situation with my aunt is still the same. Several of my mom's other siblings haven't been to see my grandma in many weeks because of my aunt's actions and things she has said. I would appreciate your prayers for this circumstance as well. Ahhh, family.
I haven't been blogging much lately, seems as if I have just been swamped, but I'm getting ready to gear up for MUCH more regular posting. Here's a sneak peak of what's to come. I am working on the front porch of our house. We have lived here for 12 years and I have never put any time or effort into our front porch, or frankly the inside of my house either :) and it shows. So I'm starting with the front porch, and I'll be scrubbing the green, yucky mildew off the concrete, getting some porch furniture, and then trying to pull it all together with some cushions and pillows. Don't worry, I'll have before, during and after pictures. And, I'll have some pictures of our garden as it grows. We got our garden planted very late this year. The weather in Missouri wasn't very cooperative this spring, but it's growing now and I'll show you the progress in pictures.
And most importantly, I will be sharing some devotions with you. Things that the Lord has been laying on my heart, and I feel led to share with you. I believe that our walk with Jesus is a journey. And if we're wise, we learn things along the way. If we're REALLY wise, we try to learn from the journey of others. I read several of your blogs that teach me so much, and encourage me. And sometimes I am chastised a little bit but that's O.K. A closer walk with Jesus is what I'm talkin' about and what I'm striving for. I hope you enjoy what Down on The Farm has coming up. And, I might just throw in another giveaway!!! So check back often.
I hope each one of you who reads my blog knows how much I appreciate your spending a few minutes of your time with me. Whether you comment or not (but PLEASE COMMENT) I hope that you take away something good from Down on the Farm. I love hearing from you my friends.
So, have a wonderfully blessed day from Down On The Farm. May God bless you!
Michael, the little boy with the head injury is slowly improving. While he hasn't regained complete consciousness, he has wiggled his fingers in response to the doctors, and has some eyebrow movement. All of these are good signs. Ladies, please keep praying as God continues to heal Michael. Not that God NEEDS time to heal Michael, but He knows all and He has a plan.
If you've been wondering about my Grandma, I am happy to report that she is exactly the same. If you will recall, the doctors diagnosed her with cancer and gave her just days to live, three months ago! Unfortunately, the situation with my aunt is still the same. Several of my mom's other siblings haven't been to see my grandma in many weeks because of my aunt's actions and things she has said. I would appreciate your prayers for this circumstance as well. Ahhh, family.
I haven't been blogging much lately, seems as if I have just been swamped, but I'm getting ready to gear up for MUCH more regular posting. Here's a sneak peak of what's to come. I am working on the front porch of our house. We have lived here for 12 years and I have never put any time or effort into our front porch, or frankly the inside of my house either :) and it shows. So I'm starting with the front porch, and I'll be scrubbing the green, yucky mildew off the concrete, getting some porch furniture, and then trying to pull it all together with some cushions and pillows. Don't worry, I'll have before, during and after pictures. And, I'll have some pictures of our garden as it grows. We got our garden planted very late this year. The weather in Missouri wasn't very cooperative this spring, but it's growing now and I'll show you the progress in pictures.
And most importantly, I will be sharing some devotions with you. Things that the Lord has been laying on my heart, and I feel led to share with you. I believe that our walk with Jesus is a journey. And if we're wise, we learn things along the way. If we're REALLY wise, we try to learn from the journey of others. I read several of your blogs that teach me so much, and encourage me. And sometimes I am chastised a little bit but that's O.K. A closer walk with Jesus is what I'm talkin' about and what I'm striving for. I hope you enjoy what Down on The Farm has coming up. And, I might just throw in another giveaway!!! So check back often.
I hope each one of you who reads my blog knows how much I appreciate your spending a few minutes of your time with me. Whether you comment or not (but PLEASE COMMENT) I hope that you take away something good from Down on the Farm. I love hearing from you my friends.
So, have a wonderfully blessed day from Down On The Farm. May God bless you!
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