A Great Example

      When I read this caption, I immediately thought of one person, no pun intended..lol. That would be Phillip Persson.  He is one of our pastors at church.  One of his causes is teaching kids music for free on almost any instrument they choose.  Never seeking applause but instead teaching them discipline, a work ethic and faithfulness thru music.  He also expresses his love for the Lord through song writing. He has written songs for many occasions, like weddings or child dedications, not to impress others but to express God's will and  desire for that situation.  Philllip has taught me music lessons on the hammer dulcimer for a few years now. I have recently taken a break from those and his absence on Saturday mornings has truly been felt.
      I could go on and on about the great example he sets for us all in many different areas of the church and with his life but I just wanted to give a glimpse. 
      Our ultimate example tho is Jesus.  As Christians, let others see us as a good example of what it means to be a believer and follower of Him.

Memory in the Making

     Our past is our own. We can share bits and pieces with others but nothing you say or show can really encapsulate all that it means to you. Its like sharing your favorite photo album, your enthusiasm will always be greater than whoever you're showing it to. This video by John Kilzer takes me back to the past, as do many songs for people. Its not good to live in the past tho because we must move forward and grow from our experiences.  There is a time and season for why and when things have happened in your life. Don't get stuck in the winter of your journey when spring has so much to offer.

     'Don't look back, you're not headed that way' is a quote from my friend, Twylia.  If we focus too much on what was then, our eyes won't see what's ahead or right in front of us. We wouldn't want amnesia because memories are part of who we are but we must not dwell there. Make the memories of today then move on to tomorrow.

100th Blog

     I can't believe that I've written 100 blogs already but thats what blogspot tells me. Actually this is the 100th.  It seems like just yesterday my friend, Gloria, was urging me to start a blog. I had been reading hers, Under Her Wings, for awhile and just thought it to be an overwhelming task. Well I jumped in with both feet blindly and somehow didn't drown as I expected. It is now my favorite hobby.  I'm so glad Gloria lit the spark to the little fire inside me that I can share with you.  The blog has taught me a lot through looking up relevant bible verses, to sharing my opinions on difficult subjects tactfully, and the growth of dear friendships.  What a blessing this blog has been to me.  I look forward to writing it every day that I can and am anxious to see what is in store for the blogs to come.
     Thank you to all who read my blogs.  Thanks especially to those who comment on here, verbally, or by email to me. Your support means alot.
     And that's that!

How Rude

     I like this caption because now my reaction to rudeness can be to think how weak they are, instead of just getting angry back. I think you can go out and find rudeness almost anywhere any day of the week.  Why is that?  Short tempers, impatience, lack of understanding, arrogance and pride are just a few reasons. I think this applies to vocabulary too.  Cursing is just rude. A good comedian can tell a joke without any foul language but a weak comedian fills his lack of talent with obscenities.  Rudeness isn't a becoming feature so lets try to avoid it in ourselves and others.

 

''A rude nature is worse than a brute nature by so much more as man is better than a beast: and those that are of civil natures and genteel dispositions are as much nearer to celestial creatures as those that are rude and cruel are to devils.'' M. Cavendish 

Proverbs 2;12-15
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
   from men whose words are perverse,
who have left the straight paths
   to walk in dark ways,
who delight in doing wrong
   and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
whose paths are crooked
   and who are devious in their ways.

Your Word

''One thing you can give and still keep...is your  word.''


    We all know people who do what they say they're going to do and those who we say to ourselves, yea I'll believe it when I see it. It's easy to entrust someone with a task or favor, if we believe in what they say they will do.  Our word is our bond to others. If you say it, fulfill it. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Its better not to over extend yourself in commitments than to agree on something and disappoint those counting on you. It used to be that a handshake and your word was as good as a written legal document. Where has our word gone?
    Yes, life happens and things get bumped but we all can be understanding and forgiving to those situations.  For the most part tho, we need to be people that can be trusted to do what we said we'd do.
    The following I copied from Todd Smith's website.
      Starting today, become a person who lives up to your word and does what you say you will even when circumstances change.
       Uphold your word with a good attitude. Remember that it was you who said “yes” in the first place.
       Take every opportunity to learn from your commitments so that you can make better decisions in the future.
       Finally, do you have any unfulfilled commitments? Do them now. You will feel better.

Keeping your word is one of the most effective ways to earn the respect of others and build a solid reputation, both personally and professionally.

4 Things You Can't Recover

     We've all wanted a re-do over some things we've done. If only it was that easy but we'd probably make even more mistakes knowing we could take it back. This caption tells us of four things that can't be redone.
     'The Stone' thrown can't be hurled back. Anger can make you want to throw something or give that slow car in front of you a lil push. The consequences of clean up can really bring on the regrets.  ''Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. —Romans 12:19
     'The Word' cannot fly back into your mouth, no matter how much you want to take it back.  We often get so wrapped up in wanting to express our thoughts and opinions, that we forget to run it thru a filter first.  James 1;19-20 ''My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.''
     'The Occasion' can never be recaptured exactly the same way. I truly hate to miss out on events that I've planned on but sometimes its unavoidable. There are other times tho that I really didn't have the desire to go but went anyways, I later realize all the good things I would've missed. Hebrews 6:12 ''We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.'' 
    'Time' is passing as we speak. If we cherished time like we should, we would live more in the moment. I told a friend of mine, who was so busy with her kids activities that she had very little time for herself, enjoy it because this time will never happen again.   Psalm 89;47  ''Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity!''
     Its important to remember these four things are quick to be done or passed by but they will not come back for a second chance.

Put 'Em On

     Sometimes you have to just put your big girl panties on!  Sometimes people have said to me, I know its hard for you to [something] but you do it anyway. Whatever that [something] is, I do it because its important to me. Just because [something] isn't easy, doesn't mean its not worth doing.
     We all deal with tough situations, hopefully not every day.  When those times come, although difficult, its best to deal with it right then or as soon as possible.  Don't cower or be intimidated, stand up for what you know is right.  Like they say, 'if you don't stand for something, then you'll fall for anything.'  Often we will give in to peer pressure or just conform to what society calls normal but thats not what we are called to do. We were made in His image and are to be transformed into His likeness.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

The Tomlin Concert

     What an awesome night we had. Everything of the night just went perfectly. It began with great parking just across the street. The concert was sold out and began on time. The first song was 'Our God is Greater.' Chris sang about an hour then the female, Kristy Nichols sp?, sang 2 songs. Then there was a speaker talking about how all of God's creations from stars to whales create a symphony of song to sing praise to God. Then Chris sang another hour or more. Sometime during the concert, a guy came up to us and asked if we'd like to meet Chris after the show. YESSSSSS. I prayed that I wouldn't have to cough and miss this opportunity. I'd never been backstage before. It was cool and he was nice. We were gone 4 1/2 hrs this night and it couldn't have been better. 'Our God is an Awesome God'

Chris Tomlin

     Going to the Chris Tomlin concert tonight with Charlene and David.  Hoping for a good, fun, cough-free night with wonderful, uplifting music. Here's a couple of videos if you've never heard of him before.

okay, just one more

Sing It

     I've been singing my whole life. When I was about 4, we attended Freewill Baptist Church in Conway. I would ask the preacher every Sun night, if I could sing to the church after the service. Most of the time, they let me. Well as I've gotten older, my voice has weakened considerably. That doesn't stop me from singing tho because I enjoy it. A friend told me once, '' my mom sings in the car and I can't stand it but I don't care that you do because I can't really hear you.''  Kids can be so honest, at times..lol.  The truth is that I'm not singing for you or anyone else but for me and the joy it brings. Last night in church, I didn't have a hymnal so I tried to just listen. Soon I was reading over the lil girl's shoulder in front of me, singing what I could see.
     God wants to hear our voices sing songs about Him, about what He's done and His promises. We can't all be excellent singers but we all have a voice, however small, to sing praises with.  Don't be shy, forget your the person beside you and sing loud and proud.

Psalm 98;4-6
  Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
   burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the LORD with the harp,
   with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
   shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Hot or Cold?

     This caption is so like me. The first cold snap of fall is a shock to my system sending chills down my spine.  'It's cold in here' is a common phrase until my body gets used to it. In the spring tho, after bone chilling temps, the same temperature of the fall can be a welcome relief.  Why is this?  I think its our perspective on the future. In the fall, we know its only going to get worse and colder. In the spring, we know this is the beginning to warmth and the renewing of everything in nature. They're two totally different outlooks.
     What is your perspective on your future/eternity?  Are you expecting doom and gloom or a renewed body in Christ?  Believers can and do look forward to eternity.
     We are studying Revelation in our bible study. Below is a list, from Grace Mayo, of ways we can be pulled away from our love with God.    

1. Attempting to serve two masters (Mt. 6:24)
2. A love of money (1 Tim 6:10)
3. A love of position (Mt. 23:6)
4. Failure to love our enemies (Luke 6:27)
5. Trying to live up to the 'letter of the law' and missing the intent (Luke 11:42)
6. Pleasure and convenience (Rom. 14:15)
7. A love of self (1John 3:16-18)
8. Disharmony, hurt, unwillingness to forgive (Eph. 4:30-5:2; Col. 3:12-14; 1 Thes.4:9-10)
9. Failing to love others (1 John 4:20)
10. Compromising the Word (2 Tim.1:13)
11. Failure to witness (2 Cor. 5)
12. Trials (Jam.1:25; 1 Pet.4:12-19)
13. Sin (1 John 2:5).  Sin is transgression of the law; knowing to do good and not doing it; anything in thought, word, or deed contrary to the standard of God.
14. Love of the world (1 John 2:15-17)

     Let's not be pulled away but be on fire for the Lord and look forward to our eternity with Him.

Rev 3;15-16  ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth

On Your Side

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     How good are you at being still? It's not an easy thing to do in our fast paced worlds that are fiilled with a million activities. Yes, there is and always will be something that could be done. We even make lists but being still a little while should be on there too. Sometimes God will use sickness, injury or whatever means to slow us down. Do we use that time wisely tho? Down time can turn into prayer time, bible reading time, meditation on your blessings time, etc. As this verse from Exodus points out, you are not alone God is on your side fighting for you. 'You need only to be still' means you need to quit running around trying to fix it yourself. Just calm yourself down and pray about it. Even Jesus sought out time to be alone, to be still and to pray.
    So go spend some quiet time by yourself and just be still while God fights for you.

Exercise

Just as the body grows in strength
With exercise each day,
Our spirit grows in godliness
By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan

Godly exercise is the key to godly character.

     One thing for sure is that I am not an exercise enthusiast. If I went to the gym, I'd be the one trying to find the closest parking space to the door.  I could give excuses of why working out is not my thing but its just not a pleasure but a needed chore in my eyes. When we lived in IL, I used to walk on the treadmill while we watched 'All in the Family' reruns. That helped take my mind off what I was doing. Now I have a stand-up machine for exercise. The dust on it outside is my guilty reminder to get to using it. I will, I'm going to..soon..lol.
     We need physical exercise but our bodies need spiritual exercise more importantly. You can do push ups till your last day on this earth, but your body will die. Its guaranteed. Living by the Spirit will make you stronger than any body builder could dream of.  Godly exercise will produce fruit that will build your character into who God wants you to be.

 Romans 8:11 (NIV) '' And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.''
    

Storms

     No matter who you are, we all face storms in our lives. They come in all kinds of different ways: sickness, disasters, loss, hurt, etc.  They are there for a reason, to teach us. When facing a storm, it can teach us to not rely on ourselves. We are powerless but with God 'all things are possible' and He can calm the storm. On the other hand, He can keep the storm going to teach you to trust in Him and His timing. When asking  'is this ever going to end?', the outcome can teach you patience and perserverance thru that difficult time.
     The next time you're in a storm, ask yourself  'What is God trying to teach me from this?' I bet the quicker we learn, the quicker it'll be over. I suppose too that we often have to endure similar storms because God knows our weak areas of learning.

What to Wear?

     Have you been to the mall or Walmart lately? Good grief, the clothes that people leave their house in??? What are they thinking? Your appearance says alot about you. I'm not saying you have to 'dress up' to go to the store but jeans are as easy to put on as pajama pants. 'Pajama' gives you a clue on where they are to be worn..'bed', not in public.  And please, cover the essentials! Buy a belt to keep your pants up, buy a bra that fits and a shirt is not a dress. How we present ourselves to the world is a testimony in it of itself. Show the world you respect yourself by dressing with decency, appropriateness, and modest style.
     1 Timothy 2;9-10  ^'' I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.''

Kind of Woman?

Too Busy?

From the Daily Bread-- ''If we’re too busy to spend time with God, we’re simply too busy''

     How many of us have said we just don't have time to read our Bibles, go to church or even pray? Is it really that we have no time or that we don't set aside time? I know I've been guilty of this, especially when I worked. I understand the busyness of the week's schedules and the exhaustion that follows. My weekends were for sleeping in and the thought of getting up early on Sunday just got pushed aside. That's too busy of a lifestyle tho. Retiring at 30, slowed me down and rearranged my time and what activities were important to me. Church and bible study are now priorities. Its true, they refresh your mind and soul for the week.
    Take time for God. Nothing should be more important than cultivating a relationship with the Lord, and nothing is more essential to maintaining that relationship than a daily time alone with the Lord in the Word and prayer.
     He spends every second thinking about you and working on your behalf.

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.