Friends

     I love this picture.  My friend, Betsy, gave me a puppy calendar for Christmas and this is one of the  pictures from it.  Friends are so valuable in our lives.  They will listen to our never-ending, sad, pitiful me stories that no one else wants to hear.  They will tag along with you for no reason just so you don't have to go somewhere alone.  They will bring you your favorite snack when you're too sick to go out and get it yourself.  They will pray for you whether you're on a hill or in a valley in your life.  They will know if you say you are 'Fine!', that there's often more to the story.  They will know what you're saying across a room with just a glance of the eyes. 

      King Solomon had written about the value of friends as well. In Ecclesiastes we read, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (4:9-10).

     Friends are like family, I can't live without them.  We become to look alike too, don't you think?

Time Traveling Tuesday

     In 1989, we went on a 7 day Carribean cruise.  I think we flew to Puerto Rico and caught the ship there. It could have been one of the stops but I don't remember anything there but the airport.  It's been a few years so my memory is a little faded. 
    We went to several islands but I'll start with Barbados.  We went to Bluebeard's Castle.  I think it was on the beach here that a suspicious guy came up to us trying to sell jewelry.  We suspected he had drugs in the lower drawer of his jewelry box.  We did buy a conch shell somewhere on the island.  Good grief, it stunk in a few days. The lil animal inside had died. yuck.
     Martinique was another island.  I liked the shops here. They looked like storybook shops. French influence I suspect.  Sunbathing here can be a lil shocking.  The women go topless here..yes you read that right..on public beaches. I think this is the same island that our bus tour stopped at a nude beach.  We didn't get off the bus.  We saw more than we wanted from there, lol.
     St. Thomas was the most American of all the islands.  We tried to take a taxi or bus tour on each island to see the 'sites' in the few hours you're given by the ship to be on shore.  We took a bus tour here.  The driver got us up close to the iguanas in the trees as he dared to get as close to the edge of the cliff as possible.Eating, shopping and beach lounging were our main activities.
     St. Marteen was another island.  We went to this beach and needed some shade.  We found this tree and couldn't believe no one was under it.  Well, some people soon told us, it was a poisonous tree that dripped sap.
     The cruise ship itself was nice but the room was the size of a matchbox with bunk beds.  This picture of me was from one of the dress up dinner nights. It was fun and I may have gotten the islands mixed up but that's about all I remember because it was way back when.

Hot Topic

     I'm going to talk about a hot topic with me but I'll try not to get too hot about it.  We are all going to get sick from time to time but some of it's avoidable.
     I don't understand why some people 'think' it's okay to expose others to their or their kid's feverish illness. Love thy neighbor as thyself does not mean make your neighbor feel as bad as you do.  Nor does share the wealth include germs, viruses, or the flu.  This is not just a self centered blog but other people miss work and/or have unexpected doctor bills they can't afford just because of the exposure.  If you think that you're so important, that you can't miss church, school, work, or whatever...then I encourage you to take a moment to humble yourself.
    For all those who do stay home when sick, I thank you and Lord willing, will see you next time.

Ice

     I've lived most of my life in the South but a few years were in the North.  If you watch the news today, you'll see how many people should not be behind the wheel in anything but sun or rain.  I went from driving in Dallas to driving in Chicago and that will make you learn how to drive in bad winter weather quick.
    3 pointers for driving in slick conditions.  1] Slow down. Give yourself extra time to get where you're going.  A ditch is not a short cut.  2] Patience.  Those other drivers are usually more of a danger than your own driving.  Speeding around them because you lost your patience, could make you lose more control than you ever imagined.  3] Stay focused.  People often rubber-neck or gaze off during regular driving conditions but your brakes aren't that fast when it's slick. 
     Snow is the same in the north and south.  You don't have to freak out when driving in it, just take your time.

Aging

     Now I know the real reason why our family has never been a fan of buffet restaurants..lol. It's an aging reminder. Besides the fact that the food has all been touched or sneezed on by everybody.   
      I love Maxine. I think she's wise yet sarcastic enough to tell you the truth like you've never heard it before.  If you know who 'Walter' the puppet of Jeff Dunham is, I think they'd make the perfect couple.  oops, I just checked, he's already married.
     Aging is not easy.  I think we do have to be able to not only laugh about it but to embrace it. I think the recent headlines of Demi Moore's struggles with getting older are sad for her.  I think it shows a lost soul when all you have to cling to is the flesh.  It's going to change, fade, die and return to dust so I think the soul should take priority.
     Gray hair is from the trials God has brought you thru.  Sagging is from all the years you been blessed with being exposed to gravity.  Short term memory loss is so you can remember the old times even better. 
     They say 'only the good die young' but let's keep on aging gracefully and say 'only the best, outlast the rest.'

Which Road?

     Roads take us to where we want to go but we have to be on the right one. Today many people have a GPS in their car to help keep them on the right road to their destination.  My dad and I were in the van the other day with his new GPS.  It was trying to guide us to a cupcake shop in Little Rock.  Well even though I had never been there before, I had in my mind where it was and thought the GPS was wrong.  So we went a different way, which ended up being the long, wrong way..lol.
    Some people say that all roads or paths of religion will get you to heaven. That couldn't be any more wrong. I've heard it explained this way... let's say you're at Verizon arena, just pick a road..any road, and follow it and eventually you'll get home.  Seems pretty silly, doesn't it.  Well, the only road to your eternal home is thru Jesus Christ. John 3;36  '' Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.''
     Are you like Alice or do you know where you want to go?  Doesn't it matter to you?  You are going to need a spiritual GPS to guide you, it's called The Bible.  Your mind may think it knows better but this GPS is never wrong.  Start your journey today.

The Frog and the Gator

     My aunt in California sent me this picture to blog about.  What do you see from the picture?  I see three things that we could draw an analogy from.  I usually stick to one topic but I'm going to go for three on this one.
     First, it reminds me that we should choose our friends wisely.  Not everyone you consider a friend has your best interest in mind.  I think if this alligator really just wanted to give his frog friend a lift, then he could have done it with a closed mouth. I think the gator has a secret motive, 'lunch.'  Psalm 10;7  ''Their mouths are full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under their tongues.''
     Secondly, it reminds me of how we don't know when the Lord will return or call us home and we need to always be ready.  Matthew 24; 42-44  ''“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.''  That frog has no idea how close he is to death and it can be over for him in an instant. 
     Thirdly, it reminds me that if you play with danger, you're going to get bit.  The frog thinks he is just going to sneak a peak into the darkness of evil and yet he's not only risking his toes but his very life.  Proverbs 22;3  ''The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.''
     A picture speaks a thousand words but I'm not going to say or type that much.  God does speak to us thru nature so does the picture say any more to you?  I'd love to hear.

Way Back Wednesday

The driveway

Before the pool, driveway and sunroom

Before the deck, carport and
basement renovation

View from the road before
removing 60 trees



The backyard



  
     This is where we moved to about 28 years ago.  My dad's aunt and uncle lived across the street since he was a little boy.  He dreamed of owning it one day and the dream came true on a 2nd try.  My parents couldn't afford it the first time they made an offer so they waited a few years and tried again.  I remember us looking at some other houses and this one just looked like alot of work.  My 12 yr old eyes could not see the vision they had in mind.  I did my share of blade work and trailer hauling with our riding lawnmower on these 2.5 acres.  I'd say it all worked out after all.
      Don't you think this is how God sees us?  A tangled mess that needs alot of His work in our lives but yet with a vision of a beautiful ending.  Of course, maintenance is required thru His word, prayer and our fellowship with other believers.  Thankfully, He thinks we are worth the trouble too.

C'mon Already

     Well, you may think I blog about patience alot but it's something I know I need to get better at.  I may seem patient but my thoughts have said everything these flowers are saying in the caption above.  I think I was wired to be an independent person because it has never bothered me to do stuff alone.  I actually enjoyed it.  As my wiring has failed me, I've been forced to rely on other people. I don't know of a faster way to learn patience.  If you adhere to the phrase 'if you want it done right, do it yourself' then you have a steep road ahead of you when, not if, you want help from others.  Patience isn't always about waiting but also understanding your way of doing things is not always the only way.
     Maybe an example would help me illustrate what I'm trying to say.  Are you a navigator in the car but sitting in the passenger seat?  You may know the quickest way from point A to point B, but when the driver takes the path of A -D- C- B, it takes patience to not say anything.  I am a navigator in the car so if people ask me which way I want to go, I sometimes practice patience by saying 'either way, it doesn't matter.'
    Patience, use it before you lose it.

Stress in a Good Way

   






     My friend, Sherry, and I were recently talking about the huge diamond found at Murpheesboro a couple of weeks ago.  It is worth 20,000 dollars and we both agreed if we had found it, then 'SOLD' would be our first thought.
     According to a recent study in the journal Nature, they think the recipe for a diamond is as follows:

Bury carbon dioxide 100 miles into Earth.  Heat to about 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit.  Squeeze under pressure of 725,000 pounds per square inch.  Quickly rush towards Earth’s surface to cool.
     Have you ever felt like you were under that kind of pressure?  We are under all kinds of pressure everyday in our lives in order to survive like atmospheric pressure, blood pressure, etc.  Sometimes extra pressure can make us feel uncomfortable or change us. It can be a good thing if handled according to His will.  God allows us to undergo the pressure of trials because He is transforming us into a precious diamond for His glory.  We too are as filthy and dirty as charcoal but with Him in our lives, we too can become a shiny gem in His eyes.
     So the next time your blood pressure is near stroke level and you're sweating bullets, then just cool it down quick. Realize whatever the stress is, that it is part of God's plan in making you into something better.

I See....

     How do you see yourself?  Do you define yourself by your outer, physical appearance or by the inner you?  I think how you think of yourself comes across in more ways than you realize.  Our bodies are guaranteed to fail us and eventually die but our spirits don't have to.  Some people who are 80 have more of a love for life and adventure than some at age 30.  Don't you love to see older people like that?
     I can relate to the woman in the caption.  I want to do things I used to could do but am held back with the fraility of my body.  I try not to let my spirit give in to that tho.  I want to do all I can within my body's limitations. If it doesn't work out, at least I tried. I would still love to skydive but it's that landing that has held me back.  If I'm ever in Gatlinburg, TN again, I'm going to check out the simulated version they have there.
     I used to be pretty vain and spend hours in front of the mirror.  Now I avoid mirrors because how I see myself without one is better in my mind.  The mortal will one day become immortal so in those things only is there true beauty and fullfilment.
    

That Was Mine

     Have you ever went to the fridge with a craving for a certain thing and discovered somebody else ate it all?  You probably said to yourself, 'hey I was gonna eat that.'  Then nothing else looks good.  There's just no substitute for what you really wanted.
     I can't imagine being in a large family and being able to save anything for yourself to enjoy later.  I bet whoever invented the idea of small, personal refrigerators came from a large family..lol.
     The caption of the cat above reminded me of an episode at work.  We were priviledged to have a lunch room with a fridge, microwave and toaster oven.  We all kept food in the fridge and respected each other's stuff as their own.  I kept some breakfast sandwiches in the freezer.  One morning, I went to get one and they were all gone.  Come to find out, the janitorial night crew had helped themselves...aka theft.  I think they got fired but I can't say for sure but I did change what I had for breakfast from then on.
     If licking your food to call it yours doesn't quite agree with your idea of ettiquite, then I suggest a label maker. Or you can do what my 'only child' upbringing can't quite grasp and SHARE...lol.

Superbowl Appetite

     How many of us are going to look like this during the Super Bowl on Sunday?  I doubt you'll be chomping on carrots.  According to KATV, the Super Bowl is 2nd only to Thanksgiving on largest consumption. According to USA Today, the average person will eat nearly 2,500 calories during the game in one sitting. Can I just stop and say 'Whoa, that's insane.'
     You might consider how you felt the day after Thanksgiving when you're preparing your Superbowl snack menu.  Sure food helps us enjoy the game more but if we are going to pig-out then put some healthy options on the buffet table. Did you know that more avocados are sold for Super Bowl Sunday than any other holiday throughout the year? Yes! Guacamole is a dip to consider along with the beloved cheese dip. Also chicken quesadillas might go over just as well as chicken wings.. and less messy.  Popcorn is a healthy option to gorge yourself on instead of the Chex party mix.  Just some healthy alternatives that could satisfy both your appetite and waist line.
     Enjoy the game however you choose, it's just food for thought.

What'd They Say?

     I love this caption.  I think it's hilarious!  If you think about it after you read it and said, 'what?' then it's kind of an oxymoron statement. Vomit is gross but bees only spit out honey so that's a pretty sweet compliment.
     Have you ever had someone say something to you and you're not sure if what they said to you was good or bad?  A compliment or a slam?  For example, ''Those jeans make you look slimmer.''  Well, do I look good or do they think I'm fat is what you might think later.  I think women have a gift or downfall of reading in too much to what other people say. Don't get offended ladies, it's just my honest opinion because I've done it too.  We can overthink a statement and twist it into something never intended.
     All I'm trying to say is don't let yourself get caught up in semantics and dwelling on it till it changes form.  If your first instinct is that a statement is good then take it as such.

Way Back Wednesday

Psalm 90:14
''Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.''


     Okay this picture is proof that I have never been a morning person. I've barely got my eyes open. Photography should be illegal before noon, don't you think? 
     Morning, what does it mean to you?  It's a new dawn, it's a new day.  God has granted you another day of life with His great faithfulness.  'This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.'
     Maybe it would be a good idea to think on that before we think about our busy agendas for the day. Start the day with an attitude of gratitude to the Lord, whether it be 5am [not me] or 9am.

FBF Prayer Requests for February

FBF MISSIONARY PRAYER REQUESTS FOR FEB 2012



Martin and Hansy Tuohy
 -- Please pray that I would have the wisdom needed to deal with a serious church discipline issue on the Faroe Islands that I have been dealing with since Christmas. Sadly, the elders up there don't seem inclined to want to do much about it!

  --Pregnancy is going well and we are excited to meet the little boy in about 3 months. Please pray for endurance and wisdom for Hansy as she goes about being a stay at home mom in this feminist society.

Lesley Wolfe

       The translation check of 20 chapters in Genesis and 4 in Exodus.  We’ll begin Monday, Jan 30^th and finish up on Friday or Saturday (Feb  3^rd or 4^th).

a.       Pray for Kwia, as he listens for the first time in his life to these chapters, and then answers questions concerning them from my consultant, Paul Cheshire.

b.      Pray for BK as he hears once again these chapters --- we’ll be finishing up the story of Joseph, then will be going through Genesis 1-11, and some other chapters (i.e., the story of Abraham and Isaac), and then Exodus 1-4.

c.       Pray for Paul as he checks the translation of these chapters.

d.      Pray for us all ---- our time together working and eating and just hanging out together at night.  That our times together would be profitable and enjoyable!!

Ted and Priscilla Clark

Please continue to pray with us for the political situation in Mexico.  Pray for wisdom and power to be given to the government forces working to restore law and order in the country.  Pray for a complete cleansing from corruption in their midst, for a spiritual revival among them, and for a zeal for justice and truth.  Pray for the Lord to quickly bring down the forces of evil, which have become so powerful in Mexico.  Pray for the Lord’s hand of protection on us, and on the many Christian workers throughout the country.

Pray for the numerous people who attend our church regularly, and perhaps think they are believers, but have not trusted Christ yet.  Pray for the work of God’s Spirit in their hearts, convincing them of their sin and bringing them to trust in Him alone for salvation.  Pray for the many Bible studies being carried out each week  with unbelievers.  Pray for the light of salvation to enter each of these homes.

Denny and Arlene Norris

1.  We are grateful to the Lord for this last weekend where our church attended a conference/camp in Brookings, Oregon with several other Spanish speaking churches.  The word was taught and there were great challenges regarding holiness, the gospel,  and wisdom regarding how to raise children.   Several unbelievers attended with us.  We ask you to pray for the salvation of two Mexican men who attended...Art and Mitchel.

2.  On Wednesday evenings we are studying what God has to say about marriage and the family.  Pray that God would use this time to build strong families in our church.  After the study we all (children & parents) go to the gym to play indoor soccer.  We ask that you pray for Obadiah and Rebecca's rebellious 14 year old son (Alejandro).  Obadiah came to Christ over a year ago;  he is really growing and wants to honor the Lord.  His wife Rebecca (who has know the Lord for a longer period of time) also has a strong desire to obey the Lord.  Besides their 14 year old son Alejandro, they have 2 other younger children.  

3.  We also ask you to pray for Fernando & Erica... who are receiving an evangelistic study in their home.  Their work schedules and activities have made it difficult for the study to be constant.  Pray with us that God will use His word to bring faith to their hearts.  

4.  Pray that God will raise up elder-quality  men from among the body.  There are 4 men who desire to grow;  they are all faithfully reading and study  God's word and are also involved in serving the church on Sundays.    We are studying the book of I Timothy on Wednesday mornings as well as the book of Romans on Sunday evenings.  

Bobby and Namatha Avilez

1.       Pray that disgruntled former staff or students would gather to pray for us rather than to light fires of untruths about us. Pray that the hearers of the gossip would ask for clarifications, rather than run with it!

2.       Pray for Kent and Ramy, our new staffers from India, as they prepare to take over the House of Hope leadership during Bobby and Namatha’s trip back to the States and Belize

Phillip and Sandra Prime

Please continue to pray for Jesús and Angeles. A few days ago they captured most of the men who were involved in the kidnapping. Pray that the Lord would work in the lives of their kids, especially Ismael.

Pray for our 2 upcoming evangelistic outreaches: Friday the 10th we will return to the hospital to do our monthly outreach and Sunday evening the 12th we have our Valentine's evangelistic outreach. We are showing an evangelistic movie (Late One Night) and serving a spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings.

Monica Sernatinger

1. Please, continue to pray that the Lord would provide a missionary family to come and continue with the church planting ministry here in Puruándiro. As a church we need shepherding and boldly reaching out to others. May the Lord continue to prepare the men for eldership.

 

2. We recently found out that Coral had been lying to us and never broke her engagement. Please, pray for her repentance. She plans to get married in March.

Pharoah Talk

     If you are doing the Bible in a year readings, then you recently read of Pharoah telling Moses repeatedly that he would let the Israelites go into the wilderness to worship their God but then denied them that opportunity.  Each time he and Egypt suffered thru a plague, he would beg for it to be taken away and would say he would give them permission if the plague was stopped.  Plague after plague, his words meant nothing.  He said and did only what benefitted him.
     Do you follow thru on what you say?  I've blogged on this topic before but I think it's an important one.  I have seen this happen with mission trips.  People are ready and willing to ask you for money to send them but when you ask for a summary of the trip, it's ''I will'' but it turns out ''they don't.''  They've gotten what they wanted, until next time.
    Whatever the case may be, don't say it if you don't mean it.  An honest 'no' is better than a 'yes' that failed to act.

Stop It

     I have yet to master the art of patience.  On occasion it has shown itself clearly.  This caption reminds me of one of those times.
     I rarely talk on the phone now days because my voice is softer than it used to be.  I used to though handle the personal business calls that I could.  Well, one day at work I had to call the health insurance company.  A task that I thoroughly hate. Anyways, I told whatever the situation was to the lady on the other end of the line.  She started whispering back to me.  I know this can be an unconscious response to my soft voice so I told her 'please don't whisper.'  She continued to do so and I asked her again to stop it. And again. Maybe it had been a bad day or I had just reached my limit but I banged that phone receiver on my desk two or three times and said 'are you gona stop it now??'  [maybe I should have put that in all caps..lol]  Well, I must have got my point across because she finished the rest of the phone call in her normal voice.
     Patience sometimes just runs out, hopefully you can handle it a little better than me when it does. 

Good Grief

Proverbs 4;24 '' Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. ''

     Even Charlie Brown got frustrated with himself, other people and life itself.  The harshest words out of his mouth though were 'GOOD GRIEF.'  These are two of my favorite words to express dissatisfaction.  We should work on our patience skills to not let things get to us so but we are human.  To use perverse language tho shows not only a lack of vocabulary but also the lack of discipline in your tongue.  There is nothing in bad language that benefits you or glorifies God.  It is just a gateway left open for the devil to wreck havoc.  Movies that are rated R for pervasive language is a warning to you that it is filled with corrupt language throughout.  Avoid being subjected by the media or acquaintences that have a filthy mouth because you don't want to lose sensitivity to its destructive influence on you.
     Psalm 19:14 ''May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.''

Redirection

     Have you ever watched the show ''Let's Make a Deal?''  There's often a choice of money in your hand or looking behind door number 2.  We can choose what we know or trust that there might be something better.  I think that's kind of like what happens when God redirects our choices.  We have to trust that He knows best even when we don't know what it will be.  So what if door number two has a goose behind the curtain, will you still trust that this is what God wants for you?  Stay the course and you'll find out the goose lays golden eggs.
     Choices in life should fall in to place with His Word.  Redirection just means He has something better in mind for you that you may not be able to see yet.