Easter

He Lives
Lyrics ~ Alfred H. Ackley, 1887 - 1960
Music ~ Alfred H. Ackley, 1887 - 1960

I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He's always near. 
 
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.
I know that He is leading, thro' all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last. 
 
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Happy Easter! Christ the Lord is risen indeed!

~Selena

Good Friday

It's Friday...but Sunday's coming!



Peace and Love,
Selena

Holy Thursday

The Lord’s Supper

12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?”

20“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

24“This is my blood of the^b covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25“I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”

26When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14: 12-26 NIV

Palm Sunday

Today starts my favorite week of the whole year of the Christian calendar.  I have always enjoyed Holy Week and all of the activities leading up to the most exciting Sunday of the year.  My dad likes to remind me that Easter is not just once a year but everyday.  We serve a risen Savior everyday! Jesus is alive today not just on Easter.  This week gives me the opportunity to remember exactly what my Savior did for me.  I look forward to all of the Holy Week activities happening this week. 

Today has been a wonderful Palm Sunday.  I always love watching my church kiddos wave their palm branches high while participating in the traditional Palm Sunday processional.  Tonight the children, youth, and some adults at HGUMC participated in the "Journey to the Cross" that I hope we can make a tradition.  The kids were able to take this interactive journey with their families to experience some of the things that Jesus went through during the last few days he was here on earth. 

Tonight I am thankful for my Jesus who came into town on a donkey knowing where he was headed.  Did you praise this Jesus today? Did you shout "Hosanna?" 

1 Hosanna, loud hosanna
the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them,
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.

 

2 From Olivet they followed
mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving,
and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children
should on his bidding wait.

 

3 "Hosanna in the highest!"
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice.

By: Jeannette Threlfall

Peace and Love,
Selena

 

Food

I don't normally eat out much but for some reason this week a good many of my meals have been at restaurants (or take out from somewhere.)  I have been complaining all week that I have eaten too much.  I have had Cracker Barrel, PF Changs, Phil Sandoval's, Wintzell's, and several fast food meals. I have eaten left overs from several of these places from to-go boxes that I filled. 

I love food.  I am not a picky eater.  I will try just about anything once.  I have realized in my complaining that I should simply be thankful for the meals that I eat and the food on my table.  There are so many people that don't have hot meals on a regular basis.  So many that don't know when or what they will eat next.  A great number of these people are children.  It makes me hurt for them.  I think I am going to starve when I miss a meal when in reality I don't know the true meaning of the word.  I hurt because I know they are to the point of hurting for food. 

Tonight if you are going to bed with a full tummy say a prayer of thanks! Tomorrow when you sit for a meal remember to say your blessing!  Such simple things that we should do but how many times do we forget.  I promise to do a better job of being thankful and I hope you will too!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Mountains and Beaches

I am dreaming of summer days spent on the beach or maybe floating down a cool creek in the mountains.  I hope to have a get-a-way this summer to one of these fabulous spots.  I am so thankful for the beauty of this earth that God gave us! I can't wait to see more of His awesome creation in future travels!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 comes out on DVD officially in just a few short hours! As always, I am so excited to get my hands on it.  I think I have mentioned before that I have a love for Harry Potter and the other characters that J.K. Rowling created for this great series.  I am not going to lie to you - I cried my eyes out when the 7th and final book was released and I had finished it.  Now I am looking forward to the last movie with the same bittersweet excitement.  I am so ready to see the movie but I know once I do it's over.  These characters that have become old friends will  officially end their journey.  Good will fight evil and win!  I am so grateful for authors like Rowling that can tell such a fascinating story.  As I have mentioned before, I love reading stories that I can get lost in for a few hours.  It is such a great gift to be able to create such tales.  I was blessed to learn to love reading at an early age.  It is the best way to take a vacation without taking a vacation! Travel to places where anything goes.  Thank you J.K. Rowling for sharing this gift with all of your fans. 

~Selena

Inside Jokes

I love hanging out with close friends and sharing an inside joke.  To the outside world it may sound silly but one little word or look can set off a fit of giggles.  I don't think you are ever to old to giggle with your girlfriends.  Most of the time the things we laugh about are crazy and no one else really understands.  But we do and that just makes the day that much better.  Laughter is a gift from God!

Live, Laugh, and Love!

~Selena

Pets

 This is Doogie.  He was a member of our family for 20 years.  I miss him so much!

This is Cody.  He is the dog of the house!

Indy is my cat from college.  He found my apartment door and wouldn't leave.  I just had to keep him. 

This isn't the best picture of Boo Boo but it will have to do. 

Queen of the castle is Dolly.  She hates me.

The last couple of days my parents have been out of town and I have been going to "visit" with the cats at their house each night.  Their dog and one cat went to the vets to stay.  It is so funny knowing we can't leave 2 of the cats (Indy and Boo Boo) alone together because they will cause massive destruction to the house.  I miss having my cat at my apartment but is nice to go hang out with him when I can.  I decided not to bring Indy with me to my new apartment because he was so use to being with the other cats at my parents.  I didn't want him to go into withdrawal from his friends.  My parents have 3 cats and 1 dog.  We lost our Doogie 2 years ago.  He was a very old man - 20 years old.  I got him when I was in junior high and named him after Doogie Howser.  I miss that cat so much.  Cody is the Shetland sheep dog.  He is one weird dog but we love him anyway.  Bless him - he is deaf and getting older.  I don't look for him to be with us much longer.  Cody thinks he is a cat because has been around them for so long.  Of course our cats think they are human.  Boo Boo is our stray cat that befriended my dad when my parents lived in Moulton.  He is the sweetest cat I have ever been around.  He will let you pick him up, hold him, toss him over your shoulder, or hang him upside down.  He just loves attention.  Indy is my cat from college.  He is named after the Indianapolis Colts.  He found me the first year Peyton Manning played for the Colts.  Dolly is the only girl in the house and is as mean as the devil.  She and I have a love/hate relationship.  I did save her life when she got a sticky insect trap stuck to her one night so she has been a little nicer to me since then.  My dad brought her home from the vet the day after we lost Doogie.  I still don't understand why he thought we needed her.  He was the one that swore we wouldn't get another cat but here he is bringing her home.  She was barely 6 weeks old and had been abandoned.  I guess he thought it was a sign from God that they brought her in to the vet while he was there taking Doogie.  So Dolly is technically his cat.  Even though he hates the cats.  I say he hates the cats.  He acts like he does but I really think deep down he loves them as much if not more than my mom and I do. 

I know that God gave us pets for many reasons - comfort, companionship, unconditional love, and entertainment to name a few.  I thank God for all of our furry friends and what they mean to us.  Maybe one day I will have a cat in my house again but for right now I am content to see the cats at my parents.  I am not much of a dog person.  I love dogs that belong to other people but they are a little high maintenance for me.  Cats are so easy.  You don't have to walk them and most of the time they just want to be left alone anyway.  If you have a pet say a little prayer and thank God for what they bring to your life!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Dinner with a Good Friend

What a great way to end a Monday! My friend Aimee and I went to eat at Mellow Mushroom.  She was on her way back to Muscle Shoals and stopped in Huntsville to eat with me.  Thanks Aimee for a fun dinner.  So glad we got to catch up! 

~Selena

A Clean House

Tonight I am celebrating a clean house! Yay! I haven't had time to clean in a while so I am so excited that I can start this busy week with a clean house.  Almost like a clean slate.  I hope that everyone else out there has a fresh start this week too!

Peace and Love,
Selena

SPRING BREAK!!

It's spring break in Madison County! Woohoo! I hope that all my HG kids and families have a fun and relaxing week.  Many are traveling so I pray for safe trips.  This only means that summer is that much closer! Lots of stuff going on for us at church and that is something to be thankful for.  Mission trips being planned, Vacation Bible Camp, and Sumatanga are just a few things to look forward to.  CeLeBraTe SpRiNg BrEaK!!!!!!!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Answered Prayers

Thanking God for wonderful news today! Mrs. Karen came home from the hospital after 2 long months! The CEC kids were so excited during chapel today when Mrs. Sherry told them.  They jumped up and down and cheered.  Mrs. Karen, I do hope you know how much you have been missed! We know it still may be a while yet but we can't wait to see your smiling face back at church.  We love you!

~Selena

Time

 Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

This has been on my mind lately.  Everything happens in God's time not ours.  Everything that is going on in our world, our country, our state, our homes is in God's hands.  God is always in control.  We don't have to understand as long as we have faith.

Peace and Love,

Selena

Car Payments

OK, so I am not thankful for car payments; however, I am thankful that I have a job that pays me so that I can afford a car payment.  I officially found out today that my car is totaled from my wreck 2 weeks ago and I will be shopping for a car.  Since this is the 2nd wreck in 18 short months where a truck has caused major damage to my small vehicle I am boycotting small vehicles.  Don't lecture me on gas prices for larger vehicles because I will feel safer in a bigger car, SUV, or truck.  I would rather pay a few $$ more and feel safe. I will be looking for something larger which means I will have a car payment like it or not! 


Tonight at choir lots of prayer requests were for people in danger of losing their jobs, being layed off, etc.  I am so happy to have a job that I love and have the peace of mind to be able to go in debt for a car whether I like it or not.  My prayer tonight is for those who don't know where their next meal is coming from much less being worried about house, car, or other high payments.  I complain but really what do I have to complain about? 


Just a few pictures just in case you would like to see the damage:

 These next few pictures are from my 2009 wreck:

Peace and Love,
Selena

Everlasting God

This is a song that I listen to at least once a day.  When I am having a bad day or getting irritated or impatient this is especially calming for me.  When I am happy it just makes me happier!

One of my very favorite songs by Chris Tomlin:

Everlasting God
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles


Thank you God for being my everlasting God!

~Selena

Storms

Call me crazy but I love a good thunderstorm! Tornado warnings tend to freak me out a little but then again I can't help but be amazed by them.  Listening to the sound of the rain and thunder can be peaceful.  It is washing away all the muck and grim outside.  It always smells so good outside after a hard rain.  Clean.  I especially love spring rains when it washes away that thick yellow dusting of pollen.  I can breath a little easier for a few days!  I think I would enjoy being a storm chaser.  With my luck the storms would end up chasing me right off the road in a ditch.  I am the loony girl that will stand outside and watch the clouds roll in.  I absolutely love playing in the rain.  If I am lucky enough to be at camp when it rains I can play in the many mud puddles with all the campers and counselors.  To quote a popular country song "rain is a good thing" and I am thankful for it! 

Peace and Love,
Selena

Laughing Children

There is nothing better than seeing kids smile and hearing them laugh!  Tonight I suprised my Sunday night kids with an Easter Egg Hunt.  Needless to say I think they were excited.  I do hope that the parents don't hunt me down and hurt me for sending them all home hyped up on sugar!  I am thankful for all the smiles, laughs, and hugs I get each time I see my HG kids!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Upward

Wow! What a beautiful day for a soccer game! What a great way to start the 2011 Upward soccer season! I am so thankful for all 117 kids that are playing, all of my wonderful coaches, referees, and parents who make it possible! And we are all thankful for Dr. Bob and his popcorn!  I am always a little stressed on the first game day but seeing the kids running and smiling made that all melt away.  I am so blessed to have these kids and families in my life.  You all mean so much to me!

Peace and Love,
Selena

Ada

Today would have been my great aunt Ada's 98th birthday.  Ada never married and had kids of her own.  Instead she lived with my grandmother (her sister) and grandfather.  She helped raise my mom and my 2 uncles and all 5 of us grand kids.  We were all so lucky because it's like we had an extra grandmother.  She took care of us, played with us, and when she needed to she punished us! She was an amazing lady and I miss her so much even after more than 20 years.  I could tell you some pretty funny stories about Ada.  Or as we called her as kids - Ader.  I am sure she hated that but she never said a word.  She would come stay with my family for weeks at a time just to help out around our house.  She was a very special part of our family.  Today I am thankful for the 12 years I had her in my life.  I am thankful for those memories that I have carried and will continue to carry with me for the rest of my life. 

I love you Ada!

Selena