We did have a nice quiet weekend. I did get over to see Ms. Vicky yesterday and got asked if I'd take her to lunch soon. Not meaning that I would necessarily buy for her, but she just wants to get out and go to some lunch places she hadn't been before. So I said sure, but not this week, and we can see how next couple of weeks look and how my work calendar looks. I don't mind taking her to lunch, but it does put me on a schedule - and you know I like structure, but not being the one ON the schedule. :-)
Hubby slept late this morning - and I tried to! I confess, I came in here and tried to go back to sleep. But hubby slept until about 5:30AM so was late bringing me my coffee. Speaking of coffee, it is starting to lose it's appeal I think. I usually enjoy a good, dark, strong cup of coffee, but for the past month or so, I've noticed there is no flavor, no matter which brand we used. I read one time that with the K-cups, you never know how long they have been boxed and sitting in the warehouse until shipped; which causes the coffee to get 'old'. I am starting to believe it. Rarely can I find a good cup of coffee anywhere. Maybe it is because I take my coffee black, and therefore get the full taste of coffee. I wonder if I got some flavored creamers if that would make a difference; at least to give it some flavor. What do you think? Ms Diane's SIL once told me that McDonald's k-cup coffee was really good. So I bought a small box. We do like McDonald's coffee from McDonald's - but we very rarely go there. Anyway, I'm not impressed with the flavor in the k-cups. I am guessing that I bought these at a discount store, which could account for that, which would mean they probably sat in the warehouse, then sat in the store - both for several months - then got moved to the discount store to sale..... shoot, I can't remember where I bought them, but remember there was a 'sale' from $9.99 to 5.99 - which is why I bought them to try. Hmmm. I fell for it, huh. It was a 'sale'. Who pays $9.99 for McCafe k-cups? I can't even remember where I bought them! But within the past two weeks, I'm sure. Haven't been to the grocery; Oh wait! I think I bought them at Walgreens! That's about the only place I've been lately! Oh well. I'll pick up a small box of creamers and see if the flavor improves.
I finished another book last night. Unleash by Perry Noble. I found it interesting and helpful as one of the chapter subjects was in not letting the past define who you are. Grateful I can give this past week to my Heavenly Father and let Him deal with the mess of it. What was said about me, the name-calling, is in the past and it is a reflection on the person who did it. Enough said.
Today will be another busy day as I see that someone worked over the weekend, judging from the number of emails I have received. I only opened up a couple of them from my phone yesterday, to make sure nothing was critical. It wasn't. Today is timecards and that will take maybe ten minutes so I can focus on getting meetings scheduled and then get on the trainings I still need to do. Only have gotten two done so have about 20 left to go. They are just so time-consuming to do and none of it applies to me or my work. That is what is so frustrating. Oh well. Some things you just got to do.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT): If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Grateful that I am not a judge for God. I believe the scriptures, for sure, but I also believe that it is more than openly declaring Jesus is Lord, and believing that He was raised from the dead. What do I mean? I am thinking about how we live our lives. First of all, I AM NOT PERFECT BY ANY MEANS, and I know you know that. BUT, I do try to live as Christ would have me live. Sure I fail at times, but I have learned to be a 'quick repenter' and confess my sin to God and ask Him to forgive me. What I am trying to say, is anyone could believe that Jesus died and was raised from the dead, but how does that affect their living? Are you following me?
I have a brief think-back to the early 1900's on up through the 50's I imagine, where it was such a strict thing to be a Christian. You couldn't do this, you couldn't do that. If your children were wild and misbehaved, it was a reflection back on your Christian walk. Women were to be quiet. Men were dominators. If your skirt was above the ankle, or worse yet as the years went by, at the knee, you were not a Christian and going to hell. We laugh at that now, but in those times these things were real. I'm sure there were a lot of other things, but being a woman, this is what has come to mind. But I could be wrong about that too.
We have had many prominent pastors who have fallen from grace due to different things such as adultery, financial gains, and many other things. Does that mean they didn't believe Jesus rose from the dead anymore? No it doesn't. It means they are human and they made the choice to sin. Just like we do at times. What we say and what we do - are choices we make.
I cannot say someone is not a Christian or ridicule their walk because it isn't what I think it should be. I am not their judge. I'm sure they believe the Jesus died on the cross and was risen. It's just they choose to live their life the way they want to because they don't know any better. They think they can say and do whatever they want and still call themselves Christian... not understanding that every time they do what the bible says not to do, they are in sin.
We have lost the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV): The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. As I have shared before, we are not to be afraid of God and what He can do, but to fear Him in love.
It's hard to explain, but think of it this way, if I can explain it right.... you love your earthly father. BUT if you disobey him, you have an inner fear of his disapproval. You want his approval; you need his approval, but if you don't have it, it crushes you. I'm probably not explaining it well, and I need to find John Bevere's book The Fear of the Lord. I reread it not long ago, but I can't remember now his definition of it.
I fear God because I love Him. I try to live life as He would have me to, but, that also doesn't (always) keep me from saying or doing things that I shouldn't. Sometimes it is enough that I 'feel' that what I am doing is wrong. Without anyone saying a word. My conscience moves to let me know that perhaps I shouldn't do this. And it helps keep me in line. Do I sometimes want to retort when someone is calling me names and dragging me through the mud? Sure I do. I'm just like you. But I choose to let God fight my battles. Sometimes. I go through the same things others do. Grateful when I listen to God and shut up. What is the saying we had growing up? 'Sticks an stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me'. That's not true, as you know. Words do hurt. And they cause walls to come up between people. Sometimes it is best to step away and get away from those who try to destroy you and curse you. Let God deal with them.
And... I think I'm rambling again...seem to do that a lot lately, huh. Maybe I need to take a break - but then, if I did, what would you read in the mornings so that you could shake your head and give your neck some exercise? Ah perhaps I should look for something profitable to write about. Perhaps. In the meantime, have a blessed day, and choose Jesus. He really is the Savior of the world.
Pray for Israel.
Blessings!
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