Pressure

          'Pressure..... Pushing down on me, pressing down on you... No man asks for.'   We all have daily pressures that weigh down on us and that we want to escape from.
          Isaiah 30;20   ''Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
          Our trials in life are meant to pull us closer to the Lord.  More of You Lord and less of me.  In Psalm 71, David talks about the Lord as his refuge, confidence, deliverer, and hope. 'Stop running from what you should be facing. You've got to face the pressure, face the storm, face the issue, and if need be, face the Lord. Trade in that false and temporary security we feel by trying to escape. Trade that for the real security of the peace of Almighty God.'
         May we all look to God for the answers to our life's pressures.  ''Unless we respond correctly to conflict, we limit our potential to grow, because we aren’t learning what the Lord is teaching. Also, we can develop an unforgiving spirit, which leads to bitterness and resentment. Eventually, such an attitude can destroy relationships.  There is also a positive way to handle conflict. Luke 23:34 reveals how our Savior responded when He was wrongly accused, unfairly judged, and killed for something He didn’t do. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” [intouch.org]

Sweets

       Who else has a mouthful of sweet teeth?  Actually, I'm not a big candy eater but I do have a sweet craving once in a while.  Yesterday was one of those days.  We were down in the Rivermarket area and Brown Sugar Bakeshop popped into my head.  Karla agreed that it was a good idea.  We circled the block twice looking for a parking spot and wouldn't you know it they were closed for spring break.
       Today, we took care of my sweets craving at our good ol' standby, Tutti Frutti.  It is the place 'where sweet dreams come true.'  I recommend the banana taffy, birthday cake and salted carmel flavors.
       What we crave, we will most likely satisfy..... make sure it is good for the mind, body and soul.

You're a Piece of the Puzzle

          I am doing a puzzle card game with a few people.  They don't know the finished picture until they receive all 9 pieces in the mail.  I send about 1 piece a week but they don't know when to expect them.
          Life is a puzzle of a million or more pieces.  We certainly can't see the whole picture yet, but God can.  He knows what pieces fit and belong in our picture.  As with a wrong piece, sometimes we try to force things into our lives that just don't belong and it causes a problem.  Some things in our lives fit perfectly and form a straight line edge of protection around us.  Some people search for that center piece their whole lives and try to fill the void, that only God can fill, with other pieces of life.
         Why does God give us pieces to our life puzzle one at a time and make us wait?  1. To give us patience, endurance, and humility. 2. To make us hold on to a dream even when it seems improbable. 3. To prepare us for the goal.  But perhaps the most important reason is this:  4. To teach us that He’s just as interested in the process as the goal.

You Can't Hide

      Whether it feels like it or not, Spring is here.  So it's time to get your feet ready for sandals and flip flops. If your not going to hide behind socks, then get out your salt scrub, buffer, clippers, nail polish, and razor [if needed].  Winter hiding is over.
      As Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin with fig leaves and skins, we too falsely think we can hide from God. God is all-knowing, ever present with us, and all powerful.  Nothing is hidden from Him and nothing is beyond His power.  'During the end times of the church age, people will grow weary; they will stumble and fall.  However, those who rely upon the Lord for strength instead of their own power and abilities will be renewed.  They will not just walk or run but they will soar like eagles.'
      Isaiah 40; 27-31  ''Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?  Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.''
       Hebrews 4; 13 ''Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.''
       We will all be held accountable for the lives we have led so don't try to hide what is obvious to God.  Only thru Jesus can your debt be paid in full.

Foto Friday

Spring chicks

Tues was Friends Day here

First day of Spring

Betsy, Hank, Angie, Jessica, Jeshua

 

Hank trying to smile like Mom, Betsy

JJ loves the golf caddy

Puzzle time

 

Golf and running

Why Share?

         I agree with this caption up to a point, regarding my blog posts.  I really don't believe that 'I' or anything I write can 'change' a person's mind.  What I can do is plant seeds into another's mind and let God cultivate it from there.  Minds are made up of different kinds of soil so whether the seeds take root or not is not up to me.
        Matthew 13;18-23  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
      I also agree that Christians should support each other in their beliefs, so the feedback I get thru my blog comments is a strong encouragement to me. I wish I had more comments that told what the reader got from the posts.  'Christians find strength and encouragement in numbers. A believer alone is vulnerable to temptation, but when supported by several fellow Christians, becomes a much more effective witness for Christ.'
     Psalm 133;1  '' Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!''

Remembering

            Today I went to funeral of my friend, Dot Sturdy.  She was one half of a loving couple who were regular greeters at my former church.  She was beautiful both inside and out.  I will always remember her kind and loving words on those Sunday mornings.
           As I read the poem above, I think of God's forgiveness and how we are to follow His example.  Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs.  Why do we in life harbor bitterness and in the end realize what time we lost?
         Our memories are our own...nobody can change them or take them.  You choose what to remember.  We all want to be remembered well so forget the petty stuff that doesn't amount to a hill of beans.  Love one another in both thought and deed.  

Friends Day

     

         Today was a friend filled day.  My friend, Charlene, was here last night and this morning.  My friend, Karla, was back today... Hallelujah Amen.  My friends, Betsy and Jessica, each brought their set of kids over for a playdate.  They brought me Peeps and guacamole as my very own special treats...yum.
        After an afternoon of puzzles, snacks and playing golf together, the kids hugged each other [on their own] before leaving.  What an important lesson of what friendship is that they are learning.  'Love one another' is teachable at any age.
       F.R.I.E.N.D.S...........[Fight for you].My friend, Zack, reminded me awhile back about how he stood up for me in junior high against a bully.  [Respect you].. My friends respect me just as I am.  [Include you].. Even tho I can't attend everything I'd like to, my friends still ask me.  [Encourage you]  My friends are consistent joy boosters to me.  [Need you]  My friends make me feel wanted in their lives.  [Deserve you]  My friends are given by grace.  [Stand by you]  My friends will back me up, pick me up, and lift me up whenever I need it.
      I hope these little ones are life long friends that will follow this motto with all their friends.

To Know Him Personally?

        Many people will say that they believe in God but how many of them 'know' God personally?  It is a difference in head knowledge versus heart knowledge.
       ' Job could not see physically through the whirlwind out of which God spoke (38:1; 40:6); he expresses a deeper meaning. He knew God with words, but he now experiences His living presence in his inner being. He meets Him as Savior and friend and, above all, God.'
       When we apply The Word directly to our lives then we too can experience God's direction personally.  Like Job, we complain of our hardships and the severity of which God allows us to suffer but will it humble us to submit to God as Job did?
       You are only truly suffering, if you're doing it without God.  I encourage you to get a personal trainer, God, and follow His lead.

Surrender

       Isaiah 55;8  ''“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.''
       Sometimes when we surrender things in our lives over to God, we can see His will being done.  It is not always how our will would have preferred it.  God is in control should be our surrendering thought.
       As one who feels so dependent on God, I can see God's hand in many things.  The bones and flesh may be weak but God can still do a mighty work thru you.  God's purpose in my life is definitely part of His thoughts and ways that are not my own.  I'm reminded daily of my physical weakness but also of His strength in me.  He who is in me is greater than anything in this world.
       May we all realize how much our lives are in God's hands and turn everything we are burdened with over to Him.

Foto Friday

Sorry the pictures are kind of dark this week but

you can enlarge them by clicking on them.

Karla's new grandson, Myles

My cousin's daughter, Sydney

Angie, Gloria, Cathy

Dave holding Jack

Lilly drawing on Maggie's bandaids

 

Vance cheesin'

 

 

Lilly holding daffodills from the yard

 

Hold On

        Good grief, I'm trying!!  Do you ever question God's timing?  I know it's probably self centered doubt because we don't see His whole picture in everything.
       'He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.' —Isaiah 40:29
        Sometimes we feel powerless in whatever we are going through and we need to rely on God's strength even more.  'In contrast to the strength that youth and health provide, the person of faith can persevere long after others have given up on the race of life.'  He promises us that, for each new day, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
       I think that when we focus too much on ourselves, it can be a blinder to us seeing the good works God is doing around us.  Count your blessings name them one by one....... 1] I am well while others around me are sick, 2] Karla's new grandson, Myles, was delivered safely and healthy, 3]  We are working together as a family and feeling blessed, 4] His protection over us has kept us from all hurt, harm and danger, and 5] I'm a work in progress and I know that this is a part of the process in transforming me into who He wants me to be.
       I know if I lose my grip, He will catch me because 'we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28

A Good Day

            Well it was a good day and I think we all benefitted from it.  My friends.... Cathy, Gloria, Charity and kids, and Dave... all came over this afternoon.  It would've been 'perfect', if the wind had died down but hey it's good to be outside for a change.
          Some highlights include......  Vance getting out of the car and saying.... 'Angie's.. I love Angie.'  Maggie fell on the driveway but my Dad got plain bandaids and drew smiley faces on them to cheer her up.  The bigger girls rode my old bike and gave each other handlebar rides.  Visiting together with all the adults is always a good time of sharing and swapping experiences.
          My friends are angels who lift me up when I need it most... this includes both those who were here today and those that were not.
          [Cliffhanger..... I'm saving the pictures for Foto Friday.....stay tuned]

Brighten Someone's Day

           Well it is a BEAUTIFUL warm day today.  As much as we've all awaited more days like this, it doesn't provide all the light to one's life that is needed.  In this world, there is still pain, grief and suffering even on a gorgeous day.  We are meant and sent to encourage and love one another.
          Hebrews 3; 12-14  ''See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.''
          Sometimes the trials meant to make us stronger in our faith can make us angry and doubt God's purpose in our lives.  That's when we as believers need to encourage each other the most.  'Tell the people around you what they could be with the strengths that are there, even if you only see a little bit of it. Because by naming it, you can nurture it.'
         You never know what battle some people are fighting so just be the Light to their darkness.

Who's Is It?

         
              Yes, April 15th is fast approaching.  If you're getting a refund then you've probably already finished your taxes.  If you owe, then you're probably postponing the inevitable till the last day.  As they say, there are two guaranteed things in life.....death and taxes.  It does seem like the chunk the IRS takes out is too large of a portion, huh?  Especially when Congress is so wasteful in their spending of it.
             All of what we have is God's, before it is ours. Leviticus 27;30  ''A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.''  We have temporary custody but it can all be taken from us at anytime.  We are to give freely and with the right spirit with what we are blessed with to further the Kingdom.  ''Jesus said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
             Our support of things includes both our verbal affirmation and our financial response.  We are blessed when we bless others by paying our blessings forward.

Walk With Me

      'Trust in God’s presence and know that He is with you every second.'  No matter if you feel alone or crowded, God is with you.  Dwell on that thought and feel blessed.  Sometimes the journey seems long and full of trials but just look forward to the trouble free eternity that awaits believers.  God is as close as you allow Him to be in your life.  'Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.'

Foto Friday

A surprise visit from Eliana

Our better shot...  we've known each other
since her daughter and I were in 6th grade.
We go way back.

TCBY ... good to the
last drop

 

Karla's drive to work

A good long stretch

Let this be it!

Squirrel under my bird feeder

Renew

      Well this is definitely a verse that we can all turn to and relate with.  Who's with me?  We all know the worn out feeling of exhaustion.  Who hasn't said.... 'just give me five minutes'?  Even God needed a day of rest on the seventh day after creating everything into existence.
      We do get tired in more ways than just physically.  We are warned not to grow tired in doing good. Sometimes we get tired of our efforts not being appreciated but we are told to do things as unto the Lord, not for man.
     Our bodies are not sustainable forever and sometimes we are renewed in strength by the help of others.  As in Exodus 17;12..........''When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.''  We must not let pride stand in the way of how God uses others to help us.  I know for myself, I preserve the energy God gives me for the things that are of benefit to me and Him most.
    I asked my doctor once...'can you give me something for energy?'  He recommended just a Flintstone vitamin but I'm going to add this verse to my daily regimen too.