Well, I mentioned a few things in my writing yesterday and said if I remembered I would update you this morning. So let me think for a moment and see what I can remember.....
The Ladies Crew Tea surprised me yesterday... what I mean is that it was much, much better than I thought it was going to be, based on the past. We did sit at round tables, which had really cute teacup/teapot centerpieces. And, towards the end, there was food - lots of it - things like little sandwiches, nuts, cookies, potato salad, fruits and vegetables, and more cookies. Yes, I did indulge and blow my 'healthy food intake' and ate a sandwich, a cookie, a lemon bar, and some healthy things. I've got to be more in control of my 'diet'. Those sugar things are just not good for me. Anyway, the panelists who spoke of their personal life, wow. One often thinks that what they went through as a child, what they went through in their early single years, early marriages.... we think we are all alone in the things we did. Yesterday proved my mindset of that was wrong. Some of the things these young women endured or chose to go through, were very similar to things I did. Thankful for God's grace. God is so good. There has been something I have been asking God about lately, and one of the women confirmed what I had questioned, and a woman stood up in the audience and told her story, and confirmed again what I had questioned God about. It was a good Tea and I'm glad I went. And they definitely did not need my help to get this set up to make it a nice tea. If I had known it was to be this good, I would have invited some family members to attend, although I think most were busy.
We did go to CCV last night and listened to John Maxwell. And, yes, I did buy his book and got started on it last night. This man is a Leader among Leaders. He is a godly man who has always put God first and his walk of integrity and encouragement and honesty is outstanding. He talked about taking the 'high road' - and the name of his book is (I think, pulling from memory) The High Road of Leadership. He shared how people would ask him about the information he shares and he at first refuses to tell them...lol... and when they persist, he tells them. All the information in his book comes from the Bible. Yep. Jesus is the example he gives; the life that Jesus lived, and it all boils down to this.... we are to love others. If we love others, we don't cheat them; we don't lie about them; we don't mistreat them; .... you get the picture. The book is really good. And, yes, it has already spoken to me and you can probably guess who it has spoken about that although I have forgiven (reluctantly, I might add), I still want to stay away from them. But Jesus.... He went to the unlovely, the hateful, the liars, those who only want for themselves.... He went to them, forgave them, ate with them, talked with them, taught them. Who am I to be withdrawn and let them be lost? This is a hard one. I'm not sure how to deal with it and will need to pray and think on it. Bottom line, since God has brought it to my attention, I need to act on it. And I don't want to. Lord, help me in my stubbornness.
The call from our friend yesterday? It appears that he has started preaching at an independent living facility not far from our gym. The time is 2PM on Sunday afternoons, so it wouldn't interrupt with our church services, even when I preach at the RV parks in the fall. But, all he was asking was if one of us (meaning hubby or I) could speak on June 9th at the facility because he was going up north to his 'old church'. He just needs someone to cover that one Sunday.... and since he mentioned he would be on vacation for 3 weeks in August, he may ask us to do it again then. Anyway, long story short, hubby told him he didn't want to do it, that I was the better speaker, and he would leave it up to me. I have given it a lot of thought and I think I will do it, at least for June 9th. No money is involved; it is just volunteer, and that is ok with me. I don't preach at the RV parks for the money, although they do pay me. (and yes, I report it on my taxes.) I will text our friend this afternoon and let him know that I will do it. I do want him to meet us there before that date and walk us through the facility to see where they meet and meet some of the people. I have several messages I have done in the past so I don't have to create a new one, yet, I need to start getting some ready for this fall season. It will be fun to meet new people.
Ironically, I have often thought about checking into doing other facilities, or RV parks, but hubby is always a downer on it so I haven't said much about it. This is in the afternoon and it (currently) is only one time so he's ok with it, albeit reluctantly. You think I don't like change? He doesn't like anything that interferes with his plans of what he wants - and Sunday afternoons are TV, football watching, or naptime, depending on the season. Not to put him down; he makes us old people and when I complain about him acting like an old man, he screams at me "I'm not old!!" Ok then. Quit acting like it - right? LOL
Still enjoying sections of Fresh Brewed Life. I'm in the section on Beauty. I found it interesting, and confirming at times, to read that when women are going through tough times, they let themselves go. Their hair isn't fixed; they leave makeup off (or put it on haphazardly), they dress in ways that are not their usual impeccable way. And I saw myself. When things are tough going, and I've had quite a few of those times over the years, I have seen me just pull my hair back and let it go. I have put on jeans that have holes in them (true, that's fashionable now, but not where these holes are.) . I have left makeup off or just did the basic. It's not that I am not going anywhere necessarily, but that I just don't care what I look like. Most women, my sister included, will not even step out of the house to go to the mailbox without having her hair fixed and make-up on. I can just about go all week without applying make-up except on Sundays! As for my hair, it's a lost cause; I comb it and put in a ponytail or clip it back. If I'm at home all day, why bother with wasting makeup, right? But I realize now that when I don't fix myself up, I let myself hide, the real me inside doesn't get to come out. I'm sure that doesn't make much sense. Do I think I'm beautiful? No. Hubby says I am, but he's prejudiced. My face is getting wrinkled, my hair has streaks of gray (and I quit getting it 'highlighted'). I'm pudgy and lazy, tired of life at times. I need to revive myself and believe in myself, and believe in my worth. I am worth putting makeup on for myself. I am worth fixing my hair up - even if it is just for me. (like, where am I going to find the TIME for that??!!) Oh I could go on and on about beauty, but I'll hush. For years I have allowed others to tell me how to wear my hair, what I can or cannot wear. In recent years I have rebelled and it has not been received well. I am still dealing with comments - and the fact that my sister chimes in with her own opinions on how I should wear my hair... it doesn't do a whole lot for my self-confidence. For example, I pulled my hair back last Sunday in a curly ponytail (I my hair) and a photo was taken of me while speaking. I sent it to my little sister and she immediately responded I should have worn my hair down that it is much better looking when I wear it down (like she does hers). Sigh. Short hair, long hair, down or up, pulled back or hanging down - what does it matter as long as I am happy with it? Sigh.
James 3:17 (NKJV): But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wisdom that comes from above is perfect and pure. It is a peaceable, gentle wisdom, that is gentle to others, it yields as needed, and is full of love and mercy. Wisdom that is from this world fights against everything that is good. We want our own way. We think we know best. We don't even bother to ask God because we think our wisdom is greater than His, afterall, we are living in this world, right? How could He know what we are going through? Ah... He knows everything. Our God sees everything. Our God hears everything. Nothing escapes His eye, His ear, His heart.
Do you not see how important it is to bring even the little trivial things to Him and ask for His wisdom on how to deal with them? He is gracious and kind. He is loving and faithful. He is forgiving and forgetful. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to show us how to live justly before others. We have the instruction book of life right in front of us - and yet, many of us still fight to take control of all things!! What gives us that right to upsurp God and think that we are better than He is? That we are wiser than He is? The devil himself is the one who puts those thoughts into our minds. That is why we need this scripture.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV): For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
We need to take our thoughts captive and measure them against the Word of God and live justly and rightly. We are to cast out those things that are not of Him, even when our inner selves are crying out for justice. He is God, and we are not. Sometimes things happen for our good, even though we disagree how it came about. The bad can sometimes cause us to run to Jesus (I know, it happened in my life!) and surrender oneself completely to Him. Then satan will attack in subtle ways, to drag you back down to his level. Don't do it! You belong to Jesus! Hold THAT thought in your mind!
Blessings!
