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Friday, October 6, 2023
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Why does she (he) hate me?
LOOK TO ME
Have you ever had someone who had it in their heart to be offended by you?
No matter what you had to say?
And you felt hurt that someone hates you so much
and with such fierce determination?
When you encounter opposition and mean spirited people,
which you will, entrust your heart to Him.
He will defend and deliver you.
You do not need to fear another's opinion because you have a powerful God who believes in you.
Others opinion loses its power over you
because God's opinion of you (and of them) has won....
Whether your call is a call of hidden significance
or public influence,
He will keep you as you trust in Him and He will guard your heart.
-Your Beautiful Purpose
And then....
check your heart and spirit.
Are you the one who is hating another with fierce determination?
A church, a family member, a friend?
If so,
pray to God to free your heart and mind
from bitterness
resent,
and
unforgiveness.
Have you ever had someone who had it in their heart to be offended by you?
No matter what you had to say?
And you felt hurt that someone hates you so much
and with such fierce determination?
When you encounter opposition and mean spirited people,
which you will, entrust your heart to Him.
He will defend and deliver you.
You do not need to fear another's opinion because you have a powerful God who believes in you.
Others opinion loses its power over you
because God's opinion of you (and of them) has won....
Whether your call is a call of hidden significance
or public influence,
He will keep you as you trust in Him and He will guard your heart.
-Your Beautiful Purpose
And then....
check your heart and spirit.
Are you the one who is hating another with fierce determination?
A church, a family member, a friend?
If so,
pray to God to free your heart and mind
from bitterness
resent,
and
unforgiveness.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Am I a Church Bully?
Sometimes as a 'church person' I can come across as a pushy sales person.....
who is really only concerned with my own ego and self gratification...
'Get them to MY church so I can put another notch in MY spiritual belt'.
I push MY God agenda rather than loving people now,
right where they are.
I point my imperfect finger at imperfect people.
I end up pushing others away from the very loving God I want them to know.
Why? Because I want them to know Him on MY TERMS.
I end up angry and frustrated and resentful because others
are not doing what I want them to do.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
Look to God and pray.
Concentrate on my own need for God's correction
and direction in my own life.
Ask to keep my eyes fixed on Him and the
changes,
life, and hope
that He is working in my own life.
STOP POINTING FINGERS!
"Look to Me and be saved".
When I, as a church person, focus more on my own agendas,
rather than on loving people in the Now,
AS THEY ARE,
then I am just self centered and bullying under the guise of church.
who is really only concerned with my own ego and self gratification...
'Get them to MY church so I can put another notch in MY spiritual belt'.
I push MY God agenda rather than loving people now,
right where they are.
I point my imperfect finger at imperfect people.
I end up pushing others away from the very loving God I want them to know.
Why? Because I want them to know Him on MY TERMS.
I end up angry and frustrated and resentful because others
are not doing what I want them to do.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
Look to God and pray.
Concentrate on my own need for God's correction
and direction in my own life.
Ask to keep my eyes fixed on Him and the
changes,
life, and hope
that He is working in my own life.
STOP POINTING FINGERS!
"Look to Me and be saved".
When I, as a church person, focus more on my own agendas,
rather than on loving people in the Now,
AS THEY ARE,
then I am just self centered and bullying under the guise of church.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Hurricane Coming? Flooding? Make your own sandbags!
1. Double up large heavy duty garbage bags into a container....on a dollie....
2. dig ditches to divert water...
3. fill the garbage bags with the dirt.....ziptie...
(Don't overfill them... so they are pliable and easier to mold to where you want them to go.)
and now you have sandbags....
and ditches.
Roll the bags (on the dollie) to where you want them......
Knock the container over....
pull the container off.....
sandbag is in place.
2. dig ditches to divert water...
3. fill the garbage bags with the dirt.....ziptie...
(Don't overfill them... so they are pliable and easier to mold to where you want them to go.)
and now you have sandbags....
and ditches.
Roll the bags (on the dollie) to where you want them......
Knock the container over....
pull the container off.....
sandbag is in place.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Feeling useless, feeling like you are not worth anything?
Sometimes there are events that trigger feelings of insecurity and uselessness in us.
Sometimes we think,
WHY AM I EVEN HERE?
Those low times when we feel lost and alone are when God says,
SPEND TIME WITH ME.
Sometimes our GPS of life gets off track.
Sometimes we feel lost or depressed or of no value.
It is precisely these times that we need to get our prayer time
back on track.
It is like we are using a compass.
When we miss a prayer time our compass gets a degree or two off track.
We need to get our prayer time for God to steer us back in the right direction.
Sometimes we think,
WHY AM I EVEN HERE?
Those low times when we feel lost and alone are when God says,
SPEND TIME WITH ME.
Sometimes our GPS of life gets off track.
Sometimes we feel lost or depressed or of no value.
It is precisely these times that we need to get our prayer time
back on track.
It is like we are using a compass.
When we miss a prayer time our compass gets a degree or two off track.
We need to get our prayer time for God to steer us back in the right direction.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
When you are on a budget......Peanut Butter Chocolate Bunnies for my Easter honey's. You can do this using organic ingredients!
So, I wanted to have some Easter candy for the family.
Not too much.
But just one chocolate bunny can be expensive, if you are buying for a group.
I started brainstorming.
What did I already have in the house?
I realized I had an old bunny toy.
I cut it in half and washed it thoroughly.
I mixed a half cup confectioner's sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. salt.
You can use your favorite brand peanut butter, chunky, creamy, organic.
Which ever you like.
Then I took, some butter and rubbed it on the inside of the bunny.
I melted 1 square of chocolate bark.
Again, you can use your favorite chocolate,
dark, milk chocolate, organic if you like.
I poured most of it into the bunny.
I put three dark chocolate chips in each ear, for texture, strength, and taste.
I let it cool for two or three minutes.
Next I put some of the peanut butter on top of the chocolate.
Next cover the peanut butter with chocolate.
Cut out a piece of cardboard the size of the bunny.
Put a goody bag around the cardboard.
Put the bunny on the bag covered cardboard.
Now put another bag over the bunny and tape shut.
I spent about two hours, and used only what I had. You can do this using organic ingredients!
Not too much.
But just one chocolate bunny can be expensive, if you are buying for a group.
I started brainstorming.
What did I already have in the house?
I realized I had an old bunny toy.
I cut it in half and washed it thoroughly.
You can use your favorite brand peanut butter, chunky, creamy, organic.
Which ever you like.
Then I took, some butter and rubbed it on the inside of the bunny.
I melted 1 square of chocolate bark.
Again, you can use your favorite chocolate,
dark, milk chocolate, organic if you like.
I poured most of it into the bunny.
I put three dark chocolate chips in each ear, for texture, strength, and taste.
I let it cool for two or three minutes.
Next I put some of the peanut butter on top of the chocolate.
Next cover the peanut butter with chocolate.
Cut out a piece of cardboard the size of the bunny.
Put a goody bag around the cardboard.
Put the bunny on the bag covered cardboard.
Now put another bag over the bunny and tape shut.
I spent about two hours, and used only what I had. You can do this using organic ingredients!
Sunday, March 25, 2018
I want to be important!!! I want to be famous!
He knew what He was doing, not doing it out of guilt or low self image.
He knew who He was.
He did not have to grasp for value.
He gave us an example of what real serving is.
Find your value in Him.
He will show you what is next.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Do KIND THINGS............ Kindly.
Saw this on a poster today.
Do kind things, kindly.
It hit me.
I like to do kind things.
But it is all about the attitude!
Why am I doing a kind thing?
Is it so:
- I can feel better about myself...
- Am I trying to get people to like me?
- Do I want to feel like I am 'more' or 'better' than someone else.
- Am I doing it out of guilt?
- Do I feel obliged to do it and therefore resent it?
Lord, help us to do kind things kindly.
Help us to do them under Your direction.
Help us to do them with no strings attached.
Help us to do kind things with the same grace that You do kind things for us.
You do kind things for us with-
No strings attached.
No guilt.
Not making us feel inferior or worthless.
Not making us feel like helpless victims.
Help us to do kind things with Your Guidance.
Do kind things, kindly.
It hit me.
I like to do kind things.
But it is all about the attitude!
Why am I doing a kind thing?
Is it so:
- I can feel better about myself...
- Am I trying to get people to like me?
- Do I want to feel like I am 'more' or 'better' than someone else.
- Am I doing it out of guilt?
- Do I feel obliged to do it and therefore resent it?
Lord, help us to do kind things kindly.
Help us to do them under Your direction.
Help us to do them with no strings attached.
Help us to do kind things with the same grace that You do kind things for us.
You do kind things for us with-
No strings attached.
No guilt.
Not making us feel inferior or worthless.
Not making us feel like helpless victims.
Help us to do kind things with Your Guidance.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
I am stubborn, and proud of it!!!
People declare,
"I am stubborn!"
-like it is a badge of courage!
"a distinctive emblem worn as a mark of office, membership, achievement, licensed employment, etc."
We BRAG About Being Stubborn.
..... like it is a virtue!!!!
"I am stubborn!"
-like it is a badge of courage!
"a distinctive emblem worn as a mark of office, membership, achievement, licensed employment, etc."
..... like it is a virtue!!!!
OR,
We declare it is inherited, it is a trait that has basically been passed down and can't be avoided.
I can't point fingers.... because
I am sure those fingers would point right back at me.
BUT.....
When we so proudly declare,
I AM STUBBORN.....
-let's call a spade a spade.
From Wiki:
To call a spade a spade ...is a figurative expression which refers to explicitly calling something as it is,[1]
by its right name.[2][3]
Honestly,
We declare, "This is the way I have always done it..."
(implying that we cannot change).
Really?
Is it that?
Or we
CHOOSE not to change?
(implying that we cannot change).
Really?
Is it that?
Or we
CHOOSE not to change?
Or, we declare-
I will do this no matter who it affects or how it effects someone else because
that is what I want...
I will do this no matter who it affects or how it effects someone else because
that is what I want...
Let's call it what it is. . .
"I am going to do what I want, when I want, the way I want."
We proudly like to call it "being stubborn."
What it is:
Selfish.
Selfish.
self·ish
ˈselfiSH/
adjective
- (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.
synonyms: egocentric, egotistic, egotistical, egomaniacal, self-centered, self-absorbed, self-obsessed, self-seeking, self-serving, wrapped up in oneself;
When stubborn becomes an excuse to just do what ever we deem is most important to us at the time,
irregardless of how it may affect others...
it is not a gold badge,
it is not an inherited trait.
What it IS....
It is a choice.
And the CHOICE is:
What ever we want to do,
is most important.
We are going to do it no matter
who it could negatively effect.
We are going to do it
and DECIDE that it caused no harm to anyone.
We are going to DECIDE that it caused no stress to anyone.
We are going to do it
because that is what we want to do.
And the CHOICE is:
What ever we want to do,
is most important.
We are going to do it no matter
who it could negatively effect.
We are going to do it
and DECIDE that it caused no harm to anyone.
We are going to DECIDE that it caused no stress to anyone.
We are going to do it
because that is what we want to do.
It is selfish.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Remind yourself of the good in your life! Count your blessings!
For the past year and a half,
I have counted the hard times.
There have been many these last months.
march 2016 -Tom's back put him out of work for months.
I struggled with his care, and got buried under paperwork
for insurance, for his job, for disability. ...
doctor's visits came regularly ... at least three a week.
may 2016 - I started a new job, learning new things. I felt like an idiot
being trained by a young kid. Starting new at 60 years old. I now was
to be the one who did the job away from home. I had to overcome my
fears. I had to face learning to be the driver, no longer the passenger. . . literally and
figuratively.
My life feels like it has been changed forever.
Things I used to do and enjoy.... hang with the family, work in the yard,
photography.... seem so far from my grasp, and my energy.
august 2016 - Pop died.
sept. 2016 - The sewer line collapsed.
The brakes on the Jeep gave out.
oct 2016 - Tom's foot became infected after trying to fix the sewer line. I struggled with more paper work, learning the new job, learning how to care for Tom. then...
A hurricane came.
Our twelve year old, 130 pound dog was dying, and I was struggling with his care because he was so large. I couldn't get him to the vet.
He had a massive lump on his side. During the hurricane, our other dog had jumped on top of him, lanced the lump by accident and it was leaking everywhere. Tom would be coming home from the hospital, dealing with osteomyolitis.... I couldn't have bacterial infection everywhere with our dog sick as he was.... I finally found a vet who would come to the house to 'put him to sleep'.
Nov. 2017 - Tom's Jeep engine blew.
Jan. 2017 - Tom had a job lined up. We thought he was better. The weekend of my
birthday, he became ill again, ended up back in the hospital.
Inspite of how I tried to keep up with all the paperwork......
I found out while He was in the hospital...waiting for surgery, that his insurance was gone. More paperwork, dealing with disability, piled under bills, still learning a new job, still learning how to care for my spouse.
Feb 2017 - Tom lost his job.
April 2017 - Tom went in to get his foot checked. He was excited because it was healing so well. But when he went in....he found out he needed surgery on the OTHER foot. A Fifth surgery. We were trying to keep from being deflated.
May 2017 - Tom lost his mom.
June 2017 - I have been getting sick alot. I found mold in the living room when I pulled up the tile.
Under the mold was a cracked foundation. We were told it would cost thousands to
fix it.
June 2017 - I was at work, when I found out that Tom was in an accident.
He totalled the suburban. It was our only means for me to get to work
.
July 2017 - Have had a lot of sinus and tooth issues....
Just had a root canal.... well almost
.... they had to stop it. They said the tooth was too far gone.
I ended up going to
an oral surgeon to have the tooth extracted, yesterday.
I said Lord, "I am trying to keep from being bitter, resentful, angry, I am always so tired now,
and hardly have energy to spend time with my family.
One day at a time, be patient and strong,
calm under trial, sweet under wrong.
God said, "It has been a year of blessings,
Count them.
Count THEM instead of the hardships."
Tom's foot was saved.
The chiropractor helped his back.
Tom's work paid disability for a long time.
I got to see Pop at the fourth of July celebration.
Tom was able to drive to Chicago to see his mom.
He was with his mom, reading a bible verse to her...
"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."
John 14:3
Tom was with her in her last moments.
Suzanne and Sandy brought me on a trip to a beautiful lake...
to help me get some energy back.
I was directed to a vet who could administer to our dog what was needed.
Our sewer is fixed. It is paid for in full. Thank you to family.
Our suburban was totalled, but no one was seriously hurt.
We got a newer, better suburban, and it is paid in full.
I 'just happened' to get a job with amazing insurance that has paid most of our bills.
One bill was $152,000 - our portion was zero!
My boss has let me work just nights, and less hours so I can go to the doctor appointments with Tom.
I was able to learn a new job!
TJ and Cayci were able to let us use their jeep until we got another vehicle.
We have been able to pay for new parts, new engine for the Jeep....
so it will be running again.
Tom has lost a hundred pounds.
Tom was approved for social security disability.
My cracked tooth was causing me to get constant infections and fevers,
now, hopefully my health will get better after this extraction.
We were blessed with some unexpected money to pay many bills.
We have had other much lower estimates for the cracked foundation,
and we can easily pay for it.
We have a home to live in.
We are healthy.
We have two more grandchildren on the way.
We have three beautiful children, their spouses and families.
Count your blessings!
WHEN YOUR HEAD IS ON THE PILLOW,
AND THE DAY IS ALMOST DONE...
COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS,
COUNT THEM,
ONE BY ONE.
I have counted the hard times.
There have been many these last months.
march 2016 -Tom's back put him out of work for months.
I struggled with his care, and got buried under paperwork
for insurance, for his job, for disability. ...
doctor's visits came regularly ... at least three a week.
may 2016 - I started a new job, learning new things. I felt like an idiot
being trained by a young kid. Starting new at 60 years old. I now was
to be the one who did the job away from home. I had to overcome my
fears. I had to face learning to be the driver, no longer the passenger. . . literally and
figuratively.
My life feels like it has been changed forever.
Things I used to do and enjoy.... hang with the family, work in the yard,
photography.... seem so far from my grasp, and my energy.
august 2016 - Pop died.
sept. 2016 - The sewer line collapsed.
The brakes on the Jeep gave out.
oct 2016 - Tom's foot became infected after trying to fix the sewer line. I struggled with more paper work, learning the new job, learning how to care for Tom. then...
A hurricane came.
Our twelve year old, 130 pound dog was dying, and I was struggling with his care because he was so large. I couldn't get him to the vet. He had a massive lump on his side. During the hurricane, our other dog had jumped on top of him, lanced the lump by accident and it was leaking everywhere. Tom would be coming home from the hospital, dealing with osteomyolitis.... I couldn't have bacterial infection everywhere with our dog sick as he was.... I finally found a vet who would come to the house to 'put him to sleep'.
Nov. 2017 - Tom's Jeep engine blew.
Jan. 2017 - Tom had a job lined up. We thought he was better. The weekend of my
birthday, he became ill again, ended up back in the hospital. Inspite of how I tried to keep up with all the paperwork......
I found out while He was in the hospital...waiting for surgery, that his insurance was gone. More paperwork, dealing with disability, piled under bills, still learning a new job, still learning how to care for my spouse.
Feb 2017 - Tom lost his job.
April 2017 - Tom went in to get his foot checked. He was excited because it was healing so well. But when he went in....he found out he needed surgery on the OTHER foot. A Fifth surgery. We were trying to keep from being deflated.
May 2017 - Tom lost his mom.
June 2017 - I have been getting sick alot. I found mold in the living room when I pulled up the tile.
Under the mold was a cracked foundation. We were told it would cost thousands to
fix it.
June 2017 - I was at work, when I found out that Tom was in an accident.
He totalled the suburban. It was our only means for me to get to work
July 2017 - Have had a lot of sinus and tooth issues....
Just had a root canal.... well almost
I ended up going to
an oral surgeon to have the tooth extracted, yesterday.
I said Lord, "I am trying to keep from being bitter, resentful, angry, I am always so tired now,
and hardly have energy to spend time with my family.
One day at a time, be patient and strong,
calm under trial, sweet under wrong.
God said, "It has been a year of blessings,
Count them.
Count THEM instead of the hardships."
Tom's foot was saved.
The chiropractor helped his back.
Tom's work paid disability for a long time.
I got to see Pop at the fourth of July celebration.
Tom was able to drive to Chicago to see his mom.
He was with his mom, reading a bible verse to her...
"When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."
John 14:3
Tom was with her in her last moments.
Suzanne and Sandy brought me on a trip to a beautiful lake...
to help me get some energy back.
I was directed to a vet who could administer to our dog what was needed.
Our sewer is fixed. It is paid for in full. Thank you to family.
Our suburban was totalled, but no one was seriously hurt.
We got a newer, better suburban, and it is paid in full.
I 'just happened' to get a job with amazing insurance that has paid most of our bills.
One bill was $152,000 - our portion was zero!
My boss has let me work just nights, and less hours so I can go to the doctor appointments with Tom.
I was able to learn a new job!
TJ and Cayci were able to let us use their jeep until we got another vehicle.
We have been able to pay for new parts, new engine for the Jeep....
so it will be running again.
Tom has lost a hundred pounds.
Tom was approved for social security disability.
My cracked tooth was causing me to get constant infections and fevers,
now, hopefully my health will get better after this extraction.
We were blessed with some unexpected money to pay many bills.
We have had other much lower estimates for the cracked foundation,
We have a home to live in.
We are healthy.
We have two more grandchildren on the way.
We have three beautiful children, their spouses and families.
Count your blessings!
WHEN YOUR HEAD IS ON THE PILLOW,
AND THE DAY IS ALMOST DONE...
COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS,
COUNT THEM,
Monday, May 1, 2017
You can't eat a diamond.
The couple that wore these two rings
have been together over 32 years.
He could not wear his ring after it was broken on the job.
Even if he wanted to,
He could not wear jewelry in his line of work.
Now, however, he has been out of work for over a year
with disabling health issues.
She, long ago,
sold the diamond for bread for the family.
The jeweler, who bought the diamond said,
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
She said,
"You can't eat a diamond."
Her arthritis swollen hands now
can no longer wear the ring.
She has gone back to work
as her spouse no longer can.
If you are engaged,
soon to be married..........
Don't argue over silly things like rings.
Life is not about stuff.
It grows old, gets sold, tarnishes,
gets broken, no longer fits.
Love each other.
Not the stuff.
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