Look and See

                What a wonderful poem about who we really should want to be and be seen as.  It's about humility, service, and aspirations.  We are here to fulfill God's agenda in our lives.  What do you see in the mirror?  Who is getting the glory in your life.. you or God?
                 A person's prayer life can reflect whether one is self-centered or God-centered.  God first, others second, myself last is the rightful order in which we should think.
                'Glorify Yourself through me, Lord' is how we surrender all.  'Amazing love so divine.. demands my life, my soul, my all.'

Undefeated with Hope

                       There is always hope.  Why?  Because, God is where and in whom our hope is found.  We may feel whooped and on our last leg, but God's mercies are new every morning.
                       You may be suffering yourself and question how much more you can bear.  Let God be your anchor of strength in the storm.  Rest in the goodness of His Word during those times when you need to be still.  Play the songs of praise in your mind to restore your soul to His will.  Trust in His assurance that all that you go through is for your good and is of benefit, whether you see it or not.
                       I have felt defeated in this world.. in emotions, physical being, and spiritually... but I've maintained my hope through it all.  I will not give up on God nor my belief in Him, because He faithfully has never given up on me.
                      Psalm 119;50  '' My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.''

Foto Friday

Betsy n Lydia n kids

Gloria n Charity n kids 

Twylia n Willow

Zaedi

Cinn/sugar cream cheese rollups
from the Humble Crumb

Take the Time

                  Colossians 3;15  ''Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.''  I'm thankful for the friends I have that want to come over for an afternoon away from their busy schedules.  I'm thankful for this gorgeous, warm spring weather.  I'm thankful for the time away from my air machine to talk and visit.  I'm thankful for another day of life and a healthy one today.  I'm thankful to be the daughter of parents who love me beyond measure.  I'm thankful to be a child of God and His friend.  I have so much to be thankful for that my hand would go numb typing with only a beginning of a list.

                 

Knowing Others

                         I love this quote and how it puts the problem of a lack of true fellowship into a few simple words.  I  struggle with not being able to talk to people in the way I want to.  Superficial talk is polite but it is no substitute for real conversation.  I'm guilty too, so I'm not pointing any fingers.
                         I like to have people over for visits because it is easier to talk/hear in a quieter surrounding.  I do think about people that I see often and I'd like to know on a deeper level.  One reason I like my church family is the communication isn't limited to the usual 'How are you? Fine' scenario.  We all have joys and trials that we want to share with one another.
                        Challenge your own thoughts by asking yourself, ''Who do I look at, yet never see?'  When we get to know others personally, both parties will benefit.  It is better to be looked at than over looked.

Foto Friday

Celebrating in style

Visiting with Lisa

My new Jim Shore bunny
from Karla

At The Shortcut with Kristin,
the best hairstylist in town

My parents ready for
church directory pictures

Too Busy?

 



                       ''It's better to be in a boat thinking about God, than to be in church thinking about fishing.''  We as a human race are easily distracted.  Our busy schedules are a great distraction to us seeing God's work in our lives.
                       'Selah' in the Bible means pause and think about it.  The Psalms are full of Selah moments.  I think our lives should be too.  We need quiet, meditative moments alone with God to give thanks, give praise and give our requests.
                       Spring is a good time to go fishing and bask in the nature God created.  Take time to enjoy this life you've been given, before it passes you by.  Take time for God by putting Him at the top of your schedule, the rest will follow into place.
                     
                     

Forecast Ahead

''Fortunately, God is much more reliable than the weather report. It’s never guess-and-check with God. He knows what is in store for all of us. He’s told us that there will be hard times and cloudy days, but he has also promised that just as the sun is somewhere behind those clouds, he too will always be there for us.''


                   Yes, the weather changes but God never does.  He is our only constant in this ever changing world.  We can see evidence in the Bible that God's ways don't change based on who you are, where you're from, how prominent in class or money you are, or for any reason.  He is the Great I Am.
                   Isn't that a great source of comfort?  Our doubts come from within ourselves, and not from Him wavering.  C.S. Lewis said, ''I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun.  Not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else.''   When we look at our lives and the trials we go through with a God perspective, rather than a world perspective, we can find joy in our circumstances.
                  May we all feel and rejoice in the Son shining on us, for all our days to come.  There's no better forecast than that.  

Foto Friday

Betsy brought her mom down
to visit me

My dad picked me
some daffodils

Baker kids painting

Puzzle time... job well done

Jessica n kids

Foto Friday

Betsy n the kids dropped by for
some mask fun

3 lil masqueraders

Jack n my Dad getting Karla
here by 9am

2 weeks till spring

I wanna build a snowgirl

Snowgirl  'Destiny'

Snow makes Jack frisky

Karla's creation

4 wheelin fun

Wise Decisions

Proverbs 13;16  ''All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.''


                     When we know better, we should do better.  I don't think we can ever reach the level of wise, but we can gain wisdom.  Wisdom provides instruction, discernment, knowledge and 'turns a person from the snares of death.'
                     Job 28;28  ''And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
                    The worst mistake that we all make repeatedly is in our decision to trust ourselves, before we trust in God's will for our lives.  Manipulation is how we try to change what we know is not right into an 'acceptable' form in our minds and yet it is still wrong as ever.
                  'Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'  What does that 'fear' mean to you?  To me, it means knowing I am not in control, God has all the power over me.  It means His consequences are just and undeniable.  It means acknowledging that He has the power to kill both the body and soul.  How can we even begin to be wise without humbling ourselves to the Creator of all?
                   For all those, who make the mistake to not give their heart and soul to God... it is your decision, but God is always wanting and waiting for you to decide differently.

Keep the Negativity Quiet

                   Who ever said, ''I need more negativity in my life''....... no one ever!  I believe there are two kinds of people, encouragers and discouragers.... which are you?  No one is given the right to put other people down thru name calling, labels or snide remarks.  When a person makes ugly remarks, it is more of a reflection of ugly on them alone.
                  Some people don't watch the news because of all the negative effect on their minds, so why do we breed negativity in our lives?  Low self esteem, anxiety, and stress are some reasons but I think the root cause is that it's just a bad, bad habit.  I think we all need to screen our thoughts before they become our words.