Live Life

         Charlie Brown knows a lot of life's philosophical truths.  We would do good to listen to him quite often.  His cartoon life is all about the hard knocks and struggles that we all face at some point.
         James 1;2-4  ''Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.''

         If we didn't have grace given to us by God that is sufficient, I truly believe we couldn't make it through this life.  We need His blessings that we don't deserve.

        I know some days are harder than others to keep going on the path God intended for you.  Sure there are days that we'd like to just throw in the towel, when really we know we'd just have to pick it up.  As inertia is defined as a body in motion tends to stay in motion, we too must keep striving to keep going in life.

        Life is not fair but it is unique.  No one can live your life for you, so it is up to you to make it a journey worth traveling.  Both success and probably more so loss will make you stronger.  When your faith is tested, it will prove to you what you truly believe and show you your weak areas that you need to work on.

       I have felt like I have been at death's door a couple of times in my life.. [my guardian angel probably says 'you have no idea how many times you've been there'].. but those times have taught me life lessons that have made my faith stronger.  Just to name a few..... Prayer works abundantly, God will always be with me, Love has no limits, Forgive even when they know not what they do, and Praise Him in the storms while you wait for the rainbow.  

To Do List

           What's on your to-do list?  Are you gona break your back for a million bucks that you can't take to your grave?  Toby Keith suggests 'Start living' to be the next thing on your list.  It's time that we each make time for that.
          I think the caption's list above would help us to get more things done, if we would start to follow these first.  Our influence, good or bad, is in a direct correlation with how we respond to the world and our perspective of it.  When we know this world is our temporary home, we can much more easily let things go and carry on.  When we are thankful for all we have been given, the blessings are seen more and more each day.
         This to-do list is not one in which we cross off and ever complete.  We should strive to be doers of these goals everyday.  Let your life be an example, so that others will want to know Who you follow.

Riverfest 2014

Mica, Karla, Angie, Charlene
[my dad is parking the van 10 blocks away]

Jason, my bodyguard
Yes, I know I look rough but
that's what Riverfest does to you

Karla and Mica spent all of Sunday
at Riverfest

             We had a great time at Riverfest 2014 and I actually think it couldn't have went any better.  I do admit tho that Riverfest is not for the fearful.  It is a place of intimidating crowds, crazy people and a wide range of music genres.  Karla and Mica spent all of Sunday enjoying Riverfest, while the rest of us spent 730pm to 1130pm down there.  We went to see Jamey Johnson, the fireworks and Hank Williams Jr.  I must say that all were good but Hank rocked it the best.  He played country, rock, rap and slow music while fabulously playing the guitar, fiddle and piano.  He even used his boot to play the piano.

            The last time Hank was here, my dad and I went to see him but the crowd was so out of control that we left and I was thankful just to get out alive.  This time we went as a group because we're not just friends... we're really a small gang.

           We met a new friend, Jason, at the concert area.  Before I got there, he kept a watchful eye on Mica.  When I got there, he turned into my personal bodyguard and guardian angel.  He blocked people from running into me and politely asked people to move from blocking my view.  He knew what was going around me that I was unaware of, like the guy behind me getting punched and knocked out cold.  It was a happening place as the police darted out twice from behind the gate after some troublemakers.  I really did have a peace that surpasses all understanding because I felt safe in spite of the chaos.  Jason never left me alone either, if he had to step away he had his friend, Chase, stand in for him.  What gentlemen they were!

          I really believe in living life to the fullest, not just merely surviving it.  Thanks to all who helped me live it up last night.  I had a blast.

Foto Friday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust in Who?

              In God alone do I trust, but I do get attached to people who have helped me fight my battles. So I'm feeling down about losing a part of my army of angels around me, not in death but just as a part of life's changes.
             Today was a reminder that I am dependent on God alone and that His work is done thru different people at different times.  I got the devastating news today that my doctor of the past 13 years is taking on a new job and cannot be my physician if I were in the hospital.  Yes this has rocked my world into tears.  I cannot let fear of the unknown upset me so, because God knows what lies ahead and He has control of it.
            Yes I can face all of my tomorrows because I know Who holds my hand.  May my doubts be overwhelmed by His grace and mercy as He leads me along the right path.
           

Suffer and Go On

        Today I picked up my long term disability form that was completed [again] by one of my doctors.  On the form it states, by both myself and the doctor, that I will never be able to return to work.  For those that don't know, I discontinued work in August 2001.  I may not work for a paycheck anymore but my 'suffering' doesn't exclude me from working for Christ anymore than a physically strong individual.
       'Two turtles were talking about God.  One said, 'Why doesn't God help the sick, needy and poor?  The other turtle said, 'I'm afraid He would ask me the same question.'
       Suffering is part of the body's deterioration but it is also a matter of perspective.  My loss of strength physically has been my source of leading me to spiritual gain.  I remind myself that all my struggles now are temporary and are meant to build my character closer to God's.
       Do you suffer and say 'it is well with my soul?'  Do you trust the path God has you on no matter what?  Is your life's circumstance your excuse to do less and less for the Kingdom?

What's Needed

        Sometimes I stretch the limits on how long I can go without my air assistance.  I feel drained and weak until I get that air pressure back in me and then it feels like I'm revived with energy.  Our organs need oxygen to make them run correctly.  Without oxygen, they struggle to keep up and to meet the demands we put on our bodies.
        We are souls that live within a body and our souls need God.  We choose how close to or how far we are from God.  Without God, our souls struggle to find meaning, peace, and purpose.  With God's soul support, we find hope, everlasting love, peace that surpasses all understanding, victory over death's sting, and an eternal destiny.  We feed the soul by using God's provisions in the way He intended.
        Our souls are not meant to be fed occasionally, but daily by God's resources.  We need our daily bread of God's Word, prayers without ceasing and daily encouragement by our brethren.  Hebrews 3;13  ''But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.''
        If your soul is feeling lost and depleted, then maybe you're starving it from Who it really needs... God.

Snow White Ballet

                Last night, I went to see the ballet 'Snow White' at the Arkansas Arts Center with my mom and Charlene.  It was wonderful.  We were able to stay for the whole performance, unlike last time with 'Aladdin.'  We had great seats and were just in awe of both the costumes and the elegant dancing.
               Grace, the beautiful ballerina, had three different roles in the play.  She was a Snow Drop Fairy, a Weeping Willow, and another character that I forget the name of.  She did great in all of them and I look forward to seeing her ballet talent grow with years to come.
              At 19, Callie is beyond her years as the costume designer for the whole play.  She drew out all of the costume designs before going to college, then after finishing her semester, she and her mom sewed the costumes together in a very short time period.  The costumes are very intricately made with beads, lace, ribbon and more to make them sparkle on stage.  The costumes make the ballet just come together and help exemplify the good and evil of the characters.
             Job well done girls and to the cast and crew of 'Snow White.'  A special shout out to September Rew, their mom and the ballet's wardrobe manager, for all her hard work.

Foto Friday

My 2nd cousin, Addison

My amarillo in full bloom

Friday before the ballet

Jack watching 'Frozen'

Independent?

              What is the one thing that we most often take for granted and take advantage of?  I believe it to be independence.  As one who has personally had it and lost it, I can say it is a priceless gift that has it's disadvantages.  We all get a taste of the loss of independence when we have car trouble, illness for a few days, or our plans just not working out how we wanted them to.  Oh how we want to break out the violin and play our sad song, because we feel a little less in control.
             Independence is really a facade and a self sufficient lie that we believe of our selves.  People claim all the credit of their successes but nothing is accomplished without God's intervention.  NOTHING.  Both our losses and gains are part of the work He is doing in our lives.
             God gave us independence when He gave us freewill to choose Him as Lord of our lives, and not ourselves.  Our life should be a journey of  'less of me and more of Jesus.'  As I have progressively become weaker physically in my life, I see my dependence on God clearer than the light of day.  He has provided for my needs that my body can no longer supply because He has not finished the work He started in me.
            You may be as strong as an ox and feel as if you're in the prime of your life, but you are mere dust returning to dust without God's breath into you.  You didn't create yourself so don't live as tho you alone are sustaining yourself.
            Romans 9;16-18  ''It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.''
            We are part of God's agenda and fulfilling His purpose through us, and not the other way around.

For Good

             Haven't we all been told at one time or another, 'this is for your own good.'  It's hard to accept when it's not to our liking.  It is easier to handle tho when we believe God works for our good in all things for those who believe in Him.  When everything is purpose-driven by God, we can lessen our fears and anger against the things that we don't understand.
             God does give and take away, according to His will.  Who are we to question His divine plan?  We are not of this world but merely passing through.  We should find comfort knowing that, although there will be times that hurt, He has it all worked out.  He has conquered death and the victory is to be shared one day by all believers of Jesus Christ.

May My All Be His

          We all face trials and sometimes we use those as an excuse to be less than what we should be.  I like this caption for all of those tempting moments.
          May my heart be kind...... it's easy to be nice to pleasant people but the true test of kindness is when you're confronted with rudeness.  We are supposed to turn the other cheek when insulted, but that's easier said than done.  Praying for your persecutors is the best way to be a kind blessing to them.
          My mind fierce....... we are to always be ready to give an answer when someone questions our faith. You must know why you believe what you do and have discernment about what you hear that contradicts those beliefs.
          My spirit brave....  'For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.'  With God on our side, what do we have to fear?  We should be bold and brave, so as to not yield to the corruptness of this world and it's views.
          May your life be a reflection of your love of Christ in your heart, mind and soul.  From odb.org,  may the strength of your actions be as strong as your words.

Where to Look

         Where do we look when we think about our lives?  We should look to God in every aspect because He is in control of all of it.
          The past..... you didn't get here today by accident.  You were made and created for a purpose.  If that's not enough for you to thank God for, then consider all the crazy things you've survived in your own past.
         The future.... only God knows what lies ahead for each of us so we must put our trust in Him.  He does work all things for the good of those that believe in Him.  His faithful track record with me proves that in He alone do I trust.
        My surroundings..... I can look around and see how abundantly I am blessed so it is my privilege to share those blessings with others.  We serve God by showing His love in many different ways to those around us.
        My heart, mind and soul... no one can fill your heart like Jesus.  From my friend, Cathy......''A pastor went to a girl who didn't know God and was not considered fit to be in good society. (This was in the early 1900's). The pastor didn't tell her how good God was or how much He loved her. He didn't tell her how bad her lifestyle was or how much she needed God. He simply asked her to pray this prayer every day until he came back into town. The prayer was: God, show me myself.  When he saw her again a week or so later, she was broken over her sin. At that point he asked her to pray a different prayer every day for a week or so: God show me Yourself.  When the pastor saw this same woman years later, she was totally transformed and had a close, very deep walk with the Lord. Everything about her life had changed.''

        May we all open our eyes and remove the blinders of this world so that we may see God in everything and His work in us.

Foto Friday

Tuesday's trike troop

Jack.. the real pillow pet

Sweet williams from the rivermarket

Outside Walmart market... too cool

My amarillo from Cathy started blooming.

Karla and I at the Saturday Rivermarket

Jack not wanting me to get up

Tiger holding my hand