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

Broken and Spilled Out

           When we give of ourselves, we are rewarded back... usually more.  People are like flowers, when we water them with love and kindness, they perk up and stand up straighter.  We all need sprinkled with a compliment or two and you will usually get one in return.
          'Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.' Colossians 4:5-6
         'Mary, one of Jesus' followers, poured out a bottle of nard, an extremely expensive perfume, on his feet, prompting concern from others, but praise from Jesus himself.'  Mary literally watered Jesus with a perfume.  Her sacrifice was her way of showing her love to Jesus.
          Do you sacrifice your time and possessions to show love to others?

Your Garden of Faith

               Well it's that time of year... garden planting season.  If you haven't already started, you better get on it. We hope that what we sow, we will reap in an abundant harvest.  Gardeners put in a lot of work in to prepare and maintain the vegetation they desire.
               Luke 17;6  ”He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.''
             'You may have never worked in a garden in your life. But you're planting seeds, whether you realize it or not. In fact, some of what's happening in your life today - for better and for worse - is the harvest of some seeds you planted years ago. And, as the Bible makes crystal clear, "A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7) ' [biblegateway.com]
             Our faith is a like a plant that needs nurture to grow and sustain itself through life's storms.  We have the resources like prayer, the Word and love to keep our faith strong.  Do we take care of our faith or is it just a weak branch that we lean on?  Your faith will show itself to others, as a strong oak tree with deep roots or as a dandelion blown with the wind.

Playdate

               I love to have playdates here with the kids of my friends.  I feel like I smile the whole time.  They learn the art of sharing the most.  Taking turns is learning that it's not all about me and to love one another. Is there any lesson more important for life?  The world is our playground, so don't grow old by forgetting how to enjoy playing in it.

Better Days Ahead

John 16;33  ''I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

            ''Christians are not promised an easy life--far from it. The Bible specifically warns that Christ-followers will experience suffering. Our consolation comes in the knowledge that the battle against sin has already been won, and that Jesus will return one day.'' [biblegateway.com]

            We all have our low points and days of despair.  Are we ever satisfied?  I doubt it because we are all subject to trouble from this world.  The verse above says 'But take heart', which means don't give up or lose hope because 'He has overcome the world.'  When we expect perfection in this life, then we can also expect disappointment.

           'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'  Philippians 4:6-7

           I have found that lowering my expectations of myself and others has helped me to be more at peace.  We all struggle with something and others may or may not understand.  So when the only One who understands all our trials tells us 'I have overcome the world' then we should find contentment, patience, and perseverance in that promise.

           May your circumstances never define you, but remind you to be of good cheer with a God-like perspective...even on cloudy and lonely days.

Summer

         I know it's not summer yet, but at 11 a.m. today it was 90 degrees with 29 percent humidity.  That is perfect to me.  'This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.'  Yes it's easier for me to quote and sing this verse on days where I can feel my extremities and feel the sun against my skin.
        Even though we have four seasons in the year [and you know my favorite], God really wants us to take it one day at a time.  ''Moses wrote: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 ). Notice how Jesus said our needs would be met: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 ). Notice what God says about how He’ll give us the strength we need: “Your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25 ). When you run ahead to what may happen the next day or next week or next month, you’re running ahead of your supply lines, because God gives the strength you need in 24-hour increments.'' [hutchcraft.com]
         The seasons of the year remind us that, whatever it is, this too shall pass, so if summer is not your favorite time then you just have to wait it out. 'On the one hand it's a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever; but it's also encouraging to know that difficult times will eventually but inevitably be followed by times of peace. God is in control of it all.'

         Who's ready for summer?  Me, who dreams of summers that last forever. 

Freedom

         What does freedom mean to you?  By definition, it means 'the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint' or 'the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.'  Freedom can mean living in a democracy like America, the feeling of driving alone for the first time, moving into your first apartment, or many other things of feeling unrestricted.
         The closest I've ever felt to being free is when I used to swim.  The weightless feeling in the water let me escape my physical restrictions.  I felt stronger in the water than what true reality was.  Freedom in the water was like being in a different body for a short time.
         As Christians, we have freedom from sin by following Jesus Christ.  Galatians 5;1 ''It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.''  Galatians 3;22  ''But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.''  Galatians 5;13-14  ''You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

        Until God gives us immortality, we are all still in a battle with sin in our flesh. ''The Christian, unlike the average non-Christian, is not indifferent to the weight of sin. He is actually hypersensitive to it. Having come to Jesus Christ, his senses are awakened to the reality of sin. His sensitivity to sin intensifies as he matures spiritually.''  

        Romans 7; 21-25  ''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 can all relate to Paul's struggle here in these verses and it should remind us that we are set free by grace alone and not by our own doing.  Only through our belief in Jesus as our Savior is the bridge to freedom from sin obtained.

Foto Friday