Trusting Jesus.... He will always make a way

To hubby's dismay, I did not cook breakfast yesterday and I just ate a piece of toast with peanut butter on it.  I did get out in the garage yesterday to clean it up - but didn't accomplish what I wanted to.  I had put together shelving several months ago - incorrectly.  I decided to do it right yesterday, emptied the shelves and put them together correctly.  Then I put together another shelf I had bought.  I have one more - which I don't think we need, so now to decide to take it back or see if one of the kids could use it.  It's plastic, 4 shelves.  Not real strong, but strong enough to hold boxes. It's a Walmart $18 deal so no biggie.

I did accomplish getting rid of some Amazon boxes, fixing the shelves correctly (that was work), and putting together the other shelving and putting things back on the shelves.  I should have started earlier; but didn't start until about 9AM... and I worked out there until about noon.  And I must say I think I've paid for it too.  My nose kept running constantly, I was drenched in sweat (and I don't sweat).  I didn't even get to the cabinets I wanted to go through.  Another cooler day, I think.  But, hubby came out and we did get some things taken over to the neighbor's dumpster that will be taken on Monday.  We had this rug from our 'old' house still on the side of the garage - finally told hubby since he wouldn't take it to Savers to throw in dumpster.  He argued with me that it wouldn't fit in his car.  It would, I know it would; he just didn't want to deal with it.  That is a big difference.  Anyway - it's out of the garage and when I got my things put away, hubby did sweep the garage floor so it is looking pretty nice right now.

But being out in the 'heat/humidity' of the garage took it's toll on me.  My head was pounding most of the afternoon; I took an allergy pill to stop the runny nose.... and late last night I realized I grabbed a 'non-drowsy' one... because my mind would not go to sleep, no matter how tired the body was.  Eventually I did, of course, and was awake about 4:45AM this morning.  Got a busy day today so won't have time for a nap.....I don't think. :-)

Jentezen Franklin is online now with the last message on 'Signs of the Times' - Perry Stone speaks at 2PM our time - if you haven't heard about him, he has more to say about the end times.  He will be at Free Chapel, in case you want to watch it.   I'm hoping I can get things to where I can watch it, but will see.  I got errands to run this afternoon.

Ephesians 1:3-6 (NKJV):  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."

Did you catch that?  "to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."

Jesus is our Beloved, for He is Beloved of God.  It is to His praise, to His glory, in His grace, that he has cleansed us, forgiven us, and set us free from the world..... all by His grace.... and by His grace, by His sacrifice of the Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we are accepted.  Hallelujah!

Psalm 118:26 (NKJV):  "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.  We have blessed you from the house of the Lord."

So where do you stand today?  Are you still living life the way YOU think it should be lived?  Or have you chosen to allow Jesus to be Lord of your life, to be the CENTER of all that you do?  I pray that you have allowed Jesus to live as Lord, to be the center of your life.  You will find there is no other way to live.  It doesn't mean everything will be perfect for you, but through it all, you have peace.  And that peace is nothing like you have ever experienced.  Oh that you would know and confess Jesus as Lord!

Jesus is coming soon - the signs of the times identify that.  Read Revelations - it tells you what will happen.  Do not take the mark of the beast... but stand firm in Christ, no matter what.  No matter what comes against you, even if it costs you your life.  Stand firm for Jesus.  He is the only way to live.

Blessings!

Because He lives....

I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know He holds the future, My life is worth the living, just because He lives.

Have you ever thought about what those words mean?  I love that song; perhaps you can reach back into the recesses of your mind and remember it as well.  Have you ever thought about applying it to your life?  Because Jesus lives, you and I can face anything that comes up against us.  Praise the Lord.

I Corinthians 16:33-34:  Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.

Profound instructions.  Men are to be watchful, stand firm in what you believe in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all you do be done in love.  What God needs is men that will act like men.    Let your identify line up with your actions.  I'm listening to Jentezen Franklin this morning - wow - he is on fire and talking that men need to be men and be the leaders as God has created them to be!   The man is to take care of the woman and take responsibility for their life, for the lives of the children.  He is the one held responsibile for how his children are brought up.  The man is the one that God has given that responsibility for.  wow.  Great stuff.   Act like a man.

Oh you got to listen to Jentezen Franklin on YouTube!  Try to get the 9AM service (cause that is the one I am listening to) - he is on fire about men being men and women being women and preachers and politicians need to stand up and speak against those things that Disney and Biden are pushing through.  

Praise God Jentezen Franklin is brave enough to speak up and speak out about what is wrong and not what God created!  

Whew!  You just gotta listen to this today!  THIS is why we listen to Jentezen Franklin.  He isn't afraid to stand up for what is right and what God has said.  The Bible is the final authority.  You can't say things better than the Bible does.

Act like a man!  You aren't a beast.  You aren't an animal.  Treat your woman with love and respect.  Treat your children with love and respect.  Act like a man!   A mighty man is not a boy. 

I Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)  "When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, but when I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."

I don't think I can add to anything to the above.  It's a powerful message!   I hope you are curious enough of the things he said that you will turn on YouTube and bring it up.  It will be under Jentezen Franklin or under Free Chapel.  April 3 @ 9AM.  I can't wait until we watch the 11AM service together.

 What are we doing today?  Not much more than we did yesterday.  Haven't seen our neighbors yet, although they have called to thank us for some things we did before they got home.  I'm thinking we may see them today as we still have their extra key.  It was a quiet day yesterday, and it was restful.  We didn't go anywhere, and yet, it was restful.  No TV, sat outside and enjoyed the shade and just relaxed.  Today we will be getting ready soon to go to church.  Today we will make a decision on the church we have gone to twice.  I'm pretty sure we will end up there, but today will be the day we will make that decision.  I'm looking forward to plugging in and becoming involved as a member of the church.  I've missed that so much.

I  pray that you will know how deeply you are loved by God and by those who know you.  I pray that you will receive the strength of the Lord, that as you go through each day, you will hold to your convictions and be strong in the power of the Lord and His might.   Because He lives, you can face anything.

Blessings!

Well, I did it!

 I got our airline tickets scheduled last night for our trip to the midwest in September.  I finally heard from the nephew who is wanting me to officiate his wedding on the specific date they had chosen.  Once I got it, I started looking onlline.  I had credit from a couple years ago right when COVID hit and had to cancel our trip.  It's been since 2013 that we have been back there.  I got a bit carried away, I'm afriad, and we will be gone a bit longer than originally planned.  With working from home, I wasn't worried about being away from the office.  I can take my work computer with me and have a couple work days so that I don't come back to a couple hundred emails and save some hours of vacation time.  I think I have about 107 hours built up but am not sure.  We also have to subtract our holiday hours from that total so we have Labor Day I need to make sure I'm coverd for.  

I wanted us to arrive a couple days prior to the wedding, although it is going to be at the brother-in-law's house (it's his grandson).  Since they chose a Saturday, I know we will be spending that specific weekend with them.  I also want to do an overnight to Brown County during the week with my sister - just the two of us - to get away.  And, I want to spend a weekend at my older brother's place since his wife is also still working during the week.  So that is two weekends we will be there.... and with the other days makes it 13 days we will be gone.  In between the weekends I need to spend time with an older sister and a younger brother.  Never have we gone for vacation that long!  But, we haven't been back since 2013 and I have siblings not in the best of health.  This may be the last time I will see them alive (or them me!) so I want to make sure I connect with all of them, even for just a short while.

I was able to grab non-stop flights - thank goodness - both ways and since then I have been going over and over in my mind what the scheduling may be.  I told hubby last night that I want to write down all that I want us to do, then will sit down with him and discuss his wants before I contact the people to see if we can fit into their schedule.  I wasn't going to rent a car because I know my brother has 'my' car that he has already said that I can use while there.  BUT, I don't plan to get out to see them until the second weekend, so I'm thinking we may rent a car.  I know, added expense, but it will be more convenient and less stress... cause my brother says that only I can drive my car... and hubby sure didn't like that when we were there last time!  

So the time is set 'in stone' at this time as I purchased the airline tickets with the credit I had from 2020 when we were going to go back and do the mini marathon with the youngest son,  I kept digging around for the cheapest rates - and finally ended up only having to pay $28 more to cover the tickets.  THAT made me happy.  BUT.... with adding extra days because of the extra weekend, means we will have to pay $$ for Sheeba to be at the doggie resort.  Hubby was grumbling about that.  I finally told him I'd help pay for it..... but he sure didn't offer to help with tickets when I bought them!  Regardless, I'm glad that is off my mind for now.  I'll let my boss know what I'm doing.  I will identify a couple days that I'll work while there (even with the 3 hour difference, I can do that)... I don't have much to do personally, but will have three bosses by then, I'm sure.  I can schedule their meetings and get things done and save the vacation time..... although I'm hoping that I have enough hours that I don't have to take my work computer with me.  Let them miss me!

All that must have exhausted me for I slept deep last night and didn't wake up until my alarm went off. It is stressful planning a trip to make sure you include everyone!  And throw in we need to make sure we go out and visit hubby's daughter(s).   Yeah, I think I need to check on renting a car.  This trip is going to be expensive - but, at least we won't have hotel bills for between us we have 3 families we can stay with.

Ugh.  Just remembered we need to go get the travel icon put on our drivers license.  We may be ok, I think it is October 15th we have to have it by and we will return October 4th.  But, we will need it at some point so may as well go get it.  Still waiting on a copy of hubby's birth certificate; it got lost in the move is all I can figure out.

AND... lastly, we got 'the' email yesterday, just as I suspected we would.  The COVID 19 vaccine is now mandatory for my company and one must have proof of both vaccines by November 1 or it will be considered 'voluntary termination'.  I'm glad I read between the lines of the emails that were going out and got mine done, but I really didn't want to!  It was figured out that 50% of our company have NOT received the vaccine - imagine that - and the majority are nurses, I'm sure!  We may be having a mass exodus of employees as there are other companies that do not require vaccinations - at least at this time.  But since it is mandatory for the flu vaccine, I knew this wasn't far behind. 

I was reading in my Bible this morning about the tribulations to come before Jesus returns.  We've heard for some time that the 'tribulations have started'.  They are right, I'm sure.  But one thing remains true.  Regardless of what is going on in the world, as Christians our position is that we are to be ready for Christ's return.  We are not to be caught up in the politics of the world; we are not to be swayed by the world, but remain steadfast until His return.  It sounds easy enough, right?  But it isn't.  What if we were not to get the vaccine?  What if we aren't to be political about some things?  What if?

One thing is certain, we are not to be afraid of the future as children of God.  We have to stand firm on the promises of God, remain faithful in all things.  We are to be watchful of the enemy's schemes.  Oh but that devil is devious and sneaky, isn't he!  

Keep your eyes on Jesus, for He alone is the author and perfector of our faith.  The Bible says so, and I believe it.  You should too.

Blessings!