Psalms 37:4

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I have been meditating on this verse of scripture for some times. My question has been, "What does "delight yourself in the Lord" look like?

Websters puts it like this: 1 : a high degree of gratification : joy; also : extreme satisfaction
2 : something that gives great pleasure
3 archaic : the power of affording pleasure

Life Application Bible says, "The knowledge of God's great love for us will indeed give us delight. It is great pleasure and joy in His Presence."

Do I take great pleasure and joy in God's presence? Am I joyful and do I have extreme satisfaction.

What is your definition of "delight"? Do we expect God to give us the desire of our heart, ie answer our prayers unless we are delighting in Him.?

What do you think?

Can't wait for Government Health Care

-----(I'm not sure about these Numbers but I wouldn't doubt it)

A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800
gallons of gas a year.

A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480
gallons a year.

So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce US
gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.

They claim 700,000 vehicles so that's 224 million gallons saved per
year.


That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil.


5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.

More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs
about $350 million dollars


So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350
million.



We spent $8.57 for every dollar saved.

How good a deal was that ???

They'll probably do a great job with health care though!!

James A. Measles

My brother James lost his battle with cancer on September 1, 2009 at 6:20 A. M. Mother's birthday. My sister Mary Lu said mother got a wonderful present. The Doctors gave James 3 months in August of last year but they agreed he was a fighter. He declined the chemo treatment when they said it would give him more time but he ask if he would be sick with his head over the commode for a year and then he would die. He lived a year only being in the hospital a few times for them to put in an outside drain tube from his liver. He was surrounded by his two children Shaila and Dirk, his loving wife Shari and a couple of his grandchildren. James slipped into a coma a couple of days before he died. They said the day before he died he sat up on the bed and kissed Shari and lay back down. Shari was a wonderful wife and caregiver. She lay by his side for the last month reading to him and talking about the wonderful years they had shared. I can't tell you what comfort it was to our family to know James was in such good care. That's what a good mate does. There were times she wasn't sure she could do it but she would tell you God gave her strength and grace.

This is a picture of James one time when he came home from the navy with my sister TiaJuana. Tia Juana died December 26, 1964. I can just imagine this is the way they met in heaven.
This is a poem "I'd Marry You Again" that Shari read to James over and over the last month. She said he would say when she finished reading it, "Read it again". It was on the back of the program.

(I added this photo of all of James' family taken last summer shortly after James was diagnoised. Dirk has 2 sons and 2 daughters; Shaila has 5 sons and 2 daughter in laws. James was so proud of his family)




This is Shaila and her family with Shari at the cemetary. Just look at the beautiful mountains in the background.
Dirk, Shari and Shaila.
The Pallbears were James and Shari's grandsons. Notice they are all wearing James' bolo ties.
James had a milirary funeral. He served in the Navy during the Korean war. James was very patriotic. He always had a flag flying in front of his house. His son Dirk went out and bought a Texas Flag and hung it at half mass on the day he died. When I saw that I lost it. James loved his flags and he never stopped being a Texan.


Ten of James' nephews and nieces attended the funeral service. Tia Juana's 3 children Bob, Steve and Tonya; Mary Lu's 2 daughters Shelly and Sharla; Bob's son Bryan and my 2 daughters Lana and Jana. The cousins had a really good time getting reacquainted. The oldest Bob is 61 and the youngest is Jana who is 42. Almost 20 years between them. Below on the back row is Bob Caddel, Jana Hogan Nelson, Dirk Measles, Lana Hogan Jordan, Steve Caddel, sitting: Tonya Caddel Canada, Bryan Measles, Shaila Measles Bergquest, Shelly Grant Hackler and Sharla GrantSchaffner. Bob and Steve came from Reno, Nev. Lana flew from Austin, Jana and Bryan flew in from Dallas, Tonya, Shelly and Sharla flew in from Lubbock. There were 15 of us Measles who came to celebrate James life.

My sister Mary Lu and her husband Billy Tom and I flew in from Lubbock and Bob and his wife Bernita flew in from Dallas.
Another picture of the cousins.
Shaila's husband Brad ask us to bring dirt from Lamb County Texas where James was born and graduated from High School and got married in Mother and Daddy's house in Olton. They said he never stopped being a Texas. This was a touching moment. They ask Mary Lu, Bob and I to sprinkle the dirt.
I am so grateful for family. My parents married young and both of them came from what we would call today disfunctional families. They worked hard and kept us all together during difficult times. I am so thankful to God for His amazing grace.

Dumb Questions

This is a daily devotional that I receive and thought this one worth sharing.


Daily Devotional /By Melinda Clements / Perceptions Ministry
© Melinda Clements / August 2009 / Perceptions Ministry /All Rights Reserved For reprint information contact melindaclements@melindaclements.com
Dumb Questions

There is an old Chinese proverb that says, "He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." There are no dumb questions. The only questions that are dumb are those you never asked.

How many times have we wondered or questioned the way things were and we just stayed quiet and stewed over? Perhaps it is because we are shy or maybe it is because we don't want to appear stupid. Sometimes I have questions even after I have heard the same thing over and over. I guess I'm the kind of person that needs to have a picture drawn in order to truly grasp the situation.

Sometimes I question God. Sometimes I argue with him. Many times I fuss at him to vent my frustration and my fears. The good thing is he lets me rant and rave and fuss and discuss and he waits until I'm spent and then he wants to know if I feel better. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.

I always have 20/20 hindsight. I can look back and see how I screwed up or how I hurt someone and I can see how I could have done things differently. I may have been talking when I should have been listening and for whatever reason I missed the concept.

My two children were very different. My daughter always had questions. She wanted to know why and the reasons behind the why. She never minded doing whatever I asked but she wanted to understand the philosophy behind the request. For my son it was pretty much okay and he would do whatever. He didn't care about the reasons why. All of us think about the reasons why. All of us get to the point where we question what is happening and why. All of stew over new concepts but will not ask the questions that will make it clearer and easier to grasp.

God always asks us to step out in faith. That means we rarely know the reasons why or the pertinence of the situation. Dumb questions are those we don't voice, either to ourselves, to others or to God. We can always question God but he reveals things to us in his time alone.

If you have a strong personal relationship with Jesus you will always be wondering why things happen. He will only let you in on the issue when the time is right for you.

I encourage my students to ask questions and seek help for those things they don't understand. God in all his wisdom answers all our questions in due time. Sometimes God says no to our prayers and requests. Sometimes we don't really need to know the answers or reasons. He will reveal to us what will be best for us in the bigger picture. That is what is referred to as "operating in blind faith." Scripture tells us, "faith is believing in things unseen" (Heb. 11:1). Faith is confidence in the reality of the spiritual things of God. If your relationship with God is strong you can question him about anything. That is what "personal" means.

I ask God dumb questions all the time and not once has he boomed at me and said, "Melinda, that is about a stupid question! Where did you come up with that one?" More times than not, with his promptings, I end up answering my own questions. Sometimes I've known the answer all along but just didn't want to admit it. I need God to reassure and nurture me. God is our father and teacher and he encourages wisdom, learning and understanding. He encourages discussion and debate. He encourages stimulating thought processes that result in a bigger and clearer picture. He wants us to grow in grace. Our ability to questions says a lot about our faith and our relationship with the Savior.

Dumb Questions are those that never come out for whatever reason. We can't learn if we don't ask. We can't grow if we squelch the very things that make us wiser. God wants to hear from you. Do that by prayer. Talk to him, discuss with him, learn from him and share him with others. That gives you a very valid and believable witnessing tool.

Remember he loves you and wants what is best for you. You are his work in progress and always remember, "God don't make no junk!"

Be Blessed This Day!

Melinda Clements


To Those who believe in God no explanation is necessary; to those who do not, no explanation is possible!

May you always fly with eagles, may you always run with wolves and walk the path of the buffalo; most of all may you always be my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Eph. 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

I have been listening and singing this song all week. Sing with me.


Here is the song, NEVER LET GO, by Matt Redman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqtyuivolA

Here are the lyrics:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

*** Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

The Two Wolves

A great explanation of life:

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Day Trip to Canyon, Texas

Saturday morning I got up to a beautiful West Texas day and about 10:00 after having my coffee and reading my devotional I just felt like taking a day trip. I hadn't seen my Aunt Addie in over a year so felt I needed to go see her. It was 11:07 by the time I got ready and got on the road. My friend Glenna had loaned me some CD's by Andrew Wommack called, "The Authority of The Believer" so I stuck one in the player and I was on my way to Canyon, Texas. My mother's youngest sister Addie Hill lives in Canyon in a retirement complex. They provide some of her meals but her daughter let me know Addie will tell you, "This is not an Assisted Living". Addie is 87 years old (I think, don't hold me to it)so she was about 7 when my oldest sister Tia Juana was born. A couple of months ago Addie had a little stroke and she has been a little weak since so the Doctors did a hearth cath on her a couple of weeks ago to see if she had some damage to her heart. She told me the Doctor said he wished his heart and arteries looked as good as hers did. They adjusted her blood pressure medicine and she says she feels good now.


This is Addie and I in the hallway outside her apartment complex.


I took Addie out to eat to her favorite Mexican Food Restaurant and she insisted on paying. I had a hard time getting her to let me take her picture. I never understook why she and my mother were so obstinate about getting their picture made. I just had to fight her to get this done. They were both such pretty ladies but you couldn't always tell it by their pictures. Anyway, fight I did and after several attempts I finally got a couple without her eyes closed.

I got to Canyon about 2:30 and got in the car to head home about 5:30. Addie had plans for a game of 88 that night at the Center so I insisted she not cancel since I needed to be on my way home.

Cd's back on and away I headed down Interstate 27. About 10 miles north of Plainview I realize I am about to pass the house where mother, daddy and I lived not long after I graduated from High School. I had moved to Plainview, gone to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where my sister in law Shari worked. I first lived with my sister TiaJuana and her family until my good friend from High School Latrell Stewart joined me at the telephone company and as my room mate in my first apartment. We worked together and lived there for about a year when Latrell decided to marry her High School sweetheart Jack Hysinger. About this time Daddy sold his farm at Vigo Park and bought a small farm north of Plainview about 10 miles.

This is a picture of the house we lived in on that farm. I did not have a car and although I thought I was going to be making so much money I could buy one right away that was not to be the case. I made $50 a week and by the time uncle Sam took his share I didn't have much left after rent, utilities,and groceries. We lived about 2 blocks from work and we walked. After Latrell moved I moved out on the farm with Mother and Daddy and bought myself a 1954 Blue Ford. It was about 1960 when I bought it. Daddy found it and brought it home to me sight unseen and I went to the Credit Union and borrowed the $600.00 to pay him for it. I paid it out every month to the tune of about $75.00 a month. I was so proud of myself and that car. But then, I had to buy gas. After Bud and I got married in 1962 Bud traded that car for a pickup for work. I was so sad to see it go but I got his 1960 model Ford and he couldn't understand why I was sad. I told him, "That's the car I chased you in."

After stopping for a picture of the house I headed to the Cemetary in Plainview after stopping at the Dollar Store for some flowers and flags to put on Mother and Daddy's grave site. I don't get to Plainview very often so when we do we try to go by and make sure the grass and weeds are not growing over it. It is perpetual care but just the same Mother always wanted to go by Tia Juana's space and we did that often when we lived in Plainview. I know they are not there but out of respect it just seems like the thing to do. Mother always loved flowers and Daddy was a patriotic man so I got a flag for him. It is just a memorial and I was reminded of the verse of scripture
Luke 24
The Resurrection
1(A)But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3but when they entered, they did not find the body of (B)the Lord Jesus.
4While they were perplexed about this, behold, (C)two men suddenly (D)stood near them in dazzling clothing;
5and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead?

Now I know this is talking about Jesus...but I'm just saying...why do we go to the cemetery? I guess I go because it makes me feel better. I don't know if they could hear me...but I told them what great parents they had been and how much I loved them. and I felt better.

We always go to check on Shari's mother and daddys' gravesite because they are very close to where mother and daddy are buried. Shari's brother Don is right beside them. I put flowers on their graves too. Shari, this was for you and Sue.


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Back in my car and back on the road listening to Andrew Wommack. Maybe this trip was for me and not for Aunt Addie. These teachings just made me realize how far below we Christian walk from the standard that Jesus meant for us to walk. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit in Acts that we might have power.
Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

We talk about the times we are living in and wonder when Jesus will come back to get his people but there is still much to be done.
Acts. 2 16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Jesus left us work to do and He sent us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do that work. I think I better get busy there is work for me to do.