Who would have thought?

 We went to a Celebration of Life for a dear friend yesterday at church.  He was a greeter, and that very first Sunday we attended, he greeted us like we were old friends.  And every Sunday he was there, and we (I) looked forward to his greeting.  Little did we know that he was also battling cancer.  Long story short, he passed back in July and they now had his service.  We didn't know much about this guy other than he loved fishing.  He would tell me when he wouldn't be there cause he would be on vacation fishing.  I found out a lot more about him yesterday.  He had been a truck driver.  He came to accept Jesus as an adult, and he never looked back.  He was loving and kind to everyone. No one was a stranger when he was around. He loved Jesus and shared Him with others.  There was a lot more shared by his grandsons and wife, and even granddaughter.  The church was packed, which apparently surprised the wife as she seemed started when she stood up and turned around to thank everyone for coming.

But what got me... and you may laugh at me because it is so silly.... we visited a bit inside the church before we started making our way to the door.  They had food and tables set up, but we opted out and decided to leave. I am walking ahead of hubby, through the lobby, and I hear my name. I turned and there is a couple that we have known for years - from our former church days.  In fact, this is the 'Bill' that hubby used to meet for breakfast every week until he got Alzheimer and he became all weird.  He seemed fine yesterday.  Anyway - it was he and his wife.  She asked how we knew Stan (the man who passed) and I told her.  So I told her that was our church  and had met him there. She then let me know that she knew the wife BEFORE she had married Stan (2nd marriage; married 24 years).  (ok, are we pulling rank here? My year and a half versus her 24+ years?)  But what struck me after I left, is that both she and Bill had such dour looks on their faces, and I realized this morning, as I thought about it, they (not to be judging!!) are Christians..... but they forgot to tell their face!  I have never seen her smile.  I'm going to stop there, for I don't mean to judge, but the contrast from a happy Christian who loves Jesus to someone who speaks all the right words, and possibly even lives it, but to appear so unhappy?  What is up with that?  It wasn't over the death of our friend, that is the way they have always looked.  It puzzles me.  Most Christians I know are always smiling (at least around other people) .  I don't get it... and I hope I don't get THAT. Just an interesting observation.  And all hubby wanted to talk about with Bill is when can they get together for breakfast or lunch... sometimes I think going out to eat is all that man thinks about!

Hubby and I swung by Cracker Barrel on the way back cause I didn't want to do anything - not even cook Tovala.  That was a mistake.  Not only was the food slow in arriving, I got the vegetable plate of mashed potatoes and corn and two orders of fried okra.... hubby got the catfish dinner... for some reason, none of it 'hit the mark' for either of us. He said the catfish was mushy.  Interestingly, at 5:30p and the restaurant wasn't even half full.  Could it be from the cooking as it seemed to have gone downhill?  We both decided we wouldn't go back for awhile.  It was very close to the church so it was easy to slide into for a meal.

Today is Sunday and of course we will be going to church.  Now whether I will stop early enough that I can go fix breakfast for us remains to be seen.  It's only 7a so have a couple hours in here yet.  Yep - on Sundays I don't come out until around 9-ish.  My eggs ole is sounding really good right now so am thinking about that.... only make maybe half a batch rather than a full batch; don't know how much cheese I have.  Yeah, I'm getting hungry, a little, anyway. I could go get a protein drink or bar... may do that anyway. 

My big brother sometimes cracks me up.  Several months ago he and my SIL ran into a great niece that he had not seen in probably 30 years. She recognized the SIL and my brother, and my SIL recognized her, but my brother did not... which really isn't unexpected; I could probably pass her on the street and not know who she is as it has been many years since I saw her.  Anyway, the great niece asked my SIL if my brother had dementia because he couldn't figure out who she was.  So he plays on that dementia bit ever so often with me.  This morning he texts me (because I have found out our little sister also goes to that church) that if he ever saw her close enough to speak to her (now mind you, they have not spoken since 2012) he would ask her if she was MY older sister!  Then he said he could blame it on his dementia.  LOL   He and I can't figure out why she is so terrified of running into him.  He said he'd say hi if he saw her close enough.  Just isn't going out of his way to see her.  And vice versa.  This situation is one reason I struggle with going back for a visit.  And I'll leave that there.  I know what he says and I know what she says - and they are miles apart in the reasons they don't associate.  

I sometimes think about how much Christ has forgiven me.... how could I not forgive someone for less? 

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV):  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 12:19 (NIV): Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God' wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. 

But the 'self' within us WANTS to take revenge, doesn't it!  When we are hurt by words or actions, we want to spread malicious gossip, we want to 'do unto them as they did to us' and we want to just go beat them up badly.  Right?  Surely it isn't just me at times. Well, maybe not the beating up badly part, but I want to tell MY side of the story before THEY get a chance to tell theirs.  Right? Please tell me I am not alone!  Sometimes I have to shut my mouth and tell myself to let God take care of whatever happened.  And you know what?  When I take my hands off the situation, God does take care of it....and it is ALWAYS in His timing.  Not today, when I want Him to take care of it, but in one of the tomorrows that I may never know about.  I have to leave issues and problems in God's hands.... how else could I survive in this world?  I've shared way too much in here about times I've been hurt (just think of the times I didn't share!) and my thoughts about it.  And God has - in most cases - worked it out.  Sometimes I have to just keep forgiving.  I even verbally speak the words "I forgive XXXX" because I know I must forgive, for if I don't forgive, that would be MY sin and that is worse than my forgiving someone for a wrong done to me.

And now I am out of things to talk about.  Church this morning, then I'm not sure about this afternoon; possibly a nap in there somewhere.  Before hubby gets the TV on (unless there is a game of some sort) I can get some reading in.  It really annoys me when he asks - almost daily - is this a read night or a movie night.?  One would say he is just being considerate.  He KNOWS I would prefer the TV off.  Yes, I do enjoy a good movie on occasion.  But I don't 'learn' anything from the movies.  The books I read are not romance novels... they are to help me grow in the Lord... and that to me is more important.  We did watch two movies last night (although hubby often sleeps through most of the 2nd one.).  I know he will turn NCIS on ... sigh.... I like NCIS, but I don't have to watch it every week - they are all reruns and most we've seen.  I guess I may work on some diamond art... or crochet.... 

Hope that you have an amazing day - and be kind to others, you don't know what they might be going through.  We are all God's children; let's share His love - it just might be what is needed to bring someone to Jesus, just by watching us walk.

Blessings!

It was late for me

 when I finally fell asleep last night.  I think it was nearly midnight - and my body is screaming this morning that it wants more sleep.  Yet - blink! My mind was awake at 4AM as usual.  Sigh.  Not sure what was keeping me awake - we watched the Notre Dame/Penn State game - Notre Dame pulled it off with a field goal with 7 seconds left on the clock.  I think that was the Orange Bowl?  I think it went off nearly 9PM.  As I tossed and turned, I tried to think why my mind was wide awake. Then I remembered I drank a glass of ice tea for dinner.  Sigh.  But it was 5PM!  It shouldn't be keeping me awake!  I fixed P90X soup (my version) for dinner - it's a vegetable soup - and my tummy was telling me it was empty again.  Sigh. Then I remembered one of hubby's friends wanted my cranberry pumpkin nut recipe - and hubby had reminded me two-three times this week....but did I take care of it?  Of course not!  I'd rather lay in bed the night before and think about it!  So I got up around 11PM and went looking through my recipes and found a copy that was a mess.  So I laid it on my table here in order for me to remember to get a copy made this morning. Only I didn't have it on this computer, so I had to go to my work computer where I knew I had it saved, but I can't print from my work computer, so emailed it to myself, then got on here to get the email, save it in my recipes on here, and whew.  Long story that is quickly coming to an end.... I opened the recipe, printed 7 copies of it in case the other men wanted a copy, and since I already had my computer on..... here I am. See why I'm tired this morning?  If this post ends up making no sense, I blame it on my lack of sleep.  Today, anyway.

Oh, and I remembered, because of the game, I forgot to read the 9 chapters in my Bible last night that was on the challenge for the Fast I am doing.  So I will be reading 16 chapters today to get back on schedule. Remember, if you read 9-10 chapters a day of the New Testament starting on day 1 - you can read through the entire New Testament by day 21.  It's a push to get through it rather than just a chapter or three a day, as I frequently only have time for during the work week.  The weekends I can read as long as I want as I usually don't have anything going on Saturdays.  Usually.

And, during my struggle to go to sleep, I remembered I screwed up and have two appointments with Virta, which I will get the call this morning.  I had emailed one and explained I thought I had two - and she didn't know why - so I had to mentally remember to cancel one of them - which I have already done this morning.

And then, during the wakefulness, I was praying over everyone I could think of that needed prayers.  Or they didn't know they needed prayers.  Whew.  Just going through my children, their children, siblings, friends.... no wonder I couldn't get to sleep - I couldn't shut my mind off!  Oh - and I sliced two of my fingers when I was cutting up veggies for the P90X soup and they were hurting. Still are.  I still have bandaids on them - will take it off in a bit so that the air can start healing them.  Not deep, but enough it makes the skin burn.  I didn't know that knife was that sharp - and looked to see if it was my new one (it was not).  Guess I just need to be more careful. Done this a couple times recently with different knives.

Oh - and one last thing (I think) that was on my mind. I had sent out a text recently to my children re their uncle's diagnosis....which I mentioned it to my daughter the other day, she said she never got the text.  Which would explain why no one commented, I guess.  So, if my boy(s) are reading this, let me know if you didn't get the updated text on your uncle and I will copy and paste it in a text just to you.  Which reminds me, I need to add calling my little brother this afternoon to check in on how he is doing.

No wonder I'm tired this morning, huh!  And I need to work today (saw I had 31 messages this morning when I jumped on the work computer), do a run to pick up a combo box of more vegetables.  Will probably also do a run up to see my DIL to hand off some vegetables (and apples).  And I still have the Virta call to take.  At least all that I need to get done should keep me awake, right?  Will see.

I may make a pot of coffee after hubby leaves for his bible study.  One cup may not do it for me today.  Or maybe I will make some tea - that actually has more caffeine in it than coffee does. So I hear.

I Peter 1:15-16 (NIV):  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

That is what we are to strive to be - holy, because He is holy.  I know I miss that mark many times... but I still strive for it.  I read in a devotional today about turning the other cheek when someone does something against you. And you can probably remember a situation I have shared and how angry and upset I was.  I've 'gotten over it', but the forgiving part is hard.  Don't attack my children or grandchildren.  Those are fighting words, right?  I struggle with the forgiveness part, just as some of you struggle with forgiveness of those who spoke against you.  My thing is usually just shrug it off and move on... but that isn't forgiving.  I've had to tell myself frequently over the past several months "I forgive XXX" and then try to move on.  I'm so over the situation.  I'm so over this person who slanders others.  But God says I have to love them, and forgive them, when they do harm to others.  They will get their own punishment from God.  It isn't up to me to dish it out.  And with saying all this, I am to not respond to comments (which I've managed NOT to, by the way) in which I felt slandered.  All to make themself look the victim. Oh well, they can play the victim.  And I'm done on this subject.

See what happens when one is sleep deprived?  All kinds of thoughts can come to mind and allow the rambling of words to start.  Sigh.

Day six of our fast.  I had said that I would do the vegetable and fruit and protein shakes for ten days, which means next Tuesday I need to make a decision to continue or what.  But I'm not sure Virta, and getting started in it, would necessarily approve of my self-imposed restrictions.  I think I will continue as I have for the remaining 4 days and then perhaps add chicken or fish.  I'm just not getting enough protein, which is probably why I'm getting so tired.  Hubby hasn't complained.... he isn't doing the same fast I am. He is doing his own 'thing' and I will not disrespect him because we aren't on the same page.  But he also is eating more fruits and vegetables.... cause that is what I've fixed for dinner! LOL

And, since I started typing in here first as I already had the computer on to get that recipe printed, I need to get off here and start my reading for today.  I've messed my time up this morning by flipping everything.  It's Friday, going in to the weekend - hope it is a good one for you.

Blessings!

A totally lazy day....

 and now back to work!  I know I have five invoices to process and a couple meetings to get scheduled so I know I have work to get on as soon as I open up my work computer.  And you know what?  It is ok.  I took 4 days of which I did not get on the computer.  I forgot to put an out of office; which isn't a big deal, really.  The people whom I support were off as well.  Those outside the office get a response when I respond.  It felt good being off those days and I needed the break; sometimes just a two day weekend isn't enough for I try to cram everything in those two days.

But this time... talk about being lazy!  Totally.  And yes, this morning I am beating myself up over being so lazy, but I can't change what I did or didn't do.  Yesterday we went to church.  Hubby wanted to go out for lunch, but I said no, to go home.  So home we went.  I cooked hamburgers and heated up veggies.  Yogurt with blueberries and cinnamon for dessert.  We sat down in the front room and both of us took naps.  Then the TV came on.  Of course.  "Would you mind if I watch the ballgame?"  Oh, the game isn't on - so let's switch it to ION and watch NCIS.  He knows I love NCIS and if I get started watching it....  or we could watch a movie.... we watched NCIS.  ALL afternoon and ALL evening.  I bet we watched at least six hours of NCIS.  Some I have seen, some I haven't.  Dinner was leftovers from the night before; I heated them up and brought to him on a paper plate.  Yep.  Totally lazy day.  Had hubby turn the TV off at 9PM - right after that episode of NCIS, before the next one started, or we would have continued watching it!  After a decent night's sleep, we are back to Monday.

Today is 'payroll Monday' but since those I approve are all salaried, I just check their boss's calendar to see if they took time off and make sure it is on their timecard  - and then I approve.  Actually, I think I have already done that - cause I wanted to be sure everyone had July 4th and 5th off on their timecards or I would be waiting for them to get it inputted.  I thought about going online earlier and getting them approved, but I did not.  It might take me 5 minutes.

Hubby has his workout this morning and I have mine this evening.  Actually looking forward to it - although I know mine will be 'legs' and I will know it tomorrow.  If I can somehow get my gumption up and my self-confidence in order, I want to work out here at home as well.  I can do upper body and core here at home since I don't have upper body until Wednesday.  But, I don't want hubby watching; or even knowing what I'm doing.  I have gotten really 'private' about some things over the years.  I recognize why, but won't go in to it.

Our administrator at church surprised me yesterday and came and hugged me with 'You are a blessing!"  Puzzled, I asked her what she meant.  She looked at me to see if I was serious, and she just said, "well, you just are."  I didn't think about it until later - but could it be because I took food to the person last week for two days - and I've noticed that no one else has bothered to sign up?  It's sad no one else did sign up, but I may see about dropping something else off there later in the week.  Tonight I have gym and I don't think they want Popeye's chicken again so soon.  Tomorrow is 'girls night out' and Wednesday I have training and we need to get back to prayer meeting.  Thursday I might see about taking something.  If they lived closer it would be easier, but we are at 99th and they are at 21st.  And north of us.  

LOL  Our neighbors must be outside having their coffee for I just heard him sneeze.  Funny.  Since it is daylight early now, and only in the 80's, I would love to go sit outside in the mornings for fresh air - but hubby would follow me, and I'm still in my jammies, and I would have to eliminate the time I spend writing this early.  See, I'm thinking of you.  I am so sure you love reading about my nonsense and my boring life.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV):  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Yeah - that was the topic of a devotional again this morning. Why is it that when we read such things certain people come to mind?  I was talking with a friend on Saturday morning and since I know she has seen comments on FB going back and forth (though not from me), and I shared what started it, and why I am still angry with this person - and that I keep having to forgive her every thing she comes to mind.  My friend reminded me we are to keep forgiving even when it is hard.  God will render justice and I (we) need to let go of the desire to get even.  (This person even had the guts to email my daughter that she forgave her so that she could clear it out of her mind.  And yet, she still posts comments.)  Lie is not fair and we endure things that we never though we should have to - or would have to.  But God is always with us and when we leave justice to Him, He will settle the score.  We, in turn, are to love the individual and respond to her evil with good.  We are do to good to those who hate us and bless those who curse us.  Forgiving is so hard sometimes, especially when you have been wronged.  It's more than not liking their behavior or attitude.  It's letting go of that 'thing; they do that makes them feel they are so much better than everyone else, unless they can play the victim.   No matter what the cause or the reason, we are to be kind an compassionate to each other, forgiving, just as we want Christ to forgive us.  And sometimes that is so hard.

And that is when we call out to Him and just tell Him, "I am still so hurt or so angry at this person that I find it hard to forgive.  Would you love and forgive them through me, until I can get to the point when I can let this anger go?  Give me wisdom and strength; help me to step above my feelings and love like I want You to love me.  Forgive like I want You to forgive me."

You will soon find that when we pray for help to forgive others, He will always supply it.  We may not forget; we may need to stay away from that person, but we are called to love and forgive as He loves and forgives us.

Blessings!

It was a good day...

 I listened to a lot of sermons yesterday - and I am praying it all sinks in!  Actually, it wasn't telling me of my wrongs... it wasn't even calling out any of those... but actually, each one of the messages I listened to yesterday were messages that were to draw us closer to God.  I ended up listening to both of Free Chapel's messages yesterday, then we went to church, and watched the afternoon Free Chapel service.  The revival has been extended through Wednesday.  What powerful services they are!  You won't hear it in the news so much, but there are revivals popping up across the USA.  

The wind is strong this morning, blowing through the courtyard.  I hear our windchimes banging against the house, and occasionally a 'bong'.  I think this is from a hurricane, isn't it?  Or am I am on the wrong side for that?  I saw it on the news last night, but wasn't really listening.  But I hear the wind blowing and the clanging of the windchime....glad I have a covering over most of the 'dinger' or whatever it is called.  I did! When I put it up, I crochet'd a covering for it cause it is LOUD.  It's starting to fall off, though, so need to cover it back up.  Mainly now it bangs against the house.

I received some yarn I had ordered last week - will be starting on a new afghan.  My little sister won't learn how to do it herself... but has asked at different times that I make someone for a family member or in this case, for a close friend.  I don't mind; and this time she offered to pay for the yarn... but I don't mind because it gives me a project.  I have another box of the color I need to arrive, which may be today, and then I can get started.  Of course they sent the white first.  I'm still not real good at making anything; just haven't learned different stitches.  But I enjoy making things and giving them away.  I've even made a dent in my yarn stash!  Unless I have a 'project', I just make baby blankets out of what yarn I have as many skeins are just one of one color.  With the baby blankets, I can mix colors up, no big deal.

It's Monday morning and it's 'timecard Monday'.  It doesn't take long at all to approve timecards now - everyone is salaried.  Some already have approved so I just give the final approval.  Others I have to go through calendars and see if they took time off.  The thing with salaried people - me included - if we work even one hour, we get paid for the entire day.  That means they don't have to put in for time off.  Saves me time trying to calculate and figure out hours.  When I take off an appointment, I try to get in as much hours as I can.  In fact, I have a podiatrist appointment Thursday mid-morning to check out these bone spurs.  They hurt when I walk in flat shoes or tennis shoes.  If in heels, they don't hurt cause the pressure is off.  If I need to have something done, I need to do it before the end of the year since I've met my deductible for the year.  Trying to get everything done this year.  This is a new podiatrist so will see what he says.  Anyway - timecards shouldn't be too bad today.  Much easier than when I was approving for the hourly people; they always had missed punches and then messed up PTO hours.  Glad I don't have to deal with that.  And 'timecard Monday' means we get paid on Thursday!  Whoo hoo!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV):  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

That scripture should clear up a lot of questions for some people. They think that they are a 'good person'.  Maybe they go to church 'most of the time', or they tithe, or they help people out, or they give to people in need, they are always there if someone needs something.... and many times they - and others - think that they will get to heaven on those merits.  

Or perhaps we just are good people.  Maybe we volunteer a lot, attend a lot of Bible studies, perhaps even teach a class or two.  We are always the first one to help others.  Surely we will get in to heaven for that!

Or perhaps we just struggle in life and do what we can.  We help when we can.  We volunteer when we can.  We just 'do what we can when we can'.  Surely our efforts won't be lost on God!

Over the years I've had several people tell me that 'you are an angel' or 'because of ........... you are definitely going to heaven!" And many other comments like that.  It would be easy to believe them; that because I help others when I can, or I go to church, or I teach a class (or attend one!) or because of many different things - that I can go to heaven because of my 'works'... because I try to put God first.  It all sounds good, and it is really 'flattering' to have someone comment that I will go to heaven..... but those things are not what will get me there.

What will get me to heaven is my relationship with Jesus.  He has to be first.  I cannot say I love God and ignore others.  I cannot ask God for forgiveness, and not forgive others.   Actually, forgiving others is much easier than forgiving family members.  Sometimes it is really hard to let go of the bitterness and anger and walls I build up with some people.  I have to pray - lots and lots - to let go of bitterness and anger towards some people.  But when I get the breakthrough, there is such peace.  

Some people like to play and frolic in their anger, bitterness and unforgiveness.  And they like to bring it up - sometimes frequently - to prove a point.  They say they have forgiven and let go of the past - and yet - they keep bringing it up which tells me they haven't let it go.  When you forgive someone, you may not forget what happened..... but it sets you free from the bondage of unforgiveness.

I refuse to give someone that control over me - I choose to forgive, and in most cases, forget.  If it comes back to mind, I just repeat the words 'I forgive ........' and move on.  I have to.  If I didn't, I may not have any siblings left to talk to!  We all have siblings that have hurt us in some way.  They will never acknowledge what they have done.... I know... my siblings have never asked me for forgiveness nor said they were sorry they did something..... and their response is not on me.  My response is - and I choose to forgive so that I am not in bondage to them.  They will not control my thoughts, my feelings, my reactions.  I choose to love and to forgive - no matter what.

And doing that doesn't get me in to heaven either!  That's works as well!  I need to seek God's forgiveness, and in some cases, perhaps even forgive God - and forgive myself.  Sometimes forgiving myself is the hardest!  But when we do, we are set free.  And there is nothing like being free in Jesus Christ.

Take a few minutes and think about any feelings you have against anyone.  Perhaps we all just need to say "I forgive ......" and let the offenses go. Give grace.  Don't be kept in bondage because of justification of anger.  There is so much more life in freedom.  Grab it!

Blesings!

Feeling out of sorts....somewhat....

 I slept well last night.  That in itself is surprising as it was another night of just sitting on the couch.  I crochet'd for much of the evening and finally told hubby the TV had to go off (it had been on since 2:30PM!  Of course he slept from around 3-5PM... I heard him snoring... and when I quit working at 4PM and went in to the front room, he didn't even know I was in the room and he continued to sleep - it may have even been 5:30!  Anyway - neither of us were very hungry so just snacked for dinner... but the TV stayed on all afternoon.... how many episodes of Blue Bloods (which was on ION for Wednesdays) can one watch?!!  EVERY.SINGLE.DAY it is either one episode or another of Blue Bloods, NCIS, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire.... I get so sick and tired of the TV!!  Anyway... stop the tangent.

I got to read for about an hour before going to bed last night and I did sleep all night - and that in itself is amazing anymore - and that is twice this week.  I didn't want to get up this morning either!  Feel like I'm fighting a heaviness...not sure what that is all about.  Probably about my life....

I got a nice surprise yesterday.  Hubby and I did a quick trip to Costco... and I was reminded why I prefer Sam's Club over Costco (way too many people and some are rude).  We stopped and Sonic and picked up lunch and headed home - to find a fun surprise.  Daughter, son-in-law and a great granddaughter had stopped by and brought me flowers for an early Mother's Day gift.  Lots of flowers!  Our little great-granddaugther was full of mischief and we had some fun with her.  The flowers are beautiful and I still need to go out and rearrange their location.  Will do that once I can get moving about, dressed, and the landscapers are gone.  They are only about 2-3 hours and with it being daylight earlier, they get started early.  

I actually told Ms. Amy 'no' yesterday.  She called yesterday afternoon wanting me to find someone to move her recliner from the assisted living back to the house; I guess the movers are to be here on Saturday to move her furniture.  Oh my.  They are in for a treat!  But, I told her no - she needed to ask the people who had come and moved it to the assisted living, to move it back.  I felt bad, but she needs to take care of it; I don't have her schedule.  Then she asked about the receipt for the TV that she wants returned; I told her I gave it to her - and she said she probably tore it up and threw it away...  well, I made sure she had it in her purse... so she said the store could just look it up on her credit card.  If I needed another TV, I'd just buy it... but I don't.  My TV from my room at the other house is still behind my yarn stash in the front room.  I would like to put the TV up in here, but until I quit working and can remove some things from the wall above the desk, I have no place for it.

Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV):  "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

I imagine we all have people in our lives that it is easy to be kind to... but sometimes there are those... and you probalby had a name pop up in your mind as you read that.  I did.  There are people who are hard to be 'kind' to, because they aren't always kind.  But you know what?  We are always called to be kind to them; we are always to forgive them?  Why?  Because if we don't forgive others, then how can we expect God to forgive us?  

In the Lord's Prayer (as we call it), we say the words "Forgive us our trespasses (or debts), as we forgive those who trespass against us..."  I think that is pretty plain.  When people do wrong against us, we are still called to forgive... for we want to be forgiven as well.  Yeah, even I have to forgive some people I want to hold their tongue and harsh words agaisnt them... and yet, I am called to forgive... so that I can be forgiven of my sins.  That's hard sometimes, right?  Doesn't matter how hard it is, we are to do it.  sigh.

Yipes - where has my time gone this morning!  I believe I am in desperate need of a vacation... of doing nothing if that's what I want to do... and yet... I always want to be doing something.  Maybe I'm struggling with 'old age'?  Is that a syndrome?  Feeling smothered, in prison, unable to break lose and be 'free'?   Ah... the phases of my life...   and with that... I need to jump off and get my work computer on.

Ah - my work computer.  IT drives me crazy.  They work on their own time table, I think.  I noticed on Monday that my work computer has separated in front and is warped.  So I put in an IT request for a new computer - and even sent them a photo that I have a gaping hold about a 1/2 inch in front of the keyboard.  Here it is Thursday and I have not even received a response.  I'm hoping I can go to the hospital nearby and have their IT replace my computer so that I don't have to drive to Mesa or downtown.  

Hope you have a great day!

Blessings!