I'm starting today off positive. I slept well last night - in bed around 8:30PM and slept until about 2:30AM (which is about 6 hours, about right), then dozed until about 4AM when the alarm went off. I got up and went in to my room and shut the door to spend some time with God. Sheeba barked about 4:15AM which meant she needed to go out, so I stopped to take her - and did she ever need to go! But, back into the crate she went so that I could finish without interruptions.
Sorta. About 5:30AM she started again so I got up to take her out - she did her business and then she wanted petted and played with. So I quit and started up the computer and am ready to tackle the day. Sorta.
A grandson has surgery today on his broken wrist/arm. Lord, please guide the surgeon and help them to set the bone properly and that it will heal quickly; let the pain be minimal and I pray that the break will heal completely. Surround this child, Lord, and let him feel Your presence, and Your peace.
I drove to the office yesterday to meet with a new employee and hand off a laptop I had stored in my locked cabinet. It was a nice drive there, but I was surprised at the traffic going - and coming back the traffic was even worse! Totally surprised me for I thought it wouldn't be that bad - but it was about 10AM and people were out and about. Only 5 people were on my side of the floor. When we talked, we both wore facemasks. I met with the new employee (who, ironically, is monitoring a major facemask production on the 7th floor and was not wearing a mask) and gave him the laptop, showed where supplies were kept, showed him where his new office will be - if we ever get to go back to the office.
Then I packed up a lot of my personal items (and grabbed a few snacks while I was at it) to bring home. With not knowing WHEN or even IF we will ever go back to the office to work, figured I may as well bring stuff home. Took the cart loaded down out to my vehicle and then took the cart back up and headed home.
I got home with about 4 minutes to spare to get online for a meeting for which I was to take minutes. I forgot to sign in on VPN, but was able to still listen in on the call and take minutes. I didn't realize I hadn't signed in until I tried to save the recording and it wouldn't save. I sure hope I was able to get it saved after I signed in. All part of work.
Today is a beautiful day outside and I wish we had a covered patio so that I could even sit outside some with just the laptop and work. It's cool in the mornings, enough for a sweater, and has a soft breeze. Even Sheeba likes being outside for awhile in the early morning. As I do get the opportunity to sit outside once in awhile, it is good to take a breath and just thank God for the beauty of the day. I haven't been able to do that for a few days - way too busy - but when I can, I love just sitting back, closing my eyes, and letting the sun rest on me. I like to think it is God's Presence just covering me with His love.
And there are many days that I just need a hug from Him. Yesterday was one of them.
Have a beautiful Thursday!
Blessings!
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Thankful for my job....
I do not like working from home. I mean, yes, it is nice when I need to work from home, or that I want to work from home. BUT, when it is working from home with many, many interruptions, it is not likeable. Oh I still get things done, but the distractions cause me to not get as much done as I would like.
But I am grateful that I have a job that I can work from home. With this pandemic, there are many people who are without jobs and have to wait on an unemployment check. I'm grateful that I do not have to. I never thought that I could work full-time at home - and here I am. But I think the difference is that all of the people that I support are also forced to work from home full time. If they were in the office, I would feel I need to be there.
One of my bosses told me recently that it looks like we may be permanently at home. The 'higher-ups' were looking for a new location for all of us prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. That has been put on permanent hold for now. They are instead looking at production - and for many people the production has gone up. Imagine that. If that is going to be the case, I am going to need to re-look at my work area here at home.
Because of the "wonderful" internet service we are receiving from Cox, even with an wifi extender, I must sit at the kitchen table to work. I like being there because I have a lot of light from the bay windows and the light above the table. However, it just isn't working.
Ok - this is about 8 hours later than when I first started this. Had to do a run to the office to pull a computer for a new employee. Decided to load up on some of my personal things for the reason above.
I don't want to work from home anymore! I asked one boss and she said I could probably go back to the office for the time being, but the BIG boss, when I asked her if I could go back to the office .... her comment was "HAH"! I told her I was serious.
I am going to have to find another location to work. Trying to take minutes in a 2 hour meeting with the hubby fussing with the dog just doesn't help with hearing. He stands staring at me until I give him my undivided attention to tell me how his day is going. I'm sorry. I'm working. leave me alone.
Ok - my good intentions on this blog aren't happening today. And I need to get off here. It's after 5PM and I get off work at 4PM. It's been that kind of day.
I still am thankful for my job. Very thankful.
Blessings!
But I am grateful that I have a job that I can work from home. With this pandemic, there are many people who are without jobs and have to wait on an unemployment check. I'm grateful that I do not have to. I never thought that I could work full-time at home - and here I am. But I think the difference is that all of the people that I support are also forced to work from home full time. If they were in the office, I would feel I need to be there.
One of my bosses told me recently that it looks like we may be permanently at home. The 'higher-ups' were looking for a new location for all of us prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. That has been put on permanent hold for now. They are instead looking at production - and for many people the production has gone up. Imagine that. If that is going to be the case, I am going to need to re-look at my work area here at home.
Because of the "wonderful" internet service we are receiving from Cox, even with an wifi extender, I must sit at the kitchen table to work. I like being there because I have a lot of light from the bay windows and the light above the table. However, it just isn't working.
Ok - this is about 8 hours later than when I first started this. Had to do a run to the office to pull a computer for a new employee. Decided to load up on some of my personal things for the reason above.
I don't want to work from home anymore! I asked one boss and she said I could probably go back to the office for the time being, but the BIG boss, when I asked her if I could go back to the office .... her comment was "HAH"! I told her I was serious.
I am going to have to find another location to work. Trying to take minutes in a 2 hour meeting with the hubby fussing with the dog just doesn't help with hearing. He stands staring at me until I give him my undivided attention to tell me how his day is going. I'm sorry. I'm working. leave me alone.
Ok - my good intentions on this blog aren't happening today. And I need to get off here. It's after 5PM and I get off work at 4PM. It's been that kind of day.
I still am thankful for my job. Very thankful.
Blessings!
Monday, April 13, 2020
and it's still going on....
The covid-19 I mean. We are still in isolation that is sometimes getting unbearable. There is something to be said about isolation though.
It causes you to have to focus on what is in front of you. I'd really like to get on this house (yes, I'm saying it again), which means I need to quit volunteering to do things.
I did get three masks done this weekend, but need to finish up three more. Maybe.
I volunteered to write 20 notes to people in skilled nursing facilities so that they didn't feel so alone. I got hubby to get my stamps the other day, but haven't written any yet. I hope to get at least half of that task done today. I asked my daughter in law if I could send some to her location, but she didn't respond. I guess what I could do is write them, and allow her to hand them out as she pleases. Sometimes just a piece of mail is enough to lighten a person's spirit. Depression is hard to live through.
I stopped a little bit ago and took Sheeba out for a walk. She is doing really well now with 'heel' and 'stay' so that she isn't dragging me down the street and hurting my arms and shoulders as she has in the past. I used to get so frustrated with her. It took about 1/2 mile before she would allow me to 'lead'. Now she pays attention - and I contributed that all to the training we are taking her through.
It's kind of like life, you know. We want to do things our way. We don't want anyone to tell us what to do. We don't want anyone to make us feel guilty. We don't want anyone to.... you can fill in that blank.
And that is why God gives us free rein over our lives. He allows us to make our own choices. We can do our 'own thing', whatever that might be. He allows us to do and say whatever we want.
Because following Him is a choice. Being obedient to the 10 commandments is a choice. Yes, they are His commandments for us - but it is to help us, not to hinder us.
1) You shall have no other gods before me.
You may think that you don't have any other 'gods' before God, but we do. We put our families, our careers, our money, our friends, the things that we enjoy/like - all those things are gods when we put them before worshiping the True God.
2) You shall not make idols.
Again, we think we do not make any idols, but when we worship something other than God, it is an idol. It could be food. It could be the desire to make more money. It could be a specific habit we have that we just can't give up. It could be an attitude that we don't want to let go of.
3) You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Oh so many people fail on this one! I remember working with a guy who when someone next to him said God .... - he looked at him and said, 'my Father's last name is not ....'. It cracked me up but was a real eye-opener.
4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
of course 'back then' they weren't to work at all on the Sabbath. And our Sabbath today is Sunday, not Saturday. It would do us well that after church we did stay at home, perhaps have family time, or read our Bibles, or a good book. Things that would draw us near to God, and not away. Today we go out to eat, which causes other people to work. I remember my in-laws in the early years of my being in that family, would not go out to eat on Sunday. Their reasoning was that we were making other people work and God said not to work on the Sabbath. That changed over the years, but it stuck with me.
5) Honor your father and your mother.
For most of us, that is an easy one, but growing up it is much harder, isn't it! Our argument is that our parents should be kind and good, and that would cause us to respect them. But when they are hateful, mean, and critical, it is much more difficult.
6) You shall not murder.
That could be a much easier one to follow, but how many times do we 'murder' someone with our words? Whether we talk about them behind their backs, or to their face, do our words beat them up and murder them, or do we encourage and lift them up?
7) You shall not commit adultery.
That one also should be easy, but how many times does the lust of the eye, the second glance, cause a thought to happen? Oh it's just admiration, you say, but is it? Trust me, if your spouse sees it, they never forget it. Watch that wandering eye.
8) You shall not steal.
This should be an easy one as well - if it isn't yours, leave it alone. But we steal in different ways. We steal time when we should be doing one thing and do another. We steal life pouring into our children when we find other things to do with our time and not spending it with them. We steal joy, when we put down instead of building up.
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
How many times have we griped about our neighbor, or a co-worker, a boss, a friend, a spouse, a child, a sibling, a parent, - and maybe exaggerated on what our offense was? That's a false witness. We are to speak the truth, and only the truth. We don't need to comment any further. Perhaps they didn't realize they had offended you. It is at that time you need to stop them and tell them you were offended, and resolve the matter then. Don't let it go any further. And don't let time pass by. It makes it harder to reconnect again.
10) You shall not covet.
We shouldn't be jealous of what someone has. It's ok if they have a fancy house, or a fancy car, or a great job, or lots of money. They are responsible for it. You don't know what it took for them to get there. Be happy for them, for those are the choices they made. God will supply all that you need, and want. You don't have to want what others have.
So there you have it. All 10 of them. See, none of them are too hard to follow - and yet, most of us mess up every single day. Yeah, I include myself in that. But I'm trying to be better.
and you should too.
Blessings!
It causes you to have to focus on what is in front of you. I'd really like to get on this house (yes, I'm saying it again), which means I need to quit volunteering to do things.
I did get three masks done this weekend, but need to finish up three more. Maybe.
I volunteered to write 20 notes to people in skilled nursing facilities so that they didn't feel so alone. I got hubby to get my stamps the other day, but haven't written any yet. I hope to get at least half of that task done today. I asked my daughter in law if I could send some to her location, but she didn't respond. I guess what I could do is write them, and allow her to hand them out as she pleases. Sometimes just a piece of mail is enough to lighten a person's spirit. Depression is hard to live through.
I stopped a little bit ago and took Sheeba out for a walk. She is doing really well now with 'heel' and 'stay' so that she isn't dragging me down the street and hurting my arms and shoulders as she has in the past. I used to get so frustrated with her. It took about 1/2 mile before she would allow me to 'lead'. Now she pays attention - and I contributed that all to the training we are taking her through.
It's kind of like life, you know. We want to do things our way. We don't want anyone to tell us what to do. We don't want anyone to make us feel guilty. We don't want anyone to.... you can fill in that blank.
And that is why God gives us free rein over our lives. He allows us to make our own choices. We can do our 'own thing', whatever that might be. He allows us to do and say whatever we want.
Because following Him is a choice. Being obedient to the 10 commandments is a choice. Yes, they are His commandments for us - but it is to help us, not to hinder us.
1) You shall have no other gods before me.
You may think that you don't have any other 'gods' before God, but we do. We put our families, our careers, our money, our friends, the things that we enjoy/like - all those things are gods when we put them before worshiping the True God.
2) You shall not make idols.
Again, we think we do not make any idols, but when we worship something other than God, it is an idol. It could be food. It could be the desire to make more money. It could be a specific habit we have that we just can't give up. It could be an attitude that we don't want to let go of.
3) You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Oh so many people fail on this one! I remember working with a guy who when someone next to him said God .... - he looked at him and said, 'my Father's last name is not ....'. It cracked me up but was a real eye-opener.
4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
of course 'back then' they weren't to work at all on the Sabbath. And our Sabbath today is Sunday, not Saturday. It would do us well that after church we did stay at home, perhaps have family time, or read our Bibles, or a good book. Things that would draw us near to God, and not away. Today we go out to eat, which causes other people to work. I remember my in-laws in the early years of my being in that family, would not go out to eat on Sunday. Their reasoning was that we were making other people work and God said not to work on the Sabbath. That changed over the years, but it stuck with me.
5) Honor your father and your mother.
For most of us, that is an easy one, but growing up it is much harder, isn't it! Our argument is that our parents should be kind and good, and that would cause us to respect them. But when they are hateful, mean, and critical, it is much more difficult.
6) You shall not murder.
That could be a much easier one to follow, but how many times do we 'murder' someone with our words? Whether we talk about them behind their backs, or to their face, do our words beat them up and murder them, or do we encourage and lift them up?
7) You shall not commit adultery.
That one also should be easy, but how many times does the lust of the eye, the second glance, cause a thought to happen? Oh it's just admiration, you say, but is it? Trust me, if your spouse sees it, they never forget it. Watch that wandering eye.
8) You shall not steal.
This should be an easy one as well - if it isn't yours, leave it alone. But we steal in different ways. We steal time when we should be doing one thing and do another. We steal life pouring into our children when we find other things to do with our time and not spending it with them. We steal joy, when we put down instead of building up.
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
How many times have we griped about our neighbor, or a co-worker, a boss, a friend, a spouse, a child, a sibling, a parent, - and maybe exaggerated on what our offense was? That's a false witness. We are to speak the truth, and only the truth. We don't need to comment any further. Perhaps they didn't realize they had offended you. It is at that time you need to stop them and tell them you were offended, and resolve the matter then. Don't let it go any further. And don't let time pass by. It makes it harder to reconnect again.
10) You shall not covet.
We shouldn't be jealous of what someone has. It's ok if they have a fancy house, or a fancy car, or a great job, or lots of money. They are responsible for it. You don't know what it took for them to get there. Be happy for them, for those are the choices they made. God will supply all that you need, and want. You don't have to want what others have.
So there you have it. All 10 of them. See, none of them are too hard to follow - and yet, most of us mess up every single day. Yeah, I include myself in that. But I'm trying to be better.
and you should too.
Blessings!
Sunday, April 12, 2020
He is Risen.... Indeed
I got up early this morning, though not as early as I do during the week, to spend some time with God before the day started off. It's what I call my 'quiet time'. I don't have much time before Sheeba, our dog, decides to wake up and wants to go out. That's what happens when I stay in bed even that extra hour.
As I sat down in my chair in the quiet of the morning, I pick up my Bible and decided to read about the resurrection instead of where I am currently reading in Job. So I read Mark's version. (BTW there is a really good message on page 1003 in the Legacy Bible) It isn't much different from the other versions from Matthew, Luke and John, I just decided to read that one.
Jumping off my thought for a moment... we finished watching the video Matthew last night. It is the entire book of Matthew, word for word, of the New International Version. I know, I have followed along to check. AND I have read the books of how the movie came about, what the actor who played Jesus went through as he prepared and performed as Jesus. It is a remarkable story. In fact, I may need to dig out the book again and reread it.
But getting back to today. Easter Sunday. It will definitely be an odd one, I mean, not like we have done in the past. Rather, it was going to be that way, in a sense.
Let me go back to yesterday. I had pulled a turkey out of the freezer earlier in the week for no other reason than to bake it and share it. Yesterday was that day. I baked it, made dressing, giblet gravy. I had gotten some beets from a co-op and although I hadn't made them this way before, I looked up the recipe - and made Harvard Beets - and were they ever good! And they weren't hard to make, either! I also made potato salad and ice cream. What a combination!
A grandson stopped by to show us a ring he has picked up for his girlfriend. It is definitely a wow. He created the design, which is exactly what our grandson-in-law did for our first princess who got married. Anyway, he asked what we were going to do today and I laughingly told him we would have baloney sandwiches since grandpa didn't want us to go out. That really upset him - to the point it was funny. I sent some turkey, dressing, etc home with him for their dinner. He told his mom what I had said, and I got a phone call that she was not going to let her mother have baloney sandwiches on Easter, that I needed to come over there! LOL I laughed, but as I told hubby about it, he wanted to go. (Perhaps he is afraid I'd give him a baloney sandwich (like if we had any) for Easter lunch). So our plans were changed and we will go to my daughter's today for lunch. It will be nice to get out of the house.
I called my daughter-in-love and offered her the rest of the turkey as there was still some left, even after I took off some for us. She was happy to come over and get it all. I'm hoping my son was happy with the potato salad. Thought of him and my daughter when I made it. They are the ones who comment on it.
My daughter made the comment that they are having thanksgiving dinner Saturday night, and ham and all the trimmings for Easter.
It has given me pause. How thankful are we that Jesus went to the cross for our sins? Not just one of them, but for ALL of them. Personally, I am very grateful. And I'm even more grateful that every day He continues to be there for me in all my times of need, my times of hopelessness (He is my hope), my times of grieving (there are different types of grieving). And I am very thankful for Jesus being my Lord and Savior. I don't say that lightly.
Without Him, I know what my life would have been like. Just as He used my hubby to cause me to run back to Him in my distress, and trust Him to get me through this life, He uses circumstances in our lives to draw us close.
When the women went to the tomb on that morning, it was empty. The angel told them, He isn't here, He has Risen!
Do you believe that?
He HAS RISEN! He has Risen indeed!
Happy Easter! May Blessings be yours today. Open your eyes to see Him.
As I sat down in my chair in the quiet of the morning, I pick up my Bible and decided to read about the resurrection instead of where I am currently reading in Job. So I read Mark's version. (BTW there is a really good message on page 1003 in the Legacy Bible) It isn't much different from the other versions from Matthew, Luke and John, I just decided to read that one.
Jumping off my thought for a moment... we finished watching the video Matthew last night. It is the entire book of Matthew, word for word, of the New International Version. I know, I have followed along to check. AND I have read the books of how the movie came about, what the actor who played Jesus went through as he prepared and performed as Jesus. It is a remarkable story. In fact, I may need to dig out the book again and reread it.
But getting back to today. Easter Sunday. It will definitely be an odd one, I mean, not like we have done in the past. Rather, it was going to be that way, in a sense.
Let me go back to yesterday. I had pulled a turkey out of the freezer earlier in the week for no other reason than to bake it and share it. Yesterday was that day. I baked it, made dressing, giblet gravy. I had gotten some beets from a co-op and although I hadn't made them this way before, I looked up the recipe - and made Harvard Beets - and were they ever good! And they weren't hard to make, either! I also made potato salad and ice cream. What a combination!
A grandson stopped by to show us a ring he has picked up for his girlfriend. It is definitely a wow. He created the design, which is exactly what our grandson-in-law did for our first princess who got married. Anyway, he asked what we were going to do today and I laughingly told him we would have baloney sandwiches since grandpa didn't want us to go out. That really upset him - to the point it was funny. I sent some turkey, dressing, etc home with him for their dinner. He told his mom what I had said, and I got a phone call that she was not going to let her mother have baloney sandwiches on Easter, that I needed to come over there! LOL I laughed, but as I told hubby about it, he wanted to go. (Perhaps he is afraid I'd give him a baloney sandwich (like if we had any) for Easter lunch). So our plans were changed and we will go to my daughter's today for lunch. It will be nice to get out of the house.
I called my daughter-in-love and offered her the rest of the turkey as there was still some left, even after I took off some for us. She was happy to come over and get it all. I'm hoping my son was happy with the potato salad. Thought of him and my daughter when I made it. They are the ones who comment on it.
My daughter made the comment that they are having thanksgiving dinner Saturday night, and ham and all the trimmings for Easter.
It has given me pause. How thankful are we that Jesus went to the cross for our sins? Not just one of them, but for ALL of them. Personally, I am very grateful. And I'm even more grateful that every day He continues to be there for me in all my times of need, my times of hopelessness (He is my hope), my times of grieving (there are different types of grieving). And I am very thankful for Jesus being my Lord and Savior. I don't say that lightly.
Without Him, I know what my life would have been like. Just as He used my hubby to cause me to run back to Him in my distress, and trust Him to get me through this life, He uses circumstances in our lives to draw us close.
When the women went to the tomb on that morning, it was empty. The angel told them, He isn't here, He has Risen!
Do you believe that?
He HAS RISEN! He has Risen indeed!
Happy Easter! May Blessings be yours today. Open your eyes to see Him.
Friday, April 10, 2020
What made today Good.....
As I did my quiet time this morning, I reflected on what today is. Or, rather, what we celebrate it as. GOOD Friday. Yes, it is Friday, but what makes it GOOD?
One can actually argue even the reason we call it GOOD. A man, whom we call our Savior, also called Jesus, was brutally beaten, scourged, scorned, whipped, and much, much more..... and crucified upon an old wooden cross. And we CELEBRATE it? Why do we do that?
Because He was OUR sacrifice then. And He is our sacrifice now.
John 3:16 is quoted often - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (aka Beloved Son), that whosoever believeth in Him, would have everlasting life.
But how many of us actually believe that? I mean, not that God gave His one and only Son, but that we would have everlasting life? What is everlasting life? Who would want to have everlasting life in the world we now live in?
But everlasting life is so much more than that. Yes, we will die and leave this place we call earth.
But where will we go after that? Soem of us say - it doesn't matter, I'll be dead. I'm going to live now. Others say -I don't believe in heaven or hell. That's just scare tactics. aOhers KNOW there is a heaven and a hell, and yet, they are not afraid.
I have to admit that sometimes I shrug and with what I live with on a daily basis, I have my own doubts if I will make heaven. GASP! did I really say that 'out loud'? Don't I WANT to go to Heaven? Yes. Then why don't I clean up my act and .... because life is hard.
If I quit fighting life, and submit, would it ensure me a route to heaven? Probably. I've had people tell me that with my life .... I should go straight to heaven. I wish it were that easy. But it isn't. Every day is a struggle to do what is good and right. Every day I have to ask for forgiveness and seek strength to get through whatever my trial is.
And it is probably that way for you as well. But you know what - I will keep struggling to do good, to be obedient to the Lord. I will fail time and again, but I will keep going, because I prefer Heaven to Hell.
I've read Revelations. I've read books (check out The Choice - Will's last testament) for a description of Hell. No thank you. Will was a young man who was angry with God, and refused to have anything to do with Him. Yeah, he ended up in Hell. I could hear his screams as I read. No, I wasn't frightened; I was heart-broken. I don't want to be there.
And I'm sure you don't either.
As we get past Good Friday, the day when Jesus was crucified.... Sunday's coming. And on Sunday, what we call Easter, life is made NEW. Jesus rises from the grave, and takes His place at the right hand of God.
Psalm 51 is a good place to begin. Take it slow as you read through it. Pause and think about the words. Let them sink in. Start today.... Easter would be a great beginning.
Blessings!
One can actually argue even the reason we call it GOOD. A man, whom we call our Savior, also called Jesus, was brutally beaten, scourged, scorned, whipped, and much, much more..... and crucified upon an old wooden cross. And we CELEBRATE it? Why do we do that?
Because He was OUR sacrifice then. And He is our sacrifice now.
John 3:16 is quoted often - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (aka Beloved Son), that whosoever believeth in Him, would have everlasting life.
But how many of us actually believe that? I mean, not that God gave His one and only Son, but that we would have everlasting life? What is everlasting life? Who would want to have everlasting life in the world we now live in?
But everlasting life is so much more than that. Yes, we will die and leave this place we call earth.
But where will we go after that? Soem of us say - it doesn't matter, I'll be dead. I'm going to live now. Others say -I don't believe in heaven or hell. That's just scare tactics. aOhers KNOW there is a heaven and a hell, and yet, they are not afraid.
I have to admit that sometimes I shrug and with what I live with on a daily basis, I have my own doubts if I will make heaven. GASP! did I really say that 'out loud'? Don't I WANT to go to Heaven? Yes. Then why don't I clean up my act and .... because life is hard.
If I quit fighting life, and submit, would it ensure me a route to heaven? Probably. I've had people tell me that with my life .... I should go straight to heaven. I wish it were that easy. But it isn't. Every day is a struggle to do what is good and right. Every day I have to ask for forgiveness and seek strength to get through whatever my trial is.
And it is probably that way for you as well. But you know what - I will keep struggling to do good, to be obedient to the Lord. I will fail time and again, but I will keep going, because I prefer Heaven to Hell.
I've read Revelations. I've read books (check out The Choice - Will's last testament) for a description of Hell. No thank you. Will was a young man who was angry with God, and refused to have anything to do with Him. Yeah, he ended up in Hell. I could hear his screams as I read. No, I wasn't frightened; I was heart-broken. I don't want to be there.
And I'm sure you don't either.
As we get past Good Friday, the day when Jesus was crucified.... Sunday's coming. And on Sunday, what we call Easter, life is made NEW. Jesus rises from the grave, and takes His place at the right hand of God.
Psalm 51 is a good place to begin. Take it slow as you read through it. Pause and think about the words. Let them sink in. Start today.... Easter would be a great beginning.
Blessings!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Another beautiful day.... but where is the joy....
It's another beautiful day. I've stepped outside to look at my roses that are starting to pop up and bloom. I've enjoyed being briefly in the sunshine. Hubby took Sheeba out for a walk this morning and she did well. This training seems to be working well for her walking with us - she isn't pulling us down the road, anyway. The real test is when someone will come over and she will want to jump on them in her excitement. We haven't had anyone in the house lately so will have to work on that at some point.
Have you ever wondered where your excitement at seeing otehrs went? I have found that my excitement over even going places much anymore has waned. Is it because I've gotten older? It surely isn't that I have "matured" beyond that. I still long to visit others, and be with others, but the joy I have felt in the past just isn't there. I mean, the real joy.... you know what I mean, don't you?
The joy of a child seeing a butterfly for the first time. The joy of a parent - or a grandparent - seeing a new baby (or a grandbaby!). Now that does bring me much joy, I must say, but still, not the giddy kind of joy I'm trying to explain.
Giddy kind of joy. Just what is that?
I love hanging with the grandchildren - and great grandchildren. Right now I'm missing them a whole lot. Restrictions. Limitations. I always have been a rule-follower, but sometimes I jsut want to break those rules, don't you? But for now, I cannot.
I can't go see a grandchild to give them a hug. Yes, I can text or write... but I ahven't done that either. What's up with that? Ok - I did just stop and send a text to one grandchild. :-)
Joy - unspeakable joy - what is that to you? I know what it is, but how long has it been since you experienced it?
How long has it been since you had true joy, a true smile on your face?
I Chronicles 16:33 Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
Think about it. Then ask yourself, what are you going to do about it!
Blessings!
Have you ever wondered where your excitement at seeing otehrs went? I have found that my excitement over even going places much anymore has waned. Is it because I've gotten older? It surely isn't that I have "matured" beyond that. I still long to visit others, and be with others, but the joy I have felt in the past just isn't there. I mean, the real joy.... you know what I mean, don't you?
The joy of a child seeing a butterfly for the first time. The joy of a parent - or a grandparent - seeing a new baby (or a grandbaby!). Now that does bring me much joy, I must say, but still, not the giddy kind of joy I'm trying to explain.
Giddy kind of joy. Just what is that?
I love hanging with the grandchildren - and great grandchildren. Right now I'm missing them a whole lot. Restrictions. Limitations. I always have been a rule-follower, but sometimes I jsut want to break those rules, don't you? But for now, I cannot.
I can't go see a grandchild to give them a hug. Yes, I can text or write... but I ahven't done that either. What's up with that? Ok - I did just stop and send a text to one grandchild. :-)
Joy - unspeakable joy - what is that to you? I know what it is, but how long has it been since you experienced it?
How long has it been since you had true joy, a true smile on your face?
I Chronicles 16:33 Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
Think about it. Then ask yourself, what are you going to do about it!
Blessings!
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Ready and prepared.... are we?
We are in a crisis here. The coronavirus is at its peak this week adn next - actually, I think they gave the dates 4/11 and 4/18 as the two critical dates to tell whether or not this is going to go 'away'. I am believing - and praying - that God will intervene and halt this virus. That He will heal those who have received it. It has been a brutal and quick-spreading thing. I can't remember who now, but someone told me yesterday that they had a friend who got it, and four days later was dead.
That isn't even enough time to even put your affairs in order. Were they ready? Were they prepared?
As a woman, my thoughts range from: I don't want anyone going through my things! I need to clean out.... I need to wash this.... I need to jsut get rid of.... why am I hanging on to ... my kids won't want this, I should get rid of it now.... all these thoughts go through my mind.
I know I have things no one wants - so why am I hanging on to them? (I did actually go through a clothes closet this month and have a bag of clothes ready to go to Savers) I have so much STUFF. And of course when I got it, I jsut 'had to have it'. I've been trying to get the mindset that if I haven't used it in six months, and do not know when I will ever use it (not that I MAY use it sometime or someone MAY need it), I need to let it go.
I haven't been allowed to have yard sales, but since we are seriously thinking about moving within the next few months, I really need not only to clear out things, but need to let go of what I hang on to.
None of it is really important to anyone but me. And if I am not here, what difference does it make? I have a picture in my mind of my children rolling the goodwill truck up to the door and hauling everything out. That's what we used to tell my mother. I think I inherited my tendency to hang on to things from her.
So with that being said, if you are reading this, and know me, is there anything that I have that you would want?
I still need to go through my dolls, and I will soon, and distribute them among my granddaughters and great granddaughters. Three are already designated, I just haven't passed them off. I need to set them out, take photos, and ask who wants what, perhaps. But if I do that, then what if they all want the same ones? No, I guess I better just contact each one separately. Those are MINE and not OURS, so I can do that. :)
All of this makes me think about if I should contract the coronavirus, am I ready? Am I ready to meet my God? Right at this moment, in spite of all the chaos in my household, I would say yes, I am ready. I have no fear of dying. My life has not been perfect, and I have made a lot of mistakes, and I have done a lot of stupid things, and I have rebelled at a lot of things. But when I go to my Heavenly Father and ask His forgiveness, His Grace covers it all.
I recently read a book called The Choice by Brenda Poulos. Will's last testimony, I think it subtitles. This book was not what I expected at all - right down to the last page. Ironically, it was based here in Arizona. Another book I read recently - totally different - and I could not put it down until I finished it - Vessels of Fire and Glory by Mario Murillo. It was very good. Of course I like Lance Wallnau too, who wrote The Chaos Candidate, talkign about President Trump. And he wrote it before the election! I do have that book if anyone wants to read it.
I know I have rambled this morning, but my thoughts are all over the place. I pulled out material while I was typing this and want to create a mask for my daughter-in-law. If I can make one, then perhaps I can figure out how to make others. I want to help. I just don't know how.
So - through all of this, have you thought about what would happen if you contracted the virus? Have you thought about what effect it would have on your family? Your children? Your spouse? Have you cleaned your personal house so that you know where you would end up? I don't mean your house you live in, but your mind, soul, spirit body.
Are you ready..... to leave everything .... those who love you.... to go to the One who loves you more?
I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It doesn't mean you have to be perfect. God knows we will still make mistakes and do the things that we like to do.
But when we come to Him and ask His thinking on it. Seek His will. He will show us. He will put it in our spirit if we are to do - r not do - those things. Some of what we have been told as we were growing up was wrong and was actually 'wrong-thinking'.
It's not about us. It is about HIM.
oThink about it.
Blessings!
That isn't even enough time to even put your affairs in order. Were they ready? Were they prepared?
As a woman, my thoughts range from: I don't want anyone going through my things! I need to clean out.... I need to wash this.... I need to jsut get rid of.... why am I hanging on to ... my kids won't want this, I should get rid of it now.... all these thoughts go through my mind.
I know I have things no one wants - so why am I hanging on to them? (I did actually go through a clothes closet this month and have a bag of clothes ready to go to Savers) I have so much STUFF. And of course when I got it, I jsut 'had to have it'. I've been trying to get the mindset that if I haven't used it in six months, and do not know when I will ever use it (not that I MAY use it sometime or someone MAY need it), I need to let it go.
I haven't been allowed to have yard sales, but since we are seriously thinking about moving within the next few months, I really need not only to clear out things, but need to let go of what I hang on to.
None of it is really important to anyone but me. And if I am not here, what difference does it make? I have a picture in my mind of my children rolling the goodwill truck up to the door and hauling everything out. That's what we used to tell my mother. I think I inherited my tendency to hang on to things from her.
So with that being said, if you are reading this, and know me, is there anything that I have that you would want?
I still need to go through my dolls, and I will soon, and distribute them among my granddaughters and great granddaughters. Three are already designated, I just haven't passed them off. I need to set them out, take photos, and ask who wants what, perhaps. But if I do that, then what if they all want the same ones? No, I guess I better just contact each one separately. Those are MINE and not OURS, so I can do that. :)
All of this makes me think about if I should contract the coronavirus, am I ready? Am I ready to meet my God? Right at this moment, in spite of all the chaos in my household, I would say yes, I am ready. I have no fear of dying. My life has not been perfect, and I have made a lot of mistakes, and I have done a lot of stupid things, and I have rebelled at a lot of things. But when I go to my Heavenly Father and ask His forgiveness, His Grace covers it all.
I recently read a book called The Choice by Brenda Poulos. Will's last testimony, I think it subtitles. This book was not what I expected at all - right down to the last page. Ironically, it was based here in Arizona. Another book I read recently - totally different - and I could not put it down until I finished it - Vessels of Fire and Glory by Mario Murillo. It was very good. Of course I like Lance Wallnau too, who wrote The Chaos Candidate, talkign about President Trump. And he wrote it before the election! I do have that book if anyone wants to read it.
I know I have rambled this morning, but my thoughts are all over the place. I pulled out material while I was typing this and want to create a mask for my daughter-in-law. If I can make one, then perhaps I can figure out how to make others. I want to help. I just don't know how.
So - through all of this, have you thought about what would happen if you contracted the virus? Have you thought about what effect it would have on your family? Your children? Your spouse? Have you cleaned your personal house so that you know where you would end up? I don't mean your house you live in, but your mind, soul, spirit body.
Are you ready..... to leave everything .... those who love you.... to go to the One who loves you more?
I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It doesn't mean you have to be perfect. God knows we will still make mistakes and do the things that we like to do.
But when we come to Him and ask His thinking on it. Seek His will. He will show us. He will put it in our spirit if we are to do - r not do - those things. Some of what we have been told as we were growing up was wrong and was actually 'wrong-thinking'.
It's not about us. It is about HIM.
oThink about it.
Blessings!
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