Thirteen years ago today........

I was a happy little bride!!!!


So much has happened since then. Babies have been born. Family members have died. We made the change from two people with two incomes to a family living on one income. We were so young! One thing that has not changed has been that we still love each other more and more. Through the years we have had certain songs that describe us and are thus "our song" So in honor of us through the years here is a list of "our songs" and the time period it represents.
Wouldn't it Be Nice by the Beach Boys~I'd like to point out that this is the first Beach Boys that did not get on my nerves!!


That was "our song while we were dating. After we got married it changed to I Got You, Babe. Gotta love the Sonny and Cher!!


Well, the honey moon phase eventually ended. Sure, we loved each other, but sometimes it was best not ask if we liked each other. Hence the Celine Dion and Pavarotti phase. Notice her mannerisms in this song. They are alot like some of mine. Which is why I do not sing in public. I do occasionally like to embarrass the fam by singing in the car, along with expressive motions, of course.

ps on this song, we have always said if we renew our vows we are singing this song at the ceremony to each other!!

Okay now to more modern times. We have grown up. Our kids are quickly growing up. When this song first came out, I did not think it was anything too special. Mark on the other hand thought it was just wonderful. He did not wait for Reuben Studdard to come out with a full CD. No sir, he went out and bout the single as soon as it was released. And he played it. A lot. Well, in the past year or so, I have really listened to the words and they are sweet. The song makes think of my sweet hubby. So it has become "our song" I never thought that I Hate You Then I Love You could be replaced. But it has.

Just a Quick Post

We went to finish up our shopping today. We went to this dumpy little junk store called Mike's Merchandise in Guntersville. (Why did we go to a dumpy little junk store you ask? Because it has BOOKS!!! LOTS of books. Sometimes really good books) While digging through the disarrayed mounds of children's books, with all three boys going "I want this one!" To which I quickly replied "No, we are not buying for ourselves today." Mark walks up carrying two books with a sheepish grin on his face and says "Hey, want to get me another Christmas present?" I gave him the one eyebrow up look and said "what is it?" Would you believe that they had Calvin's Institutes of Christian Religion Volumes 1& 2 for $4.00 each!!??!?!? HARDCOVER!!!
(That is not a misprint-they were really marked $4.00 each) How could I say no to that cute kid at Christmas look and a remarkable price all at the same time????????

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled BLog To Bring You This Important Announcement

Elections are over. Votes have been cast and counted. The boys have their maps with each state colored red or blue to show how they voted. The people have have spoken. So, what now? Do we spend the next four years mad, fearful, mutinous, or what? My wonderful husband posted the following on his Myspace page and has allowed me to repost it here:


5 REASONS I AM NOT UPSET ABOUT THE ELECTIONS RESULTS
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Religion and Philosophy

America has spoken. We now have a new president-elect. I know some people who are ecstatic with the outcome. I know others who are worried... to put it mildly. Even though the election didn't go like I had hoped, I am not upset. Honestly, I am not even worried. I know many of my Christian friends might wonder how that is possible. Please allow me to explain myself with five reasons.

REASON 1- God is still on His throne.
Psalm 47:7-8 says, "For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne." No amount of votes can take my Father off of His throne. Even when things do not go my way God is still on His throne, ruling and reigning. He is not elected to His office. He rules in power and might. I am often encouraged when I read Revelation 4. The Apostle John had been in exile on the island of Patmos. His whole world seemed upside down. All of the other apostles were dead. A tyrant was ruling Rome. Now John was in exile for preaching the Gospel. What is the first thing he sees in his vision of heaven? He sees God seated on His throne. In the midst of John's troubles, God was still in control, ruling and reigning on His throne. He is ruling and reigning no matter what we go through as well.

REASON 2- God is still sovereign.
Psalm 103:19 says, "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all." What does it mean to be sovereign? Psalm 115:3 says, "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." Let's let Scripture explain a little further what it means to be sovereign. Psalm 135:6 says, "Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps." Elections on earth cannot stop God from doing whatever He wants to do. No amount of campaigning or voting will change the fact that God is in control of the future. No one can overcome His sovereign rule.

REASON 3- Elections cannot thwart God's plans.
Job 42:2 says, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." There are no plans, policies, or politicians that can thwart God's plans. Whatever He plans, He will accomplish. If He has said it, then He will do it. Isaiah 46:10 says, "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure." God was not surprised by the election results. He already knew the outcome and it is part of His eternal plan. It will not stop His desires from being accomplished.

REASON 4- God can use ANY world leader to accomplish His will.
Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." World leaders may think that they are in charge, but Scripture teaches something different. God can use leaders to accomplish His will, with or without their approval or knowledge. What an amazing God we serve! Don't believe me? Listen to what King Nebuchadnezzar said after he had been humbled by God. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?" (Daniel 4:35) A godless world leader cannot stop God's plans and desires. On the contrary, God can and does use them to accomplish His will. Take heart! Psalm 16:9 says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." The president may have an agenda, but God's agenda takes precedence. The president may have a plan, but God's plan directs his steps.

REASON 5- Nations might fall, but God's kingdom will prevail.
Matthew 16:18 says, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." This is a truth that I find great comfort in. The nation we love might falter and fail. Yet no power can overcome God's kingdom. No president, law, or legislation can stop God's kingdom. If the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, then I am confident that a government cannot overcome it either. Governments and the laws they pass might go against everything the Bible teaches and the church stands for. That can't stop God's kingdom from growing. Why? Because our sovereign God is on His throne and HE WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE. No one can stop Him or the spread of His kingdom.

So, what can we do in light of the election of our new president. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 say, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior." Let's pray for our new leaders and trust in God that He will use them to accomplish His will. After all, He said He could and would.

Until next time, blessings to you



Currently reading :
A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder
By John MacArthur

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Happy Reformation Day-A Hymn for You to Celebrate With

My wonderful husband has written a hymn. He finished writing the lyrics this morning. So his hymn was written on Reformation Day. (not planned, but cool none the less) Without further ado I present it to you:

SALVATION IS FROM THE LORD
Lyrics by: Mark Gilliland

Eternal, infinite Father of lights
No one can withstand Your power and might
The heavens declare Your glory O Lord
Unchanging Sovereign forevermore

O Holy Father, separate from sin
Your ways are higher than mere mortal men
Justice and righteousness flow from Your throne
Praise Your great name You are worthy alone!

If You counted our sins, no one could stand
We’ve nothing to offer, just empty hands
Our hearts are deceitful, filthy within
No way to approach you, dead in our sins

Yet God sent His Son, in love to the earth
Holy and righteous, of infinite worth
Tempted in all ways, He was without sin
A Man of sorrows, esteemed not by men

For joy set before Him, endured the cross
He cried “It is finished”, paid the full cost
The Father was pleased to crush His dear Son
Then three days later, the vict’ry was won!

Seated in heaven, no slumber or sleep
Sent down the Spirit, to find His dear sheep
Gave them repentance, supplied them with faith
Praise His great name for that wonderful grace!

Forever in heaven, saints will fall down
Praising His holy name, casting their crowns
The Lamb eternally will be adored
For this great salvation is from the Lord!

Happy Birthday to Someone Special

Can you guess who this is?


I'll give you a few hints-
He is smart


Easily amused


Kind


Hardworking


The world's most wonderful husband....


And father


So now you know. Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man I have ever met or will ever meet. He means the world to me and I wanted to let everyone know.

A Perfect Day For a Wedding

The wedding Mark officiated was so beautiful. The couple had a very small gathering at a friend's lake house. The weather could not have been any more perfect. Not too hot, some cloud coverage, yet no rain. (thank you to God for that one)
Mark and the men of the wedding party arrived by boat.


The guys


The beautiful flower girl


During the ceremony


The happy couple sharing a hug


The vows they picked out were very sweet and touching. During the ceremony a poem was read. When Mark was going over the ceremony at home, he read this to me. Lets just say that it melted my icy heart. We'd like to renew our vows one day. I want this at our "next wedding".
Hands by Patricia A. Walton
A good marriage is a lifetime of hands.
It's a shaking hand sliding a shiny gold band onto the finger of another shaking hand.....
It's hands touching in sudden tenderness, or swinging together down a crowded street, or fingers interlocking in the darkness of a theater.
It's expressive hands: the playful pat... the beckoning waves... the "Help me please" gesture...
It's two ecstatic hands being grasped by tiny brand new hands...
It's a proud hand introducing an embarrassed hand...
It's healthy hands holding sick hands.
It's hands joining in prayer.
And finally, it's a shaking hand sliding a dull gold band off the finger of a very hand.

Wow. I think that poem very much expresses what marriage is. (or at least should be)

Wedding Day

Mark is perfoming his first wedding today. I hope he does better than this guy's first attempt.

Uh... Does he have another wife that I don't know about?

When I got up this morning the following poem, based on Proverbs chapter 31, was sitting on the computer desk:

A virtuous woman, is there one to be found,
Whose compassion and faithfulness always abound?

More precious than diamonds or the purest of pearls
Her husband’s heart is captured, it is her he adores.

She is completely selfless of heart and puts others first
She looks to her Savior, for His righteousness she thirsts.

When she sees those in need, her heart truly breaks
She will rise up to help, whatever it takes.

Her children and husband have no cares for tomorrow
For her continuous care shields her family from sorrow.

She teaches her children reading, writing, and more
They learn character and integrity from the Word of God she adores.

Her children call her “Mom”, but they mean so much more
From their hearts comes the cry, “She is blessed of the Lord”.

Her husband loves her more than he did at the start
He is living a dream since she captured his heart.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain
But the light from her heart dispels all the rain.

The fear of the Lord comes first in her life
That fear is what makes her an excellent wife.

Her children rise up to tell her she’s blessed
Her husband calls out she exceeds all the rest.

How can a woman so special be found
Whose compassion and faithfulness always abound?

You can travel the earth and look far and wide
But your search will bring you straight to my bride.


Love,
Your adoring husband

I asked Mark who he wrote it about. Turns out I am a lucky, lucky girl.

HOME AGAIN!!

Hooray!!! Superdad made it home from California!!!!!!!! The kids were so funny. They were break dancing across the living room for about 30 minutes. Even Mr. Conservative Nathaniel was in on the action!!! Mark had a great trip. He said it was amazing to hear the preaching that he did. He said it is sooo different from the fluff we usually hear around here. Which brings me to a sad point: We live in Alabama {aka: the Buckle of The Bible Belt} and he has to go California {ahem-gay marriage state} to hear powerful preaching. The state of our churches is really sad and seeming only to get worse. We go to a Southern Baptist Church. Now, hear me out, I love my church. I really feel like God is the only reason we are here. This is not a church we would have picked, it was picked for us. I do think there are Southern Baptist Churches across America that are God centered, worship-filled places. However, when you look at the Key Leadership stances, as well as the things taught in SB seminaries, it can get a bit depressing. Before Samuel was born Mark and I were planning to enroll in a Seminary to become church planters. (for those who do not know what that is it just means someone whose job is to start a church in an area where is not one). We were planning to serve on the North American Mission Board. Then, SURPRISE!!! pregnant again. Since going to Seminary would mean an out of state move (along with several other major changes) our plans fell through. Anyway, looking over the courses we would be required to take looked more like we were going to pursue a business management degree rather than a Divinity Degree. The main focus of the SBC is more about nickels and noses rather than souls. How to get more people and their money in instead of how to help people grow in their relationship toward God and pursue a life of holiness. I predict that Mark is eventually going to stop getting offers to serve in Baptist churches because of his Reformed beliefs. (that plus the fact that he does not have a business administration, uh, I mean Seminary Degree) Oh well, we will deal with that when it comes. But for now, I am going to sit back and enjoy my husband who is back from California refreshed, rejuvenated and on fire for God.

Happy(?) Father's Day!!

Mark just before leaving for the airport


This Father's Day, the man I love most in this world is not with the people who love him most. He headed out Friday morning to fly from Alabama to California for a conference that John MacArthur is hosting. While he is super excited about going and seeing his favorite author/pastor in person, he sounded awfully upset last night about not seeing the boys today. A lot of men think the perfect Father's Day gift is time away from the wife and kids-my hubby thinks that is the downside to his whole trip.


It is kind of weird how this trip came to be. A few years ago a guy that Mark worked with convinced him to start a profile on myspace. You can visit him at www.myspace.com/revmegdad He started writing blogs about faith and Bible lessons. He was checking out the top blogs list for religion and stumbled across a profile name that caught his eye: Dad(and Mom) of Eleven. So he goes and checks this profile out. Long story short: the guy is like an older version of Mark (with more kids, we stopped at three) So anyway, they got to know each other over the past few years, his wife helped us get started homeschooling, they are really nice people. So the dad sends Mark an e-mail one day asking if Mark would like to go to this conference. The guy offered to pay his entire way!!! He even sent Mark a check to cover any expenses that he might encounter!!! I know what you might you be thinking "Is it a good idea to fly across the country to meet someone from myspace? Don't people get raped and killed doing that?" Well, yes, when teenagers or perverts go to meet each other bad things can occur. They usually do not use the cover of "hey wanna come hear your favorite preacher?"

So, today at church everybody was asking if I had talked to Mark, was he alright, did he make it to the conference? Yes he did. Our pastor preached a sermon today that really made me quite sad. He talked about how men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of their families, but so many of them are falling down on the job and it is the mothers who are bringing the kids to church alone. {ok, technically I was there alone with our kids, but not because Mark just refuses to go to church, he was out of town on ministry-related business} We have so many in our church who have to get their kids up and bring them alone. The message that it sends to young boys as they grow is that the church is a place for women and children. So, when they get to certain ages they feel they do not have to keep coming. I know this is not a problem exclusive to my home church; it happens in churches all across America.

So, that brings me to the real point of this post. I have a wonderful husband. He may not be perfect, but that is ok. I'm not either. He has set an example of serving the Lord to our boys. He does not show them that being a real man means being a bully. He shows them that studying the Bible is important. He sets a good example of what being a faithful husband is. Rather than going out with guys every weekend, he is with us. (I had to convince him that going to this conference was good, he did not want to be away from the fam that long) Rather than spending money on drinking, gambling or smoking he works to provide us with our wants and needs. He could have gotten out to California and run wild. His first stop? A Book Store. Yeah, he's a nerd. But he is my nerd and I love him. Happy Father's Day, Marko!!!