Grudges

     What is a grudge? A persistant feeling of resentment, especially due to some cause, such as insult or injury. Do you have free renters in your head? I'd say mine set up temporary housing and I try to evict them as quick as possible. Holding a grudge gives your power over to someone else and hurts you worse than them. Grudges will control your thoughts, attitude and disposition. It's not healthy. So what's the solution? Forgiveness. It clears the mind, if you truly embrace it. We are all guilty of saying or doing things worthy of a grudge so if you want forgiveness, you also have to give it. If you're unforgiving, you may pay the price repeatedly by bringing anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Your life may become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present.
      Budge that grudge right out of your mind. Nothing is free in this world so don't give away your mind and thoughts to anger, but instead let peace, compassion and understanding take its place.

Get Out There

“It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18).


     It is so easy now to do so much from the comfort of our own homes. We can shop, order food, visit with friends thru email or social networking, watch movies, and even work from home. We could easily isolate ourselves and rarely get out into the actual world.. Would that be good for us though? No, of course not. We are made to be social beings. We are to have fellowship with one another both to encourage and rebuke. 1 John 1:7 ''But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.''  Isolation can lead to lonliness, depression and an unhealthy attitude of self-reliance.
     We need each other, thats all there is to it. Go on, get out there and socialize. Remember the home-bound too, they especially need your company.

Which Direction?

Psalm 16:11  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.


     Where are we going in our lives? Is it filled with purpose or just getting by? So many people are unhappy in where they are in life. Why? Often its a self-centered life focused on the here and now with no thought of eternity. As Suess says, you've been given the brains and feet to go and be whatever you want in life but it takes your efforts, drive and direction to get there. People often want the perks without the works. You can squeak by doing the bare minimum but don't expect maximum results from it.
     God has a chosen path for you and if you choose that path, the joy will be like a cup that runneth over. If you choose the path of wickedness, you will reap what you sow and never have joy. The direction you choose will lead to happiness or destruction. Its really not a hard choice, is it?

Psalm 17:5  My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

Thinking of You

1 Timothy 4:12   Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

  Today while sitting in church, I noticed the little girl's journal in front of me. This family of four girls take notes during each service. The entry I read must have been from Wed. night prayer time. She had 'PRAYER' and a paragraph of people and things to pray for. I was the first on her list.  How sweet is that to know even an 8yr old has you in her prayers. It just goes to show you're never too young to do something for someone else. Prayers can be more help than anything else.

THINK

     We all have something to say but these 5 questions could save us all alot of grief. The tongue can be quick and harsh if not controlled. 'True' is very important. We don't want to start a rumor or bear false witness. 'Helpful' --is what you wana say beneficial, encouraging? Or are your words adding flame to the fire? 'Inspiring' words can cause great things to happen. Words that motivate others often spread joy beyond that one person. 'Necessary' words can prevent harm or steer someone in the right direction. Your opinion is not always necessary tho, a listening ear may be all thats needed. 'Kind' words are always best.  Words enriched with praise, appreciation, and love can go so much further in getting your point across.
     Yes, its easier said than done but just 'T-H-I-N-K' on it before you speak abruptly.

One More Bus

Job 10:12
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.


     You're probably thinking that I've ridden so many buses by now, that I probably lived in one down by the river? Well, no, not as of yet. haha. After yesterday's blog on the 'hated' bus, I want to share with you the story of the most 'grateful' bus.
     In 1993, we decided to move from Arlington, TX to the Chicago area. This threw a wrench in my college plans. There are tons of colleges there to choose from but trying to find the right one took alot of research. I chose NIU in DeKalb, IL. [trivia..hometown of Cindy Crawford] The university provided handicapped students with transportation. With the huge campus and terrible weather, it was invaluable. The heated bus picked me up at home, dropped me off at the appropriate buildings and took me back home. That would've been sufficient but they would also take me to get lunch at Wendys. Even the grocery store was a destined option and they'd carry my stuff in the house for me. How provided for was I?? Amazingly so. We had a ramp in our garage instead of steps to get to the door. It was about 3feet high and I fell off backwards once. They found and helped me off the cold concrete floor of the garage. I could've laid there all day. Another provision to my care and well being. During the summer semester, we no longer lived in DeKalb so that disqualified me from the bus. The bus driver let me keep my scooter at her house and picked me up with the bus there.
     Without the bus and the generosity of the bus driver, I couldn't have finished my senior year. God knew it was important to me and provided beyond what I asked for. Every step of the way was paved for me and my protection. How has God paved your way?

Burdens

 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19).


     Every one of us deals with daily burdens. It may be of no significance to someone else but to us, it's a weight on our shoulders. We often want to avoid it or work our way around it but facing it is usually the outcome.
     In 10th grade, I had just had back surgery and couldn't climb stairs. Therefore, I had to ride the 'special' bus to my new high school. The bus had a lift that I would stand on and raise me up to get on board. I felt humiliated and embarrassed to be on this bus, especially to a new school. I came home the first day and just cried. It was going to be a long, miserable year. The next day, I met a friend on the bus who had cerebral palsy. She was in the same boat as me but had already ridden this bus for 2years. We became good friends not only on the bus but at lunch too. My view of the bus never became 'pleasurable' but I did get to know the rest of the riders as people and to think less of myself.
     Daily burdens are not carried by us alone. God shares in them and teaches us with them. He will provide whatever we need to get through them every day.

Good?

     Have you seen or heard of the new campaign sign on city buses called  'Are you good without God?'  It's a slogan from an atheist group. Let's break it down. First, 'Are you good?'  NO. The bible clearly states that no one is even close to being good. Mark 10:18 (NIV) “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.  Secondly, 'without God?'  Your pure existence is dependent on God. You can choose to deny Him but you're not self sufficient by any means. So to even ask, 'are you good without God?' is wasted breath. You are nothing without God. He supplies your every need, every day. Luke 11:3 (NIV)  'Give us each day our daily bread.' Thank Him for all the goodness in your life, despite how bad we really are.

Phil 1;6  ''that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.''

On the Porch

Here's our Mr. Scarecrow on our front porch. Yes, he's a little on the chubby side but he needs to be so that you can see him from the road. He adds a lil fall flavor to our plain white house. I love decorating for the different seasons. I would love fall, if my allergies and ragweed were erased from it. I'll just try to imitate Mr. Scarecrow's smile and 'grin and bear it.'  Happy Fall Yall!

Press on...

“In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.”

― Edith Wharton



     We are all disintegrating in some form at this very moment. Our days are numbered and are being used up one by one. I know of someone who has just succumbed to their disability. Its a sad state of existence as a hermit, not only for them but their family. I hear of people that have been diagnosed with an uncurable diagnosis, not deadly just debilitating, and say they'd rather just go on to heaven. I think this is a bad attitude. Of course, we should look forward to meeting our Maker but you can still make a difference in the world around you. Acceptance of the changes in you is critical. Don't give up, just work thru it. Keep your mind active. Conversation, games, reading...whatever your mind enjoys. Get involved with a project. We all have something to offer.  Savor the precious little moments that happen all around you. Watching a squirrel outside or taking a short drive can refresh and rejuvinate your mind and soul.     Go on, get off the bench and do something that shows your alive and well.

Justice

Deuteronomy 16:20    ''Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.''   

   When we feel like we've been done wrong, the seeking of justice is usually not far behind. My friend's two year old daughter was recently asked during family worship time, if there was anything that she wanted prayed for. ''Justice!'' was her reply. ''I asked for a stroller with flowers and I didn't get it.''  That's as hilarious as it is cute. How does a 2yr old even know the word 'justice' and the correct meaning? Law school bound I think.
     The second year we lived in IL, we had an apartment in Naperville. One day during the dead of winter, I was home alone. I heard noise from outside our front door and concluded that someone was stealing from our woodpile. I hopped on my scooter, as fast as a turtle can go, and headed out the door for some vigilante justice. Well without a coat on, my pursuit was short lived. As I froze to the core, I thought 'what are you really gona do, if you do catch 'em? This scooter can't even jump the curb.' I went back home and reported the incident to the apartment complex's office. The police did catch the teenage thieves because we weren't their only victims in the complex. 
    In our self-reliant culture, we tend not to talk to the Lord about things we have under control or think we can handle ourselves. But we are instructed to seek His guidance in all areas (Phil. 4:6) and acknowledge our need of Him. He is just and will take care of all things on our behalf, now or later.

Rough Week

     It has been a rough week of battling congestion. A postponed vacation trip. Outings that I anticipated but got cancelled due to coughing. Today is Sunday and I've made it thru the week. Its been a great day today with church and Olive Garden for lunch. Also, my friend is here for the weekend to be my joy booster.  Small things can mean big moments with a grateful heart. Looking forward to a better week of health and opportunities.

The Horn

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. —Colossians 4:6

 

     There are two types of people in this world, horn blowers and non-horn blowers. I am a definite horn blower. I would use the horn on my scooter if it packed a punch but it doesn't, its like a squeaky lil mouse.  One day I was driving home from work on a two lane road but still in town. A car coming from the opposite direction suddenly did a U-turn right in front of me and was now the car in front of me. I had to slam on my brakes, with countless cars behind me, to avoid hitting the car. Boy, I was ticked. I laid on that horn like there was no tomorrow. Well, I forgot about the stoplight just ahead and of course, it turned red. The reckless driver now proceeds to get out of his car and walk towards me???  Oh my gosh, I thought, maybe I held the horn a lil too long. I'd heard of window bashing road rage so I didn't know what to expect. I cracked the window to a bare minimum to hear him say, 'I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that.' Relieved from fear, I was more than forgiving..lol. I said, 'its okay, just get back in your car.'  Whew, that could have gone a lot differently.

     A temper and a horn can put you in a compromising position. Grace in your speech can calm it all down rather quickly. Go ahead and blow your horn but maybe a little more controlled.

Stress

     I'm not stressed today, I'm actually cool as a cucumber. I just liked this lil caption to inspire this blog. Stress is a powerful thing that can consume us and be a negative example to others. If left undealt with, our bodies can literally be destroyed by it. I worked with a lady who had terrible stress at home and I'm sure the cancer she developed and died from was a consequence of that stress. Stress can cause sleepless nights that often affects our mood and health the next day. Have you ever been a snappy turtle because of stress? Oh I have been. Stress is part of life, it will come, and we can't avoid it completely. So how should we handle or react to stress? First and foremost, stop and pray about it. If you seek wisdom, you'll get it. It sure beats running around in circles trying to resolve it your own way. Second, ask yourself  'am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?'  Is it really worth getting all worked up over or is it best to just let it go? Third, I'd suggest to talk it over...calmly. Cool down before you even attempt a discussion. Stress will digress when you press with less.  The world can be a stressful place but if we put stress in its place, we can live and react with grace and peace.

Blessings



     'Count your blessings, name them one by one.'  The feedback I have gotten back from my blogs have been an overwhelming blessing to me. I look forward to reading the comments every day to see how whatever I said touched my reader's lives. The video above tells how blessings come in all different forms. Do you count 'trials of this life as His mercies in disguise?' It is a blessing that God will do whatever it takes to draw you near to Him, regardless of your pain or pleasure. I think if we could think of everything as a blessing, good or bad times, then we could see and accept our lives as part of God's plan more willingly and less of a fight. Yes, I was looking forward to going to Canton this weekend but my trial of being sick shows me that I am blessed with good medicine, praying friends and the comfort of home. That's the best bargain you'll ever find.

One Year Ago

     Well it was one year ago today that I went into the hospital and wasn't sure I'd come out. That was a day of seeing the doctor, having a bronchoscopy, non-stop coughing, an ambulance ride and a very long night of near suffocation. I asked my doctor, 'will I ever get back to where I was before?'  He said, 'it'll be a long road.'  Well that's not only true but an understatement. God has been merciful to me by giving me this past year. He has also used me to show His strength, comfort and power thru prayer to myself and to others. I've learned alot on this journey of recovery about fear, trust, patience and His timing. No one would have questioned it if I had been called home that day but apparently I am still in His plans with work to do. What He gives, I'll gladly take and what He takes, I'll gladly give.            Blessed beyond measure every day.

No Limits

    
     When I see people with fully functioning bodies just wasting away their lives and abilities, I get pretty frustrated and disgusted. So when I see someone, like Nick Vijisic, it is such a boost to my thoughts. Here's a guy with no limbs motivating a world wide audience with his testimony. How inspiring! Instead of complaining about what he doesn't have, he is grateful for all he does have and witnesses with that.
     Gripe or motivate? Is your glass empty or full or meeting all your needs? Whatever you think you're lacking in life, its not there for a reason but you can overcome it. Matthew 19:26  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  From the movie, Soul Surfer, in which Bethany Hamilton loses her arm to a shark bite...she says '' I don't need it to be easy, just possible.''  If we could all be as driven in our lives, imagine the possibilities??
  
If you use what little you may have
To serve the Lord with all your heart
You will find that He can do great things
When you begin to do your part. —Sper
    

FBF Prayer Requests for October

     The following prayer requests for October are from FBF missionaries. Please join me in praying for their needs.

Martin and Hansy Tuohy
1. Hansy is expecting again! Due at the end of April sometime. 

2. Still seeking God's clear direction on whether to go and serve in Mexico or stay in Denmark. Also, if so, before or after the baby?


Bobby and Namatha Avilez

1.      Please pray that we can kick the pink eye problem we have been having! Trying to get our kids to see that handwashing and not being around their sick friends will help to stem the problem.

2.       Please pray for our new staff couple from India who are in the final stages of coming over to join us. We are expecting them about the middle of October!

Monica and Quico Sernatinger

One week ago, we attended Sra. Sara's funeral. For several days before she died, the doctor that controlled her pain had been sharing Christ with her three times a day! PTL!!!! They believe she did go to meet the Saviour and is with Him... Her last words were "I am so happy that my heart can barely stand this happiness"  Please, continue to pray for her husband Trino, and her children and their families, Nacho y Lolita, Sara and Juan Manuel, Lupe y Gustavo, that they may continue the Bible study and be saved.

Next weekend, the Lord willing, Quico and I will be going to Mexico City to visit my brother and two of my father's sisters, Tia Finita and Tia Carmelita. Both of them were very impacted by Jamie's funeral and the testimony of his life. May we present the gospel clearly to them and may they be saved... I have been praying for them for years!

Also, I beg your prayers for a two sessions conference that I have been asked to teach in Salamanca on October 8th.  May this be of an encouragement to the believing ladies in this faithful church

Phil and Julia Zimmerman

We need prayer for our son, Jacob: his salvation, and his agreement to get the help we are asking him to get. We have gave him some choices, and one of those is to go into Teen Challenge for the life addictions he is struggling with. Please pray for the Lord's guidance for us, as well. There may be other opportunities, and we need to know what is best for him.

Ted and Priscilla Clark

 

Please pray for Caleb, as he begins his time away from home, studying in a secular environment. Pray that he would grow in his love for the Lord and His Word, as he begins  to live a life more  independent from us.  Pray that he would  be a powerful witness  to those around him, both in life and word.

Please pray for Chucho and Rosa and their family.  We are seeing an amazing new openness in them, since Chucho’s accident, and we feel they are very close to a personal understanding and acceptance

of the gospel.

Lesley Wolfe

Pray for her classes she's teaching at NTM training school to end well in October.

Pray for her preparations as she goes back to the Ivory Coast in the coming months.

The class I’m teaching finishes October 7^th, and, after grading all their papers, I will be leaving for Little Rock on the 16^th.  I fly out to Ivory Coast on November 1.

Due to the death of our village’s chief a week ago today, the elders will be choosing, from among themselves, who will be the next chief of our village.  Please pray that God will lead them to choose an elder who is worthy of respect and will  bring about good for the entire village.

.

A Rose Filled Day

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.


     Today at church Nancy H. gave me a soft, pink rosebud from her flower garden at home. Then when I got home, I had an email from Patsy that included this poem. So I'm calling today, a rose filled one. Have you ever tried to pick off a few bad petals of a rose and it all just fell apart?  The rose is made up of layers upon layers that build upon each other to form a beautiful ending. Our lives can do that too, as we learn from each layer or times that we go thru and build upon that. We must seek His word and His will because we are so fault-ridden. There is so much we do not know or understand so how can we even think about calling the shots without His guidance. He knows your future, regardless of your plans, so place your trust in His guaranteed hands.

People Pleaser?

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." Galatians 1:10 (NLT)


     Do you find it hard to say 'no' to a task asked of you? Do you feel bad if an event doesn't go as planned because of you? I am a partial people pleaser, we won't discuss percentages..lol. Today I don't feel very well and my music lesson was certainly not up to par. I feel like a let down when I can't make the most of our time. I've been to events, like concerts, movies, or dinners, with people and had to leave early. The guilt is a powerful grumble inside me to not disappoint those I'm with. I often push the limit, just to stay a little longer. I'm glad I have understanding people in my life that will roll with the punches. They know its not on purpose, its just part of life.
     So this verse is not an easy one for me to swallow or to apply in my life. I guess you just have to do what you can. when you can, with whatever you can. God gives us opportunities and those setbacks help build character, test your responses, and draw you nearer to Him. You can't please everyone so just make sure God is pleased with you.