I totally forgot we needed to get soil to finish up the pots. It never even entered my mind. Perhaps we can run out today and pick it up so that I can figure out what I'm going to do with these plants. We did absolutely nothing yesterday. Well, I did fix breakfast. After that, not much else. I went out side and sat in one of the 'lay-back' chairs and for nearly 30 minutes just closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me. The sounds of the cars whizzing by on the street a block away; the birds chirping in the trees around me. Feeling a soft breeze as I laid there. It was wonderful. Hubby came out to sit and I am grateful he remained quiet and played with his phone (that is his addiction, I think) while I continued to keep my eyes closed and was quiet. It was so nice. That lasted about 30 minutes or so.... then our neighbor got busy cleaning out her garage and was using a vaccum to do something and the loudness of the machine was in sharp contrast to the quiet I was enjoying, so I/we went inside. I told hubby I couldn't stand the noise invading my quiet.
I came in and read a chapter in The Book of Signs by Dr. David Jeremiah. I've been reading it this past week - and the other night I checked to see when did he write it - 2019 - because the things he was describing, including naming V. Putin of Russia and the things he is doing, is happening now. I had to put it down the other night becuase it was too much to grasp. I read one chapter yesterday and he described how Islam is taking over the world.... very subtle, but ... the way he described it... I have seen it happening. It's scary for sure, for all the signs point to we are in the end times.
My sister and I have joked that we hope it is a good day when the Rapture happens so that we will be taken up - but in all seriousness, I hope I do get taken up in the Rapture, for the Tribulation is going to be so great that ..... I just don't want to go through it. Nor do I want my children and grandchildren - and great-grandchildren to go through it. How I wish (and pray!) that they will each one turn to the Lord and surrender their lives. We are to live for Him, no matter what we are going through. We are to choose wisely the things of this world. Oh that the Lord will help us in all our decisions and choices!
We plan to go to church this morning. With the time change, Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel church comes on at 6AM and 8AM now. The church we are wanting to go to starts at 11AM so that will work out good. We have time to watch JF and then get ready to go to church. I've asked God to show us if this is where we are to go ... the first time we went we weren't feeling any connection. If we don't get it today, I'm not sure if we will give it another try or look for another. I really do long to find a church we can feel connected in, and eventually become involved in the groups they offer. I want to do things within the community and be a part of the community. I know that if it involves manual labor hubby isn't quite so eager, but I do enjoy it.
The coffee tastes like hot flavored water this morning. No taste at all. Not a good way to start my day. It is hard to find a good cup of coffee anymore. Even when we go out, most often the coffee is yeck. I'm too cheap to go to Starbucks (they are overrated) or Dutch Brothers (still have to get flavored), and sometimes even the K-cups aren't that good. Hubby made a pot of coffee this morning. And he will expect me to drink a second cup as we watch JF this morning. Oh well. The only place I have found good coffee is at the cafeteria in my office in Mesa. They use Gevalia coffee and I don't know what ratio they use, but their coffee is so good. I have bought Gevalia, but hubby just can't find the ratio. I bought Maxwell House, and it just isn't doing it this morning. Maybe I need to go to 'Death Wish' which is an extremely strong coffee. I love strong coffee, and try to get a dark French Roast, but hubby doesn't like real strong coffee... so I end up buying medium roast. Pike's has a great French Roast, as does Seattle. Oh well, obviously I'm blank on what to talk about if I'm spending an entire paragraph chatting about coffee! I would rather drink water (and usually do) when we go out - even sometimes for breakfast. Still haven't gotten back up to my gallon a day, but am working on it. As it gets warmer, I will be drinking more water.
Today my devotional touched on how we have let things that are dysfunctional or wrong - become the norm. When couples are in debt over their heads and their marriage is in disarray, their children are out of control.... how after awhile, they seem to think all that is normal. But it isn't. Paul says in Romans 12:2 (NKJV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
So many times we will leave things be, even when we don't agree with it, just because we don't want to fix it, we don't want to put forth the effort to change it, and we don't want to mess with it. So we instead, choose to 'accept' it, even though we know it is wrong. It feels good, so it's ok, right? Not always. Well, it isn't me, so it's their problem, right? No, it may not be your issue, or your problem, but if it is wrong, you are held responsible to bring it to their attention.
We are not to be a part of this world, but to stand out from the world by the way we live. Not that we are perfect by any means, for only Jesus is perfect. But we are called to live differently. We are told how to live in the Bible. The 10 Commandments that were given many years ago, still apply today. We are not to conform to the ways of this world, to accept them, but to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfector of our faith.
I'm sure you remember when our nation went through the 'phase' of "What would Jesus do?". It still applies today. I remember when that first 'hit' me. My mother had a book called 'In His Steps' by Charles Sheldon. I remember how that book began to define how I lived when I first read it. I have read it numerous times since then (yes, I still have the book), and may take time to read it again. I am always encouraged to do my best to follow the steps of Jesus. Sometimes it is so very hard to make that choice, but when I do, it is always worth it.
Today is Sunday. What if, today, you decided to follow Jesus? What if, today, you chose to walk 'in His steps'? How would your life change? Would it change at all if you followed Him? What would change if you did? Maybe that is where you need to start.
One step at a time. In His steps.
Blessings!
