What's It About?

Ephesians 2;10  ''For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.''

             When we humble ourselves, we realize that the world does not revolve around us.  We are just a piece of the puzzle in God's plan.  We are here to fulfill His plans for us first.  The order of importance in our lives should be God first, Others second, and Myself last.
             Our 'good works' are a result of the salvation He prepared for us.  With a Christ-like attitude, we begin to think of how we can help others and share God's love.  There are no coincidences, but God appointed opportunities.
             When you think about today's events, did you embrace an opportunity for God to use you or did you close the door to someone?  'Take my life and let it be consecrated all to Thee.'

Foto Friday

 

Prepared For

          I like surprises, if done in a good way and not a scare tactic.  This verse above makes me anxiously await my future in heaven.  Indescribable is how I would summarize this verse.
         I think the verse also applies to our journey here on Earth.  Years ago, my mind certainly wouldn't have conceived the idea of me living in the basement, where lawnmowers and paint cans used to be stored. He knows what we need and when, therefore preparing for all of our needs.
        Can you look back at your past and see how faithful His preparedness has been to you?  Yes there is a prerequisite for the place He has prepared for you in heaven.... to love Him... above all else.

Training

              For most people, vacations are a get away from the stresses of life.  It is a way to be free from the daily responsibilities that we usually have.
              My vacations are always good but my level of dependency on others is also magnified.  It is a concentrated level that is not easy to accept.  I am grateful for the help because I couldn't have such adventures without the assistance.  Dependency is a crash course in patience, gratitude, grace, mercy, more patience, self control, and thinking of others first.
              It takes no effort to see the bad in our circumstances but seeing the good is a matter of a trained perspective.  There is good to be found in everything but you must look for it.

Oklahoma Texas Trip

            I'm back from the land of no internet.  We left last Thursday for Thackerville, OK and got there about 930pm.  We stayed at the RV park at the Winstar Casino.  Friday we went to the outlet mall in Gainsville, TX, which is only 5 miles away.  It was mostly closed down but we made the most of the few stores still left.
           Friday night, Charlene and I went to the John Mellencamp concert at the casino.  He played all of his greatest hits and rocked the house.  I did a couple of twirls and danced my heart out.  A 'friendly' guy who liked my free spirit gave me a high five and a hug after the concert was over. We had great seats but had to move to an even better spot when everybody stood up.
           After the concert, we went out to the lobby to look for concert tshirts... none found.  So we saw a lady with a tshirt and she said they were inside the concert area.  We went to go back in and Security would not let us back in for ANY reason.  We went to another door and got the same response.  I was beyond frustrated.  So a guy coming out saw I wanted in and held the door for me.  I took off in there with no hesitation.  As I quickly surveyed the room for tshirt sales, Security was yelling at my deaf ears 'Ma'am, MA'AM, MA'AM'.  I saw nothing so I went back out where Charlene was.  She said they didn't know how determined I can be.. or maybe she meant stubborn...ha.
             Saturday we drove to Frisco, TX.  While en route to IKEA, I saw the indoor skydiving center.  I so wanted to do that but they were booked up for the next two weekends.  So we shopped at IKEA and a crafty antique marketplace.  We also ate at In n Out Burgers, which I had heard of but never seen.
            We had a great time.  Thanks to my mom and dad and Charlene for making the trip possible and fun.

Who You Are

             What a good reminder that we all need at times.... honor and love who you are.  We often focus on our flaws and rarely see ourselves as a creation of God's handiwork.  We should take pride in the fact that we are made in His image.
             Genesis 1;27  ''So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.''

             It is said, 'Why do we struggle so to fit in, when we were made to be set apart?'  We are each unique and have our own special qualities about ourselves.  God made you a certain way with purpose in mind so don't hide who you are. I know this is all easier said than done. I have yet to wear my shorts this summer but I will.  

            We honor ourselves with modesty, discernment and respect.   We love ourselves with acceptance, obedience to God, and living a life that pleases Him, not the world.

Clicked

           This afternoon I spent the afternoon with two friends, Karla and September, that I really haven't known for a long time, if you consider the large scale of life.  They are both women who I automatically clicked with and knew we would be friends.  I can't point out any one aspect in either of them that drew me to want to know them better so I'll just say 'Its a God thing.'
           Today we worked on making tissue paper flowers.  September generously shared a flower making kit and we had fun putting them together. [When I say 'we', I mean 'they'... my hands aren't that dexterous.]
Here are some pictures.

Use Your Resources

                  I cannot be more adamant about the message of this caption and I'm speaking from prideful experience.  We all want to do things independently and our own way but those thoughts are pride's lure and we shouldn't take the bait.  I agree wholeheartedly that it is not easy to ask for or to accept help from anyone.  We all fear the display of our weaknesses to others but why?
                 ''But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.''
2 Corinthians 12;9
                 Our church camp's verse for the week is...  “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1).  We must look at our circumstances and see how the glory of God can shine through it, whether in giving or receiving a blessing.
                 God has blessed me with a great resource of people who help me to show God's love to others through transportation, finances, food, gifts, and more.  No, I can't do it on my own and it would be less of a blessing to me if I didn't share the joy with those who help me.

                 

Filled Up

           So many people are consumed with the idea of filling their bank account, their belly, their resume and many other temporal pleasures but what about the void within ourselves?  This verse points us to the only source that will fill us completely... God.
           People search and unsuccessfully try to fill their lives with stuff and quick satisfaction.  Joy and peace come only 'because you trust in Him.'  The sooner you learn not to put your trust and hope in people and the things of this world, THEN you'll sooner seek and find an everlasting hope in Christ.
           Confident hope is different than hope that could go either way, like 'I hope it doesn't rain today.'  His Hope is based on His promises that do not and will not fail.  ''Confident hope is based on the full assurance that God is trustworthy, reliable, and able to fulfill His promises.  That He will keep His word.''
          'Hope is looking forward with expectation and anticipation of something we believe will happen.  Confident hope does not waver even when rough times come.  Confident hope does not let circumstances diminish its power or boldness.  Confident hope believes every circumstance, no matter how unpleasant at the time, is working on our behalf to grow us, mature us, and cement our hope.  Challenges give us the opportunity to give God the opportunity to prove His power, His might, His ability, and His willingness to come to our aid.  Confident hope relies on God.  Given the opportunity, God answers and gives us more reason for confident hope.'
         But hope which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what one already sees?  What we see and have seen is proof of God's faithfulness.
        May the verse above be my prayer for you today and always.

Cut Back

         You might have noticed that I haven't blogged as much lately.  I guess I've been trying to live more of a life worthy of the gospel, rather than just writing about it.  This is my time of the year, weather-wise, so I am out and about more using the strength God gives me.  I do think my pictures can say more than I can about my joy, strength, comfort and all the other ways God provides for me daily.  I do have to manage my time of play/shopping/outdoors with adequate rest so writing my blog may not always make the to-do list every day.
        Here are some pictures from the vintage market that my dad and I went to today.....

Foto Friday

Karla's friend, Beth, with
her gift from me

Tux in her bed

Tiger on her pillow

Maru's flan sold at the Sherwood
flea market.. yummy

David stopped by for a visit

My flea market find

View from the Big Dam Bridge

Outta my way people