My middle child made me laugh yesterday. He came over and brought his three boys for a swim in the afternoon. We had a fun time with them. Ralphie and Nathan were having a blast swimming around and getting dunked in the water, but we couldn't get David to leave the steps even though he had his swim vest on to keep him above water. Even when his daddy took him off the steps to get him to swim, he would just . Interesting - I have seen before where he would swim to his brother the short length of a pool, but yesterday he was having none of it. He was content to play in his world on the stairs leading into the pool.
As we sat in the pool and chatted, my son commented that he had read yesterday's blog. Due to content, I'm sure he meant that he 'scanned' it. He said I was preaching rather than sharing. Ok, so I don't remember his exact words, but he shared that he liked it better when I would tell a story and then build on it.
In yesterday's blog I was somewhat reminiscing I guess. I was thinking of my mama and one of her many favorite hymns. I did ask my son if he remembered the tune to it and he said he did. I had been thinking of how I choose to stand on God's promises of provision and help. The song had come to me and so I put it in my blog. That's my explanation for it. With that being said, I am sure that someone who read it needed to be reminded of God's promises to them. We all need reminders sometime in WHOM to put our trust.
But today, now I have a story to tell about our conversation in the pool. Rather, that is the story. So how can I build on it? Not sure if it would help my grandson, but here's a scripture for him....
Psalm 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."
Is there something you are afraid of, that you won't attempt because you are afraid of failure? Seek God and He will answer, and He will deliver you from all your fears.
As I sit here thinking of what else I can add to this for today, I am reminded of God's faithfulness to us. Yes, there is a hymn that is one of my favorites 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', but I won't write it out - at least not today.
I'm reminded also that we are to teach our children the ways of the Lord so that they will be blessed and not depart from His commandments. Our God is a jealous God, and He doesn't like it when we put 'things' or 'others' before Him.
Deuteronomy 4:39 - 'Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives for all time.'
Ok, so I'm preaching again. :-) That's not so bad, is it?
When it was time (after nearly two hours!) for everyone to get out of the pool, not everyone was happy about it. The boys were really enjoying the coolness of the water and the splashing around. We adults loved just sitting back and watching it all. Ok, at least I did. Sat on my raft and just watched all the fun. Sometimes doing the right thing (obeying dad in this case) isn't always fun, but it is always rewarding. (The boys got fudgies after they got out)
My son also shared that he sent a thank you note to a friend via snail mail. I hope it was because of my blog the other day, since he did mention it. Made me want to do a 'yes!' dance. And, unexpectedly, I received a very nice handwritten note from my granddaughter in Tucson. I miss her alot and it was so good to hear from her.
I'll take both of those as my 'reward' for trying to do the right thing always. It's the little things that count. Don't miss them. Look for ways to 'do the right thing' for others.
Blessings!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Standing...
There is a song that I 'grew up' hearing. It was one of my mama's many favorite hymns, and it is one of my favorites. Standing on the Promises by R. Kelso Carter (1849-1928). Read the words slowly and let them soak in. Sing them, if you remember the tune.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Thro' eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
I am reminded that when I stand on God's promises of provision, His promises of love and compassion for me, His promises of hope and a future, His goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
His Word is true, and He is faithful to perform it.
Is what you say true? Are you faithful to your word? Is your yes - 'yes', and your no - 'no'? We are but 'men', but we are called to be His own. The sheep of His pasture.
My God stands by His Word. Do you? I'm standing on His promises. I pray you are too.
Blessings!
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Thro' eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, Standing. Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, Standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
I am reminded that when I stand on God's promises of provision, His promises of love and compassion for me, His promises of hope and a future, His goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
His Word is true, and He is faithful to perform it.
Is what you say true? Are you faithful to your word? Is your yes - 'yes', and your no - 'no'? We are but 'men', but we are called to be His own. The sheep of His pasture.
My God stands by His Word. Do you? I'm standing on His promises. I pray you are too.
Blessings!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
When God speaks....
I had two of the grandchildren with me most of yesterday and as we traveled about in my vehicle, our conversation turned to the question asked by a grandson, "do you ever hear God speak? And, if you do, what does it sound like?".
After responding, "yes, I have heard God speak", I paused as I thought about the times God spoke to me. Yes, He really spoke, I heard His voice clearly. I shared with the grandchildren two times that God spoke to me.
About 11 years ago hubby and I were driving down the street when I clearly hear this voice say 'Five Years'. I knew hubby hadn't said anything. I remained silent. Again, I heard the masculine voice say 'Five Years'. I pondered what that meant. As I thought about it, I remembered my prayers that I could be involved in ministry. I wanted to share the love of Christ with others. I wanted to help them build their relationship with Him. I wanted them to know Him intimately. I had prayed numerous times to be released from my job and be moved into ministry full time.
As I pondered this comment of 'Five Years', I calculated that I had five more years to have 20 years of employment in where I was working. I figured that perhaps I needed to get life in order so that I could leave my job and go into full time ministry within five years. I was sure that was what I was being told. I held my thoughts to myself and waited.
Five years later I am in my bathroom getting ready for work. I'm curling my hair and whining to God that it had been over five years and He hadn't let me quit my job yet and I was tired of getting up at 4AM to get ready for work and whine, whine, whine.
Suddenly, a huge theater screen, complete with curtains, rose up in front of me. The curtains began to part in front of me. As they opened, the words began to appear......
GOD did
NOT say
you could
quit
your job
I straightened up and replied "Yes He did! He told me that in five years I could quit my job and go into full time ministry!" (I sure wanted to set that vision straight!!)
Again, the theater screen came up and the curtains parted, and the words appeared
GOD did
NOT say
you could
quit
your job
Now I was really upset and replied "Then WHAT did He say?"
"Five Years"
"Oh, you are right. I'm sorry God, for I presumed you were telling me I could quit my job, when all you said to me was 'five years'. "
As I thought about my conversation with God and His message to me, I realized that what He had shared was that within five years I would be involved in ministry. Nothing was said about my job. And the cool thing, as I realized it, I was involved in ministry. Shortly before that time I had been asked to coordinate a ministry at a behavioral health facility on Sunday mornings and we had been doing it for a few Sundays. By five years, I was involved in ministry. We did that ministry for two years.
I have shared before that I truly believe with all my heart that God orchestrated the early retirement to allow me to rest and to play before giving me another job. As I search for another position, I circle often my dream job, being in a full time paid position on staff at a church. I don't know if I will need to take on another secular job, or if He will give me my dream. He hasn't spoken to me about it, but I trust Him.
All I can do is wait and trust Him. And listen for His voice.
I hope you are listening for His voice as well.
Blessings!
After responding, "yes, I have heard God speak", I paused as I thought about the times God spoke to me. Yes, He really spoke, I heard His voice clearly. I shared with the grandchildren two times that God spoke to me.
About 11 years ago hubby and I were driving down the street when I clearly hear this voice say 'Five Years'. I knew hubby hadn't said anything. I remained silent. Again, I heard the masculine voice say 'Five Years'. I pondered what that meant. As I thought about it, I remembered my prayers that I could be involved in ministry. I wanted to share the love of Christ with others. I wanted to help them build their relationship with Him. I wanted them to know Him intimately. I had prayed numerous times to be released from my job and be moved into ministry full time.
As I pondered this comment of 'Five Years', I calculated that I had five more years to have 20 years of employment in where I was working. I figured that perhaps I needed to get life in order so that I could leave my job and go into full time ministry within five years. I was sure that was what I was being told. I held my thoughts to myself and waited.
Five years later I am in my bathroom getting ready for work. I'm curling my hair and whining to God that it had been over five years and He hadn't let me quit my job yet and I was tired of getting up at 4AM to get ready for work and whine, whine, whine.
Suddenly, a huge theater screen, complete with curtains, rose up in front of me. The curtains began to part in front of me. As they opened, the words began to appear......
GOD did
NOT say
you could
quit
your job
I straightened up and replied "Yes He did! He told me that in five years I could quit my job and go into full time ministry!" (I sure wanted to set that vision straight!!)
Again, the theater screen came up and the curtains parted, and the words appeared
GOD did
NOT say
you could
quit
your job
Now I was really upset and replied "Then WHAT did He say?"
"Five Years"
"Oh, you are right. I'm sorry God, for I presumed you were telling me I could quit my job, when all you said to me was 'five years'. "
As I thought about my conversation with God and His message to me, I realized that what He had shared was that within five years I would be involved in ministry. Nothing was said about my job. And the cool thing, as I realized it, I was involved in ministry. Shortly before that time I had been asked to coordinate a ministry at a behavioral health facility on Sunday mornings and we had been doing it for a few Sundays. By five years, I was involved in ministry. We did that ministry for two years.
I have shared before that I truly believe with all my heart that God orchestrated the early retirement to allow me to rest and to play before giving me another job. As I search for another position, I circle often my dream job, being in a full time paid position on staff at a church. I don't know if I will need to take on another secular job, or if He will give me my dream. He hasn't spoken to me about it, but I trust Him.
All I can do is wait and trust Him. And listen for His voice.
I hope you are listening for His voice as well.
Blessings!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Don't worry about it, I've got this!........GOD
Late yesterday afternoon I took some time to go into my quiet room to read and spend some time praying over my circled prayers (and others) while Tom was watching TV. After I had spent some time doing both, I closed my eyes and was silent, waiting and listening for God to answer me. A short time later I awoke. Do you think that was God telling me 'don't worry, I've got this" ?
I believe that is what He is telling me. As I was in my quiet time this morning, praying again for the same requests, I felt His presence, as though to assure me He is at work in my requests.
And then, when I scanned Facebook a short time ago, I found this comment - "My child, you worry too much. I've got this.... GOD". Confirmation?
I love it that I can turn over my most painful prayer requests - or even just everyday requests - that I can trust Him to answer me. True, His answer may be yes, no, maybe, or not now. My part is to trust Him regardless of what His answer may be.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) - Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
His answer may not be the one I want to hear, or the one I want to see happen, but regardless, my job is to just trust Him. I'm not wise enough to make my own decisions. I need His answers.
I hope you do too. If everything depended on your next decision, wouldn't you want to ask for God's wisdom to help you? So if you are willing to trust Him in the difficult times, wouldn't it be just as easy to trust Him in the little things?
Stop thinking you can do it 'all by myself' and put your hope and trust in the One who can make it happen - the right way!
Blessings!
I believe that is what He is telling me. As I was in my quiet time this morning, praying again for the same requests, I felt His presence, as though to assure me He is at work in my requests.
And then, when I scanned Facebook a short time ago, I found this comment - "My child, you worry too much. I've got this.... GOD". Confirmation?
I love it that I can turn over my most painful prayer requests - or even just everyday requests - that I can trust Him to answer me. True, His answer may be yes, no, maybe, or not now. My part is to trust Him regardless of what His answer may be.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) - Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
His answer may not be the one I want to hear, or the one I want to see happen, but regardless, my job is to just trust Him. I'm not wise enough to make my own decisions. I need His answers.
I hope you do too. If everything depended on your next decision, wouldn't you want to ask for God's wisdom to help you? So if you are willing to trust Him in the difficult times, wouldn't it be just as easy to trust Him in the little things?
Stop thinking you can do it 'all by myself' and put your hope and trust in the One who can make it happen - the right way!
Blessings!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
What is going on?
I've been doing the 'not a fan' study and also 'The Circle Maker' the past few weeks. Both books have affected my thinking and way of doing things. I want to be more in line with what God wants me to do - and not my own will. I want to be a follower of Jesus, not a fan. (yes, there is a difference). With that being said.... I'm wondering what is going on with my electronic devices.
Last night as I was playing Words with Friends on my Kindle Fire, it shut down. Just like that. No warning. Shut off. I clicked the on/off switch many times, and although the light showed green before it went off, the screen would not come back up. I charged it again overnight just in case something was amiss there. It wasn't. This morning it still will not come on. I have contacted Amazon to see what I can do with it. It was a gift and I do not have insurance on it, so if they won't - out of the goodness of their heart because it is only 7 months old - I will have to make a decision whether to purchase another or just go with an ipad. Will need to weigh what would be of more use and value to me. I'm waiting on Amazon's response.
Then, this morning, I get on my computer and start checking my usual routine of things - first stop is checking to see if my son posted on his blog (he hadn't - it's Saturday and he is sick anyway). I then went to Facebook. My laptop shut down. Literally. It went to the 'don't shut off or unplug we are updating' mode. Then it shuts down and restarts. All this on its own. I went back into Facebook and all was fine.
Really strange. Other than that our morning has been ok. I think. Marley got us up at 5AM as usual, she went out to do her business. When she came back in we went into my room to do my quiet time and she curls up under the futon to sleep. We came out, she ate her breakfast, I cooked breakfast for Tom and I. She has been out a couple more times and now she is under my feet here at the desk.
Need to do a little grocery shopping in a bit and Tom wants to go to the gym. I'm not sure if I am going to make that - but if I don't, well, let's just say there is a much better atmosphere when I do go to the gym than when I don't go. I know I need to go, but some days I just don't feel like it. I will be so glad when Marley has all her shots in about another six weeks and I can take her out for an early morning walk and both of us get exercise in the fresh air. Yeah, it is pretty hot right now, but if I go at 5 or 6AM and then come back to do my quiet time, she will definitely be ready for a rest and I can be praying as I walk. (Do some circle walking!!)
So what has all this to do with my electronic devices acting screwy? Probably nothing, but it makes me wonder if 'something' is trying to distract me on my journey here. True, Words with Friends is not a big deal - I can play it on my Nook or my iphone too. Or my laptop. What is unusual is that my laptop did what it did right after the Kindle Fire.
Ok - now don't laugh at me. I just prayed over my Kindle Fire and my laptop, that anything that is attacking them and preventing them from working to be gone! I picked up my kindle fire, pressed the on button. Nothing. I pressed it again - and it came up. Seriously. It appears to be working again - and although I charged it all night last night - it appears that my charge is nearly gone already. Will need to plug it in and see how long that lasts. Really interesting! I have been pressing the on/off switch numerous times last night and this morning before I prayed over it. God is good.
So - with that being said - how is your morning going? Looks like mine is brightening up!
Last night as I was playing Words with Friends on my Kindle Fire, it shut down. Just like that. No warning. Shut off. I clicked the on/off switch many times, and although the light showed green before it went off, the screen would not come back up. I charged it again overnight just in case something was amiss there. It wasn't. This morning it still will not come on. I have contacted Amazon to see what I can do with it. It was a gift and I do not have insurance on it, so if they won't - out of the goodness of their heart because it is only 7 months old - I will have to make a decision whether to purchase another or just go with an ipad. Will need to weigh what would be of more use and value to me. I'm waiting on Amazon's response.
Then, this morning, I get on my computer and start checking my usual routine of things - first stop is checking to see if my son posted on his blog (he hadn't - it's Saturday and he is sick anyway). I then went to Facebook. My laptop shut down. Literally. It went to the 'don't shut off or unplug we are updating' mode. Then it shuts down and restarts. All this on its own. I went back into Facebook and all was fine.
Really strange. Other than that our morning has been ok. I think. Marley got us up at 5AM as usual, she went out to do her business. When she came back in we went into my room to do my quiet time and she curls up under the futon to sleep. We came out, she ate her breakfast, I cooked breakfast for Tom and I. She has been out a couple more times and now she is under my feet here at the desk.
Need to do a little grocery shopping in a bit and Tom wants to go to the gym. I'm not sure if I am going to make that - but if I don't, well, let's just say there is a much better atmosphere when I do go to the gym than when I don't go. I know I need to go, but some days I just don't feel like it. I will be so glad when Marley has all her shots in about another six weeks and I can take her out for an early morning walk and both of us get exercise in the fresh air. Yeah, it is pretty hot right now, but if I go at 5 or 6AM and then come back to do my quiet time, she will definitely be ready for a rest and I can be praying as I walk. (Do some circle walking!!)
So what has all this to do with my electronic devices acting screwy? Probably nothing, but it makes me wonder if 'something' is trying to distract me on my journey here. True, Words with Friends is not a big deal - I can play it on my Nook or my iphone too. Or my laptop. What is unusual is that my laptop did what it did right after the Kindle Fire.
Ok - now don't laugh at me. I just prayed over my Kindle Fire and my laptop, that anything that is attacking them and preventing them from working to be gone! I picked up my kindle fire, pressed the on button. Nothing. I pressed it again - and it came up. Seriously. It appears to be working again - and although I charged it all night last night - it appears that my charge is nearly gone already. Will need to plug it in and see how long that lasts. Really interesting! I have been pressing the on/off switch numerous times last night and this morning before I prayed over it. God is good.
So - with that being said - how is your morning going? Looks like mine is brightening up!
Psalm 103:1-5 - A psalm of David.
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
May I never forget the good things He does for me. And may you never forget the good things He does for you.
Blessings!
Friday, June 22, 2012
What are you waiting for?
Tom and I have been doing the video series of 'not a fan' for the past four weeks. We have two more weeks to go of videos. This week's video had to do with downsizing. Giving up things. Giving away things.
So what does all that have to do with Jesus? Everything.
When you accept Jesus into your heart, you are to 'die to self' right then. Unfortunately, it isn't preached now. Heaven forbid if people are told that to follow Jesus means they would have to give up something. People don't want to hear it. They don't want to 'die to self' and think of others before themselves. They just want to be able to say they are a 'born again Christian' and not think about the implications of what that entails.
True, Jesus may NOT tell you to give up everything. He may NOT tell you to downsize your home, clean out your closets and give to those in need. He may NOT tell you to leave a job where you make lots of money to take something else on that pays less - and yet, it makes you happy. Jesus may not tell you to do these things, and yet....
Jesus says "follow me". What does that mean to you?
1 John 2:6 (NLT) - 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
And how did Jesus live His life? Not holding on to material things and treating people rudely, that much we know. He loved, He gave, He shared.
How are you living your Christ-like life? I see several areas in my life I need to work on. What about you? When you say you are a Christian, meaning you are 'like Christ' - are you living up to following Him?
Something to think about.....
Blessings!
So what does all that have to do with Jesus? Everything.
When you accept Jesus into your heart, you are to 'die to self' right then. Unfortunately, it isn't preached now. Heaven forbid if people are told that to follow Jesus means they would have to give up something. People don't want to hear it. They don't want to 'die to self' and think of others before themselves. They just want to be able to say they are a 'born again Christian' and not think about the implications of what that entails.
True, Jesus may NOT tell you to give up everything. He may NOT tell you to downsize your home, clean out your closets and give to those in need. He may NOT tell you to leave a job where you make lots of money to take something else on that pays less - and yet, it makes you happy. Jesus may not tell you to do these things, and yet....
Jesus says "follow me". What does that mean to you?
1 John 2:6 (NLT) - 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
And how did Jesus live His life? Not holding on to material things and treating people rudely, that much we know. He loved, He gave, He shared.
How are you living your Christ-like life? I see several areas in my life I need to work on. What about you? When you say you are a Christian, meaning you are 'like Christ' - are you living up to following Him?
Something to think about.....
Blessings!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Rekindling passion
This past year, as some of you know, was a difficult for me. I struggled with my identity in Christ due to comments made, rejections received. It was heart-breaking, and damaging to my self-esteem. We moved on and things have been better, although I still struggle with where do I fit in this new environment.
Hopefully this fall things will begin more to fall into place for me emotionally and spiritually. Part of what had been depleted from my life, I discovered during a phone call with a dear friend yesterday, was my passion. My passion for helping others find Hope. For helping others find Life. For encouraging others in their walk with Jesus. I had stepped back. Wasn't doing much talking.
Passion. Dictionary.com describes passion as:
1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
Hopefully this fall things will begin more to fall into place for me emotionally and spiritually. Part of what had been depleted from my life, I discovered during a phone call with a dear friend yesterday, was my passion. My passion for helping others find Hope. For helping others find Life. For encouraging others in their walk with Jesus. I had stepped back. Wasn't doing much talking.
Passion. Dictionary.com describes passion as:
1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
2. strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
3. strong sexual desire; lust.
4. an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire.
5. a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
6. a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music. 8. an outburst of strong emotion or feeling: He suddenly broke into a passion of bitter words.
9. violent anger.
10.the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, especially something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior ( contrasted with action).
11.(often initial capital letter ) Theology .
a. the sufferings of Christ on the cross or His sufferings subsequent to the Last Supper.
b. the narrative of Christ's sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.
12.Archaic . the sufferings of a martyr.
Wow - there is a lot more to passion than I thought there was! Of course we all have viewed Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and for me, that was intense. I watched it once. Although I have the video, I have no desire to watch it again. I'd rather watch Jesus of Nazareth or the video Matthew.
Anyway - back to my thoughts on passion, my passion for life had grown quiet - until I read The Circle Maker last February. Immediately I felt my heart stirring for the church. I drew circles in my mind and my prayers on paper for churches in which I have a bond. My heart cries out for financial blessings, for outreach, for a hunger to know Jesus. I knew it, but I didn't recognize it for what it was until sharing with my friend yesterday.
She nailed it. She commented, as we talked about the book The Circle Maker, about how my passion for God's people and His church has always been evident. Wow. I had forgotten how that felt. I have passion for the things of God, and want to share those things with His people. I want to reach out to the lost and show them the love of a Father who forgives everything we have ever done. Everything.
Psalm 103:8-18
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children —
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children —
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
And we should as well, and move on to glorify the Name of the One who sets us free. Jesus. At the name of Jesus every name shall bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL.
What's your passion? Has it fallen by the wayside? Pick it up again and begin living life to the fullest in Him. I am going to do just that! Live my life with passion!
Blessings!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
First day of Summer....
and it is to be 111 degrees today here in Phoenix! As I look outside my window I see clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. Have already been out a couple times with Marley so know that it is quickly warming up. There is also a fly that is bugging me that may not exist any more if it doesn't get out of here. It must have read what I wrote. I got up to get the fly swatter and come back and the fly is gone. At least for now.
I was able to get several letters written yesterday that I had been putting off for awhile. I remember -- before computers -- when I would write letters often. With being so far away from my mama I would write her weekly, and call often. My sissy and I would write a couple times a week, I think - or at least send funny cards to each other. She always found the funniest cards that made me laugh. Neither of us do that much now. Text messages and emails have taken over handwritten letters and notes - and that is really sad.
Did I actually hear recently that one school wasn't teaching cursive writing because it was rarely used anymore?
I think I have pretty good handwriting. My mama had beautiful handwriting and I would practice and practice, trying to write like her - and I think I pretty much succeeded. My older sister and my younger sister both have beautiful handwriting too. I think my daughter does as well - and they are all similar! I think we need to bring back the writing of letters, don't you?
When my children were growing up I wanted to teach them good manners. Every year for Christmas in their stocking they would have a package of thank you notes. Their one chore on Christmas, or shortly thereafter, was to write their thank you notes to family out of state who sent gifts. It must have been their high school years that we became lax for making it an issue, although I still put the cards in their stockings. I don't think any of them passed it on to their children. Sad. They aren't learning a very crucial part of response.
The oldest of my husband's three daughters has taught her children well. Her children always write us a thank you note whenever we send a birthday or Christmas gift. We contributed to a missions project for our granddaughter and we promptly got a very nice thank you promptly. It frustrates us that the other out of state grandchildren don't even send photos or acknowledge us. It keeps us from being involved in their lives.
I'm so glad my children and grandchildren currently live in Arizona where we can see them often. We may not get thank you notes, but at least we can receive hugs and thank yous and be a part of their lives.
Just heard a noise from the kitchen where we have Marley on her leash to keep her out of our way while I do my blog and Tom pays bills. She had managed to pull her tray of water over just enough she could tip the bowl and drink from it. Our fault, thought we had it closer to her. She sure can be funny at times, and yes, a nuisance at other times. Just checked on her to see if she wanted to go out. Sigh. Too late. Sure will be glad when this time of potty training is over! Marley's leash is down to one thread - she keeps chewing it. Looks like I will go get a stronger one today for her - also a new collar! She is growing so fast - has gone from 15 pounds when we got her to 19.1 when we took her to the vet for a shot yesterday.
Going back to thank yous - when was the last time you thanked someone for being kind to you, for doing something for you? Even more so, when was the last time you thanked someone for anything? It doesn't even have to be for you! I have noticed here at home that since we aren't rushing about as much that we have taken the time to 'thank you for making the bed' or 'thank you for making breakfast' or 'thank you for doing .....'. Thank you. A politeness not reserved just for strangers, friends, and coworkers. Family should come first. Thank someone today for ......... whatever.
Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
What? Give thanks in ALL circumstances? Is the Bible crazy? No, the Bible is not crazy! Give thanks for all things, in all circumstances, because we don't see the big picture. Sure, we can get ourselves in difficult situations, we can get in debt over our head, we can lose our job, we can have difficulty with our children. It is all part of life. But thank God for it, because through it you will grow to trust Him more to provide for you. You will look at your life through different eyes. You can't see the big picture, but you can grow from your circumstances - good and bad.
I know I have grown and changed over the past 62 years. I have gone through difficult and trying times, painful and stupid times, joyful and fun filled times, times when I ran from God, and many more times when I have run to Him. I have discovered the times I run TO Him, are the best times of my life.
It can be for you too. Take a few minutes and think back over this past week. How has it been for you? Doing your own thing, same thing, different day? Maybe today is the day you need to make a change for the better. Quit looking at the past and resolve to make a difference starting today.
Blessings!
I was able to get several letters written yesterday that I had been putting off for awhile. I remember -- before computers -- when I would write letters often. With being so far away from my mama I would write her weekly, and call often. My sissy and I would write a couple times a week, I think - or at least send funny cards to each other. She always found the funniest cards that made me laugh. Neither of us do that much now. Text messages and emails have taken over handwritten letters and notes - and that is really sad.
Did I actually hear recently that one school wasn't teaching cursive writing because it was rarely used anymore?
I think I have pretty good handwriting. My mama had beautiful handwriting and I would practice and practice, trying to write like her - and I think I pretty much succeeded. My older sister and my younger sister both have beautiful handwriting too. I think my daughter does as well - and they are all similar! I think we need to bring back the writing of letters, don't you?
When my children were growing up I wanted to teach them good manners. Every year for Christmas in their stocking they would have a package of thank you notes. Their one chore on Christmas, or shortly thereafter, was to write their thank you notes to family out of state who sent gifts. It must have been their high school years that we became lax for making it an issue, although I still put the cards in their stockings. I don't think any of them passed it on to their children. Sad. They aren't learning a very crucial part of response.
The oldest of my husband's three daughters has taught her children well. Her children always write us a thank you note whenever we send a birthday or Christmas gift. We contributed to a missions project for our granddaughter and we promptly got a very nice thank you promptly. It frustrates us that the other out of state grandchildren don't even send photos or acknowledge us. It keeps us from being involved in their lives.
I'm so glad my children and grandchildren currently live in Arizona where we can see them often. We may not get thank you notes, but at least we can receive hugs and thank yous and be a part of their lives.
Just heard a noise from the kitchen where we have Marley on her leash to keep her out of our way while I do my blog and Tom pays bills. She had managed to pull her tray of water over just enough she could tip the bowl and drink from it. Our fault, thought we had it closer to her. She sure can be funny at times, and yes, a nuisance at other times. Just checked on her to see if she wanted to go out. Sigh. Too late. Sure will be glad when this time of potty training is over! Marley's leash is down to one thread - she keeps chewing it. Looks like I will go get a stronger one today for her - also a new collar! She is growing so fast - has gone from 15 pounds when we got her to 19.1 when we took her to the vet for a shot yesterday.
Going back to thank yous - when was the last time you thanked someone for being kind to you, for doing something for you? Even more so, when was the last time you thanked someone for anything? It doesn't even have to be for you! I have noticed here at home that since we aren't rushing about as much that we have taken the time to 'thank you for making the bed' or 'thank you for making breakfast' or 'thank you for doing .....'. Thank you. A politeness not reserved just for strangers, friends, and coworkers. Family should come first. Thank someone today for ......... whatever.
Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
What? Give thanks in ALL circumstances? Is the Bible crazy? No, the Bible is not crazy! Give thanks for all things, in all circumstances, because we don't see the big picture. Sure, we can get ourselves in difficult situations, we can get in debt over our head, we can lose our job, we can have difficulty with our children. It is all part of life. But thank God for it, because through it you will grow to trust Him more to provide for you. You will look at your life through different eyes. You can't see the big picture, but you can grow from your circumstances - good and bad.
I know I have grown and changed over the past 62 years. I have gone through difficult and trying times, painful and stupid times, joyful and fun filled times, times when I ran from God, and many more times when I have run to Him. I have discovered the times I run TO Him, are the best times of my life.
It can be for you too. Take a few minutes and think back over this past week. How has it been for you? Doing your own thing, same thing, different day? Maybe today is the day you need to make a change for the better. Quit looking at the past and resolve to make a difference starting today.
Blessings!
Monday, June 18, 2012
God has always provided...whatever we need.
My list of things to do is getting longer and longer! This past week was difficult to focus on much because of needing to keep an eye on Marley. This week isn't proving to be much different as of yet. Of course it is only Monday. If she would just lay still at my feet I can be content! This morning she woke me at 4:45 - too late to take her out, but nevertheless, she was ready to get out of her crate. I took her out for awhile anyway and when we came in, she did lay down and sleep again while I did my quiet time. I was grateful for as it is hard to read my Bible when she is jumping all over the place. She laid there for about an hour and a half then decided it was time to get up. So out we went again, she did her business, and then we fed her. Not bad at all. She has finally settled down at my feet so perhaps I can now complete this without more interruptions. Well now, barely got that sentence finished and off we go!
My list of things to do seems to get longer daily - not only because of Marley, of course, but because I keep putting off doing it. But, I do have letters to write that I need to get completed and in the mail. Yes, letters. You know the act when you put pen to paper and actually write cursive on it. And put in an envelope and add a stamp to it before putting it in the mail. I have a few of those I need to do as well as get cards in the mail. As I put God first, He will provide the time that I can complete those. Of course MY part is to sit down and do it!
I also need to go through my clothes and pull out some to donate to Project Homeless that we are volunteering at later this month at North Hills. We volunteered last November and it was quite an experience. We both want to donate some clothes so need to go through closets and drawers. As I think of doing that - donating clothes and our time to the homeless - I am reminded of how fortunate I am. True, we have a lot more than some people and a lot less than others, but we have enough. God has always provided what we needed.
I remember my mama crocheting doilies and my little brother and I would walk up and down the street selling them for 25 cents a piece just to bring some money in to provide for our family. Mama said the Lord always provided what we needed. She had six children, and her husband had died. She worked at a market nearby and crocheted her doilies to bring money in to pay our rent and bills. God provided every time. As I think back on that time, we never thought we were poor, but by other people's standards we probably were. A couple, then a single mom with six children, living behind a store front, in just a few rooms. But it was enough.
Today it seems we all want 'more'. What we have is never enough. But in reality, it is. We have what we need. Not necessarily what all we want. And that's ok. There is a disadvantage with getting everything you want. Yes, there really is. When people ask you what you want for your birthday, or Christmas, you never know what to tell them! I thought of my mama last Christmas. Every year we would ask her 'what do you want for Christmas (or birthday) and she would always respond, 'There is nothing I need.' I realized this past year exactly what she meant. We had everything we needed, so when the kids asked what to get us, we had no idea what suggestions to give them.
It is that way with some of our children and grandchildren too. Most have more 'things' than they know what to do with. Even they are sometimes at a loss as to what to tell us. One year I thought perhaps we would just celebrate the birthday with taking the grandchild out for dinner. That didn't work for I couldn't bear not giving them a gift too. So now we are down to giving cash - which I dislike, but at least this way they can get what they want or put it towards something they want.
I Timothy 6:17 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
God provides for us through different ways. A girlfriend was in Phoenix recently and when we met for lunch, she distracted me and paid for both our meals. It was to have been my treat. When I questioned her as to why she did that, she said she wanted to bless me. Someone had handed her some cash (because God had told them to give it to her) so she wanted to bless me with it as well. How could I argue with her about that! Sometimes God blesses, so that they can bless others.
What are you needing God to provide for you? Is there a need that you have that you don't see how you can bring it about in the near future? Perhaps God wants to grow you through it. Perhaps He wants to allow someone to bless you. Learn from Him, be blessed through others' hands. Don't let pride get in your way and prevent a blessing.
Give a blessing - and be a blessing to others!
Blessings!
My list of things to do seems to get longer daily - not only because of Marley, of course, but because I keep putting off doing it. But, I do have letters to write that I need to get completed and in the mail. Yes, letters. You know the act when you put pen to paper and actually write cursive on it. And put in an envelope and add a stamp to it before putting it in the mail. I have a few of those I need to do as well as get cards in the mail. As I put God first, He will provide the time that I can complete those. Of course MY part is to sit down and do it!
I also need to go through my clothes and pull out some to donate to Project Homeless that we are volunteering at later this month at North Hills. We volunteered last November and it was quite an experience. We both want to donate some clothes so need to go through closets and drawers. As I think of doing that - donating clothes and our time to the homeless - I am reminded of how fortunate I am. True, we have a lot more than some people and a lot less than others, but we have enough. God has always provided what we needed.
I remember my mama crocheting doilies and my little brother and I would walk up and down the street selling them for 25 cents a piece just to bring some money in to provide for our family. Mama said the Lord always provided what we needed. She had six children, and her husband had died. She worked at a market nearby and crocheted her doilies to bring money in to pay our rent and bills. God provided every time. As I think back on that time, we never thought we were poor, but by other people's standards we probably were. A couple, then a single mom with six children, living behind a store front, in just a few rooms. But it was enough.
Today it seems we all want 'more'. What we have is never enough. But in reality, it is. We have what we need. Not necessarily what all we want. And that's ok. There is a disadvantage with getting everything you want. Yes, there really is. When people ask you what you want for your birthday, or Christmas, you never know what to tell them! I thought of my mama last Christmas. Every year we would ask her 'what do you want for Christmas (or birthday) and she would always respond, 'There is nothing I need.' I realized this past year exactly what she meant. We had everything we needed, so when the kids asked what to get us, we had no idea what suggestions to give them.
It is that way with some of our children and grandchildren too. Most have more 'things' than they know what to do with. Even they are sometimes at a loss as to what to tell us. One year I thought perhaps we would just celebrate the birthday with taking the grandchild out for dinner. That didn't work for I couldn't bear not giving them a gift too. So now we are down to giving cash - which I dislike, but at least this way they can get what they want or put it towards something they want.
I Timothy 6:17 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
God provides for us through different ways. A girlfriend was in Phoenix recently and when we met for lunch, she distracted me and paid for both our meals. It was to have been my treat. When I questioned her as to why she did that, she said she wanted to bless me. Someone had handed her some cash (because God had told them to give it to her) so she wanted to bless me with it as well. How could I argue with her about that! Sometimes God blesses, so that they can bless others.
What are you needing God to provide for you? Is there a need that you have that you don't see how you can bring it about in the near future? Perhaps God wants to grow you through it. Perhaps He wants to allow someone to bless you. Learn from Him, be blessed through others' hands. Don't let pride get in your way and prevent a blessing.
Give a blessing - and be a blessing to others!
Blessings!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Shut up and listen! (or, to be nice - Be quiet and listen!)
Marley has found her voice. Actually, she found it the other day. I had her outside and she wanted to go inside, so she strained against the leash and pulled and 'whisper barked'. That's the best way I can explain the sound. Then it happened. She found her voice. She has used it a few times since. Usually in play, but when a stranger came close to us she also barked - which is a good thing.
At times when we are trying to train or talk with Marley, she barks. Or she looks away. She wants to chew on our fingers (which is a no-no). She likes to jump up on us and get lovings (the jumping is also a no-no). She cracked us up last night when she tried to jump into my lap, bypassed me, climbed over my chair and onto the floor. It was like "I know I'm not supposed to do this so I'm just going to do it real quick and maybe you won't notice!"
Isn't that what we do at times? We think if we are disobedient 'real quick' that we won't be seen and we have scored our goal. Or we get so busy talking, we don't listen to what is being told us.
Doesn't it frustrate you when you are trying to explain how you want something done and your child, sibling, or even your spouse keeps interrupting with their thoughts? How many times do you tell them to stop and let you talk?
I wonder how many times God wants us to 'shut up' or 'be quiet' and let Him talk. How many times have we interrupted His conversation with us, telling Him what we think we ought to do instead of what He wants us to do? Scary thought, isn't it!
And, many times, we do it unconsciously. We don't even realize we are doing it. We are so intent - like Marley - on getting our own way that we want to block everyone and everything else out. After all, as it is all about Marley and her needs and wants; it is all about us and our needs and wants.
I don't know about you, but I want to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. I want to hear what my God has to say to me. I love it when He speaks. Those times I treasure. You will too.
Listen more, talk less.
Blessings!
At times when we are trying to train or talk with Marley, she barks. Or she looks away. She wants to chew on our fingers (which is a no-no). She likes to jump up on us and get lovings (the jumping is also a no-no). She cracked us up last night when she tried to jump into my lap, bypassed me, climbed over my chair and onto the floor. It was like "I know I'm not supposed to do this so I'm just going to do it real quick and maybe you won't notice!"
Isn't that what we do at times? We think if we are disobedient 'real quick' that we won't be seen and we have scored our goal. Or we get so busy talking, we don't listen to what is being told us.
Doesn't it frustrate you when you are trying to explain how you want something done and your child, sibling, or even your spouse keeps interrupting with their thoughts? How many times do you tell them to stop and let you talk?
I wonder how many times God wants us to 'shut up' or 'be quiet' and let Him talk. How many times have we interrupted His conversation with us, telling Him what we think we ought to do instead of what He wants us to do? Scary thought, isn't it!
And, many times, we do it unconsciously. We don't even realize we are doing it. We are so intent - like Marley - on getting our own way that we want to block everyone and everything else out. After all, as it is all about Marley and her needs and wants; it is all about us and our needs and wants.
I don't know about you, but I want to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. I want to hear what my God has to say to me. I love it when He speaks. Those times I treasure. You will too.
Listen more, talk less.
Blessings!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Life Changes
As we age, change jobs, change spouses (sometimes), change homes, change eating habits, change locations, gain children, lose children, gain pets, lose pets, gain friends, lose friends - well, all these are life changes. Some are good, some are not so good. Our last life change has been good.
We adopted Marley. She has been a fun dog. Likes lots of love and attention (as some of our spouses do - ok, not the same), sleeps a lot, likes to play. Granted we have only had her 4 days now so the newness hasn't worn off yet. Right now she is laying at my feet fast asleep. As she should be when I'm on the computer.
In the mornings she goes in with me for my quiet time and lays at my feet and sleeps. She lays between our chairs at night and sleeps while we watch TV or read. She likes to be close to us.
Bringing Marley into our lives has been a life change, for sure. I'm finding it interesting about reactions. Many people have known I have wanted a dog for a long, long time. Yes, I wanted a small dog, like a dachshund, but a small dog isn't one Tom would let me have. So we have another large dog - or will be large dog. And I'm ok with that. Especially since I have been walking a lot and Tom does not enjoy walking. When she is 4 months old I can start training her to walk with me. I'm really looking forward to getting out with her. I love to be alone with my thoughts and I can do both - think and walk - at the same time!
I'm still looking for a job, although this week with getting Marley and the vet appointment and other things I haven't been able to focus upon looking. Hopefully this weekend I can get refocused and get out there again on Monday. It's hard having to divide my attention between two animals - human and dog. LOL Interruptions always by one or the other.
Life Changes. Some by choice. In retrospect, I have gone through a lot of life changes over the course of my life, and especially over the past six months. I retired from my job of nearly 26 years. I started volunteering more. We changed worship locations. Attended some Bible studies. Plan to facilitate more. Involved in women's ministries. Trained for and walked in a 13.1 Mini Marathon. Visited family in Indiana. Adopted a dog. Minor things, but still, life changes. And I don't regret any of them. Hopefully I am better because of these life changes.
Some changes I had hoped for have not been realized, and probably will not be. These are things I hold in my heart. Between me and God. Life changes.
The best life change I made was 30 years ago - when I ran down to the altar at church and rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. He has turned my world upside down. He is my Best Friend. He loves me in spite of anything I could do. I read recently that no stain is so big that He couldn't love me through it. He helps me through my toughest battles, my greatest pain. He walks with me. He loves me unconditionally. I can tell Him anything - my hurts, my joys, my dreams - and He always listens and holds me through the tears. I am lost without Him.
What about you? Have you gone through some life changes lately? Can you look back on your life these past six months and see any changes? Or are there changes you wish you had made? Take some time to evaluate the past six months and see where you want to be in the next six. What are you doing to get there? First step - surrender.
Blessings.
We adopted Marley. She has been a fun dog. Likes lots of love and attention (as some of our spouses do - ok, not the same), sleeps a lot, likes to play. Granted we have only had her 4 days now so the newness hasn't worn off yet. Right now she is laying at my feet fast asleep. As she should be when I'm on the computer.
In the mornings she goes in with me for my quiet time and lays at my feet and sleeps. She lays between our chairs at night and sleeps while we watch TV or read. She likes to be close to us.
Bringing Marley into our lives has been a life change, for sure. I'm finding it interesting about reactions. Many people have known I have wanted a dog for a long, long time. Yes, I wanted a small dog, like a dachshund, but a small dog isn't one Tom would let me have. So we have another large dog - or will be large dog. And I'm ok with that. Especially since I have been walking a lot and Tom does not enjoy walking. When she is 4 months old I can start training her to walk with me. I'm really looking forward to getting out with her. I love to be alone with my thoughts and I can do both - think and walk - at the same time!
I'm still looking for a job, although this week with getting Marley and the vet appointment and other things I haven't been able to focus upon looking. Hopefully this weekend I can get refocused and get out there again on Monday. It's hard having to divide my attention between two animals - human and dog. LOL Interruptions always by one or the other.
Life Changes. Some by choice. In retrospect, I have gone through a lot of life changes over the course of my life, and especially over the past six months. I retired from my job of nearly 26 years. I started volunteering more. We changed worship locations. Attended some Bible studies. Plan to facilitate more. Involved in women's ministries. Trained for and walked in a 13.1 Mini Marathon. Visited family in Indiana. Adopted a dog. Minor things, but still, life changes. And I don't regret any of them. Hopefully I am better because of these life changes.
Some changes I had hoped for have not been realized, and probably will not be. These are things I hold in my heart. Between me and God. Life changes.
The best life change I made was 30 years ago - when I ran down to the altar at church and rededicated my life to Jesus Christ. He has turned my world upside down. He is my Best Friend. He loves me in spite of anything I could do. I read recently that no stain is so big that He couldn't love me through it. He helps me through my toughest battles, my greatest pain. He walks with me. He loves me unconditionally. I can tell Him anything - my hurts, my joys, my dreams - and He always listens and holds me through the tears. I am lost without Him.
What about you? Have you gone through some life changes lately? Can you look back on your life these past six months and see any changes? Or are there changes you wish you had made? Take some time to evaluate the past six months and see where you want to be in the next six. What are you doing to get there? First step - surrender.
Blessings.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Marley and Me... (us)...
Marley. When I first saw her photo on the AZ Humane Society website and also on www.petfinder.com I figured for sure she would be gone before we could go. I even delayed going because we have been so disappointed when we have one picked out and it is gone or on hold by the time we get there. And this time we went about a 1/2 hour drive away to the shelter (Campus for Compassion at 15th Ave & Dobbins) versus the shelter in Sunnyslope that is nearby.
We finally decided to go down and see what they had at Campus for Compassion. I was really impressed with the grounds and buildings. I mean really impressed. It is 10 years old and very clean. The people who worked with us were kind and helpful and eagerly answered all our questions. I quickly went through four sections of dogs before I found Marley.
Marley is a 9 week old black Labrador/Shepherd mix. Not what we originally wanted (Doberman) but a dog we could love easily. And do. She is so black that if she turns her head, you can't tell unless you see her eyes. She is friendly, fun and growing fast!
We took Marley today to her first well check up (free through the recommended locations by the shelter if done within 5 days after adoption). She has a bit of kennel cough so gave us free antibiotics for her. Any problems whatsoever we are to call them immediately (the vet hospital where we took her). She weighed 15 pounds when we got her on Tuesday - today she weighs 16.1. At this rate, she will be huge in no time!
We were advised not to put her with other dogs or take to the dog park or even out walking until she is four months old so that she will have all her shots and her immune system will be built up against germs from other dogs. I was surprised to learn that even by walking on the sidewalk that a sick dog has walked on, she could get sick. We were told to carry her if we take her anywhere. (not for long!!)
We are having 'fun' working with house breaking her, but it hasn't been too bad. We are learning as we go for it has been awhile since we had a dog. She was so good today. She didn't go at all from 10AM until we got back from the vets - we were afraid she'd let loose there - but she didn't - held it until we got home, found a shady spot to do her business.
I went to the grocery this afternoon and when I got home she came running so excited to see me. Then she stayed at my feet while I put groceries away. It is nice to be so loved.
This morning our Schwans man came and she started barking and getting between me and him - so Tom held her back. Not that she could hurt him much, but she does have sharp teeth - ask Tom! He has torn skin on his hands and arms from playing with her. It is nice to know her instinct already is to protect us. Then again, at the vet this morning she just loved all the attention. Bet she doesn't react that way after next week when she starts getting shots when we take her in!
So now we have our Marley and I can quit spending hours looking for a dog. She lays at our feet most of the time - but she is going to be a handful, I'm sure. Can't wait until she is big enough and old enough that I can start walking with her!
Hope that you feel the love of a pet. Kind of like our God. He loves us in good times and bad, eagerly waits for us to get settled to give Him our undivided attention. Marley sits at my feet while I do my quiet time. Guess she likes His attention too.
Blessings!
We finally decided to go down and see what they had at Campus for Compassion. I was really impressed with the grounds and buildings. I mean really impressed. It is 10 years old and very clean. The people who worked with us were kind and helpful and eagerly answered all our questions. I quickly went through four sections of dogs before I found Marley.
Marley is a 9 week old black Labrador/Shepherd mix. Not what we originally wanted (Doberman) but a dog we could love easily. And do. She is so black that if she turns her head, you can't tell unless you see her eyes. She is friendly, fun and growing fast!
We took Marley today to her first well check up (free through the recommended locations by the shelter if done within 5 days after adoption). She has a bit of kennel cough so gave us free antibiotics for her. Any problems whatsoever we are to call them immediately (the vet hospital where we took her). She weighed 15 pounds when we got her on Tuesday - today she weighs 16.1. At this rate, she will be huge in no time!
We were advised not to put her with other dogs or take to the dog park or even out walking until she is four months old so that she will have all her shots and her immune system will be built up against germs from other dogs. I was surprised to learn that even by walking on the sidewalk that a sick dog has walked on, she could get sick. We were told to carry her if we take her anywhere. (not for long!!)
We are having 'fun' working with house breaking her, but it hasn't been too bad. We are learning as we go for it has been awhile since we had a dog. She was so good today. She didn't go at all from 10AM until we got back from the vets - we were afraid she'd let loose there - but she didn't - held it until we got home, found a shady spot to do her business.
I went to the grocery this afternoon and when I got home she came running so excited to see me. Then she stayed at my feet while I put groceries away. It is nice to be so loved.
This morning our Schwans man came and she started barking and getting between me and him - so Tom held her back. Not that she could hurt him much, but she does have sharp teeth - ask Tom! He has torn skin on his hands and arms from playing with her. It is nice to know her instinct already is to protect us. Then again, at the vet this morning she just loved all the attention. Bet she doesn't react that way after next week when she starts getting shots when we take her in!
So now we have our Marley and I can quit spending hours looking for a dog. She lays at our feet most of the time - but she is going to be a handful, I'm sure. Can't wait until she is big enough and old enough that I can start walking with her!
Hope that you feel the love of a pet. Kind of like our God. He loves us in good times and bad, eagerly waits for us to get settled to give Him our undivided attention. Marley sits at my feet while I do my quiet time. Guess she likes His attention too.
Blessings!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
I may have just gotten myself into 'trouble'......
uh oh. I attacked with passion. I was driven to achieve something we have talked about for months - perhaps even a few years. I moved my vehicle from the driveway so that hubby could get out and head to his doctor's appointment. As I walked back into our back yard, I saw it. It consumed me. I decided to 'just do it'.
And I did. With passion. I attacked our orange tree that is growing in the back yard. I looked at it and remembered how difficult it was to pick oranges every year because of the dead branches getting in my way, getting stuck by them. I looked at the low hanging branches, over into our neighbor's yard, over our pool equipment, over the back fence.
And I got the cutters. I decided if I could find them, then it was ok for me to attack. With passion. I found them. Second place, but should have been the first place I looked. So, that's a sign, right? That I needed to just do this?
I think I 'deleted' half of the tree, but I eliminated a lot of low hanging branches (yes, some still had a small fruit on it), branches over the pool equipment, over in our neighbor's yard, and over the back fence. Personally, I think it does look a lot better than it did 'full of branches and overgrown'.
One thing I discovered as I clipped some of these branches, even the ones with leaves and fruit on them, how sparse they were. There were lots of dead branches before you got to the end where the one small fruit was. I thought about how hard it was to get water to the end of the branches when it has to bypass all the dead stuff. And I clipped. Or, I guess the better, proper, term is 'pruned' that branch out.
I'm reminded of Jesus' story in John 15. Read the whole chapter (if you don't have your Bible handy, go to www.biblegateway.com and do passage lookup).
John 15:2 - He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
I pruned the branches of the orange tree (even tho not the time to do so) so that it will in time, produce bigger and better fruit. I got rid of a lot of the dead branches, so that nourishment can get into the leaves and into the fruit to grow.
Just like God does to us. When we are in useless ministries that don't seem to go anywhere, He will take us out of it. He will remove the ministry. He will prune us so that we will grow bigger and more fruitful.
I've heard a saying like 'when the ministry is dead, bury it, don't try to revive it'. That also pertains to our lives.
"If we keep doing what we always did, we will always get what we always got." If we keep doing things our way and things never turn out the way we want them to - perhaps we need to look at what we are doing and see if we need to prune it out of our lives, or find a better way to make it grow.
For example - a marriage. It's hard enough sometimes to survive in a marriage. Usually one - or both - do things to irritate the other spouse. The solution is NOT divorce - but agreeing to work through the issues and find another way to do things that brings harmony in the home. You can't prune out that disagreement, but you can find another solution.
But in life itself, doing things intentionally that will create issues may be reason enough to step back and look at what you need to prune away.
Do you want to be fruitful in your marriage, in your home? Do you want to be an asset to your employer? Are you someone who others look up to and want to live life the way you do?
Think about this - what in your life do you need to prune to make your life better? To prune means to cut away - throw in the fire, burn off. Be done with it. Is it a habit, a hobby, an attitude, a behavior? Give it up - prune it out - and take a huge step towards who God created you to be.
Blessings!
And I did. With passion. I attacked our orange tree that is growing in the back yard. I looked at it and remembered how difficult it was to pick oranges every year because of the dead branches getting in my way, getting stuck by them. I looked at the low hanging branches, over into our neighbor's yard, over our pool equipment, over the back fence.
And I got the cutters. I decided if I could find them, then it was ok for me to attack. With passion. I found them. Second place, but should have been the first place I looked. So, that's a sign, right? That I needed to just do this?
I think I 'deleted' half of the tree, but I eliminated a lot of low hanging branches (yes, some still had a small fruit on it), branches over the pool equipment, over in our neighbor's yard, and over the back fence. Personally, I think it does look a lot better than it did 'full of branches and overgrown'.
One thing I discovered as I clipped some of these branches, even the ones with leaves and fruit on them, how sparse they were. There were lots of dead branches before you got to the end where the one small fruit was. I thought about how hard it was to get water to the end of the branches when it has to bypass all the dead stuff. And I clipped. Or, I guess the better, proper, term is 'pruned' that branch out.
I'm reminded of Jesus' story in John 15. Read the whole chapter (if you don't have your Bible handy, go to www.biblegateway.com and do passage lookup).
John 15:2 - He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
I pruned the branches of the orange tree (even tho not the time to do so) so that it will in time, produce bigger and better fruit. I got rid of a lot of the dead branches, so that nourishment can get into the leaves and into the fruit to grow.
Just like God does to us. When we are in useless ministries that don't seem to go anywhere, He will take us out of it. He will remove the ministry. He will prune us so that we will grow bigger and more fruitful.
I've heard a saying like 'when the ministry is dead, bury it, don't try to revive it'. That also pertains to our lives.
"If we keep doing what we always did, we will always get what we always got." If we keep doing things our way and things never turn out the way we want them to - perhaps we need to look at what we are doing and see if we need to prune it out of our lives, or find a better way to make it grow.
For example - a marriage. It's hard enough sometimes to survive in a marriage. Usually one - or both - do things to irritate the other spouse. The solution is NOT divorce - but agreeing to work through the issues and find another way to do things that brings harmony in the home. You can't prune out that disagreement, but you can find another solution.
But in life itself, doing things intentionally that will create issues may be reason enough to step back and look at what you need to prune away.
Do you want to be fruitful in your marriage, in your home? Do you want to be an asset to your employer? Are you someone who others look up to and want to live life the way you do?
Think about this - what in your life do you need to prune to make your life better? To prune means to cut away - throw in the fire, burn off. Be done with it. Is it a habit, a hobby, an attitude, a behavior? Give it up - prune it out - and take a huge step towards who God created you to be.
Blessings!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Stillness of the day....
I love the quiet of the day, where there is no sound but the chiming of the clock and my fingers on the keys of the computer. Hubby has gone to meet a friend for coffee and I have a little time to myself. Sometimes we need that.
Just to step back. Just to let it all out. Just to breathe.
We were active most of yesterday. Got to volunteer our help at the annual business meeting at church by serving homemade ice cream. Between you and me, there is a big advantage of being a server. Let's leave it at that. Last night we bought a pie from Village Inn and took as a belated birthday gift to a friend and got to visit with her. Fun times.
This morning we did our quiet time then headed to the gym where I got an hour of interval walking (burned 471 calories!!) along with blaring music there. Came home, rested a few minutes, prepared a light lunch. Now hubby is gone and I'm all alone. For a few minutes.
So what do I do? I get on my computer so that I can add to my blog for today. And in the stillness I sit here and think about what I can write. Perhaps it is about the stillness. The silence except for the clock ticking. Shhhhh.
But what to write. In the stillness I don't want to write. I want to be quiet. And still.
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God."
I think there is a message there. Doesn't need me adding to it.
Be still.
Blessings!
Just to step back. Just to let it all out. Just to breathe.
We were active most of yesterday. Got to volunteer our help at the annual business meeting at church by serving homemade ice cream. Between you and me, there is a big advantage of being a server. Let's leave it at that. Last night we bought a pie from Village Inn and took as a belated birthday gift to a friend and got to visit with her. Fun times.
This morning we did our quiet time then headed to the gym where I got an hour of interval walking (burned 471 calories!!) along with blaring music there. Came home, rested a few minutes, prepared a light lunch. Now hubby is gone and I'm all alone. For a few minutes.
So what do I do? I get on my computer so that I can add to my blog for today. And in the stillness I sit here and think about what I can write. Perhaps it is about the stillness. The silence except for the clock ticking. Shhhhh.
But what to write. In the stillness I don't want to write. I want to be quiet. And still.
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God."
I think there is a message there. Doesn't need me adding to it.
Be still.
Blessings!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
His anointing....
I love it when my beautiful daughter-in-law (and grandson) sit with us in church. Usually she teaches the children on Sundays, but gets a Sunday or two off each month and this was one of those days off.
After the communion elements were passed out, after we had taken communion, my daughter-in-law leans over and whispers that she had spilled some of the juice on her pants. We then got going back on forth whispering different things like ...
... anointed with the blood of Jesus
... when Jesus' blood is upon us, sometimes it is uncomfortable
... sometimes God prepares us when He plans to anoint and make a statement - She had planned to wear white slacks this morning then changed her mind to wear black
... when you move, Jesus reminds you of His anointing
I think the one statement that is really profound is one Del shared with me. "When Jesus' blood is upon us, sometimes it is uncomfortable". Much like the spill on her slacks that was wet and cold that was uncomfortable whenever she moved.
Kind of like our lives, isn't it? When we are in His will, we are comfortable with our anointing. We are ok with what is going on in our lives (most times), and want to grow and be all that He wants us to be. We can take on the world. But then, we get caught up in the world and the anointing that is upon us isn't quite so comfortable.
It is distracting to us because it turns our attention away from things we want to do that we know aren't quite that pleasing to the Lord. It throws 'cold water' upon the 'on the edge' habits and things that we do that we have put in a 'gray area' of obedience. Sometimes the anointing gets in the way and we wipe it off, remove it, get rid of it. We want to do things our way. We want to live in the gray area and do what we want to do because it is what makes us happy.
And we find ourselves unhappy, struggling within and without. Our friends from the gray area keep contact so that they can continue to draw us into that area. Yet, we know there is something better. We know, because we have experienced it before.
We remember when we had the anointing of God upon us. When all we had to do was 'be still, and know that He is God' in our spirit. We felt His presence. We knew He was near.
And we feel His drawing once again to come back into the LIGHT from the gray and hidden places. God loves us so much, He sent His one and only beloved Son, Jesus, to become man and be hung on a tree made into a cross. A cross that symbolizes His love for us. A cross that has become our 'emblem' of Who we believe in. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.
I'm ok with uncomfortable as long as it is God's anointing making me that way. True, it isn't fun, but it helps me stay true to Him. When I fall for the things of the world, I want Him to distract me and draw me back to Him. I want Him to keep me on track with what is good, noble, of good character.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
What about you? Do you need an anointing of Jesus' blood this morning to turn your life around? Do you need to think about where you are in life, and where you are heading? Is it with Him, or without Him? Which do you think it should be?
..... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
Blessings!
After the communion elements were passed out, after we had taken communion, my daughter-in-law leans over and whispers that she had spilled some of the juice on her pants. We then got going back on forth whispering different things like ...
... anointed with the blood of Jesus
... when Jesus' blood is upon us, sometimes it is uncomfortable
... sometimes God prepares us when He plans to anoint and make a statement - She had planned to wear white slacks this morning then changed her mind to wear black
... when you move, Jesus reminds you of His anointing
I think the one statement that is really profound is one Del shared with me. "When Jesus' blood is upon us, sometimes it is uncomfortable". Much like the spill on her slacks that was wet and cold that was uncomfortable whenever she moved.
Kind of like our lives, isn't it? When we are in His will, we are comfortable with our anointing. We are ok with what is going on in our lives (most times), and want to grow and be all that He wants us to be. We can take on the world. But then, we get caught up in the world and the anointing that is upon us isn't quite so comfortable.
It is distracting to us because it turns our attention away from things we want to do that we know aren't quite that pleasing to the Lord. It throws 'cold water' upon the 'on the edge' habits and things that we do that we have put in a 'gray area' of obedience. Sometimes the anointing gets in the way and we wipe it off, remove it, get rid of it. We want to do things our way. We want to live in the gray area and do what we want to do because it is what makes us happy.
And we find ourselves unhappy, struggling within and without. Our friends from the gray area keep contact so that they can continue to draw us into that area. Yet, we know there is something better. We know, because we have experienced it before.
We remember when we had the anointing of God upon us. When all we had to do was 'be still, and know that He is God' in our spirit. We felt His presence. We knew He was near.
And we feel His drawing once again to come back into the LIGHT from the gray and hidden places. God loves us so much, He sent His one and only beloved Son, Jesus, to become man and be hung on a tree made into a cross. A cross that symbolizes His love for us. A cross that has become our 'emblem' of Who we believe in. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I'm ok with uncomfortable as long as it is God's anointing making me that way. True, it isn't fun, but it helps me stay true to Him. When I fall for the things of the world, I want Him to distract me and draw me back to Him. I want Him to keep me on track with what is good, noble, of good character.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
What about you? Do you need an anointing of Jesus' blood this morning to turn your life around? Do you need to think about where you are in life, and where you are heading? Is it with Him, or without Him? Which do you think it should be?
..... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.
Blessings!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Maybe I should write a book.....
That is what two of my grandchildren keep telling me when they read my blog or we are sharing stories. Last Monday I again was told 'Grandma, you need to write a book'!
That had been my dream as I was growing up, that I would write a novel or two. It was either a collection of stories or a story about life as I knew it. I've never written that novel and who knows what has happened to the little stories I used to write. Years ago I signed up for a program to learn how to write children's stories, but circumstances being what they were at the time, I cancelled it. The past several months I keep getting emails from a person I am assuming is from the program I had signed up for. I have deleted one after the other, thinking there is no way I could do that now. The last two or three have been full of encouragement to write. I deleted them. Today I find another in my email box. In this email she talks about another woman who always wanted to write and finally sat down to do it. I haven't deleted it yet.
I have thought of when I completed a couple hundred blogs I could print those and put in a book. Or I could just sit down and start typing and see what happens. Then I think of all the things I 'should' be doing instead. Or I think if I could just write a successful novel,, then maybe I could delay going back to work and do my first love instead - write! But that all takes time and money, so I need to work and write at the same time. One to support my dream and the other to complete my dream. Some day.
I'm pleased that I have a son and granddaughter who write stories. I believe both have some good enough to publish. I even have a book on how to publish an e-book if they are interested. I haven't read my son's stories (well, not all the way through) but a few years ago had read a couple of my granddaughter's. Well worth publishing and I wish they both would. It would be fun even if only a few people bought - they could say they are authors! Both write in a sci-fi fashion as that is their enjoyment. I am proud of them both for their efforts and would love to see them take it to the next level even though they write things I wouldn't normally read.
What? Me too? Uh.... that means I'd have to actually sit down and do it!
Colossians 3:23-25 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism."
My thoughts have been on this topic for a long time. I asked two of the grandchildren a few months back "but how would I start it?" Their response? "Once upon a time...." . Who knows, maybe the Lord is laying it upon my heart to 'just do it'!
What are you holding off doing? Is there something God has called you to do and you are reluctant to start it? Is there someone you are to meet with and just don't want to? Or just keep putting things off? Maybe today is the day you need to step back and look at what it is - and act.
Will you find a few years from now the thought of regret that you didn't do it? That you didn't write that book, that letter. That you didn't make the phone call, visit the friend. That you didn't do what you knew you should have done. Will you have regrets when you look back over your life?
I hope I don't, but I can't honestly say I won't have regrets. Maybe I need to think more seriously about that book and at least lose one regret!
What about you?
Blessings!
That had been my dream as I was growing up, that I would write a novel or two. It was either a collection of stories or a story about life as I knew it. I've never written that novel and who knows what has happened to the little stories I used to write. Years ago I signed up for a program to learn how to write children's stories, but circumstances being what they were at the time, I cancelled it. The past several months I keep getting emails from a person I am assuming is from the program I had signed up for. I have deleted one after the other, thinking there is no way I could do that now. The last two or three have been full of encouragement to write. I deleted them. Today I find another in my email box. In this email she talks about another woman who always wanted to write and finally sat down to do it. I haven't deleted it yet.
I have thought of when I completed a couple hundred blogs I could print those and put in a book. Or I could just sit down and start typing and see what happens. Then I think of all the things I 'should' be doing instead. Or I think if I could just write a successful novel,, then maybe I could delay going back to work and do my first love instead - write! But that all takes time and money, so I need to work and write at the same time. One to support my dream and the other to complete my dream. Some day.
I'm pleased that I have a son and granddaughter who write stories. I believe both have some good enough to publish. I even have a book on how to publish an e-book if they are interested. I haven't read my son's stories (well, not all the way through) but a few years ago had read a couple of my granddaughter's. Well worth publishing and I wish they both would. It would be fun even if only a few people bought - they could say they are authors! Both write in a sci-fi fashion as that is their enjoyment. I am proud of them both for their efforts and would love to see them take it to the next level even though they write things I wouldn't normally read.
What? Me too? Uh.... that means I'd have to actually sit down and do it!
Colossians 3:23-25 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism."
My thoughts have been on this topic for a long time. I asked two of the grandchildren a few months back "but how would I start it?" Their response? "Once upon a time...." . Who knows, maybe the Lord is laying it upon my heart to 'just do it'!
What are you holding off doing? Is there something God has called you to do and you are reluctant to start it? Is there someone you are to meet with and just don't want to? Or just keep putting things off? Maybe today is the day you need to step back and look at what it is - and act.
Will you find a few years from now the thought of regret that you didn't do it? That you didn't write that book, that letter. That you didn't make the phone call, visit the friend. That you didn't do what you knew you should have done. Will you have regrets when you look back over your life?
I hope I don't, but I can't honestly say I won't have regrets. Maybe I need to think more seriously about that book and at least lose one regret!
What about you?
Blessings!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Deep Cleaning....
Deep Cleaning. We look at the words 'deep cleaning' and our minds go to different things.
The Dentist. I had to go to the dentist this morning for a 'deep cleaning'. I really do not like those! Interestingly enough, it wasn't as bad as before so I'm not sure if she did a deep cleaning or not. But, regardless I did get my teeth cleaned this morning.
The House. Our house still needs a deep cleaning. It is so easy to give it a 'kiss and a promise' and let the rest go - and we have been doing that for awhile. I bought a futon the other day for my back room. Yesterday Tom and I put it together. We only snapped at each other a couple times. :-) I still have a few boxes of things to go through, and the tv and stand I want to give to my youngest son in there. Moved the rocking chair to our bedroom. The back room is coming together nicely, I think. Sure, I'm doing it in my own time, and that is ok. The rest of the house needs a deeper cleaning than that back room!
The Car. Our cars aren't too bad. I have a lot of bags in mine that I use (sometimes - when I remember) at the grocery so I don't have to use plastic bags. I also have a blanket - for whatever reason. You never know when you need one! I've always carried a blanket in my car, I think, for I'm always cold! I keep a small plastic bag in the car so that helps with any trash.
The Work Space. Doesn't matter if it is at work or at home, our work space is so easy to get cluttered. When I was working I would try to clean my desk off at night (and hide it in drawers) and then get out the next morning. Home is no different, well, it is in that I just lay the papers off to the side of the desk. What is worse is that I have another desk beside me that I have begun to 'store' things in. I need to stop that for I have given that desk to my middle child. I plan to put a small table with my sewing machine in that area so that I can get started on my sewing again. I clean off my desk on occasion. Not as often as 'some people' think I should, but enough.
The Body. Deep cleaning the body doesn't sound like much fun. That usually means scrubbing it inside and out. A shower can pretty much take care of the outside, for sure. But what about the inside? Oh sure, there are 'things' you can take to clean out the colon, liver, kidney or whatever. You can do that if you want. I'll pass. The colonoscopy was bad enough.
There is one cleaning that you can't do on your own. Getting a clean heart (soul, mind and strength). There is only ONE who can do that for you. But you have to ask. When you do ask, you will feel such peace and relief.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
So how do you get a clean heart? You invite Jesus into your heart and ask Him to forgive you for your sins. You tell Him you believe He is the Son of God, that He died for you and rose again on the 3rd Day, so that you can live with Him always.
John 3:16
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
I like that kind of deep cleaning. When I am obedient to Him, obey His commandments (yes, the 10 commandments are still valid today and are for my good), I will have eternal life with Jesus. A deep cleaning doesn't get any better than that.
What do you need to work on and get deep cleaning done on? Think about it - and act.
Blessings!
The Dentist. I had to go to the dentist this morning for a 'deep cleaning'. I really do not like those! Interestingly enough, it wasn't as bad as before so I'm not sure if she did a deep cleaning or not. But, regardless I did get my teeth cleaned this morning.
The House. Our house still needs a deep cleaning. It is so easy to give it a 'kiss and a promise' and let the rest go - and we have been doing that for awhile. I bought a futon the other day for my back room. Yesterday Tom and I put it together. We only snapped at each other a couple times. :-) I still have a few boxes of things to go through, and the tv and stand I want to give to my youngest son in there. Moved the rocking chair to our bedroom. The back room is coming together nicely, I think. Sure, I'm doing it in my own time, and that is ok. The rest of the house needs a deeper cleaning than that back room!
The Car. Our cars aren't too bad. I have a lot of bags in mine that I use (sometimes - when I remember) at the grocery so I don't have to use plastic bags. I also have a blanket - for whatever reason. You never know when you need one! I've always carried a blanket in my car, I think, for I'm always cold! I keep a small plastic bag in the car so that helps with any trash.
The Work Space. Doesn't matter if it is at work or at home, our work space is so easy to get cluttered. When I was working I would try to clean my desk off at night (and hide it in drawers) and then get out the next morning. Home is no different, well, it is in that I just lay the papers off to the side of the desk. What is worse is that I have another desk beside me that I have begun to 'store' things in. I need to stop that for I have given that desk to my middle child. I plan to put a small table with my sewing machine in that area so that I can get started on my sewing again. I clean off my desk on occasion. Not as often as 'some people' think I should, but enough.
The Body. Deep cleaning the body doesn't sound like much fun. That usually means scrubbing it inside and out. A shower can pretty much take care of the outside, for sure. But what about the inside? Oh sure, there are 'things' you can take to clean out the colon, liver, kidney or whatever. You can do that if you want. I'll pass. The colonoscopy was bad enough.
There is one cleaning that you can't do on your own. Getting a clean heart (soul, mind and strength). There is only ONE who can do that for you. But you have to ask. When you do ask, you will feel such peace and relief.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
So how do you get a clean heart? You invite Jesus into your heart and ask Him to forgive you for your sins. You tell Him you believe He is the Son of God, that He died for you and rose again on the 3rd Day, so that you can live with Him always.
John 3:16
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
I like that kind of deep cleaning. When I am obedient to Him, obey His commandments (yes, the 10 commandments are still valid today and are for my good), I will have eternal life with Jesus. A deep cleaning doesn't get any better than that.
What do you need to work on and get deep cleaning done on? Think about it - and act.
Blessings!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Emotions..... giving permission to interfere...
Emotions. They seem to be all about us. I read my son's blog from yesterday and he had a difficult day with emotions. A granddaughter had justifiable irritations with a car dealership. I had a couple moments of my own yesterday. I'm sure you - and others, did as well. Is it the high temperatures here in Phoenix that are causing irritations to rise higher than usual?
Then there are the times when you want to cry. Cry because things are hard to deal with, cry because you are lonely, cry because no one understands, cry because.....
This morning during my quiet time I had one of those cry times. As I read my Bible and devotions, I sensed again my great need for Jesus to interfere in my life. I need to quit trying to control everything and allow Him to lead me. I need to let go. Of everything. Always. Daily.
As I prayed for my children and grandchildren, I again felt the tears come upon me. I prayed for my siblings and friends. My heart grieves for those who choose to live their lives their own way, thinking they are 'happy'. I see the sadness and emptiness in their eyes (does this mean they will no longer look me in the eye?) of the disappointments of life. I see the loneliness of being alone with no one listening, thinking that no one cares. I see the search for hope, and finding only emptiness. (yes, I also see Joy in those who know Jesus as Lord).
And I ask God, "what can I do?". And He tells me 'nothing'. He shows me that it has to be the individual, coming to Him, asking Him to interfere in their lives, giving themselves over to Him, before the joy of surrender comes over them.
We need to ask forgiveness of others, and we need to say I'm sorry. I know I don't do it often enough. It is so much easier to justify what we have said in frustration or anger than it is to admit we were 'out of line' in our response. The little ant hill that blew up into a mountain.
Life is hard. But we make it so much harder by being stubborn and doing things our own way. We don't ask God what to do in a situation before attempting to solve it. We don't allow Him to guide us in decisions made at work and then have to deal with the consequences of wrong decisions. We don't stop and step back and look at the big picture for we are so busy trying to solve the little one. We want to do it all. And we make life so much harder for ourselves.
Take a minute and sit back in your chair. Think back over your day and how it has been. If it is still early morning, think about yesterday. Is there anything you wish you had done or handled differently? As I type that thought, I think of my posting the 'privacy facebook' comment yesterday and then reading today on the aol news that nothing has changed on facebook and all is well. Nothing had changed for me, yet I did it because several others had. Dumb? I don't know. Will I delete it? Thinking about it, but by now it is way down the list of postings so why bother.
I know my thought probably just threw off your review of the past hours in your life, but go there again. Think about how much better it would have been had you stepped back before making that comment or doing that thing you rushed to do. Stepping back does not mean procrastination. It only means you want to process and allow things to fall into place before you intervene, if you even need to. It can save you a lot of embarrassment and from feeling uncomfortable about your words or behavior.
Now I'm going to ask you to do something that will make some of you scan through this part, and others to feel uncomfortable. Take a few minutes and ask Jesus to interfere with your life today. Yeah, that does sound scary, doesn't it? You wonder as to how and what He will do to interfere. Will He ask you to do something uncomfortable? Maybe. But once you ask Him to interfere, you will feel such peace. You have given up control in your own power, and asked Him to intervene with His power. Works for me.
While you are sitting there, repeat this ten times. "Jesus, I give you permission to interfere in my life.". Be patient - and watch Him at work!
Blessings!
Then there are the times when you want to cry. Cry because things are hard to deal with, cry because you are lonely, cry because no one understands, cry because.....
This morning during my quiet time I had one of those cry times. As I read my Bible and devotions, I sensed again my great need for Jesus to interfere in my life. I need to quit trying to control everything and allow Him to lead me. I need to let go. Of everything. Always. Daily.
As I prayed for my children and grandchildren, I again felt the tears come upon me. I prayed for my siblings and friends. My heart grieves for those who choose to live their lives their own way, thinking they are 'happy'. I see the sadness and emptiness in their eyes (does this mean they will no longer look me in the eye?) of the disappointments of life. I see the loneliness of being alone with no one listening, thinking that no one cares. I see the search for hope, and finding only emptiness. (yes, I also see Joy in those who know Jesus as Lord).
And I ask God, "what can I do?". And He tells me 'nothing'. He shows me that it has to be the individual, coming to Him, asking Him to interfere in their lives, giving themselves over to Him, before the joy of surrender comes over them.
We need to ask forgiveness of others, and we need to say I'm sorry. I know I don't do it often enough. It is so much easier to justify what we have said in frustration or anger than it is to admit we were 'out of line' in our response. The little ant hill that blew up into a mountain.
Life is hard. But we make it so much harder by being stubborn and doing things our own way. We don't ask God what to do in a situation before attempting to solve it. We don't allow Him to guide us in decisions made at work and then have to deal with the consequences of wrong decisions. We don't stop and step back and look at the big picture for we are so busy trying to solve the little one. We want to do it all. And we make life so much harder for ourselves.
Take a minute and sit back in your chair. Think back over your day and how it has been. If it is still early morning, think about yesterday. Is there anything you wish you had done or handled differently? As I type that thought, I think of my posting the 'privacy facebook' comment yesterday and then reading today on the aol news that nothing has changed on facebook and all is well. Nothing had changed for me, yet I did it because several others had. Dumb? I don't know. Will I delete it? Thinking about it, but by now it is way down the list of postings so why bother.
I know my thought probably just threw off your review of the past hours in your life, but go there again. Think about how much better it would have been had you stepped back before making that comment or doing that thing you rushed to do. Stepping back does not mean procrastination. It only means you want to process and allow things to fall into place before you intervene, if you even need to. It can save you a lot of embarrassment and from feeling uncomfortable about your words or behavior.
Now I'm going to ask you to do something that will make some of you scan through this part, and others to feel uncomfortable. Take a few minutes and ask Jesus to interfere with your life today. Yeah, that does sound scary, doesn't it? You wonder as to how and what He will do to interfere. Will He ask you to do something uncomfortable? Maybe. But once you ask Him to interfere, you will feel such peace. You have given up control in your own power, and asked Him to intervene with His power. Works for me.
While you are sitting there, repeat this ten times. "Jesus, I give you permission to interfere in my life.". Be patient - and watch Him at work!
Blessings!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Where are they?
Our landscapers that is! Every other Tuesday for the past ten years our landscapers have come to mow our yard and clip the bushes, trim the trees. Last time it was nearly 9, I think, before they arrived (usually it is 6 or 6:30). Here it is already 9:30 and they haven't arrived yet. Am I worried? No. They always come to take care of us.
Yes, it is a luxury to have a landscaper come mow our small yard, but as we have aged and it feels like it has gotten hotter, it has become a necessity in our household. Plus working out in the yard was never my husband's idea of fun. Our yard and bushes always look nice and the landscaper does a wonderful job of keeping everything green and perfect, making our home look well-framed and manicured.
Compare the landscaping of a yard with the landscaping of our hearts and bodies. We go to the gym to 'landscape' our body and trim off the extra bulge growths and get parts and places back into shape. We go to the barber/beauty shop to landscape our hair, facial growth, get our nails clipped and painted. All this is good for the outside landscaping.....but what about the inside landscaping?
What are we doing to help bring beauty to our insides? We may eat right to get our insides working properly, but I'm talking more about the heart. What type of landscaping are we doing to get our heart in proper landscaping look?
Is your heart a slow beater; that like you, it just moves along slowly in life, doing only what it wants to do, caring only about itself? Or,
Is your heart a regular beater; that like you, it takes things in stride and only puts out when it is required. Goes to a Bible study just because that is what you are supposed to do. Helps out the homeless person because you feel guilty you have it better than they do. You do only as much as you need to do. Or,
Is your heart a strong beater; that like you, it feels the power of God moving through it and through you, touching lives for Him. Your heart is cleaning vessels that are being stretched to meet the needs of others. You see a need and step in to help because you feel compassion and love. You don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone to do something for someone although you will not get any recognition. After all, it isn't about you. It's about helping others.
So where are they? Are your landscapers there now? What are you doing to landscape your mind, your body, your heart? Are you feeding it good and worthy things or are you just filling it full of junk food that brings no value to it? Do you really believe that what you do today will make a difference in some one's life - sometimes for a lifetime?
Take a few minutes to think about what you did yesterday. Or even today thus far. Has it been a good landscaping job thus far or do you need to fire the landscapers you have, and set up new ones? What shape is your mind, your body, your heart in?
I know a Book that will help you get it all together, right, and healthy. Yeah, I'm talking about the Bible. Everything you need to live a healthy, landscaped life is in the Bible. Everything. If you want joy and happiness, and strength and help in your times of need - that is the 'go - to' Book of Life. You learn how to LIVE.
It isn't about dancing or having a drink - or not doing it - that makes you who you are. It is how you live that reflects who you are on the inside. If you don't dance or drink but are proud and arrogant and self-centered - it doesn't make you any better than one who does. It isn't going to church every Sunday then coming home to yell at the spouse and children that makes your landscaping look good.
It isn't telling yourself your life is your own and you will do what you please - and yet you do treat your spouse and children with respect and love - that makes your landscaping look good.
Your landscaping may look good on the outside, but what is the landscaping like on the inside?
Think on these things..... What kind of landscaping do you want to be known for? What does your life reflect - is it one others would want to be like you? Would you want them to be like you?
Blessings!
Yes, it is a luxury to have a landscaper come mow our small yard, but as we have aged and it feels like it has gotten hotter, it has become a necessity in our household. Plus working out in the yard was never my husband's idea of fun. Our yard and bushes always look nice and the landscaper does a wonderful job of keeping everything green and perfect, making our home look well-framed and manicured.
Compare the landscaping of a yard with the landscaping of our hearts and bodies. We go to the gym to 'landscape' our body and trim off the extra bulge growths and get parts and places back into shape. We go to the barber/beauty shop to landscape our hair, facial growth, get our nails clipped and painted. All this is good for the outside landscaping.....but what about the inside landscaping?
What are we doing to help bring beauty to our insides? We may eat right to get our insides working properly, but I'm talking more about the heart. What type of landscaping are we doing to get our heart in proper landscaping look?
Is your heart a slow beater; that like you, it just moves along slowly in life, doing only what it wants to do, caring only about itself? Or,
Is your heart a regular beater; that like you, it takes things in stride and only puts out when it is required. Goes to a Bible study just because that is what you are supposed to do. Helps out the homeless person because you feel guilty you have it better than they do. You do only as much as you need to do. Or,
Is your heart a strong beater; that like you, it feels the power of God moving through it and through you, touching lives for Him. Your heart is cleaning vessels that are being stretched to meet the needs of others. You see a need and step in to help because you feel compassion and love. You don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone to do something for someone although you will not get any recognition. After all, it isn't about you. It's about helping others.
So where are they? Are your landscapers there now? What are you doing to landscape your mind, your body, your heart? Are you feeding it good and worthy things or are you just filling it full of junk food that brings no value to it? Do you really believe that what you do today will make a difference in some one's life - sometimes for a lifetime?
Take a few minutes to think about what you did yesterday. Or even today thus far. Has it been a good landscaping job thus far or do you need to fire the landscapers you have, and set up new ones? What shape is your mind, your body, your heart in?
I know a Book that will help you get it all together, right, and healthy. Yeah, I'm talking about the Bible. Everything you need to live a healthy, landscaped life is in the Bible. Everything. If you want joy and happiness, and strength and help in your times of need - that is the 'go - to' Book of Life. You learn how to LIVE.
It isn't about dancing or having a drink - or not doing it - that makes you who you are. It is how you live that reflects who you are on the inside. If you don't dance or drink but are proud and arrogant and self-centered - it doesn't make you any better than one who does. It isn't going to church every Sunday then coming home to yell at the spouse and children that makes your landscaping look good.
It isn't telling yourself your life is your own and you will do what you please - and yet you do treat your spouse and children with respect and love - that makes your landscaping look good.
Your landscaping may look good on the outside, but what is the landscaping like on the inside?
Think on these things..... What kind of landscaping do you want to be known for? What does your life reflect - is it one others would want to be like you? Would you want them to be like you?
Blessings!
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