Unexpected Trials

     Have you ever felt slighted for just being you?  Been judged by your cover?  Well that happened to me last night at Carino's in NLR last night.  Even tho I was the first on in the door with our group of five, the hostess totally considered me invisible.  Then when she seated us, she purposely went around me to give everybody else a menu.  She then asked 'does she need a menu?'  My mom said we could share but I demanded my own.  I mean is there a shortage?  Do people in wheelchairs not read?  I did not make a scene or issue of it then because we had company with us.  This is also not my first encounter with insensitive people so I just try to remind myself of the verse 'forgive them, for they know not what they do.'  We have informed the manager to educate and prevent further discrimination to other customers.
     Trials come in all forms and sometimes unexpectedly.  We overcome them with grace and a fault forgiving, grace filled attitude. [yes, that's not my strong suit]  Yes, it irks me to be thought of in a lesser sense than others but my strength and confidence in myself does not depend on their thoughts of me.

Starting Over

     I think starting over is one of the hardest things in life because we often do not like change.  We can't stand still tho or keep going around in circles, we must move ahead.  It may pertain to a job or a relationship but whatever it is, it requires strength and courage.  The end of anything is just a new beginning to something else.
     We've all started over at something and it's a scary, stressful place to be.  Our trust in Him is definetely tested beyond our comfort level.  We sometimes have to consider things that were never even thought about before and try new things.
      2 Corinthians 9:8  ''And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.''  If only we could remember this and reassure ourselves in those doubtful moments.
     So today if you are starting a new job or just starting over a new week, draw that needed strength from the One who provides for all our needs.

Wake Up To

  

     Does this look familiar?  This totally makes me think of two friends of mine, you know who you are, lol.  Our bark can be worse than a bite if we don't get what we need to start the day.  For some it may be coffee, or exercise, or a hot shower.
     A good start to your day is quiet time with the Lord.  Begin with thanking Him for another day of life.  Be grateful you could get out of bed on your own.  Recognize the day as another opportunity to glorify Him.
    Yes, you can do this with a cup of coffee in one hand and your Daily Bread in the other.

America

    America is the home of the bold and beautiful or the lazy and obese?  I thought this caption best illustrates our poor diet choices that lead to America's ever growing waistline.  Sure I like a good burger every now and then but its not an everyday meal choice.  Why has it taken so long for fast food places to offer healthy alternatives?  Apple slices have been around since the garden of Eden, right?
    I remember in the school cafeteria, there were two lines--one for a full lunch and one for snacks.  It was a common practice for kids to eat chips or a candy bar for lunch.  I don't think that should be an option.  There should be two lines for a real lunch.  I often ate a pretzel for lunch back then and then was starving by the time school was over.
     As you think about your diet, remember your Daily Bread.  We need to feed on The Word every day and progress from milk to solid food.  Every morsel will do us good.
     What if the caption above was a Bible with a crown of jewels for eternity holding The Light in one hand and a megaphone in the other while standing on The Rock?  What would that say about America?

Waiting It Out

     Good grief, I hate this.  I'm having to keep Tiger confined for her own good and it just about kills me.  I hear her moan and cry as to say 'this isn't fair.'  Now I have her on a chux beside me in bed and its  a little easier to bear.
     We are confined to this world for a while and we cry too at the unfairness.  It's comforting to know that God is beside us and looking out for our best interests.
     I'm not good at waiting on the healing process for me, but especially not for a loved one.
   
 

Empathy

     Empathy is the ability to feel, understand and be sensitive to others by vicariously experiencing another's thoughts, feelings and experiences.  Would you say you're empathetic?  I am, probably to a fault.  I can't see anybody cry and not get teary eyed myself, even if I don't know why.
     My cat, Tiger, fell down the stairs during the night the other day and has been at the vet most of the week.   She peed in her bed because she couldn't walk to the litter box.  I can almost guarantee you that at some point in your own life, you won't make it to the bathroom either.  If you don't believe me, a little pill called Lasix will prove my point.  She also bit my dad as he tried to put her in the cage.  So?  I refer you to the caption above.  I think patience was lacking and so is my sympathy--for him.  Tiger is getting better and hopefully will be able to come home tomorrow.
     Are you a good patient when you don't feel well?  Does a headache make you grumpy [bite]?  Does a lack of sleep make you short-tempered [bite]?  We all bite on occasion but if we show a little empathy, we might get a better response from the patient.

Way Back Wednesday......Christmas

     This is me with Santa at about age 4.  I picked this picture because today is July 25th, which means Christmas is five months away from today.  Aagh, I know!  Doesn't it feel like we just finished the craziness of the holidays not too long ago?  The shopping, the get togethers, the decorating, and everything else.  I'm not saying I don't enjoy all of it but it just seems to come faster each year.
     What we don't have to wait on is celebrating Christ every day of the year.  We should recognize His significance in our lives 24/7 and 365 days.  Some people are called ''CEO's'' because they only go to church on Christmas and Easter.  Now while those are important dates so are the other 50 weeks and Sundays of the year.  What if God only thought of you on those days?  He doesn't limit His faithfulness like we do, thankfully.  'His love endures forever.'
     We also don't have to wait till Christmas to ask for things.  The prayer line is always open and ready for your call.  'Ask and you shall receive, according to His will.'  We have a hard enough time waiting on God's answers, aren't you glad we don't have to wait to ask too?
      As Christmas does approach us at record speed, go ahead and be grateful with what you've already been given.
   

Try It

     Today's post marks the end of angie'sthat'sthat, volume 1.  I'm compiling all of the blogs over the past year into a book.  I can tell you that I started this blog from scratch and it is obvious from my first month of blogs.  As with anything you find a passion for, it has developed into more than I ever could have dreamed of.  I could have given into my doubts about myself, like Moses, and said I'm not a writer and who will even want to listen to my thoughts.  I think God opened a door for me tho and I've been blessed through doing the blog more than any reader.
     I want to encourage you to try new things that you've ever thought about doing.  The first step to anything is to try.  Don't expect to master it in the beginning.  Just see if you enjoy it and then it will develop from there.  I'm sure Picasso's first painting wasn't his best but he found a love for painting itself.  You may just find a blessing hidden behind your fear to try, so go for it.

COPD

     What is COPD?  It is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  It is usually associated with emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis.  So it is often common with smokers or people who have been exposed to environmental irritants, like asbestos.  This is what I have too, but not from bad lungs but from weak muscles that keep the lungs capacity to work limited.  The best illustration to demonstrate to you the breath of a COPD patient is for you to take a deep breath, then without exhaling, take a second breath.   That second breath is what every breath with this disease feels like.  It does make a person easily fatigued but can be managed with the right lifestyle and medicine.
     'If you're still breathing, you can keep going.' Yes, sometimes I have to take a breather break but that doesn't mean you succumb to a quitter attitude.  ''In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'' John 16:33  ''In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of every human being.'' Job 12:10   Maybe with the weather being so hot and humid now, you can feel the increased effort to breathe for yourself.  It is one of those gifts we easily take for granted but without it we cease to exist.  I picked out the following verses to remind ourselves how much each breath of ours means, Who gives it and what to do with it.


Job 33:4     ''The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.''
Psalm 39:5     ''You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.''
Psalm 150:6    ''Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.''

Are You Hot?

     There are just certain captions that say to me, 'that's so you' and this is one of them. Temperature turmoil, is this part of being 40?  A friend said today 'we're both the type who would sweat in Alaska, huh?'  Yes!  Last night, a fan was brought by my bed at 1am because I was burning up with the a/c on. I even have my own personal fan at church. On the reverse side, I can break out in goosebumps in a flat second too.  This happened the other day, I was freezing with a blanket around me and sitting on the electric blanket that was turned on high.  Am I weird or what?
     The fervor we have for the Lord can vary just as drastically.  Are you comfortable with the setting you have towards Him?  Revelation 3;16 ''So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.''  God wants us to be on fire for Him.  New believers often have a passionate way they describe the change within them.  We shouldn't lose that but cultivate that desire as we mature in our walk with the Lord.
     He covers us, like a blanket, with His love and without it we are bare.  May we always feel His touch and presence to know He's always there with us.

I Am..

     Sometimes the world kicks us down so far, we forget who we really are.  I thought this caption was a good reminder to get us women of faith back on track.  When we try to be the supplier of everybody's needs, we can tend to lose ourselves.  The day's tasks may seem tedious and never ending but we must see it as part of His plan for us.  We should be humble yet as confident in our ability to do His will as He sees us to do it.
     My friend came over without makeup and she said 'I guess you love me anyways, even without it?  Yes, of course.'  Real beauty is in the heart and shines through anything you can try to add.
     If you're feeling a little on the down side, remember all the benefits of being one of His chosen.  There is no greater reward than for Him to call you 'friend.'  He made you beautiful, worthwhile, and with a plan in mind so that you are never alone.  Cling to those good thoughts when the world puts you down.  When you're feeling down, look up for His faithfulness.

When It's All Been Said

     Well the other night, 5am, I woke up from a dream to find myself with unexplainable chest pain.  It felt like 20pounds of squeezing pressure all the way into my throat.  It was a short-lived but scary feeling.  It made me think of people who supposedly have died in their sleep but maybe they didn't and woke up like this before the end.
     It also makes me think of Don Moen's song, 'When It's All Been Said and Done.'  There are a couple of key lyrics. 'Did I do my best to live for truth, did I live my life for You?'  None of us are good or perfect but we can live a life of purpose with good news on our hearts and lips.  'Only what I've done for love's reward, will stand the test of time.'  God is interested in your heart, not your 401K portfolio.  These are the questions that really matter in the end and can give you peace to go on without fear.
     I think moments like these where you question if this is your time to go is a good pause time of reflection. Being calm in anxious moments can do more for you than most anything.  Your mind can easily turn worldly but keep your soul eternally driven.  Each of our days is fleeting by so make them count as you run your race of time.

Face Time

     Okay today's blog is a reader's requested one on electronic pacifiers.  Let me just say that no one is being targeted and I'm not exactly guilt free on the subject either.
     The world has definetely changed with the convenience of a cell phone at our fingertips at most any time.  Although most people have a cell phone, they also complain about the rudeness associated with them.  Would you go out to a pay phone at a meal every time you wanted to check your messages?  I think not, just the very thought of that is rude.  Checking your phone is the very same thing as walking away from the table.  There is a difference in taking a needed call and making a call that could be postponed.
     I think the most common irritating phone conversation is ''Hey whatcha doing?  Nothing.  What are you doing?  Nothing.''  Good grief, get off the phone and do something productive.
     As the world goes more and more high-tech and digital, we tend to lose the personal face time with people.  Sure social media helps us stay connected but online is no comparison to real life time together.
     Cell phones can be as prized as a 2year old's binky by some people.  As in every thing, moderation is key.  It's good to be available on your phones for emergency but consider when it is appropriate to use or not.
     I found these 10 cell phone commandments online and I thought I'd pass them along to you.

1. Thou shalt not dial while driving.
2. Thou shalt not wear thy earpiece when thou art not on thy phone.
3. Thou shalt not speak louder on thy cell phone than thou would on any other phone.
4. Thou shalt not grow attached to thy cell phone.
5. Thou shalt not slam thy cell phone down on a restuarant table just in case it rings.
6. Thou shalt not make the cell phone more important than the company thou art keeping.
7. Thou shalt not leave the cell phone ringing just to show off the “cool” ringtones or refrain from answering for that same reason.
8. Thou shalt turn off thy cell phone phone at funerals, weddings, yoga class, and anywhere it would be unacceptable to bring a screaming child.
9. Thou shalt not have a message intro lasting more than 15 seconds.
10. Thou shalt never answer your phone while you’re in the bathroom.

Way Back Wednesday---Riches

     This is from our family trip to California when I was 5.  This is just outside my aunt and uncle's house in Anaheim.  We had just been to a restaurant with a pirate theme and this was my 'Arrgh' look.  I don't recall anything from this trip to share with you.  I later went out to their house when I was older so I'll blog on that another time.
     Are you a pirate going after the riches of this world?  Sure there are nice things to be had in this world but not at all cost.  The crown of gold you want is not on this earth.  The best things in life are free and can't be bought or sold.....family, friends, and a life of blessings.  'Do not overwork to be rich.' Proverbs 23;4  ''Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.''  Psalm 62;10
     We as Christians should also avoid a pirate attitude.  'I'm taking it. It's all mine.'  Our dispositions shouldn't be of a confrontational and aggressive manner but one of giving and sharing.  Does my body language in this picture seem very friendly and welcoming?  No, more like back off or else.  Sometimes our demeanor can shun people away without a word spoken.
     The pirate personality is a short plank off a long pier to trouble... watch your step.

The treasures of earth are not mine,

I hold not its silver and gold;
But a treasure far greater is mine;

I have riches of value untold. —Hartzler

The Bright Side

    Do you see your cup as half full or half empty?  Well, my cup runneth over and that's a good thing.  Negativity is such a crushing influence in life and should be avoided.  You can't have a positive life with a negative mind. The battle to be happy is a battle against negativity. Bad things happen all the time but how we internalize them, how we react to them, is what ultimately determines their final effect on us.
    The fear of the unknown can warp our minds into thinking that there is nothing good to be had from the situation at all.  That's not true tho.  There are provisions already in place for our needs, we just may not be able to see them yet.  Trusting that everything will be okay, just different, is what we need to rely on.  They say when God closes one door, He opens another but I know the hallway between the two is often dark and scary.  The Light of the world will get you there safely.
    So the next time your train of thought goes on the negative track, stop and rechart your course to the positive track.  'No stinkin thinkin.'  'Treat negativity like a duck does water, shake it off.'

Never Give Up

     What does 'never give up' mean to you?  To me, it means determination and perserverance.  I have been this very mouse so many times in my life.
      I think we can learn alot from this mouse.  Let's begin with setting a goal for yourself.  No one can achieve the things you want, for you.  It takes drive in you to follow thru despite the obstacles along the way.
      The mouse has also suited himself with protective gear for the obvious danger ahead.  'Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.'  Have the 'truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.'  We can stand firm in our faith, when we are prepared for the battles that are guaranteed to come.
     To the mouse, he also knows cheese is good for him.  So this points to the fact of never grow weary in doing good.  Galatians 6;9  'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.' 2 Thessalonians 3;13 'And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.'  I cannot tell you how much doing for others will reap benefits for yourself as well.
     So if you ever hear 'never give up' from someone, remember it means many things.  Plan for your future with purpose, prepare yourself for the obstacles, and to do good in all things.

Who Am I?

      1 Chronicles 16;16-17  “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?  And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant.''   Have you ever thought about this prayer of David's for yourself?  He not only has blessed our lives here but has our eternal home in place too.  I think of the lyrics, 'what can we give to you oh God for everything you've given to us?'  We are so blessed and yet we are so ready to throw a pity party when a little hardship arrives.  As the caption above states He is always there to save you from both the seen and unseen dangers of this life.  
     The answer to those first lyrics is 'we offer our lives to you oh God for everything you've given to us.'   God gets great joy when we use our lives to fulfill His purposes.  His peace will cover our anxious thoughts when we doubt our abilities to do what we've been called to do.  Isn't it a good feeling to sing 'His love endures forever,' when you can truly believe it, feel it, enjoy it and share it in your life?
     So when you ask 'Who am I?' remember that you are one of His sheep and the Shepard is with you, even with the wolves all around.

It Made Me Do It

     Okay, so this is a good representative of me when I'm on prednisone.  I do not share or split meals when I'm on this medication, like I normally do.  If I'm not busy breathing, you'll probably find me eating.  Yes, this steroid medication puts food on my mind front and center.  This is a common side effect of this drug but it may seem more pronounced in me because the change is so extreme.
     Do you have an excuse you use for uncontrolled behavior?  'The devil made me do it?'  'The flesh is weak.' We must distance ourselves from things that put us at risk for sinful behavior, whatever that may be.  An alcoholic once said, I had to give up everything that I associated with drinking in order to avoid the urge to give in to the sinful desire.  We all have the self-control needed within us but we must choose to use it.  Turning our burdens over in prayer reinforces our awareness that we cannot do it alone.
    'Do you know my Jesus?  Do you know my Friend?  Do you know that He loves you and will till the very end?'  Those lyrics are a comforting thought to believers.  The world is full of ways to side track you from the narrow path and it's easy to blame something else for our downfall behavior patterns.  Let us instead of blaming, give Jesus the credit for keeping us from the pitfalls of our journey.... till the very end.

How We Learn

    The way we learn is an individual characteristic, usually visual or audible.  I personally am a visual learner and have always preferred reading something myself as opposed to being read to.  Our brains just respond differently to things according to our genetic wiring.  There is no one way, right way to teach everyone the same thing.
    When witnessing to others, we must approach them on their level. 1 Corinthians 3;2  ''I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.''  Sometimes our head knowledge can be so overwhelming to another person, that their heart doesn't even get touched.  Our words should be encouraging not boastful.
    Our lives are full of tests to teach us the lessons of life.  Wouldn't it be nice to learn those the first time, just like 2 plus 2=4.  Our learning curve is subjected to the fall of man, sin. Those trials and tests tho strengthen our faith thru adversity.  We see more clearly our need for a Savior, when we recognize our dependency.  From intouch.org, ''from God's perspective, suffering is what produces faithful Christians. If we all had lives of ease without opposition, trials, or pain, we'd never really know God, because we'd never need Him.''  
    The lessons will continue until all our tests are all over one day.  Keep learning something new each day from Him.

Way Back Wednesday...Stubborn

     Now does that look like the face of stubbornness?  I think not but there's more than meets the eye, I assure you.  I'd love to have this natural, sun kissed Coppertone tan with the sun bleached blonde hair again but I think I've only retained the stubbornness of this girl.
    One of the first signs of stubbornness is the clenched fist of a newborn.  The retaliation to be pushed out into a new world from the womb.  What is happening?  This cannot be good.  We all like our comfort zones and change is not usually a welcomed thought.
    How was I stubborn?  Well we'll just describe one story here.  At this same age, probably 8, my mom arranged to have my picture taken at an Olan Mills type of place.  I got ready in my blue tube top and shorts.   I thought I looked pretty cute and wanted to show off my tan.  This outfit was not what my mom had envisioned for a studio style portrait.  I can remember the argument but I don't remember how I got my way, except thru stubbornness.  It did turn out to be a good picture that showed off more of me than my clothes.
     Stubbornness can be a positive or a negative feature in each of us.  We can stand firm in our beliefs and stick to what agrees with our values.  We must not demand our ways on others but just let them hear an alternative view.  We are all too stubborn in our 'surrendering all' to the Lord because of our desire to do things our way.  Stop and consider today what your clenched fist is shaking at and try to surrender it to Him.

The Word

     I said I wasn't going to write this blog because there was just too much to refute, and yet I feel I must say something.  I watched part of Barbara Walter's special on 'Heaven.'  There were so many man-made theories discussed that I can see how an unbeliever wouldn't know what to consider.  A common theme throughout the program was about living a good and decent life.  The existence of both heaven and hell was questioned.  As a Buddist Richard Gere thinks heaven and hell are right now, depending on your life's circumstance. I don't think this program was necessarily helpful but instead a bombardment of man's ways of living on made-up knowledge to justify their way to a peaceful eternity.
    The Bible is the most tested, researched proven book in the world for the longest time.  Our questions are all answered in His Word.  For every false remark in this program, there is scripture to refute it. Look it up and investigate the truth. 'We are saved by grace, not by works.'  God knows how weak our minds and flesh are, that's why He gave us a guidebook to follow.  The arrogance of people to think they have it all figured out on their own is a death trap.
    Read, follow and trust in His Word.  Faith in yourself is worthless, Faith in Him is priceless.

Timing

     Well the forecast included a much needed rain today but so far it's a no show here.  We had the thunder but no form of water from the sky to go with it.  Does that lead me to believe it's never going to rain or does it mean just a longer wait?  God supplies all our needs at His appropriate timing.  It is our job to have faith in that promise and to trust that He knows best.
     Waiting on the right timing for things teaches us patience, self control and perserverance.  If it's worth fighting for then it's worth waiting for..whatever the case may be.  A friend is now between jobs and is waiting to hear whether God will keep them here or take them to a new place to live.  I'm sure the wait has not been an easy one.  Sometimes its easy to take the guaranteed road than to just surrender to His clear direction with time.
     We could disillusion ourselves with a rain dance by thinking we have any control over things.  We could rush decisions without the Lord's will in mind.  We should tho pray for our needs and trust in His provisions all the time.

No strength of our own, nor goodness we claim;
Our trust is all thrown on Jesus’ name:
In this our strong tower for safety we hide;
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.” —Newton

Out of Patience

     We've all had times where our patience has run out with a person or circumstance.  The devilish side of us becomes more visible.  True for you too?  Okay well I'm going to share one of my stories on this topic.. yes, there's more than one to pick from, ha.
     As I've told you before, I developed a blood clot in my leg in 1996.  Well the doctor recommended putting a greenfield filter in my femoral vein to prevent any clots from breaking off and going to my heart or lungs in the future. I'm not allowed any sedation because it affects my breathing.  They said it was a simple procedure and practically painless so I agreed to it.  Well I don't know where they got this guy to do the procedure but it must have been from the School of Hard Knocks.  It felt like he was stabbing me with that filter every chance he could as it went thru my vein.  My patience was out the door and so was I if I had the strength to get off that table.  I didn't but I had enough strength in my left arm to throw the pulse/oxygen monitor across the room.  I was labeled uncooperative and sent back up to my room upstairs in the hospital.  The doctor came to talk to me about the importance of completing this procedure.  I insisted on some form of sedation before I'd agree to round 2.  They gave me something that they give pregnant women so its real mild but worked.  The filter got put in and I was loopy enough that all I cared about was where my nightgown was..lol.  Seriously, I asked that about 5 times in 2 minute intervals.
      There is a balance to be met between patience and strength.  Some times it's best to walk away and remove yourself from the situation.  Time to think can keep you and your devilish side out of trouble.

False Hope

     As I've regained some of my strength this year, I've ventured out a little more.  I can't say it's all been without a little fear of needing to cough.  So on occasions where I thought I might get in a compromised state of breathing, I've put my cough assist machine in the back seat of the van.  Just knowing it was there was a reassuring thought.  On all those situations, I never needed to use it.  Well, the other day I wanted to shop a little after eating and thought I'd feel better if I could cough with the machine.  Thankfully, I wasn't in a desperate situation because the machine wouldn't work.  The inverter wasn't supplying enough power to run it.  So all those times of driving around with reassurance in the back seat was just false hope.  My true reassurance and hope is in the Lord's protection over me.  The blessings we don't even see at the time should be counted along with the one's we do see.
     Are you riding the wave of life with false hope?  Are you counting on your good works, your wealth, or your status in life to save you?  Do you pick and choose to believe the parts of the Bible that you can reason out in your own mind?  These are all forms of false hope. Psalm 25;5  ''Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.'' Psalm 25;21  ''May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.'' Psalm 31;24  ''Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.''  Our only true hope is our faith in God thru His Son, Jesus Christ.  


    [From odb.org] “God has been my shepherd all my life to this day” (Gen. 48:15 NIV). Though clouds surround the present and I do not know what the future may hold, I have the assurance that the Shepherd will show me the way. My task is to follow Him in love and obedience, and trust each step to Him.

Waiting

     Do you think it's possible for any of us to really master patience?  I think I'm a patient person until something makes me impatient and then I'm back to ground zero.  Why are we in such a hurry?  We think we've got places to go, things to do and people to see.
     I can tell you every time I travel, I'm reminded why I'm not a traveler.  Oh I like to go to new places, it's the getting there that drains my patience allotment.  As we were at a standstill on I-40 from Memphis the other day, I had a whole conversation in my head about what I'd like to say to the highway department.  'I can't remember a time in my whole life that a drive to and from Memphis has been pleasant,' 'How come other states have night workers and we don't?'  Anyways, you can see how the mind can dwell on the negative.  My mind should have been on just getting home safely, instead of quickly.
     My patience has also been tested this week by being sick.  You can get sick at the drop of a hat but the healing process is a waiting game that drags on and on.  I'm resting, taking meds and have a prayer circle in place so when is it going to be over?
    As odb.org pointed out today, we need stops and pauses in our lives.  Just as stoplights and yield signs slow us down, so do trials in our lives.  We need those paused moments to let off on the accelerator of life and look to the One who controls it all.

Called to Serve

   
    Who hasn't had this feeling come across them?  You just sat down from getting all your stuff done and then you get called to do for someone else.  Too busy, too tired, too much for me?  We can always find an excuse but aren't we called to serve others?  Yes, 'serve one another in love.' Galatians 5;13.  Who is the greatest example of service... Jesus.  'The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.' Mark 10:45
    Whether we get an actual phone call of a need or just a whisper from the Holy Spirit, we should listen to that voice and act on it.  If you don't do anything for others, you may just serve as a warning to others on how not to be.
    The members of our body work together as a whole and so should the body of believers. Asking for help is a humbling act in itself so a gracious 'of course, I can' is the best response.  Remember, the chair will be there when you return but serving opportunities may only knock once at your heart door.

Way Back Wednesday... To the Veterans

     This is me at about 12 on one of the submarines in Mobile, AL.  Was this the foretelling of me being a Navy wife one day?  Nah, we were in the Navy Air division, no ships.
      Today is the 4th of July so I want to salute all the service men and women from the past and present with this post.  Freedom is never free, just like everything else.  The military service calls for not only your ability and strength but often time away from loved ones.  As indebted citizens, we owe our veterans a heartfelt thank you and helping hand when needed.
     'Freedom does not give us the right to do as we please but to do what pleases God,' from odb.org.  Those who have ultimately sacrificed all for us to live freely on a daily basis surely wouldn't want us to take that freedom for granted.  People all over the world are fighting for the kind of freedom that we have here in the U.S.  We are blessed to live in such a country as America.  We are also blessed to have a voluntary supplied military of men and women to defend us as a nation.
     Go out and thank a veteran today.

Bless Our Nation

     Our founding fathers of our nation knew the importance of the blessing of God in its formation.  How far we have strayed from that is almost too great to describe.  Even in my short lifetime, the changes are widespread.  'In God we trust' is still on our currency but is it true?  The liberal movement to take God's name out of schools, public areas and everywhere shows the arrogance of self-reliance.  Will we not be punished for arousing the Lord's anger?  As I'm reading 2Kings now, it tells how different kings and nations either did evil in the sight of the Lord or followed the Lord's will.  What would our account be written as in the annals of America?
     How do we counteract these evil forces?  We must witness to others and the next generation.  We must stand firm in our faith thru all the trials we encounter.  We must elect officials with values like our own beliefs.
     The following is a letter and commentary from my friend, Twylia.  It is a letter between two WWII soldiers that shows the power of sharing your belief in God.

''“Dear Buddy,

Just a note to tell you some good news.  Forty years ago while we were trapped in a fox hole thinking each shot would be the last, I heard you say “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.’  Two weeks later when you were hit in the eye with that hand grenade and we were prisoners and couldn’t get you any help I heard you whisper, “The Lord is my Shepherd again”.  Then as we were able to get you to the river and strapped you to a log to float you down to a first aid station, thinking we were telling you good bye for the last time, you clasped my hand and said, “Elmer, the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”.  Sunday I went to church and the choir sang, “The Lord is my shepherd”, I remembered you saying it so much.  As the choir sang, I heard the Lord say, “Elmer I am your Shepherd”.  Earl, I ran to that alter and fell on my knees and poured out my heart to Him in prayer.  Now I can say as you did He truly is my Shepherd.  As you will well remember, I was an alcoholic but those words you whispered never really left me.  I want you to know, son, the seed you planted over 40 years ago are just now beginning to blossom.  You lived such a good life before us, we love you for it.  Thanks for witnessing to us even when we were drunk, but most of all thanks for living a Christlike life.  I will always be grateful for you.  Earl, I know this will be hard for you to believe, but I am a changed man.  Thanks again my great buddy for your faith, prayers and friendship.  I will be looking forward to seeing you at the reunion in August.  There aren’t too many of us left.  I am looking forward to telling the gang this year that “The Lord is my Shepherd.  Praise his Holy name”….Love, Elmer.

.

 Never underestimate the power of a seed.  We may never even see some of our seeds sprout here on this earth, just like Earl, but we will know about it in heaven.  The hearts in each generation will pass on to the next generation.  Psalm 145:3-7 says, “Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall praise Thy works to another, And shall declare Thy mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate.  And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts;  And I will tell of Thy greatness.  They shall eagerly utter the memory of Thine abundant goodness, And shall shout joyfully of Thy righteousness.”  Are we praising, declaring, meditating, speaking, telling, uttering, shouting?  Are we passing it on?  

      Have a happy 4th and may you be blessed by the seeds you plant.  Pray for our leaders and our nation to turn to God for direction so that America will be blessed and bring Him all the glory.

Winds of Life

     Who needs a fan to beat this heat?  I have a couple of friends who just bought air conditioners to get a little relief.  I can't imagine life without a/c or heat.  I know people do it but I'm thankful I don't have to.
     Do you ever feel like the dog above?  When the winds of life are hitting you so hard in the face, that you can't even see clearly.  When you're just trying to stand firm and hold your ground?  Romans 8:26  ''In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.''  Psalm 68:19  ''Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.''  These are two verses from which we can remember Who can calm the winds.  Do we doubt Him like the disciples in the boat, when they woke Jesus up during the storm on the sea?  I'm sure there is evidence in your own life from the past where He has calmed the storms on your behalf.  Trust and obey for there's no other way.
     What is worse than being blind?  Losing your vision.  We must avoid the oasis of this worldly life and keep eternity in full focus.
     As one of my favorite songs says, ''Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.''

FBF PRAYER REQUESTS--JULY 2012

FBF MISSIONARY PRAYER REQUESTS...JULY 2012


LESLEY WOLFE---

1.       Due to the recent mercenary raids/attacks in southwestern Ivory Coast, which is the Kroumen region of the country (the Glaro are a part of the Kroumen ethnic group), there is a lot of tension right now between the two major, non-Kroumen ethnic groups who also live in this region and the Kroumen.  Long story short, these two non-Kroumen groups feel that the Kroumen are behind the recent mercenary raids/attacks, the purpose being to run them out of the region so that they (the Kroumen) can confiscate their plantations (i.e., cocoa and palm).  This tension has taken hold in our village, too, and is serious.  In fact, three meetings have been called in the last couple of weeks (two by government and military officials, and one by our village elders) to try to address and correct this notion that the Kroumen are wanting to rid their area of these two other ethnic groups.  It’s a serious issue, with each ethnic group now fearing the other.  Please be praying that these two other (and major) ethnic groups will hear and believe what the Kroumen (and in our case, the Glaro) are telling them --- which is, they have no desire or intention of either harming them, chasing them out of our region, or confiscating their plantations.    

2.       With the recent deployment of more military and UN forces in our area, the villagers in Beoue (“my” village) are feeling safe.  They tell me that all is fine there now and want to know when I’m coming back.  My ‘son’, who lives in another town on the coast and is going to school, called me today to tell me that he’d had the same dream twice, which was, someone was telling him that it was now okay for me to return to the village.  I told him that that was great, and that I’d let my NTM leaders know about his dream and see what they have to say!!  For the time being, I’m still on the coast.  I don’t know how long I’ll be here.  But I’m thankful for my accommodations, and the fact that the work of translation can and is continuing from here!!  And I have so many, many things to be thankful for…..like your prayers and concern.  Thank you.

MARTIN AND HANSY TUOHY--

1. Reformation Resurrection camp (10-13 of July). May the teaching (I think the topic is evangelism) be clear and the believers receptive and determined to obey. This is a camp organized by a Reformed Baptist church and attended by believers from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany.

2. As we continue to seek Gods direction for our family: patience, diligence in seeking His face, faithfulness in the day to day ministry opportunities.

MONICA SERNATINGER--

 

1. Please, pray for Jean, Jamie's sister. Recently she had eye surgery and since, she has asked four times for Jamie's last message. I have just finished transcribing it into Spanish and translating it into English. May the Word of God speak to her heart and be saved. I will also be sending it to the rest of Jamie's sisters, Judy and Jessica, and his brother Charlie, Mom Ann and Aunt Janet. Thank you for praying for these precious souls.

2. Please, pray Javis and his dad Rafa. They will be going out of town to work for three months, and will be coming home only on Sundays. They will be surrounded by three other relatives and other men that drink heavily, and in the past have been a great stumbling block for Rafa. May the Lord sustain them. Thank you for praying.

 

BOBBY AND NAMATHA AVILEZ

 

1.       Pray for an extra mile attitude among the House of Hope Staff

2.       Pray that more of our children would embrace the Truth and walk in it. Pray that the Lord would help them to see the sinfulness of sin!

3.    The donations to the orphanage at House of Hope to increase  immediately since they cannot pay for necessities with the recent big drop in donations.     For Wisdom for what to do.       For the Lord to send a church interested in the Shan orphan kids in Thailand.

 

TED AND PRISCILLA CLARK

JULY 8--‐14  Please pray for the young girls camp(13--‐17yrs.) taking place this week.  Pray for the work of the Lord in the lives

of each of the 40 or so girls who will be attending this camp.

JULY 15--‐21  This week is the young boys camp.  Pray again for the Lord’s work in the heart of each of these 50  young men, that

this week would be a turning point in the lives of many, leading to salvation and a greater commitment to and love for the Lord,

His Word and His work.