The FOG Could be in our Own Lives!! BEWARE!

Sitting out on our back porch, early before daybreak, coffee in hand and a throw around my shoulders to keep the chill off, I watched as the silent fog crept across the waters. It started out on the main river, at the base of the mountain, and it crawled into the lagoon by our home.   As I watched, it was so slow I was almost in a daze, as the docks across the way quietly disappeared. It was almost smoky at first, then cloudy, then a heavy mist and then poof, a total whiteout. 

As I looked around, the lightness of the fog began to encircle the very place I was sitting. The screens on the porch were turning to water as it ran down the wires. I noticed it was like I was in the middle of a rain forest with no rain as the dampness surrounded me. The stillness of this moment was overwhelming. I sat so still, afraid to move for fear of breaking the fog, I barely breathed. 

I am not sure how much time passed as I sat there, watching and waiting. It was then I noticed it, the dock across the lagoon was slowly reappearing. It was just as subtle as it disappeared, slow and quietly. As I realized what was happening, the sun cast a light shadow through the trees as the birds started to chirp in them. 

The day had awakened, a new start, a new beginning for everyone.

This reminded me, as I sat there in the stillness, of sin,  of depression, and so many other things going on in lives today. It begins slowly, so quietly, until it completely surrounds our very being and soul. It will completely hide you from the world if we are not careful. It will eat away at you, just as the fog ate away at the docks and houses that disappeared from my sight. 

The only thing we can do when things start creeping into our lives, is give it to God. Be still, listen, let Him be the SON that comes upon your life and push away the fog, sin or depression. 

I know this sounds like an easy thing to do, but it is not easy if you are the one that is covered in the mist and need a friend. Jesus Christ is the lighthouse to guide you out of whatever you are dealing with in your life. He is more than just a friend, He died for you and would do it again. He loves you that much. 

Someone out there needs this blog, I am not sure why God is leading me to write this to you. But you know who you are and you must listen to His call. It is time to let Him shine into your life and let your very own heart start singing to Him. He is waiting on you and He has a plan for your life. Don't stop now, you will miss all the blessings He has for you. 

John 15:13

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends"

Step out of your own fog and find Jesus. If you need help doing this, please contact me at gingersanders0@gmail.com. If you have a praise or make a decision, please comment or let me hear from you so I can pray for you. 

In the meantime, I am praying for YOU!! 

Blessings, 
gs

50 years is a 'Short' time

I have shared about 'time' before in my blogs and most of you would say 50 years is a long time. But in reality, as you will see, it is not. When I accepted my best friend's proposal at the Chicken in the Basket restaurant 52 years ago, 50 years seemed so far out in the future. But now, as I look back on our lives of 50 years of marriage today, it seems it happened too fast! 

As I remember, Chicken in the Basket was just a drive up where teens frequented in Scottsboro, AL, and as he came back to the car, he opened my door and got down on his knees and said, "Will you marry me?" Puzzled, I thought what does this have to do with chicken! I really did not expect him to ask me, even though we had been talking of the future. 

Now you must understand that even though we talked of the future, we were young and in love and had no idea of what the future was going to hold for us. Thank goodness God was smiling down on us and had it all under control! 

As we look back today on our lives, we see that God knew exactly what He was doing and now we must praise Him for all the prayers (many) and blessings (many) He has given us.



                   Just to name a few: 
 Our children from Korea, Jamie and Kara
 Our children we were told we could never have, Todd and B.J.
 Saved lives in car/train wreck
 Saved life in motorcycle wreck
 Protection as we have traveled around the world serving and blessings to see salvations
 Denny is now cancer free
 Healthy children and grandchildren that all love the Lord and serve in local churches
 Blessed with fantastic son in law and 3 daughter in laws

I could go on, but you would not believe how many times we have looked back and seen His hand all over our lives. He has been a major part of this marriage and that is why is has been soooo good. 

I am personally thankful for my mother who prayed for a christian mate for me and then encouraged me to 'go out with that Sanders boy' just because he sang in church with his family! 

This blog has been one of reflection for me, but  I hope you will understand that marriage is a 30-70, never equal, give and take relationship. It must have God working in it to be the balancing presence.

We must learn to forgive and (I know this is hard ladies) forget and move on. Let your marriage be an adventure, don't get bored in it. ( I look for adventure, but always understand he needs his coffee before we can walk out the door!) 

Find reasons to do things together (I had never played golf until last year!) Find things to laugh about together! Watch a funny movie....anything that will create a smile you can share together. 

But out of all the things we both would highly, highly, recommend, would be to pray together. When you humble yourselves before God daily, praising and talking to HIM, it ties the knot in the string of love, binding your marriage. 
I remember we were sent to talk with a couple who were having marital problems and we asked them when was the last time they had prayed together. Their answer was, "Six years ago, our wedding day." Eh hello, do you understand? Prayer is essential for each of us and even more so for a couple! 

50 years! Wow God! You did it again! We have survived, arrived and You delivered! This has been the most amazing journey anyone could ever have and You were in our midst! You made us best friends in high school and we never stopped loving each other, we learned to forgive and love even more. You had to grow us in You, to be able to grow us together. I praise You for my life and the one You chose for me to share it with....50 + years! If I never have another day on earth, You have given this old girl a good life and I fall before You with a thankful heart. 

Denny Sanders, thank you for being a Godly man that kept me on track and focused on Him. Thank you for taking me for a ride on the ferris wheel, where you first told me you loved me, and I giggled because I thought you were just trying to steal a kiss! Thank you for being about as romantic as you get, on your knees at Chicken in a Basket! Thank you for giving me everything I have ever wanted in life. Thank you Denny Sanders for praying with me and for me, as we have searched for His plan together through the years. 

I love you, Denny Sanders, more than you will every know, and I give God the praises for it all! 

Blessings,
gs

Ginger Sanders, BGEA RRT Chaplain: Sounds of Communication

Ginger Sanders, BGEA RRT Chaplain: Sounds of Communication: As I sat outside this morning, in the still and quietness of dawn, I noticed the sounds of communication going on as the world came to life....

Sounds of Communication

As I sat outside this morning, in the still and quietness of dawn, I noticed the sounds of communication going on as the world came to life. There in the distance was the sound of trucks on the highway, which are usually not heard during the busy day hours. There in the trees were the early chirping of the birds and then a loud splash of water in the lake caught my attention. A squirrel started barking in a nearby tree as a water crane walked by too close and then the sound of a train in the distance silenced them all. 


This past weekend we had some of our family for a visit and we had the chattering of a two year old in our home. We listened closely to her wants and wishes, but not always making her happy when we could not understand her desires. We noticed she could perfectly say "My baby" when she loved on her baby sister, Eliza, but she would say "Ride in Papa's doat (boat)" when she wanted to go for a ride on the lake. She would repeat 'peas' (please) when she wanted something and say she  'lubs you' with her cutie pie smile. Sometimes she would just walk up to you and chatter and smile and then walk away thinking we understood what she said, when we really had no clue, but she was happy! What joy to see her growing and learning to communicate. 

Denny, Gilbert, and Ginger in Haiti 2011
See note below about Gilbert

We have traveled extensively around the world and have had a blessed time. We have had to count stops on the subway in Milan, Italy since we could not understand where we were or where we were to get off! Our interpreter in Romania was Rudy and called us Mama and Papa, but was so afraid he would make us unhappy. Actually our happiest times when we traveled was when we had an interpreter (it makes it easier to find the necessity rooms). 
Our sweet interpreter, Gilbert, in Haiti a few years back was the best. He was a young, Godly man, but also had a sense of humor. He had compassion for his people, but also knew when we needed to leave an area for our safety. His translating for us helped lead many to Christ. 

The computer social sites have translation links to them so we can now talk around the world. Many that read this blog (amazes me!) are from Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, UK, PR and several other countries. 

Communication between mankind is at an all time high. We can blog, tweet, facebook and instagram. I am probably leaving out some areas that have been created just while I am writing this. 

But my main thought that I would like to share with you today is about the communication we have with God. Listening to all the sounds this morning, I thought how God must be listening to all His children, waking up all over the world, praying to Him. He would not have needed to ask any of them to repeat what they said like we did my granddaughter or need an interpreter, like we did in a foreign land. God has a listening ear that understands our hearts and our prayers before we even pray. That is true, but we still need to lift our praises and needs to Him, interceding for others. He wants the communication from His children just like I loved hearing 'lub you' from Ellie. It made me smile, I wonder if God smiles when He hears us pray? Really aren't we continually learning to communicate with our God, just like Ellie is trying to communicate with us? None of us think we pray the perfect prayer, but isn't it perfect if we just do it? 

Make a point this week to a new beginning, if you aren't already, praying to Him in the mornings. Wake up and let Him hear the sound of your voice among the many other sounds, as the sun rises upon the earth. Let Him hear your praises and that you love Him. Make God smile upon you this week! 


Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you"

Blessings
gs

P.S. Gilbert and his 4 yr our daughter were both killed  this past New Year's Eve in a wreck in Haiti. His wife, Jesula, is still in need of our prayers!! She still is in need of specialized care in Haiti for her traumatic brain injury.

The Reflection of Me in my Granddaughter!!

My sweet little granddaughter 'Lucy' dressed up as an old woman and she immediately adapted to the southern accent! It was apparent that she took on the role of the 'old' lady she knows from Alabama that she calls 'Nana'. It is with joy in my heart that this little one

envisions me as an old lady, when truly I feel as young as her 8 year old heart! 

But it also gives me pause that she is watching us, as children do, and with exaggeration mimics me. It should scare us all, as we show our actions and make comments in front of children! Are we setting an example of who we want them to think we are or would want them to become?  

It made me wonder, as I looked at this picture of Lucy, what were her actions? Did she love on her baby dolls, or was she too busy to take time for them? Was she pretending to enjoy life or was she a grumpy old lady? (I do think I see a little pucker of a smile on her face!)  So many thoughts of how do I show love, to family and friends, and do they know how much I love them from my actions? 

It reminded me of Mary and Martha when Jesus was confronted by Martha about Mary not helping her with work. The scriptures does not say what Martha was doing, but we do know that she was hosting Jesus at her home. I cannot imagine what I would be doing if I was hosting Jesus!! 

Sometimes when my grandchildren come, I get busy cooking and preparing for them and maybe I do this too much while they are here. I have just recently started to relax and know that nothing is perfect anyway, so why not enjoy their presence and the time we are together. So many families get caught up in busyness they forget to enjoy the 'reunion' of each other. 

We always have family times together and we include talent shows by each family, cooking classes, game night with the children and just play time together. Each of these are filled with laughter and more laughter as the children see the adults enjoying themselves. 

We have a glass sliding door to our lanai and we closed it one night when the children were getting loud outside playing games. The very next night, the adults were playing a game and the children came and shouted through the doorway, "Y'all are entirely too loud!" and proceeded to close the door! Yes, they do imitate us! 

My heart is filled with peace and joy as I grow old watching the children. Maybe I am getting sentimental, but there is not greater love than God and family. Hopefully, I will grow old with them and get to watch them for many more years, so I ask God for three things. One, that I not grow to be a bitter old woman, but one who enjoys life to the fullest. Two, that my brain will keep up with my body and my memory will last. Three, that my body will keep up with my brain and will not grow weary, but continue to serve Him the best I can as I can. 

Well, one more thing should be added, that the children who watch me, will see God's love and want to share that love. What more could one ask for in this life?
Deuteronomy 11:
18 “Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol[d] on your foreheads.[e]19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your fathers.

Blessings,
gs

Week of Ups and Downs!

Don't know how your week went, but my week was sure full of ups and downs and a lot of that was up and down on my knees! 

For a week of not much on the calendar, it sure turned out to be a busy week of emotions. 

First and foremost, our nephew, Chris, was in a horrific, death defying auto accident. From the moment we heard the news, our very soul and heart was gripped with agony, knowing the emotions his wife and children were going through, the physical pain he was in, and for the medical staff as they worked with his broken body. Knowing he is a child of God does give some peace, but the calmness that

surrounded the whole situation could only be described as Presence of God. 

This is not the first time I had sensed God's presence, so I quickly knew the feeling. It was same as when my husband was airlifted to Birmingham after his motorcycle wreck. It is a calming assurance of 'God is with us' is the only way I can explain it. 

A miracle is the only explanation of Chris doing as well as he has done. God was not surprised by any of this, we just needed to slow down and trust Him and his healing. 

Chris came home from the hospital and is on the road to recovery. Praise the Lord!

In the meantime this week, Denny had been asked to sing a special at a church this weekend. Not bringing any of his music to FL, we ordered a copy of the accompaniment CD online. It should have been delivered by a certain time the next day, it did not arrive. The post office sent it to another city and had to reroute it through Orlando for the second time. After many messages, trips to the post office, the CD arrived today, just one day before he is to sing! This may not seem big to you, but a man without a song can become very anxious!😊

In looking back at a week that was supposed to have been a calm week, that was turned upside down, we are so blessed that we can know, without a doubt, that God was in control! 

Usually our lives roll along and then something triggers a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. We as Christians should enjoy the ride, seeing God in the middle of the highs and lows, knowing He is in control. 

Isaiah 43:2
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

I am anxiously waiting to see where God is going to show up next week! Watch for HIM!! 

Blessings,
gs

Meeting Jesus Face to Face! My Story

Many of you have known me for years, but some of you may have only seen me online or on television or radio. You have read stories of my growing up years or where we have seen things God orchestrated while we have been on deployment in the mission fields. 

Today I will be sharing with you a little of both, my growing up years and seeing God at work. I will share the testimony of my salvation experience, the night I met God face to face. 

Growing up in a christian home, my parents had restrictions and rules, which you have read in my previous blogs. My mother, especially, kept the apron strings tight and I am thankful. I respected my parents and never wanted to disappoint them (my children say I must have been a 'nerd' lol).  

My mother had heard of the Sanders family and the mother, sister and son singing in churches around our county. She decided (or led by God) that I ought to go on a date with this young man, after all, he was at least attending church services! 

She did not know that he had already asked me out and I had turned him down! But he was persistent and even rode his horse eight miles to my house to see if I was home one Saturday morning. My mother was happy to see him and offered him a seat in the 'parlor' of the old home place. She hurriedly came to my room to tell me, "You have a guest!" She was all smiles and I was curious! As it turned out, I ended up saddling my horse and going riding that day. 


Being strict parents, the only time I could date through the week was to attend church, so my sweet 'fellow' looked for every revival or church singing that summer! 

One night, sitting in the back pews with the youth group, the preacher shared the gospel during the revival at the little country church. I do not remember the sermon, the preacher or the song, but I do know my heart was pounding in my chest. The Holy Spirit was calling out my name.....but I did not respond or listen to Him. Instead, I held tightly to the back of the pew in front of me, not wanting to step out in front of the people. I walked out of that church in fear, knowing I would go to hell if I died that night. 

In bed that night, I talked with God, telling Him I would go up the next night, if He would just give me another chance. What I did not know was that God does not require you be in a church building to accept Jesus and ask forgiveness. I wrestled with my heart that night and the next day. 

It was a relief that next evening when the car pulled up in my yard to take me to the revival, it had been a long day. The preacher preached, but I don't think I even heard the message. From the moment I stepped into the building my heart started pounding once again. The invitation was given and the song "O Why Not Tonight" was being sung. My future sister in law stepped out with me to walk the aisle for Jesus that night. My future mother in law, and future aunt, joined me at the altar that night. I don't remember praying, I just remember the moment I stepped out of that pew, my heart quit pounding and my steps grew lighter. I know I did promise to live for Jesus and ask that He lead and guide my life. 

My mother was awake when I came home from church that night and as I passed, she called out to me, "How was your evening?" This was not unusual for her to ask, but I will always wonder was she always waiting on this particular answer, "Mama, I accepted Christ tonight as my Savior and Lord." She smiled and hugged me. I don't know for sure, but I think we both slept better that night.

My mother passed away six months after we were married. God let her see me marry the man she picked out for me and that this very man was the one who took me to church to meet Jesus. My mother had a way about her and I have a feeling it was because of the prayers she prayed. I am certain God had a hand in all of this.  

Now you have read my experience about meeting Jesus. How about you? Do you know that you have a personal relationship with HIM? 
Romans 10:

"9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

If you believe in your heart, pray and ask forgiveness and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord, He promises your name will be written in the Book of Life for eternity. Then, one day I will meet you in heaven and introduce you to my mother, but greater still would be to meet at the Throne of God and meet Jesus!! 

If you are already a believer and would want to share your testimony, go ahead and comment. If you have prayed today to receive Him, please comment with your name so that I can pray for you! 

God Bless!

gs

Emotions

Emotions are feelings, what is going on inside our very being, how we act and respond is from our emotions. We are even putting emotions in our correspondence now. 😊
To be really accurate the definition is: 

e·mo·tionəˈmōSH(ə)n/noun

plural noun: emotions

a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
"she was attempting to control her emotions"
instinctive or intuitive feeling as distinguished from reasoning or knowledge.
"responses have to be based on historical insight, not simply on emotion"

When something happens quickly in our life, it can cause all kind of emotions:fear, anxious, anger, and even love. When there is something foreseen to occur in the future, like the death of a loved one, it can cause dread, sadness, sorrow. When the expectant parent feels the movement of the child, excitement, love and joy can occur. Emotions are a state of mind, as the definition says, but it is also the character of a person. People react differently when different things occur. 

For instance, I get excited when we are planning a trip. I want to be ready and on time to leave, even if we are driving. On the other hand, my husband drags around and sipping on his coffee, in a relaxed state of 'just another trip' !! I am ready to roll!!

But my feelings and emotions are closer to my way of life in someways. I get excited, sad, and joyful in a different way than he does when we hear or see something happen. I guess you can say I express my emotions a different way than he does, but he does show emotions. 

For instance, he is sensitive to tender moments and is known to shed a tear when he hears a beautiful old hymn sung in praise to our Lord. On the other hand, he gets a little loud while watching a football game, especially Alabama (Roll Tide). He does have quick emotions when it is something he cares about, but when it is daily routine, he pretty much keeps himself in check. 

On the other hand, I can keep my emotions in check, but then have been known to fall apart, in private, as I am talking to God. (now you know how I deal with some things) I guess I try to be strong for others at that time. However, I also have been known to yell loudly at a ballgame as well!! 

How do families deal with all the different emotions that happen inside a home? It can make a person change their attitude in an instant. But scriptures say 

Galatians 5:16-24 ESV 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ...

But how do we control our emotions? Over and over again, we see in the scriptures that it says 'walk in the Spirit.'  How do we walk in the Spirit? We must stay in The Word and in prayer and be around mature Christians for encouragement for when we go into the world.

Life can be hard sometimes, but know that He is with you. When those emotions come out, stop and think about what He said  

Romans 12:2 ESV 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

May you all have a blessed and peaceful week with your emotions. May He watch over you and you can feel HIS Presence in all circumstances. 😇

God Bless, 

gs

Paths Through Life

Here I sit looking at these pages as the wind whips and blows the leaves around and the tall trees sway back and forth. It is the sign that winter has arrived, at least for the day. Stew is on the stove and warming the house with the smell and staying tucked in seems to be a good idea. 

Our lives have seasons just like the earth. We have times when we go through the days of troubles blowing and swirling around us, sometimes bending us in the coldness of life itself. We often wonder when the sun will shine again in our lives.

Sickness and death sometimes touch our families and the holidays and reunions hurt like the winds. But the sun peaks through as we can hear laughter of children playing. 

Life moves on, just as time on the clock. 

The past few weeks we have had the laughter and enjoyment of our grandchildren filling our home. They played in the field across from our house and played around in our little community. We always enjoy seeing them and having them near and did not think about the loneliness others were having around us.

After our children and grandchildren left, I must admit, my house seemed larger and quieter, but I sensed the emptiness others may have during the holidays. I begin to understand this when we received a text message from one of our neighbors expressing how he had enjoyed hearing the children playing in the field; and again as I called our 93 year old neighbor to thank her for calling our grandsons over to offer her balls and bats to them to play with, which they did. She told me she pulled a chair up to her window everyday to watch them play. She asked when would they be coming back to visit. 

We leave a path as we walk through this world. As we walk the weeds or flowers fill up the path. Eventually, when we die, the path will be covered up and our life on earth will have ended. Some paths may be longer than others, some paths may wind across the country or even the world, but they all will end at someplace. 

While we don't like loneliness or hard times in our lives, they are times for us to grow. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 , “There is a time for everything...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

I now look back on those few days the grandchildren were here and I am thankful they may have planted a few flowers in the paths of our neighbors as they watched and listened. Sharing joy in lives can be done, sometimes when you are not even aware. Those little children had no idea they were being watched as they played, but they put a dash of joy in those lives around our community. 

How easy would it be if we all could know we have sprinkled a little joy in the winds of someone's life? Let's all start this new year with letting the Son shine through us and spread a little joy! 

Blessings!
gs