Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain is just a few miles South of us.  It's a very popular place to climb.  

Josh and Joel went out today to take some pictures for my scrapbook.

They turned out great!

I know this photo should make me nervous...

but what really made me nervous was hearing that

they met some guys who were on the mountain smoking pot.

I'd rather my guys attempt great feats than do something that stupid.

Josh took off his shoes because.. "The rock's too slippery."

Great fall color!

I love fall!

J

Morning Trip

Our debit card photos are over 10 years old,

and we have been getting some funny looks lately when trying to use them

for purchases, so we decided this morning that it was time to up date them.

The only catch was that the closest branch is in Tennessee.

We discovered that the border is only about half an hour away.

The fall colors are gorgeous. I love fall.

I took a photo of this Methodis church for Mom.

Davy Crockett was born not too far from here.

He has a state park near by. We'll have to check it out next time.

We stopped at this store on the way back.

It had some awesome black bear quilts and beautiful antiques.

Our house has an address stone now. Yay!

Shelter, Food, Church.. Why go to church?

A Bible Study

Whenever we move, there are three things on our immediate agenda. Find a house. Find a grocery store. Find a church.

As the kids have gotten older finding a church has been more difficult. Most churches have something for the kids.. but a good youth group is hard to find.. a good college group even harder.

I've been getting complaints from certain young people that I am too intense about church and have been asked, "Why go to church anyway?" My usual answer is that we need to encourage others and be encouraged.

They know the answer.. but they keep asking. Why do kids do that??

I decided that I would do some research and write a Bible study on it. (Should have made them do that.)

One of the most relevant answers I found was this comparison: Why go to church when you can worship God and read your Bible at home? Why go to a concert, when you can buy the CD's or download the music on itunes? There is a BIG difference!

Some biblical reasons??

We are to learn of Jesus. Matthew 11:29

He told His parents that it was His duty to be in His Father's house. Luke 2:49

He taught there regularly. Luke 21:37-38

It was his custom to go. Luke 4:14-16

My original answer: We Need Each Other

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

To be a part of what Jesus is building. Matthew 16:15-19

Jesus' prayer is that we would be one. John 17: 20-23

It's not good for us to be alone. Genesis 2:18

God puts the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6

Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Jesus loves the church as a bride and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5:25-33

We are part of the body of Christ. Each part needs the other parts. I Corinthians 12:12-27

If someone refuses to listen to the church, we are to treat them as a pagan.

If two agree, we will receive what we ask for.

If two or three come together in His name, He is there with us. Matthew 18:17-20

To be strengthened in faith and numbers. Acts 16:5

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

To admonish one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16

Can we have fellowship with each other, obey our leaders, love one another, and all the other one another commands if we aren't actively involved in a local body? Hebrews 13:17

Food

To receive spiritual food. John 21:15-17

To hear the word of God to grow in faith.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Matthew 4: Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Beware of LIONS and WOLVES! Oh, My!

We need overseers, shepherds, to serve as humble examples for us. The devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Which sheep do the lions eat? The weak ones who are off by themselves. 1 Peter 5:1-11

Wolves will not spare us. We need protection from the distortion of the truth. Acts 20:28-30

Jesus rejoices when he comes home with a lost sheep. Luke 15:4-7

1 Peter 2:25 For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

There will be terrible times in the last days.. have nothing to do with the people who love pleasure more than God.. all Scripture is God-breathed and useful ... trained and equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other... Matthew 24:4-14

Church finding/attending tips:

Remember there are no perfect people, therefore there can not be any perfect churches.

Pray and ask God to show you what church to go to.

Look for a church that teaches from the Bible.

Look for a church that sees God as loving .. not as revengeful. Romans 8:1-4

Look for a church that teaches that faith in Jesus.. not works.. is the only way to heaven. Ephesians 2:1-10

Stick with that church until God tells you to go somewhere else.

If someone there hurts your feelings, pray for them and forgive them.

If you don't like the music or something else about the church, pray for your fellow believers and listen to the music you like at home.

Remember church is a growing experience.

If God gives you an idea to improve the church, ask God how you can put it into action, then ask your pastor if you can try it out.

Don't wait for other people to take the first step. Be friendly.

Get involved. Don't be a bench warmer.

Loved by Jesus.. imperfections and all,

Jenny

Alien Dog on Hair Cut Day

Why do dogs' eyes turn GREEN???

I cut everyone's hair today.

No one likes their new hair cut.

Judi is biting Sally's ear!

I had to cut some more off Joel's left side.

Think they need a new barber?

Indian Creek Greenway

Last Thursday we went to check out the nearest hiking trail.

It's in a neighborhood with a bright purple house.

It has a nice play ground and a dog park.

Right now the trail is about 2 miles long, but the city has plans to extend it to a road near our new house.

It will be 6 miles long in all when completed.

This parking area has a nice pavilion with picnic tables.

This would be an easy place to meet friends with little kids.

The trail is actually a long road that runs..

along Indian Creek.

We looked at a log cabin that was on Indian Creek when house hunting.

Don't forget...

It's nice living in the South again.

It has a disc golf course. We may have to buy some frisbees.

I had to sneak pictures of Joel and Judi.. Judi didn't have her glam on.

We found a rope swing.

We thought the trail would have been more fun had it actually been a trail.

Next time we'll have to bring bikes.

Cool spikey, fussy things growing on a vine.

Indian Creek

A little bit of sky.

The hill side.

Fall colors starting to show.

All my love,

Jenny

Some Photos from Around Our Lake

Mike and I have been hanging out at the house/lake quite a bit lately.

Here we are at the gazebo. The lot next to us sold and I guess we'll be getting a new neighbor soon.

Pretty sun set.

These kids were having a ball catching little perch.

Most were about 3" long. One caught a "big"one that was about 8" long.

Sun set/moon rise.

These guys worked through a thunderstorm/tornado warning on our roof until the last possible minute. I was praying that none of them would die so I wouldn't have to run over and raise them from the dead. Most of the storm went North, but at the last we heard the rain coming and quickly went for the car while our roofers jumped off the roof to find shelter in our window sills.

These ducks are very friendly.

They hang out at the lake most days.

Pretty sure these geese are on their way South.

It's starting to look like fall.

I love this pict.

I love these water lilies.

Think I can get some to grow on our side of the lake?

Here's the lake from our bathroom window...

When they put the block window in we won't be able to see it any more.

Here it is from our back porch.

See the L shaped plot of mud. That's basically our back yard.

Not a lot of grass to mow.. especially after they put in the 10x25 ft. back patio.

Happy Columbus Day!

Jenny