Sinful Consequences

     There are so many things wrong in this world and it is all derived from sin.  We are all born into sin and are all facilitators of sin.  Only through your belief in Jesus Christ can your sin debt be paid in full.
     Today is the March for Life walk.  Abortion is one of the many things that have gone wrong in this world. ''So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you'' Matthew 7:12  As Reagan said, 'I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.'  How come selfishness overrules the helpless?  ''“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’'' Matthew 5;21
     God wants to make things right with each one of us.  He insists very loudly about His forgiveness, will you listen and respond?  God is bigger than your biggest problem.  ''“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'' Isaiah 1;18

Best Friend

     Emma and Grace are best friends and I hope forever so.  What does it mean to have a best friend?  It is someone you can depend on, turn to, confide in, share with and trust in during both the good times and bad times.  A friendship with a God center is the best.  Job 29;4  ''Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house.''
    Our friends will disappoint us, even when they would never want to intentionally.  We must put God before all others because He is 'THE' BFF [best friend forever] for each of us.

Eating Healthier?

     I wouldn't call myself a healthy eater by choice.  When I was younger, I often came home from school and ate DingDongs, nachos, or 4 to 6 pecan twirls.  I've never been a big fan of rabbit food, aka salad, either.  Now I avoid lettuce on everything due to my difficulty in swallowing it.  Also, I'm not a big fruit eater. I like a few good peaches and bananas every once in a while.
    Well maybe I've turned a corner in my life by circumstances out of my control.  My swallowing test the other day recommended 'pureed foods' added to my diet.  So I bought a NutriBullet.  I'm just in the beginning of trying different things but so far so good.  My friend, Gloria, came over today and made me her version of a smoothie with greek yogurt.  Yesterday, I pureed Wendy's chili and could now eat what I had once given up.  I hope to add more things back into my food list with this new approach.
     May we all be willing to try new approaches to how we do things because it may be of benefit.  Yes I'm going to try 'salad' or spinach in a smoothie......soon.

   

Expectation vs Reality

    Whenever is see 'DIY' [do it yourself] projects, the caption above is what flashes thru my head.  I did cut my own bangs when I was young once and time does heal some mistakes.  Sometimes our 'foolish wisdom' is displayed more than we would like to admit.
    I wonder if this caption could also be viewed as how we see ourselves vs how God sees us?  Take off the makeup and get down to our bare minimum.  Is our heart as pretty on the inside as we show it to others?
   What does God 'expect' from us?  Micah 6;8  ''He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.''  Can you make those 3 things a 'reality' in your life?

At Peace

2 Timothy 4;16-18   ''At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.''


     Have you ever felt abandoned like Paul in the verses above?  As Tim McGraw sings, 'I'll find comfort God knows, cuz you left me just when I needed you most.'  Man is man with faults and that includes all of us.  Are we as grace giving as Paul so that 'it may not be counted against them?'  I think that is where you find peace in your heart.  Holding a grudge holds you as the prisoner more than any other.
     When you know 'the Lord stood with me and strengthened me' applies to you too, then you can stand firm alone through any of life's trials.  The Lord is always on our defense team and 'will rescue me from every evil deed.'
      We are never forsaken by the One we need the most.  We have 3 types of people in our lives... people for a season, people for a reason, and a few people for a lifetime... but God for eternity.

Use Your Gifts

     Okay so not all of us are musically gifted, including myself.  My friend, Kelly, teaches violin but I will stick with my straw.  I can do okay on my hammer dulcimer but I don't consider it a talent but more of a determined effort.
     1 Corinthians 12;4-6  ''There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.''
    We all have something to offer.  There are many ways to use your gift in an area of service that differs from others, but is as equally important.  I think my voice of encouragement is much more useful here on my blog than it would be in the church choir.  ''We need to recognize that lack of confidence does not equal humility. In fact, genuinely humble people have enormous confidence because it rests in a great God.''
    To think you have nothing worthwhile to give is a self-centered thought.  No effort spent on others is ever a waste, even if they don't appreciate it like you'd want them to.  Give of yourself and you will be rewarded with more than you gave.

The Thermostat

     I just thought this was funny, because I've been a Henry and I've dealt with some Henry's.  The thermostat is a marriage issue, a workplace issue, a restaurant issue and really just a part of life issue.
     When I worked, the boss ultimately had to put a lockbox over the thermostat.  Somebody kept putting it on 60 degrees and then someone would spike it to 75 degrees.  You either froze or sweated.  I just carried my portable heater with me to different work stations, if I got cold.  I was also blessed to have my own workroom with my own thermostat just for that room.
    Just so you know, I'll be living in the 75-80 degree all the time part of heaven if you wana look me up.

Worry

        As much as I believe the quote above, sometimes you just can't help but worry.  Shouldn't we just be thankful, that whatever comes will be what God wants for us?  Our minds can know this, but what we doubt is whether we can handle or accept it.  There is good to be found in everything, so don't let your worry blind you from it.  May we fill our minds with thoughts of peace, courage, health, and hope, for "our life is what our thoughts make it."

How to break the worry habit before it breaks you........[found this on the internet by Dale Carnagie]

--Crowd worry out of your mind by keeping busy. Plenty of action is one of the best therapies ever devised for curing "wibber gibbers."
--Don't fuss about trifles. Don't permit little things--the mere termites of life--to ruin your happines.
--Use the law of averages to outlaw your worries. Ask yourself: "What are the odds against this thing's happening at all?"
--Co-operate with the inevitable. If you know a circumstance is beyond your power to change or revise, say to yourself: "It is so; it cannot be otherwise."
--Put a "stop-less" order on your worries. Decide just how much anxiety a thing may be worth--and refuse to give it anymore.
--Let the past bury its dead. Don't saw sawdust.

Tested

Proverbs 3; 5-8  ''Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.''











        My doctor last week set me up an appointment for me to have a swallowing test today at the hospital. Ever since then I've told myself to 'trust in the Lord' for whatever the outcome would be.  I really, really tried.  As my nervous stomach can tell you, I did have my 'own understanding' about what I expected to happen.  I dreaded what my 'wise' thoughts envisioned for my future.
        As much as I and my whole body wanted to postpone the appointment, I forced myself to just get it done.  Karla and my dad took me, and my equipment for any worst case scenarios.  The test consists of eating and drinking different things while being in an xray video.  You can see the food go down or get stuck in its path.  I watched my dinosaur-looking self too in the video.
       Much to my disbelief, I passed the test.  Of course, my swallowing is impaired and must be carefully done but no major changes at this point.  I thank those who prayed specifically for me regarding this today.
God is greater than our doubts and faithful through it all.

Gym n Spa Day

     Okay so this is Jack's stand-in....lol.  Yes, these cold winter days are making us get creative with our time.  Below are some pictures of my 8 minute workout today and our paraffin home spa treatments.  Nothing feels better than hot wax on your skin on a cold, blustery day.  I think we all enjoyed it and now we all have soft hands.

Exercise?

     Exercise comes in all forms for me.  I would much rather do retail therapy, than some workout video.  Yes it's easier to access the accessory counter than any exercise equipment.
     These cold shut-in days make me feel guilty tho and my conscience tells me to do something.  The freezing temperatures diminish any desire to hit the stores, even with good sales.  So I gave in today.  I had Karla help me do my standing exercise machine.  I haven't been on it in several months but I was proud of myself for the 8 minutes I did accomplish.
    We all have that little voice inside of us urging us to do what we should.  We hear what we want to and follow thru when we want to too.  If only we could bottle up that good feeling after we've exercised and drink it when it's time to do it again.

Faith When It's Windy

      Tonight we are expected to have a windchill factor of -5 to -15 degrees.   Brrrr is one word for it.  The wind just runs right thru the body down to the bone.  It makes it feel colder than it really is.
      Life is full of windchill moments that can break us down to the core too.  Burdens, like financial demands, illness, or loss of someone close, can strip us of our grip on life's perspective.  As the caption illustrates, we must cling to our faith that will sustain us.
      2 Corinthians 4; 7-9  ''But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.''
      Is your faith stronger than the winds of this life?  If your roots are deep, there is no need to fear the wind.

Friendship

         If you think about it, I think friendship is a God thing.  He brings the right people to you at just the right time for a certain reason.  I've gone to church with people and not become their friend till meeting them at another church.  I've become friends with business owners just because they picked me out as a customer to get to know.  I have a prayer circle of friends across the world because distance hasn't broken our bond of friendship.
         Friendship is 'weird' but rearranged to be a 'wired' blessing from God.  Friends are like a bouquet of flowers, they're all different but beautiful in their own way.  'Friendship isn't a big thing, it's a million little things.'

I've Found It

      Many people are in search for the meaning of life.  The search is more intense when we are suffering and in distress.  Why do we have to struggle thru trials and hardship?  The answer is in God's desire to draw us closer to Him.
      2 Corinthians 4; 16-18  ''Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.''
     Purpose for the pain....... Yet in our weakness, we can be strong.  We can inspire others not only to pray more but we can see our need for someone other than ourselves.. a Savior.
     Strength for the struggle.....  Without Christ, it would be easy to give up.  'All things are possible with God' can be your life verse and help you realize you are stronger than you think possible.
     Faith for the fight.....  When you trust that  'all things work for good for those who believe in God', you find it easier to give it all you've got.  Knowing that even if you lose your fight, your faith secures you against any fears ahead.
      May we all see the purpose, have the strength, and rest in our faith of Christ in every struggle we face.  As I face a swallowing test next week, I carry all three of these attributes with me on a daily base.  It makes the road on my journey smoother, straighter and calmer.

Will They Know?

      A friend of mine requested the song, 'Then They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love', last night at church.  I felt the guilty arrow hit me in the heart.  Do I 'always' represent myself as a Christian?  Obviously not because I honestly don't feel love for everything and everybody.  As the song says tho, 'that we pray that our unity will one day be restored'.  When all sin is washed away, we will love like Jesus loves us.. unconditionally.  We will be 'One in the spirit and one with the Lord.'
     So when, not if, my impatience strikes again, I will try to show more love.  When a stranger knows nothing about you, don't you at least want them to see Christ-like behavior and temperament from you?
    Jesus was sent for 'whosoever' believeth in Him and there are no qualifications, other than to believe.  We have to remember that when we see others on the street and not in our circle, that Jesus died for them too and they need to hear about the greatest love of all, Jesus, from us.

The End

       As we have ended 2013 and begun 2014, where do you find yourself?  There is a point in one's life where you've tried it all on your own and you realize 'you' are not enough.  That is the crossroad God wants you to get to, so that you see your need for Him as your Savior.
      Matthew 10; 38-39  ''Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.''
     Life is a journey towards humility.  Where we don't think less of ourselves but think of ourselves less.  God was the first to do that when He sent His Son for us.
    We've all been subject to the feelings of discouragement, but that is when we see our need for God best.  ''The great British preacher C.H. Spurgeon led multitudes to Christ through his powerful sermons. But he suffered awful bouts with melancholy. He often felt as if he'd accomplished nothing in his life. He once lamented, I've got the blackest heart in Britain. Frequently he would go into his garden, raise his hands to God and cry, Lord, I've never desired you more, yet my spirit has never been so low. Why is this happening?''
      As in Psalm 38, God wants us to reach the same point as David.....''Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.''  What you may consider as your lowest point, may just be your greatest saving point.  When we give up our pride, arrogance, and self reliance, then God can truly begin a new work in your heart.

Just Do

      I think this is a good caption to think about as 2014 approaches.  People often set goals for the new year and that's as far as they get......give or take a week or two.  If only we were as good as our intentions. Good intentions are worthless without actions behind them.
      Your actions speak for themselves.  People will tire of your claims to be better at 'whatever', if there is nothing to show for it.
     Have you heard the phrase, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.'   The false idea that 'if you are just good enough' that you will get to heaven leads so many in the opposite direction.  People might claim to put God first after everything settles down and gets in order but that only happens when God is your first priority.  ''Ego says, once everything falls into place, I'll find peace. Spirit says, find peace, and everything falls into place.''
    What is holding you back from being the person God created you to be?  Procrastination, laziness, self-doubt?  Make a plan and follow through....just do it.

I Hate to Be Humbled

     I like to 'appear' put together and at my best when around others, even when I'm not up to par.  As they say, 'Fake it till ya make it.'  Well sometimes, you get caught off guard unexpectedly.
     Today as we drove into church, I didn't recognize the car in front of us.  As we were getting ready to unload, a woman was walking toward us and the church.  Even after 25 years, I knew that was my friend from high school, Tabetha.  I wanted to greet her, as well as hide.  I had my mask on and it was not how I wanted her to recognize and see me after all these years.  Of course, Tabetha knew me and was as sweet as ever.  It was great to visit with her, after I left my pride outside in the van.  It was a humbling experience, but there was greater joy to see my friend from long ago.
     Life is a process of changes and it keeps us humble.  I am the same girl who drove endless miles cruising Levy in my red Prelude that waved and honked at friends, like Tabetha, every weekend.  Now I am with a few more miles with wear and tear to show for it.  True friends, like Tabetha, accept you for who you really are, despite the changes we have all been dealt.

Your Choice

     The mindset of a person is very revealing.  In just a few words, you can tell what a person's perspective on life is...negative or positive.  What is yours and which do you like to surround yourself with?
     'Your life is a message to the world, make sure it's inspiring.'  We all complain at times, but don't make it a chronic issue in your life.  I believe in the caption's message whole-heartily.  Where our focus lies is where our energy is spent.  Are you wasting or investing your energy and time?
    Misery is optional.  You must see your trials as temporary and move both your mind and yourself to better things.  Trust in God's goodness and enjoy the journey.

Carolers 2013

       

        These are a few snapshots of the carolers who came to my room Monday night.  This is no way captures all the people who were involved.  The room was filled with Christmas songs from about 40 people from my church, FBF.  They sang 'Joy to the World', 'Who is He in Yonder Stall', and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'  Since I was given two plates of goodies, I gave one to Karla the next day.  Thanks to everyone who spent their night spreading Christmas cheer.