Poems by Lanell

STANDING IN THE GAP                                  SITTING AT JESUS FEET

Standing in the gap,                                               Sitting at Jesus feet
Jesus on the cross did say,                                     I wonder who I am.
"forgive them this day",                                        Will I set out to trust Him
To enter life's gate                                                 Just as Job and Abraham
as they go along their way.

Standing in the gap                                               He feeds His sheep
Between what's right and what's wrong               even when they stray.
to save us from our sin                                         He brings us back to a steady gait.
To live in freedom from now on.                         When we sit at His feet.

Standing in the gap                                              We find the rest we need
So innocent and strong                                         when torn between earth and sky.
He gave us freedom                                             When He decides to meet our needs,
to enter Heavens gate alone.                                 as we sit at Jesus feet.


ON A HILL

On a hill three crosses did appear,
One a saint and
to God did adhere.

Two were sinners.
One turned to Christ
that day on a hill
And in Heaven did appear.

The other chose
to pass that day
To enter Heaven
That day on a hill

Take My Yoke Upon You

Take My Yoke Upon You

In August 2012 we visited the George Ranch and I found this display of a yoke used for oxen and cattle. There was the explanation that the yoke was not to bind the cattle but that in order for them to work as one. That made them stronger and more durable. Two could do the work as one entity working together for a common cause.

They were better synchronized. When we work in sync with one another we become stronger and can work longer and more efficiently.

When we take the Savior’s yoke upon us he can help us work as one stronger in spirit. We do not veer too much to the left or to the right but go straight. We don’t lose our focus on where we are going. We are stronger together.

I want the yoke of the Lord on me to guide me in trying times. I want the yoke of the Lord to strengthen me in my work as well as in my pleasure. I want the yoke of the lord upon me to guide me and help me. I want to have the restfulness He promises in his yoke.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt.11:29 NIV)

JOYCE MILES TRIBUTE

Joyce Miles is a faithful Sunday School/Bible Study student. Recently she sold her house and is leaving the Port Arthur, Groves area. We wish her well. I wrote this tribute to her as a friend, and as a class member/leader.

Joyce Miles Farewell Address

Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you embark on a new journey in your life.

Abraham set out in faith to a land unknown and unfamiliar to him. He left the familiar hustle and bustle of a city life to become a great herdsman. He made some twists and turns during his lifetime but was always blessed by our heavenly Father.

His faith kept him going. May you find the faith and belief that God will be with you as you travel to the unfamiliar surroundings. May God show you all that you are to accomplish in his name. May God show you all that the blessings of a faithful servant that you are just as was Abraham.

As I thought about Joyce the word came to my mind faithful.

I looked up faithful in the dictionary. It is described as: Firmly and devoutly supportive. Worthy of trust and belief.

The word fits Joyce perfectly. She is faithful to her friends and to her church. She will be sorely missed by friends and church members.

Go in Peace with the Lord at your side.

We love you, faithful friend.

The “Martha” class of First Baptist Church Groves.

Lanell Stuart, author.

Flo Brokaw, president.

Catching Up

Things are looking up for my family and me. Oldest daughter Kathy marrying Mike in December in Florida. Tracey is feeling much better and Debbie is in training for personal fitness program. My blood pressure is stableized with two medications. Tommy's arm is doing okay also. Son in law Carl got his stitches out of his hand this week and is on the mend. Son in law Bobby is doing good on the Disc Golf circuit. By the way Tracey is not half bad at Disc Golf herself.

Tommy, Bobby, Tracey, and Debbie play "Fantasy Football". It's a riot listening to them "draft teams". They have a good time with it.

Grandson, Thomas, is in Peru doing Mission work and going to seminary. He should be through in Peru next August. I'm praying all goes well for him this year. He will get to come back in December for a while, then return to Peru in the year 2013, as I said till August. Then the tough part starts--looking for a job. My heart goes out to him.

Oh, yes. This year Tommy and I celebrated a beautiful 50th Wedding anniversary party at "Beau Reve" on the Neches River. Cousins came from Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, and Dallas. Thanks to the children and grand children and guests, we had a wonderful time.

All things considered this 50th year with my dear espoused husband has been a good one.

WEIGHT LOSS REPORT

Well, you'll be happy to know--I've found success. Or maybe you will be interested in the "helps" along the way? Maybe so, I hope you will find the success I have.

I have found success eating less.

I have lost 6 pounds in 2 months.

I must tell you of an aid I have found most helpful. It's a web site called: myfitnessplan.com

With this aid I found, with my son-in-law's help, I have been able to account for the calories and fats I take on every day. I eat sensibly and am able to eat some otherwise "forbidden fruit" so to speak. I stay with chicken or fish mostly and feel like that is a better choice for most days, even though I do eat beef once-in-a-while.

I don't count the calories before I eat. I just enter the data and the site figures the calories for me. In the evening I make sure I haven't had too many calories that day so that I don't eat all the snacks I have been known to eat in the past.

"It works for me" as an actor has been known to say.

Therefore, my advice is eat sensibly, not too many fats or calories and stop eating all the snacks in the evening hours. As your mother would say, "eat all your vegetables". I don't feel like I'm on a "diet" as such. I feel free to be me.

February, 24, 2011

Report On My New Knee

Well, things are looking up. I have been walking regularly for about three weeks. What a difference it has made for me. I first walked 15 minutes, sitting after 5 minutes. I have managed to work up to 30 minutes sitting after 10 minutes. It's difficult with the high blood pressure and pain of my knee.

However, today was good. Yesterday, Sunday was the start of it. I woke up without pain in my right knee. This morning, Monday, I woke up without having pain all night with my left hip and left knee.

I had been overcompensating the pain in my right knee by exaggerating use of my left side. It took its toll for the past three months. I was and am praying really hard my left knee and/or hip don't need replacing.

It's an ordeal I don't want to put my husband nor myself through again. I hope the pain is gone for good.

Dieting Obsession

Well, I've come to the big fork in the road, again, so-to-speak. Will I lose weight or won't I? It's a big decision. There are so many "rules of engagement". So many ways people advise others about weight loss.

One thing for sure: it takes a lot of thought. Do you want to become "obsessed" with food? For most the answer is a resounding "no". Sometimes in the past that is what it has become for me. In the past exercise also has become an obsession in order to lose weight. Therefore I spent most of my day obsessed with weight loss. It's not fun and almost became an illness.

So, I read a book called, "Seven Secrets of Slim People" by Vikki Hanson, M.S.W. and Shawn Goodman. Most of the information people know just because the information has been around a long time. There are some good points to ponder.

I'm going to try a new approach. "Eat sensibly and in moderation and walk regularly." Especially since my family Dr. has advised me to lose at least 10 pounds. My knee dr. has advised that I exercise my "new" knee. I hope very much these people know what they are talking about. I'll let you know in a few months how that turned out.