The Jewelry Box

    You're probably beginning to think that I have the best friends EVER and you'd be absolutely right!  LOOK at what my friend, Dale, made for me with his own two hands in the woodshop and had shipped to my front door today.  It is a gorgeous jewelry box made out of walnut [I think] with my initial 'A' engraved in the lid and gold layers to accentuate its beauty.  Dale said the box turned out larger than expected but I say that his thoughtfulness couldn't have been contained in anything smaller.  I'm overwhelmed by the time, effort, cost and creative craftsmanship that was meant for little ol' me. Words can't express how blessed I feel but 'Thank you, Dale! I LOVE IT!'

    Psalm 21;6  ''Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.''   This verse describes how I have felt lately with the love of Christ shown thru my dear friends to me.  I'll continue to say it, 'I'm blessed beyond measure.'

Lunch Out

   Yes, I may have my prisoner outfit on but I have been set free from my four walls at home.  I had lunch with Karla and Mica at Santo Coyote today.  We ate two bowls of tableside guacamole...yum.  The picture above was my dish of Dos Cerviches.. tilapia with lime juice.  We had a good time of fellowship together.  It is good to be around believers who talk about God-driven events in their lives, such as feeding the homeless and attending the Beth Moore conference. I love being out among the truly 'living'.
    2 Corinthians 13;14  'May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.'
    We are called as believers to fellowship with one another.  It is one of the best encouragers for our souls there is.  'There's a quiet understanding when we gather in His name.'

It's a God Thing

    I'm having a Paula Deen nightmare moment... 'I'm out of butter!'  There is nothing that you can add to anything that will make things better like butter can.  Real butter, not some margarine or hydrogenated oil mixture.
   Convenience is our God thing that we take for granted.  We complain about 'having to go the store' but do we ever think about our local storehouses not being there?  What if I had to go milk the cow and churn it for hours on end to get my precious butter?  Would I savor it more, use it more sparingly, or appreciate it more?  We are so like Adam and Eve in that paradise wasn't enough, we always want more than we are given.
   May we think of it as if 'I get to go the store' instead of as a chore.  Our needs are being met with full supply and provision.

Joy is Coming

   

    Well some might wonder how one might not be cheer-challenged during long drawn out bouts of illness.  I can tell you the answer lies in where your hope is put, maintained and promised. You can wallow in the sorrow or suffering of today or you can trust the tribulation to be over in His timing.  Joy is coming but we must be patient in affliction.
    I've been sick for 3 weeks now but experienced some joy today in both going to the farmer's market and a visit with a friend.  It may seem small to you but it was a joy booster to me.  Yes, my blessed bounty grew again today with Gloria's blueberry jam and peanut butter cookies.
    Believers should maintain their spirits, despite their circumstances, with the promised hope of our eternal tomorrows.  When we defer our sufferings to part of God's plan then it doesn't seem so grim.

Texas Bounty

     Well Karla is back safely from her trip to Austin and that was more than enough to satisfy me. She brought me back a bounty of blessings in addition to herself.  Fresh cinnamon bread from Collin St. Bakery, an Austin coffee mug from Starbucks and a Hook'em Horns tshirt.
     Psalm 128; 1-2  ''Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.''
     I am blessed with very generous friends in my life and my cup runs over continuously. ''Generosity is a matter of the heart and a way of life. With a focus on others, giving is to be done freely and cheerfully. People with this attitude trust God to meet their needs and are set free to give away even what they long to keep. No matter how little we have, the Lord wants us to be magnanimous people.'' [intouch.org]  Karla often says 'it's all about you friend' and as nice as that would be to indulge in, being generous should be a give and take relationship.

The Cost

      Air is required for us to live so why is it that we just take it for granted?  We feel good and comfortable at 98 percent oxygen saturation in our blood but below 90 we can feel the desperate need for more air.  What if air was a commodity and some people could only afford 80 percent? Well it would be an uglier world because when I choked on my subway sandwich and my oxygen was 65, I was not patient or understanding at any level.
     My 'extra' air now is provided at a cost to me but my true and ultimate supplier is God.  He supplies all our needs when we need them, even if we overlook it with thanklessness.
    Air, gravity, the rising and setting of the sun, and all the forces of nature are just small examples of what He freely gives to us everyday.  Our ultimate free gift is His saving grace which we cannot buy or earn but which only Jesus paid the cost for each of us.  Is your debt paid in full, pending or accumulating?

Fading

    I have began reading 'Purpose Driven Life' for the second time and this was the verse for the day above in the caption.  Nothing on this earth stays shiny and new.  We, as well as our things, age and deteriorate with time.  God planned us with eternity in mind and that gives believers the hope to press on through this life.
    We are very short sighted in this life.  'We should think about death more, not less.'  For some, funerals are to be avoided because it's just too much to think about.  Whether you think about it or not, your body will quit one day and your eternal destiny will be decided.
    The Scripture says our lives here are a 'tent' but He has prepared for us an eternal 'house.'  This points out how short and temporary this life is and yet we often live as this were all there is.
    'We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.' Colossians 1; 9-14
    You can live like it won't happen to you but the inevitable will come sooner than you expect.  Think about it, prepare for it and be at peace with it.

Lovely Lunch

    Somedays God wants us to be patient in waiting for a better day ahead.  That was yesterday and it was rough but today is much better in every way.  My friend, Betsy, was checking on me thru facebook and offered to bring lunch.  She is an excellent cook and you'd have to be stupid to turn down one of her meals.  She asked what I'd like but I knew any suggestion of mine would fall short of her ideas.  She brought tilapia, homemade guacamole w/scoops, mango and sweet tea.  To top it off, her sister Tori made her famous chocolate chip scones that melt in your mouth.  No bakery has her beat.  No pictures because it looked so good that we devoured it faster than a flash.
   So from my perspective being sick does have its perks but that's only because I have friends with the heart of giving. Thanks ladies!

True Witness

      'Jesus came to serve, not to be served.'  I can think of no better example of this than that by my friend, Charlene.  All year long and not just to me, she is 'be the church' in whatever way possible.  Even when it's boring and not fun like today, she will be there for you.  She cares for family members that depend on her because no one else will.  She is a true servant of good to others and I'm blessed by her.
      1 Peter 4:10  'Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.'
      'It seems that Biblically speaking, retirement isn’t a time to rest on your laurels, but instead it’s a time to serve those around us:   Did you know that God told the Levites to retire from their regular duties at age 50? (Num. 8:24-25). But He did not want them to stop helping others. He said that they should minister with their brethren… to attend to needs(v.26). We cannot take this incident as a complete teaching on retirement, but we can see a godly implication that continuing to serve others after our working days are over is a good idea.'  [odb.org]

It's a God Thing

    Why do we have to suffer through things in our life?  Is it just to get thru it or is there a purpose?  Suffering is a 'God thing' that is allowed to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope.  James 5;10-11  'Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.'
    'The fire turns spiritual wimps into spiritual warriors.'  Don't you find that to be true?  We draw nearer to God when our need of Him is more acutely in front of us.  Our own suffering is not just about us either.  It can turn up the desire to pray in other people around you.  It can give them an opportunity to serve in a helpful, giving way.  It can give endless ways to show Christ-like love.
    'I'm thanking God today that life doesn't have to be a meaningless parade of days that replay the same old questions and the same old emptiness. On the day we step into the relationship we were made for, we step into the "more" God put us here for, and the search is over.'  When we say 'Lord, use me for your glory', we don't just to choose how it will be done.  Our choice lies in our response and the ripple effect goes beyond what our eyes can see.
    Ecclesiastes 2;11  'Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.'  This verse clearly points out how what we consider as important means nothing without it being centered around God's will and purpose.
    May what seems painful or uncomfortable for you at the moment be seen as glory in the end.

The Battle

     Since there isn't much to watch on television right now, we've been watching 'The Guardian' series on Netflix.  We are on the second season right now and the theme song lyrics by The Wallflowers caught my attention.

     'There is trouble in my mind; there is dark, there is dark and there is light.  There is no order, there is chaos, there is crime, there is no home to the empire in my mind.'

      Do you ever feel that battle between good and evil in your mind?  The Bible addresses this in Romans 7;15-25  ''I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.''
     We are all born guilty by design and therein lies our struggle.  Our sinful nature creates the chaos in our lives and robs us of the peace we seek.  Yes, even when we are trying to do good, we can fail.  'Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.'  We can find order to the confusion of life in our minds by turning to the Scriptures for answers.
     'Sometimes we may think of God and Satan in the same way. We see them as opposing but equal forces with the same unlimited power. However, God is God and Satan is not. God is stronger than any force of darkness. He does what He pleases (Ps. 135:6), while Satan’s power is limited to what God allows.'  [odb.org]
     1 John 4;4  ''You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.''
    The saving Light is promised to all who believe in the last verse ...'Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.''

Be the Church

  

   

   Sunday was the 'Be the Church' project day for Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.  The goal is to show Christ-like love to different people and places around the city. Examples include fixing up the St. Joseph orphanage, visiting the people who are stuck at home alot, and more.
    I was blessed to be on the 'to visit' list.  As I was under the weather yesterday and unable to go to church, it was a good pick-me-up to be visited by Twylia, Diane and Nell.  We had about an hour of sharing and caring time together.
    Twylia also brought me this beautiful painted pot that she got me in Branson.  She filled it with everything from snack foods, lotion, hand sanitizer, kleenex and even a toy for my cats.  Oh how spoiled I am with the blessings of friends.
    May we all exhibit the 'be the church' love in our everyday lives to others and not just once a year.  Let this Sunday reminder just be a kickstart to your year of showing love to others.

  

Lost Sheep

    Today I finished a book I've been reading, 'A Peep Behind the Scenes'.  The theme of the book is based on the parable of the lost sheep in the Bible.  Luke 15; 3-7  ''Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.''
    Are you a lost sheep or have you been found by the Good Shepherd?  We have all been distracted by the 'artificial' green grass of the world but our Father is always seeking to pull us into His flock and care.  Oh what a privilege to be the one He sought and saved.
    We lose things all the time and our grief can in no way compare to God's desire to find us.  There are two kinds of sheep, the lost and the found, which are you?

Get Closer

    If you think God is far from you, do you consider who moved?  We are the transient nomads in our relationship with God.  He is ready, waiting and available to you at all times.  We are the door closers, the fence builders, the distance stretchers, and the absent minded ones of Him.  'Peace does not come from the absence of conflict but through the presence of God during the conflict.'
   James 4;8  ''Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.''  Psalm 71;12  ''Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.''
   The Bible says not to be lukewarm in our beliefs and faith but when we keep God at a 'comfortable' distance in our lives then that is exactly what we are.  When we are looking for something we've lost, isn't it almost always in the last place we look.  May God not be our last resort in our lives but always the first and foremost.

Air to Share

    Okay so this is pretty much my growing opinion and attitude toward smoking as I grow older and weaker.  I used to be married to a smoker so my tolerance has dwindled, to say the least, to a minimal level.
    Although I do believe your body is a temple to be used for God's glory, I can understand the addiction and weakness for it.  BUT, when it interferes with my air and stressful breathing then we have a problem.
    I am thankful for non-smoking restaurants now but I would also prefer not to have to go thru the cloud of smoke by the front door to get in or out either.  I saw a photo of smoking vents used in Japan where the excess smoke went up and away, instead of permeating the nearby air of everyone. Where is the 'made in America' idea on this concept?  I don't know exactly how they work but I do like the idea of smokeless electronic cigarettes too.  As Woody the Owl says, 'Give a Hoot, don't pollute.'
    May we all think about how all of our everyday actions may affect and compromise others in all shapes and forms.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
''Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.''

Laugh Thru It

    Well this caption is true in that you must find the humor in the difficult moments.  After reading this post, you may think Karla and I are a little warped.  ''We don't care!!''
    Not during this current illness of mine, but one like it several months ago I was doing my usual coughing routine.  As my face is looking directly into what I just coughed up, I think to myself  'that looks like a lil gnome guy.'  As I contemplate whether to share my weird thought with Karla or not, she says outloud my exact thoughts.  We described what we saw and just laughed at the weird wavelength we were both on.  If it wasn't so gross, we'd have taken a picture.
    We all have our trying moments but laughing about it can remind us not to be so serious in those trials.  I heard yesterday that '5 minutes of laughing is worth 15 minutes on the treadmill.'  Now which do you prefer?

It's a God Thing

Edward Everett Hale says... "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." 


    As a member of my local church body, I like to feel as if I can contribute something with my heart to serve.  I could easily take a back seat with excuses of what I can't do but that serves no purpose.  'It's a God thing' to have the ability and resource of my laptop to distribute information and/or prayer requests each month to fellow church members.
    We are each only one, but together we are a solid unit of one.  My friend went to Alaska this past month and the guide said if the bear seems on attack then you all form a link together with your arms to be one solid mass.  That's how we should pull together as Christian brothers and sisters against the force of the evil one.  We are only as strong as our weakest link, so pull together everyone and do your part.

7 C's of History

     My friend told me he preached on the '7 C's of History' the other day and it led me to google it to find out more.  It is a great way to break down God's eternal plan in a simplified way, that even kids can comprehend.  If you're like me, I get mixed up on who's who and who did what.  The big picture tho shows us how everything promised has come to pass and is true.  History was formed with a plan and a purpose into which we can trust our future to with faith.
 
    Here's the fine print retyped from above.....
--In the beginning... in six, 24 hour days...God made a perfect Creation.
--The first man, Adam, disobeyed the Creator. His sin brought death and Corruption into the creation.
--Adam's race became so wicked that God judged the earth with a great Catastrophe-- the great Flood-- saving only those on the Ark built by Noah.
--When Noah's descendants disobeyed God's command to fill the earth, God brought Confusion on their language, forcing them to spread over the earth.
--The Creator became a man, Jesus Christ, who obeyed God in everything, unlike the first man, Adam.
--Jesus, the Messiah, died on a Cross to pay the penalty of mankind's sin against God.  He rose from the dead, providing life for all who trust in Him.
--One day, at the Consummation, the Creator will remake His creation.  He will cast out death and the disobedient, and dwell eternally with those who trust in Him.

   What a plan of proof, promises, and deliverance from evil.  This is our lifetime and eternal plan with guarantees beyond our wildest imagination.  Sign up, TODAY.

Hang On

2 Thessalonians 3;3 ''But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.''


    Do you ever feel like you're hanging on by a thread?  Are you relying on your own strength?  As with this frog, hold on but make sure your right hand is held by God.  It may look free but it provides more inner strength than the other three hands put together.
    So what if you do slip and fall?  The verse above assures us that He is faithful to protect you.  Your fall may serve as a purpose to show others how faithful He is to re-strengthen you.  Is the fall pretty or graceful?  Usually not, but God is with you through it all.
    Emmanuel or Immanuel means 'God is with us.'  Matthew 1 gives us the genealogy of Jesus and then in verses 22 and 23 say  ''All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).''
    May we always remember what God 'is' and 'will do' as He is 'with' us ..... a faithful strength of protection.... from the evil one.

Get Ready

Ephesians 6; 10-17  ''Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of 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.''


     Are you prepared for the daily battles that we all face everyday?  Don't be blinded to the darkness of this world.  It is easy to become less sensitive to what we are exposed to.  It's kind of like shutting the light out when you go to bed.  At first you can't see but then after a couple of minutes, you can see well enough.  We should all be that little light in the dark.
     How do we prepare to be that light?  Stand your ground.. don't let your beliefs to be swayed.  Stand firm with the truth... reaffirm yourself and others with Scripture.  Stand firm with righteousness... do good in all things, in all ways and at all times and circumstances.  Stand ready... be ready to be attacked but conquer it by being a peacemaker.  Take faith with you... trust and obey God's will through it all.  Take your salvation and the Holy Spirit with all God has promised... the Word of God is where you can stand alone and believe because it never fails or changes.
    So let's get ready troops!  Are you in Lord's army?  ''I may never march in the infantry, ride in the calvary, shoot the artillery; I may never zoom o'er the enemy but I'm in the Lord's army''

Shh.. Listen

     Can you hear Him in your sufferings?  He is the Comforter of all. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we are going through that we miss the nudges of His purpose.  When we pay attention to the little things, then we will see the great blessings bestowed on us.
     I've not felt well since Wednesday but I'm going to share with you the whispers of God to me and not the trial.  I've had no fever.  I've had sufficient medicine to clear things up.  I've had great care from people who truly care about me.  I've had friends praying for me and anxious to visit with me when I'm better.  I watched a movie with a friend and it pointed out how much we are worth to God and how our lives are about a transformation, not just a destination.  I've seen His healing grace make sick friends well recently.  I've seen people far away being used as a vessel to share the gospel with others.  God is the ultimate multi-tasker, as He is constantly there for us and working for our good.  Therefore, look for the good.
     So I find comfort in seeing God's hand at work all around me.  The noise of our trials is often our inner voice trying to 'fix' things over and over in our heads.  Shh... Listen for the whispers.

Helping Others

    Where is the focus of the world today.... material or eternal?  I wonder if some people think there will be IPhones in heaven.  My friend pointed out to me how our need/want of everything to be faster, just adds to our impatience levels.  I agree and think we all have a little attention deficit in our systems.
    If we help others, with the right and willing heart, then we will gain patience and understanding in more ways than one.  It's all about taking the focus off of ourselves and onto another's true needs.  'Love one another' is not an option but a command and it's not followed by 'when it's convenient.'
    Some people do help others and then when they need a hand, the too busy excuse comes into play.  You will make time, if it's important to you.

Remembered For?

    I think the fighter in me loves this quote.  They say we all have the 'fight or flight' response to things in our lives.  Often we get them mixed up by, fighting when we should have fled or leaving when we should have fought harder.  Personally, it's easier for me to fight than to flee... that's good and bad.
    What do you want to be remembered for?  The violence in your life like Al Capone or the compassion in your life like Mother Teresa.  Actions do speak louder than words and you'll be remembered by them.
    The worst remembrance scenario for myself is if I was defined by my disease.  If that came true, then you really didn't know me at all.  A parent's worst scenario would be to be defined by their absence or abusive tendencies.
    Every month we do Communion to remember what Christ did for us on the cross.  What a wonderful way to be remembered... a life of sacrifice.

It's a God Thing

     Today marks the end of two years of blogging.  Can you believe it?  Time has gone by so fast but I've enjoyed sharing my highs and lows with you.  'It's a God thing' that I have this resource to convey with you how God is working in my life.  I'm a work in progress, as we all are.  'How am I?  Still working on perfect.'  Yet humble enough to know I'm so far from it.
     I've thought long and hard about whether I should continue blogging into my third year.  My fears are mostly of being repetitive.  I've heard two sermons in the last month that have encouraged me to continue on.  One on how many times God tells us He loves us in the Bible.  The books Matthew, Mark and Luke have the same topics and even verses because God knows we need to hear things more than once.  So repetition is good sometimes.
     The second sermon was on being an encouragement to others in many ways.  2 Corinthians 1; 3-5  ''Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.''  If I can help others through my stories of how I handle my suffering moments and trials, then I think it benefits both me and my readers.
      So thanks for hearing me out for the past couple of years and may the third be just as encouraging to you and me both.

The Big Deal

     My friend, Joel, spoke the other day at church a message on 'What's the big deal?'  The analogy was of a frantic parent trying to rescue their child from immediate danger and the child wondering what all the fuss is about.  This is exactly how God calls on us and yet we often ignore the warnings to the eternal danger.
      I think this is an important thing to remember when sharing the Good News.  We have to work with the unbeliever's perspective in order to change their thinking viewpoint.  That is why it is important to have scripture ready and available to back up what you say. For example, I can tell you a train is coming but if I show it and point it out to you, then you're more likely to move.
     All of us struggle with changing our thinking into God's perspective.  Lyrics from one of my favorite songs kind of explains it, ''I'm just trying to understand, its all in someone else's hands, its always been a part of a bigger plan, and I don't need to understand.''  When our faith can trump our thoughts, then it's easier to trust in what lies ahead for each of us.

Child of the King

     Well the heir to the British throne was born today, a baby boy 8lbs 6oz.  Some people care as if they actually know them but do not in reality and others couldn't give a hoot about it.
     We are all considered as important as royalty in God's eyes.  We are each a child of the King.  The caption above tells of how ready to forgive He is, if we only ask.  Satan calls us by our sin, God calls us by our name.  Satan wants us to be pinned down by the guilt of mistakes, while Jesus was sent to set us free.
     You can't move forward if you're always looking back.  God is love and love keeps no record of wrongs, so why do we?

Attitude

 
     We all have our moments when our attitude is not at quite the right altitude.  Being around others with a positive, cheerful focus can give us the boost we need.  The downfall of our attitude is often our selfish desires.  Things aren't going according to how, when, or where we want them to so we get a knot in our tail.
    Winston Churchill said, 'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.'  I think attitude has a trickle down effect.  Jim Henson said, 'The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from, more than what you tell them.  They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.'
    Our attitude follows us wherever we go.. work, school, church, home.  If that's not a good thing then we to check it at the door and do a little attitude adjustment.

From intouch.org........'Certain attitudes prevent our receiving the Father’s intended blessings. Notice these obstacles all start with “I”!'

Impatience. We want it now and are unwilling to trust that God is in control.
Insecurity. We feel that if certain things don’t happen, we simply cannot continue.
Identity in the wrong things. We feel good about ourselves only if we are a success by societal standards.
Ignorance of the Word. We decide for ourselves what is right.
Impure motives. Discontent or jealousy causes us to push ahead of God and use manipulation to get our way.
Impulsiveness. Without asking God, we assume every seeming opportunity is a door He has opened.
Ingratitude. Lack of thankfulness for what He’s given skews our perspective.

More?

Luke 12;15  Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

From odb.org  ''One of the dangers of owning a lot of stuff is that it can lead to spiritual loss. The more we have and the more we feel as if we have all we need, the more prone we are to forget our need for God and even our desire for Him. Yet, ironically, everything we have comes ultimately from God, who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).
    Sadly, our enjoyment of God’s provisions might just mean that we end up loving the gift and forgetting the Giver. This is why, when God was getting ready to give His people a life full of bounty in the Promised Land of good and plenty, He warned, “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God” (Deut. 8:11).''

    Where is our gratitude?  Are we truly thankful or just anticipating more?  Sometimes people try to fill their emptiness with stuff and it will never be enough.  The television show, 'Hoarders' is a prime example.  People store up things for themselves and yet are not rich toward God.  We must not only share our blessings with others but give thanks that we had it to give to begin with.
    A common phrase of an excuse is 'If only had [?], then I could do so much more.'  If all we have is our time and two hands, then that is enough.  God blesses those who use their blessings already given wisely with more.
    Store up your treasures in heaven by using your earthly possessions for the good of the Kingdom.  Then you'll truly be rich beyond measure.

It's a God Thing

    Yes, this is Tiger peeking around my laptop screen.  She is the sweetest cat and loves to be near me.  It was about a year ago when she got so sick with a blood clot and fell down the stairs.  There were so many times people would ask me, 'is she going to get better?'  I trusted she would even when the progress seemed so slow.  She went from not being able to walk to the litter box, to barely walking with great effort and then to one day unbelievably jumping on my bed to be beside me.  We have a lot in common including our daily meds twice a day, our spunk and our inner fight to live in spite of our disabilities.
    When she had her yearly checkup in April, the vet said she was doing well and that most cats don't survive a blood clot.  'It's a God thing' that I've had her with me this past year and hopefully many more to come.

What Do You Hear

   How loud does God have to speak to you for you to hear Him?  I admit I'm not as deaf as I used to be.  I can hear the whispers ever so more clearly now.  God is always communicating with us but are we tuned in to the right channel, His?  The flesh screams at us and the devil is the father of lies so we need listening discernment.
    C. S. Lewis put it, "When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, he shows much more of Himself to some people than to others -- not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as a clean one."
    I found online 7 keys to hearing God's voice that I want to pass on to you.....

Scripture: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17).

The Holy Spirit speaking to our heart: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them" (Hebrews 8:10-11).

The Prophetic (word of knowledge, word of wisdom, personal prophecy): "Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:19-21).

Godly counsel: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).

Confirmation: "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed" (Matthew 18:16).

The peace of God: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

Circumstances/Timing: "After these things he (Paul) left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers" (Acts 18:1-3 -- this relationship between Paul, Aquila and Priscilla -- which happened as a result of circumstances -- became one of the most important strategic partnerships in the book of Acts).

Trust

    Where do you put your trust?  The common denominator in this caption is 'Lord, I trust You.'  I think many people trust that God will let them into heaven but His authority over them stops there. We want to trust in ourselves too much despite our repeated failures.
    Do you trust God......
    For all things....  God will supply all our needs.  Job 10:12  'You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.'
   With all things...  God controls everything, even when He gives and takes away.  Job 37; 23-24 'The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
    In all things... God will never forsake us.  He takes care of everything.. the birds, the flowers, the weather, and the list is endless, and includes you.  Psalm 23;4  'Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.'
    Through all things... God will bring you through it, if He brought you to it.  Psalm 23;6  'Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'
    Above all things... God should be your Vision and the only Ruler of your heart.  Luke 16:13
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Gary Allan Concert

     When Magic Springs announced their concert series lineup this spring, I knew right off that I wanted to go see Gary Allan.  I saw that the date was in the middle of July so we waited until the last minute to buy tickets because who knew how the weather would be.  Well thanks to Karla we got discount tickets and the weather was predicted to be nice.

     The weather ended up being a perfect 78 average temperature and no mosquitos.  It was pretty crowded when we got there and we took the first open spot for our lawn chairs.  While looking for us, my dad found better seating for us in the non-smoking area.  So we had a great view to see the concert.

     Gary sang for 2 hours straight with no intermission.  He sang all my favorite songs including, 'Learning How to Bend.'  He sang a new one called 'Bones' that I totally love now too.  He ended with 'The Best I Ever Had' which I think refers to his late wife.

      He sang a fast song while Karla went to take a picture and she came back with a few dance moves in her step.  So I got in the spirit and did three fast spins in my chair.  It was fun and I'm sure people wondered how much we had had to drink.... none, for those with curious minds.

      A guy with a few beers in his system got chummy with my dad.  He said 'I love having a good time.'  It happened to be the same guy my mom reported earlier to security for smoking in the non-smoking area......lol.

     As we left, Karla and I got t-shirts.  Then a couple approached us and offered me the guitar pick they had caught.  They already had one from a previous concert and thought I'd enjoy it more.  There are kind and generous people still out there in this dark world.

     As we drove back home, we were all hungry.  Who wants IHOP?  More like who doesn't?  We came to the first one, it was packed and short staffed.  The second was packed with I-30 speedway folks.  Finally, the third IHOP was packed with taekwondo people but we ate there anyway.

    We got home at 1:15am tired and full but we all had a good time and were glad we went.  The night was perfect in every way and I did remarkably well.  The Lord gave me a night with extra energy and no coughing spells.  I just say 'Thank You'

Anger Solution

    Anger can just brew and boil up in us, if we let it.  Keeping our anger under control can be challenging for all of us.  Anger is a normal and even healthy emotion, if controlled well.  We should express our frustration in an assertive yet non-confrontational manner.  It is not about who can yell the loudest or who gets the last word.
    The caption above gives the best anger management advice... prayer.  Prayer changes people on both sides.  This doesn't mean to advise anyone to say 'I pray [they] will see things my way.'  When we pray the right way, we will be calmer, think more clearly and be open to seeing things through God's perspective.
     Anger is danger, if it is let loose off it's leash.  Tame the tongue, just like it is a wild animal.

Faith is...

    What do you have faith in?  If it is in yourself, then pride has blinded you.  If it is in your fellow man, you probably haven't lived long enough or don't have close relationships with others.  We as humans are guaranteed to be a disappointment at some point.  'We all fall short of the glory of God.'
     Hebrews 11:1 ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'' Faith is confidence and trust in something.  In this verse, faith is the evidence of where our trust lies regardless of the situation of what we see.
    I think Job is one of the great stories of unshaken faith.  There was nothing the devil could do to him that made him lose his faith in Christ.  Loss of possessions, loss of loved ones, slanderous remarks, and painful afflictions were not enough to break his relationship with God.
    Is your faith in God that strong?  Can you believe that everything that happens to you is for your good?

Prayer Benefits

    It is important to have a prayer circle of friends and family in your life.  There is a convicting quote that goes like this, 'what if we only received what we prayed for last night?'  Yes, I know I need the prayers of others and I reap the benefits of them.  I am better at praying for others rather than for myself.  I'm not sure if that's doubt or surrendering to His will but it is probably a combination of both, even when I know all things are possible with Him.
    There is power in numbers so share your trials and triumphs with others.  We need others prayers as well as they need ours.  Prayer changes people and that includes both sides of the request.
    If you have ever prayed for me, even if it was just once or many times, I thank you and God who answered your prayer.  My prayer circle benefits me daily.

Who Called?

    Have you ever received a phone call from someone who is just a 'taker?'  Do you use your caller ID for those calls and not pick up?  We all know the feeling of being used and it's not a good feeling.  A simple 'thank you' is often all we want in return. It's been said 'to consider yourself the light to someone when the darkness surrounds them and they think of you for help.'
    Well Charlie Brown reminds us here that God wants to hear from us in both our wants and our appreciative thoughts.  'If you only pray when you're in trouble, then you're in trouble.'  Prayer is free, wireless, hands free communication that's available all the time so what's stopping you?  Do you dare admit it is you?
    'There are many Christians who think that they prove their love for the Lord by going to church, tithing their income, and sharing the gospel. All these things are important, but actions are empty unless we are connecting with God personally on a regular basis. Believers often rationalize by saying they are too busy. We tell ourselves, I just need to finish a few things, and then I’ll pray and read the Bible, but there always seems to be a new task to replace each completed one. We must choose to make time for the Lord.' [intouch.org]

It's a God Thing

     During the summer months, kids enjoy a break from school.  Adults usually take a week or so in the summer for a vacation break from work.  Although I'm not quite feeling it today, I have enjoyed a break from coughing for over a month.  I believe 'it's a God thing.'  I've had friends suffering lately with colds, viruses, fever and rashes so I know I've been spared mercifully.
     So what is different when I'm on a cough break?  Less worry, more freedom and more energy. For example, I enjoyed 2 games of bowling yesterday, the rivermarket over the weekend, long visits with friends even in the heat, and eating out at further distances from home.
    Yes, the view from the mountain of joy is different from the valley of strife so this is my way of 'telling it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is Lord' and gets the credit.