Making Progress

It's been a long haul, but the house is finally almost finished. All of the major work has been done - now it's up to me to put the necessary stuff back, and purge what I really don't need.............actually, I've been needing to do that for some time now........ I am really pleased with the work that JB and my brother Tony have done. It looks better than it did before! They may have done all of the construction work, but it's equally tiring trying to keep a 2-year-old out of the mix. He wants to do everything everyone else is doing, including handling tools, and hammering, etc. He is a mess. I found myself saying phrases that I never thought I would use.......like: "Get out of the refrigerator with your shoes on" and "Don't lick the dustpan". That's life with a toddler for you!

I really have been busy, and that's one reason for my lack of posts this summer, but another one is that I have really been struggling with some situations in my life. I have always embraced what I thought God gave me as a gift of encouragement, and it just doesn't seem like I have been able to do much encouraging lately. I am seriously trying not to wallow in my fatigue and distress, but I am also reluctant to share it. I did have a sort of "God moment" the other day, though, and I thought I would share that with you.

When I see myself as unworthy; unloved; a failure in so many areas - I am not defined by my mistakes. God sees me as a treasure; worthy of love and of dying for; a promise of things to come. I AM DEFINED BY HIS GRACE! Hallelujah and Praise God for showing me that regardless of any situation in my life, all I really need is Him. He is enough. Period. So that is what I am taking with me, while trying to sort out the trials in this life.

And, with that better perspective, I am preparing to go to NQC next week. I will be there Thursday through Saturday, and Scott has graciously made some room for me in the L5 booth, so I am taking some "clearance" items with me. I ran an ad in the Sept. "Singing News" and those specials are only available through mail order or phone, NOT through the website. I will post them at the end of this post, so that they are also available to you, my dear friends. I am trying to clear out some overstock, and make some good deals available for gift-giving, too.

We are still dealing with health issues with my parents, but things are holding steady right now. Roger's dad, Doug, has a birthday next week, and he is doing pretty well, too. Chelsea had a great trip to Poland, and is back home, working, and enjoying having the front porch back, after weeks of it being a construction zone. Jordan and his wife, Jessica, are moving to a new place in Los Angeles today, where they will have a small yard for their puppy Charlie. JB and Isaiah are doing well. We are all enjoying this cooler weather, and looking forward to Fall's approach. I was recently on a courier trip delivering bone marrow, and despite earthquakes and hurricanes, managed to make it through and deliver my precious cargo on time.

Thank you for the prayers and love that come my way. I look forward to seeing many of you in Louisville! Have a safe trip, and wherever you are, especially on this 10th anniversary of our nation's great 9/11 tragedy, may God hold you safely

In His Grip!
Debbie

*****Roger Bennett Direct Specials valid Sept. & Oct. 2011 ONLY:
You must either send a money order or check to:
Roger Bennett Direct/ PO Box 681075 / Franklin, TN 37068-1075
OR: phone 615-791-5993 with your credit card order to receive these specials.

$25 Bundles:
* 4 yrs of the NQC showcase "Parade of Pianos" - 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (Roger's last recorded performance) on DVD (reg. $65)
* 2 DVDs: "Midnight Meditations" (w/bonus CD) and "Whispers in the Night" ($55 value)

$10 Deals:
* DVD: "My Father's World - A Celtic Experience" (reg. $20)
* Hardcover book: "Midnight Meditations: A Journey through Cancer and the Lessons Learned Along the Way" (reg. $20)

$5 Blowouts:
* CDs: "Don't Be Afraid" / "Whispers in the Night" / "Heavenly Highway Hymns" (reg. $15 ea.)
* Piano arrangement books: "Whispers in the Night" / "Church in the Wildwood" (orig. $15 ea.)
* Boxed set of 10 Cards of Encouragement (orig. $20, now listed @$10 on the web)
* Roger Bennett replica signature tote bag

ALL ORDERS ADD $5 SHIPPING/HANDLING (foreign orders require additional postage) [See the website for more product info @ www.rogerbennettdirect.com ]

Comments

[curtis.ruth@att.net]

Hi Debbie -- I enjoyed your posts about the house and little Isaiah! I don't understand how you would ever think of yourself as a failure. You have been such an encouragement to so many! But, only you know what is going on...I have had to lay a problem I have been struggling with for 5 years in the hands of our Lord. I keep hearing Him whisper that He is enough...my time of trying to deal with it is over, I must move on. Much love to you from Texas! Ruth Gilbert

[Jane]

I just heard a sermon about the "Storms of Life" at a revival service tonight. Although I have never met you, your posts have been a huge encouragement to me as I have faced some storms in my life over the past few years. In this life, you will probably never know how many people you have helped through your posts. Thank you - thank you - thank you!!

[Geneva Speas]

Dear Debbie,

So happy you are going to be at NQC. I have been praying that it would be so. You have been and and continue to be an encourager to me. Keep looking up. God is good - All the time. Geneva

[glyndene deaton]

Hey girl, good to hear from you. Glad the cleanup is about done for you. I can't imagine what a flooded house would be like but there are a lot of people who can feel for you.
Looking forward to seeing you next week at NQC. Glad it is working out for you to be there.
Take care and we love ya,
Glyn and Bobby

[Sarah Littleton]

Dear Debbie,
Thank you for your encouraging words.How right you are - God sees us as a treasure - and His opinion is the most important. Hope you have a good time at NQC - I live in the wrong country to get there!Maybe it will come on some of our Christian TV channels :-)
God bless you,
Sarah (UK)

[Cheryl Turnbull]

Debbie...I continue to pray for you and ask the Lord for His will in your life, and for the peace you need. Keep the faith!
Cheryl/Lenexa KS

[Linda Cooper]

Debbie,
You are such a treasure to us -- and how much greater the Father's love is for all of us. satan (beginning of a sentence or not, I refuse to capitalize his name) is the one (as you well know) that wants us all to believe that we are a failure in so many ways. The most wonderful thing to dwell on is that someday soon, we will all be Home Free -- basking in the Father's love for all eternity.
Love and prayers,
Linda Cooper, Ada, OK

[David Haas]

Hello,
I have a question about your blog. Please email me!
Thanks,
David

[Mary Evelyn McMahan]

Debbie, It's been quite a while since I have visited your site, but I think of you.

It seems you have really been busy. You and your family are in our prayers. Doug, your Mom and Dad are in our prayers. Since Mom passed a little over 2 years ago, it seems time has stood still. I still don't have her estate sold.

My husband and I have had some health issues, but nothing, Praise the Lord, that is that serious.

I would like you to pray for our 37 year old pastor, Toby Downey. He has been very sick for several months, now. At first, they thought he had Leukemia, but ruled that out. His platelets keep dropping so dangerously low. At one time about 2 months ago, they told him he had 3-4 days to live, but they came up with some type of treatment to bring his platelet count up and he was so pleased. Then they began to plunge really low again. He has had to go for some type of treatment every week to keep the platelet count up, but it won't stay up. They have diagnosed him with ITP (can't pronounce it). And today they had to remove his spleen (which had enlarged three times larger than normal) to try to bring his platelets back up. And of course, this is dangerous, too, due to possible infections. He said he only wants God to get the Glory regardless of what happens. He is so dedicated to the Lord and is a tremendouse influence on the lost in our community. He is really a great soul winner. Also, his Dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimers and seems to be declining. So please remember in prayer, Toby, his wife, Julie, his parents and our church family when you can.

May God continue to lead you as you serve him. We love you in Christ. Keep up this site as long as you can as it is a great encouragment to so many.

Yours,
In His Grip,

Mary Evelyn Munsey-McMahan

[Carol Currier]

Debbie,
Thank you for sharing your "God moment" with us. Such words of encouragement!

Carol

[Becky Arvin]

Hey Debbie So good to hear from you and your "GOD MOMENT" touched my heart. I dont think you realize just how much your words and openess to share your life with us has meant. Glad things are falling back in to place. Great to hear how the family is doing. I was so disapointed that i didn't make it to NQC as planned daughter had emergency surgery so will have to wait till next year.
One thing you must always know is you have always been encouraging to me and i thank you so much. Keep posting and take some time for yourself and enjoy the day. Love ya your KY friend Becky

[Beccie]

Debbie,
I just needed to write you and let you know how much our paths have crossed in the past 2 days.
Two days ago my husband and I were out driving around the country just ejoying a beautiful fall evening when we heard your interview with Daniel Britt at the NQC, how beautiful. Then yesterday I lost a nephew to suicide, we have no answers to the many questions. During my sleep Roger and Scott Flower came to me in my dream and I awoke this morning with much needed peace. Bless you and your family as you have been a blessing for mine.

[Pam Barrow]

Here is a Roger Quote that I may have shared with you before but it has helped me so many times and it is both profound and simple - "The only thing that matters is that Jesus Christ is Alive" It was at a concert in Mitchell SD where he had gotten into the airport in one city, thinking it was going to be a shorter drive to Mitchell than it actually was. He said he was panicking and speeding but then that thought - that they only thing in life that matters is that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive - him like a ton of bricks; in a good way :). It has sure helped me to refocus and I hope it encourages you too!