Our Happy 28th Anniversary

We received a card in the mail on our anniversary (09/25) and it read, ...

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adultrous.  Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?""

Hebrews 13:4-6

"O Lord, You are the Father of all blessings of marriage and of abounding steadfast love toward the Grays this past year.  Thank you for so carefully loving, forgiving, and demonstrating your sufficient provision for them again this past year.  You are indeed worthy of all praise and adoration.  

On their anniversary remind them of your past provision, and Father, I ask for you to sustain and keep Mark and Karen in the year ahead.  Lord, guard their hearts that they may long for and trust in your purity and your faithfulness instead of the idols of their own making.  Satisfy them in your wisdom and with your provision.  Lord, when their days become a burden rather than a delight and their hearts seem to be filled with more doubt than faith, set their minds and hearts, I pray, on Christ.  Give them a contentment and confidence in the Gospel.  May the fullness of God's glory in Christ stir Mark and Karen to love Him and each other with great joy and hope in your kingdom to come.  

May Christ grant these things for you both this coming year.  

Amen and Amen."

Pastor Shane

What a great blessing it is to receive love and support on such a day.  We thank the Lord over and over again for the church family He has given us!  Though some have confused our church with being affiliated with a much larger ministry named Sovereign Grace, our church is a separate entity, very small of approximately 100 members, yet still a Southern Baptist church.  We couldn't be more thankful and satisfied spiritually to be where the Lord has planted us.  

We are immensely grateful that our pastor and elders take seriously the reading and study of God's word, and are diligent to disciple their members.  

Our marriage is sharpened and strengthened in many ways because of elders who pray for us weekly and lean in to our lives on a regular basis.  

Thank you, Father, for showing compassion on us through our pastor. 

Thank you for giving us another year to celebrate our love and marriage, for all You have accomplished in and through our home.  Because of Your faithfulness in the years that have passed, we can rest in faith for knowing Your grace will be sufficient for us in the future.  What a comfort!  I pray generations to come will learn of the wonders You have performed, the 'Gray children' who are yet be born, so they may tell their children!  I pray many generations will set their hope in You, and not forget your works, but keep search for You with all their hearts and find You, keeping Your Word close to their hearts.  You have been faithful to prove Yourself, and we are grateful!  To God be the glory!  Amen. 

Open Gated Community with Jesus

60th Wedding Anniversary, 2010 at our home

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD;

the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

Psalm 118:19-21

Pawpaw holding Matthew, November, 1993

His valiant battle w/cancer and chemo/radiation treatments were rewarded with the news that he was cancer free, but then the news of his one and only failing kidney soon followed.  He was soo very weak.  He endured dialysis for several months, really for us, until he knew, and we knew, it was time. 

Hospice told us Pawpaw would likely only live two more weeks on that late May day, and we were sure they were right. 

Pawpaw holding John, July 2001

However, the Lord had already numbered his days and was soo very tender and gracious to give us 17 weeks instead!!  What a merciful gift of extra time for which we will always look back on and be grateful!! 

God proved Himself to us through that season.  Though we miss Pawpaw very much, we are grateful he met Jesus face to face that night... 09/27/12.

Pawpaw on Father's Day, 1991

Our Early Years: 29 Years Ago

May, 1986.  FBC Singles Retreat, Lake Swan. 

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

Mark 10:45, ESV

To become another's friend in the true sense is to take the other into such close, living fellowship that his life and ours are knit together as one.  It is far more than a pleasant companionship in bright, sunny hours.  A genuine friendship is entirely unselfish.  It seeks no benefit or good of its own.  It does not love---for what it may receive---but for what it may give.  Its aim is "not to be served, but to serve."  

J. R. Miller

The Unfolding of His Will: The Beauty of His Faithfulness and Love

How wise should we be if, with joyful certainty, we accepted each unfolding of his will as proof of his faithfulness and love!
Susannah Spurgeon

I've already shared this quote, but I love it, and it seems right to share again with this post.  

This time of year is as beautiful to me as any other season we anticipate and enjoy here in the south.  
The temperatures are dropping, just as I enjoy it most...ever so gradually, lest I think it's c-c-cold, when it's really not!  Ha! 

The birds, those caged on our back porch and those flitting and flying around outside, seem more active as they twitter more in the evenings and wee early morning hours.  I LOVE their sounds.  Even the owl that perches in a tree outside our bedroom window seems more verbal and faithful these days to visit several times a week. 
 
Unlike some of the more visible and audible signs  around us, I recently discovered this unassuming 4-5" large round ball of moss hanging from the Crepe Myrtle tree in our front yard.  
I've always been told that moss is destructive for the host tree, but I've also learned it can be beneficial for our environment, especially for insects and birds that nest in them.  Does the moss, like a parasite, host on branches and kill them? Or could the natural weakening of centrally shaded, dying branches provide a haven where the moss attaches and grows, because after all, moss thrives on moisture and shade...?  

Young wren fledglings have been seen grouped together, rooting their way in to the fragile, wind-tossed balls hanging from strong oak trees.  To some, the balls are unsightly, but to the birds, they are a perfect provision and protection from the dropping temperatures at night. The instinctive wisdom of fledglings to know what will support them, and protect them amazes me, not to mention the insects they find hidden there for their next meal.  

Because some consider the balls of moss unsightly and destructive, individuals pay companies to remove them from trees, and there are also companies who wish to purchase them.  The unsightliness of ball moss to some are undeniably the beauty of nature others are willing to pay for, and which I have the pleasure of enjoying 'free' right outside my front door.   

My heart is learning more and more to be endeared to the One who has created and knows all things.  I may not comprehend how GREAT He is, but I see the works of His hands around me, His loving provision and care for all that He has created to be good.  I love when He shows me in those quiet moments that He has all that concerns me under His managment and control!   
What a comfort!   

The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

In them the birds build their nests;

the stork has her home in the fir trees.

Psalm 104:16-17, ESV

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; 
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name 
for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, 
for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul increased.
All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, 
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, 
for great is the glory of the LORD.  
For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, 
but the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; 
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, 
and your right hand delivers me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; 
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. 
Do not forsake the work of your hands.  
Psalm 138, ESV

John The Great!!

Much of home's happiness along the years is made by the children.  They are also great blessings to their parents.  We say we train our children; but they train us, too, if we think of them as we should, --as immortal beings come from God to be prepared by us for their mission.
J. R. Miller, Happy Home Life

I'm soo thankful he knows how great he is, and how AWESOME living with him will always be!  
He has definitely brought us more joy than we could have ever imagined when we bore him in our forties, fourteen years ago.  How could we have ever anticipated his fun loving enthusiasm for life?   
The LORD knew we needed him!  

Mark has always said, "I wish John had been triplets.  We could have named them 1st John, 2nd John, and 3rd John.  <John gets his humor from his dad, obviously!  Smile!>  I can laugh about this now, but I must admit, there was a time when I just stared at my husband in disbelief!  Ha! 

Lord, you have truly been gracious to us!   
Thank you, Jesus!   

Seasons Come and Seasons Go

Temps are obviously dropping here in the south!!! 

Complete Trust and Rest

"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy."

Deuteronomy 33:27, ESV

The Pearl Oyster

Photo credit: Jack Halton, 09/08/15 

 

"I wish, brothers and sisters, that we could all imitate "the pearl oyster"--
A hurtful particle intrudes itself into its shell, and this vexes and grieves it.
It cannot reject the evil, but what does it do but 'cover' it with a precious substance extracted out of its own life, by which it turns the intruder into a pearl!

Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive from our fellow Christians, so that pearls of patience, gentleness, and forgiveness might be bred within us by that which otherwise would have harmed us."
From Spurgeon's sermon, "Love's Labors"

Jesus said this about a pearl, ...  

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Matthew 13:45-46, ESV 

 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Phillippians 3:8-11, ESV

Thank you, Jack, for sharing your pict!  

Life is a Vapor... Blow More Bubbles!!

Pict taken w/my cell phone from a distance and zoomed in. 09/05/15

My Son, 

It seems like yesterday you and Javi were little guys playing outside together. 

Like brothers, you were often side by side, while your siblings paired up and played along with you, or separately. Those days passed so quickly. 

On this day, Javi's older brother, Robert, married Kristen and everyone blew bubbles as they left the reception.  It was a fun way to send them away on their new journey as husband and wife.  Wow, what a thought..."Robert is married!!"

Life is a vapor, much like those bubbles.  They are here for a moment, and then quickly gone.  

Robert and Kristen are sure to look back on their  wedding day in a few years and realize how fast this day came and went.  They'll treasure every picture taken and wish they could go back and linger a little longer in every memory.

You and Jav have long been close friends, so you may one day do the same.  You played many afternoons together after school, and shared many common interests, though you were years apart.  I remember the day his mom said to me, "Jav told me MS is his best friend."   We each smiled, because we were thankful the Lord had given you both such a friendship in one another. 

It wasn't long ago Jav helped you repair a leaking radiator connector (or something) in our Suburban.  It was that difficult summer of 2012 when Pawpaw was so sick and Dad was working full time and spending every weekend with he and Mawmaw. Meme had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had had a double mastectomy.  Do you remember taking on the responsibility of repairing our only transportation? Jav was right beside you in the task.  I'm glad I caught those brief (though seemingly at the time, enduring) moments, 'bubbles', and we can look back now and thank the Lord for how you embraced the trials!  That season was a tough one...Do you remember?  

When I snapped the bubble picture of y'all today, I thought for a moment how quickly those playing days have come and gone, and how busy your lives have since become. 

The joy of sharing such a special day with the Lees today was ever so brief.  I didn't want it to end.  They have been our friends/neighbors for 22 years.  How can we measure such a treasure from the Lord?

  

Son, I want to encourage you to blow, capture, and enjoy as many 'bubbles' as you can with those whom God has gifted you. 

Hold and treasure them if only for a moment. Embrace even the trials with exerted effort, with responsibility, as you did that summer, and know there will eventually come good from it all.

Take in every joy and simple beauty, because one day you'll look back and wish you could hold it all a little longer. 

God has truly been gracious! 

I am thankful, and I know one day you will be thankful too.

I love you!  

Mom~

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 
Psalm 39:4-5, ESV 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11, ESV

From Grief to Grace

When a floodgate breaks, 

and grief measures high,
Memories deep best forgotten,

Bury hope with restoration lies. 

Rejection, taunts, and whispers,
Unloving words, "Stay away...".

Common faith and spoken blessings,

Died a death by spear that day. 

The cross marks a heart young with passion,
A grave entombs every tear,

Working power by Christ's resurrection,   
Mysterious grace appears.    

KCGray, 09/2015


The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
 Proverbs 17:14, ESV


Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.  
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 
So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus Our Lord,
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through your faith in him.
So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  
Ephesians 3:7-21, ESV

 

Constrained by Love

"A Christian is one who recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, as God manifested in the flesh, loving us and dying for our redemption; a Christian is so affected by a sense of the love of this incarnate God as to be constrained to make the will of Christ the rule of his obedience and the glory of Christ the great end for which He lives." 
Charles Hodge

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this:  that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 
and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 
2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV

Pictures:  Sunrise on Jacksonville Beach 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;  and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared;  but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 
And everyone who  thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.  
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 
You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.  
Little children, let no one deceive you.  Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.  
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.  
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for god's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.  
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil:  whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 
1 John 3:1-10, ESV

60 Years: Heirs of the Grace of Life

Photo credit: Mia Halton Photography, July 11, 2015, Walter Jones Park

"In a day when God shall render to every man according to his work, who can say how large will be the reward of these parents and grandparents and ancestors who would not be known but for the flaming effulgence reflected back from the light which they helped to kindle?"  
H. L. Wayland 
Charles H. Spurgeon-His Faith and Works

This is what the LORD has built in 60 years since Mom and Dad married that hot July 9th day.  On this 11th day of July, we celebrated!!  I think Mom and Dad were greatly blessed!! We all were!  

We have A LOT to be thankful for!!

Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127

Photo credit: Mia E. Halton Photography, our precious friend!!