Change

With the last elections, CHANGE seemed to be the buzz word. Many felt hope and excitement when the word was uttered. For me, I was skeptical and knew that things would probably get worse before they got better.

This week, some major changes has hit our lives. As I pondered the future, I realized that life is full of change. Many times these events are "earth-shattering", other times peaceful and needed.

I began to contemplate some changes happening in the lives of those around me:

~ Job losses

Even though MANY are loosing their jobs in this economy, I met a girl who moved here from New Hampshire. She worked with me for three weeks on a WV WorkForce program. I made a few calls to some old friends, by the fourth week, she began work at the local bank. God is good and can still "remove obstacles" to give you a job. YOU ARE HIS CHILD YOU KNOW! Talk about clout!

Then I also read in the paper where the Ormet plant up the river is closing... 1,000 jobs GONE.

~ Health Problems

Right now, there are more health problems in our family and friends than ever before! And the young are getting hit as much as the old. When kids in their 20's and early 30's are diagnosed with cancer, brain diseases, spinal deformities.... when some older ones have all forms or cancer (prostate, esophagus and breast). You realize that change can come at ANY time...

~ Financial Hardships

Not only is the job market making things financially hard, but the cost of basic needs... shelter, utilites, food, gas, cars.... all SKYROCKETING! When will it end? Think again...

Wars, rumors of wars. Job losses. Sicknesses. Social degradation.

Where is the happiness found in all of this? The hope?

The scripture says:

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (New International Version)

⁵¹Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—

⁵²in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

⁵³For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

What a change!

Everything is going to be different real soon. When we are CHANGED, a new day begins.

So, as changes happen here, until he comes, I will be prepared. I will continually look above, where my help comes from.

I love the ole Andrea Crouch song:

It won't be long, til we'll be leavin' here

It won't be long, we'll be goin' home

Count the years as months

Count the months as weeks

Count the weeks as days

Any day now, we'll be going home!

You ready for the BIG CHANGE? I sure hope so. I hope you are waiting for this change with much excitement and anticipation!

Lift up your head, your redemption draweth nigh!

Beautiful Feet

My hubby started something...

A while back, every time he started to take a picture, I would notice Glen (Jr) pointing the camera 'down' instead of straight ahead. He would always take one picture and then say, "Let me take another...". Well, I should have know that orneriness was involved! (To know him is to laugh with him!) As I scrolled through the pictures he had taken, this is what I found...




So, of course, I had to take some pictures of him too.... :)



So, when Aliyah "Sissy" got to putting on her own shoes, I just had to get some pictures of her too...

Beautiful feet. God's people are beautiful 'all over'. I myself do not have pretty feet. Pedicures help, but they are still just not attractive!

I'm glad that "pretty is as pretty does".

Where are your feet taking you today? You can stop a lot of grief in your life if you will watch where your feet are taking you...

"Oh be careful little feet where you go
Oh be careful little feet where you go
There's a father up above looking down in tender love
So, be careful little feet where you go...

Remember that song? It went on to include your 'eyes, hands, mouth'...so true...

Only go where you need to go. No detours, no exits... some day we're gonna walk on gold. I want to be there for that! Fo Sho!!! :)

Beating on a tin can

I can 'say' many things... speak words of truth or untruth. What does truth "sound" like? What does "untruth"?

The scripture says that even if I 'speak like an angel', without love, it is just a horrible sound...

~ like a drummer playing on a tin can

~ like a band that has a "off tune" bass player or a cymbal player with "flat" cymbals

No RING to the notes, no truth in the tones...

The WORD says this:

1 Corinthians 13 (King James Version)

¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁴Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

¹³And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.


If you need any of the spiritual "fruit" today...

Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

God is supplying it... all the FRUIT you need! You notice he did not say "fruits"... just fruit... singular. The SPIRIT provides ALL of them... as a package deal! And my favorite part is: No law against how much you can receive! No rules saying you have gotten too much!

So, today, let's really walk in the spirit. Get enough "Fruit" to help us tackle the day! Then, go in love... so our words will not sound "hollow" or empty.

Let's not beat on a tin can! Let's make beautiful sounds with instruments that have honest, true and loving sound.

Wondering where to find the fruit, or a love like this? Why, it's at the Penny Tree!

The Penny Tree

As I "meditate" on life... it's experiences, it's lessons... I get inspired to tell YOU about it! Wanting to share my heart. Sometimes when I begin a blog, it is with a message of sharing... then I have to do some 'digging' or studying! I always end up learning more by sharing my thoughts with YOU! So, thank you for helping me get smarter...:)

A while back, I picked up a couple (MORE!) books to read. Seems like I go through "reading spells". Lately, I have not had the time to give to recreation reading. Outside of work or an occasion 'newspaper/magazine' skim, I have been tackling too many different projects to finish a book. With my vacation coming up (Here I come Dallas, ready or not!), I picked up a couple interesting books at the store the other day to ready while waiting at the airport. I would have said "book store" but our little, rural town does not have one! I found the book I am reading at the local Dollar Store! They got in a nice selection and one caught my eye. It is titled, "The Penny Tree".

I have only finished thirty-seven (37) pages and I am HOOKED! I already want to share a section with you... it has inspired me so!

First, I will share a review I found (Yes! I DO have to research lots to give you the "scoop"!) online.

Friday, July 25, 2008
Review by: The Highland Lassie (http://highlandlassiereviews.blogspot.com)

Book Review- The Penny Tree
Author- Holly Kennedy

Blurb:
Annie Hillman has been dangling from the end of her rope for so long, she’s forgotten how to do more than hold on. Back in her small hometown, struggling with her older sons truancy and her younger sons medical bills, Annie finds her only refuge is the old Douglas fir that has been special to her since childhood when her father helped her nail a penny to the trunk. Then the oddest thing happens. The local newspaper carries a front-page ad with a picture of Annie and an earnest message of love and regret from an unknown admirer.

Once again Holly Kennedy has written a gem. Of her three books this is my favorite. Ms. Kennedy writes a remarkable story of love, compassion, regret and most of all love. It speaks of things everyone can relate too. How the greatest gift we can give our children is love, and that a token of our never ending affection, something for them to call their own, to remember when life gets them down, is worth more than a lifetime of material gifts.

The book tells how life takes us on a journey down a treacherous and bumpy road but those who brace themselves and hold on for the ride are the one’s who prosper. Why? Because it doesn’t matter if we fall down along the way, as long as we get back up. The message is clear, giving up isn’t the answer. It may be a solution but NEVER the answer.

I loved this story! I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t stop turning pages. AND the best thing of all it made me think. It made me reconsider certain things in my own life and that of my family. There is a twist in the book, and I must say, though I am usually good at figuring mysteries out, I totally missed this one! This book could easily be made into a movie. AND one day when the time is right, I hope to give my own children a Penny Tree.

I give this book 5 ***** stars!!!!



In sharing this first 'portion' of story, I wanted to tell you about the "Penny Tree" definition in the story. This tree becomes a symbol, a "locality" for a father to teach his daughter of a life-long lesson-

(Quoting Page 27 where the father is telling the daughter the meaning of the Penny Tree, she was 12 years old, just found out she was adopted and feeling very hurt and rejected...)

"My father gave me a penny tree when I wasn't much older than you are, and when he did, he said he believed everyone needs a special place to lick their wounds and regroup, somewhere that feels safer than anywhere else in the world. So that's what we're doing here today. We're nailing that penny to this tree because I want you to have somewhere to go that ground you, an axis for your world to spin around, and a place that's all yours and no one else's - for times when life throws things at you that you aren't sure how to handle. and it will throw things at you, Annie: things that test you and push you to your limits; things not unlike what you're going through right now. Only from now on, instead of running away from them, you'll have somewhere to think them through. Your own special spot where you can hurt in private when you need to be alone, and where you can weigh all the pros and cons to make the decisions you need to make."

As I read these words, my spirit was lightened! I have such a place! It is not a 'Penny Tree' but it is at the feet of Jesus. As a child I was taught that HE, the great God of heaven, would listen to my pleas... no matter how small or big... and help me to understand the "roads/curves" of life... allowing me to make good decisions. A special place of refuge... when problems were bigger then me... when I needed to make good choices.

How I rejoice in this place of wisdom! This place of trust. I can tell God in secret. He is just, forgiving, merciful, kind, loving, comforting... SAFE.

I have often told my children that I could not give them lots of worldly goods in this life... BUT, I can introduce them to someone who is EVERYTHING they will ever need! If I can just point them in HIS direction, they will be safe, cared-for, protected, educated, instructed and in the end, saved from the troubles of this life.

The best place to go... to the "Penny Tree", the "Cleft in the Rock", the place of safety... where my heavenly father resides.

Do you have such a place? I sure hope so... my hearts breaks for those who have not felt his love wrap around their lives in times of trouble. No greater love and no greater place than this...

What did I miss on my way to church?

Routines are good. Life is full of routines. We go to bed at a certain time (unless we are finishing some crazy project., or catching up with friends on Facebook, email, etc...), we arise at a certain time, we go to work, attend to all projects, come home, eat at set periods, and go to bed to repeat the next day.

Church services are planned in much the same manner. Sunday School, Sunday Night (although some congregations have opted for one service on Sunday), Bible Study, Revivals (but none like the 13 week ones held during my younger years!). We must "schedule" times to meet.... I know Jesus approved for he said in

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Meeting together is GOOD.

I do realize, as I get older, that uplifting, exhorting and "provoking to love and good works" can be done ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

We were always told, growing up in the "church going" community, that the our life should be lived "OUTSIDE THE WALLS"...."We worship God in HERE and serve him out THERE!"

So, living in the "Outside World" is where our true light shines! "Let your light so shine before God, that they may see your good works and glorify your father, which is in Heaven."

"Ye are the salt of the earth."

"Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set upon a hill, cannot be hid."

But what if our "routine" is keeping our focus in one direction, when we should be looking around? I have often thought of this wonderful parable...

The Good Samaritan (according to wikipedia.org)

The parable is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25-37.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to say to Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?". "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" asked Jesus. The man answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "and who is my neighbor teacher?"

In reply Jesus said:

"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead with no clothes. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, and he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, he too passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and looked after him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." New International Version

The priest and the Levite were too busy... too busy on their way... somewhere! They didn't have time for a (dog) Samaritan. This abused man was not only needing help, he was judged before he was given a chance. Judged by someone "ON THEIR WAY TO CHURCH" or on their way doing their "routine"... they overlooked an opportunity to minister.

Look around today. Hurting people are everywhere. Some need so much help, that they cannot help themselves. Do you see? Do you care? Will you help?

Hide and Seek

This scripture passage reminds me of the children's game "Hide and Seek". When we were younger, I remember playing this game repeatedly with my brothers and cousins. I had such anticipation... wanted the best hiding place so NO-ONE could find me. Once I hid so well, that as darkness fell, they could not find me and frantically called my name. It was nice, I was in a safe place and did not want to come out...

Ever been there? In a SAFE place? A place where the torrents of life cannot beat down on you, a place of refuge? The cleft in the rock?

Many times I have run to the cleft... it welcomed me every time! The elements of life were unable to hard me there. I was able to re-coup, come out unharmed, receive rest and restoration.

Today, I want to encourage you to "Run Away" sometimes. Not from life, but from the "storms that brew" and find shelter, safety and love in the "Hiding Place".

Psalm 119:114-116 (King James Version)

¹¹⁴Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

As you Hide, I hope you Seek. Hide in HIM, Seek his face... HIS protection... HIS answers. Seek and ye shall find....rest for your weary soul!

The key is to run TO HIM, not AWAY from HIM. Allowing him to be your help... "All of my help cometh from the Lord". Can you say that? In all truthfulness and honesty?

He who dwells in the Shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1

More than many sparrows

Matthew 10:31 (New International Version)

31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 (New International Version)

7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

SELF WORTH

I was meditating on the principle of "Self-Worth". In doing so, I found this wonderful study online that says what I have been thinking (only better). [http://www.lessons4living.com/wmaz16.htm written by Daniel Johnston]

You must love and value yourself if you are to love others. You have to respect yourself and acknowledge your own self-worth. You must take care of yourself so that you can love and help your neighbor.

Does this make you selfish? No. It makes you responsible.

Suppose that you are the only adult caring for a group of young children. You raise all your food and only have a small amount. At mealtime, in an effort to take good care of the children, you give them most of the food and you eat very little. Over time you become weaker and weaker, but you keep feeding the children the same amount. Eventually when you are too weak to work, who will feed the children? No one! Now all will perish because you neglected yourself. What should you do? You should eat the same as or perhaps more than the children to keep your strength up and ensure that you can continue to care for them. Don’t neglect others by neglecting yourself. Love yourself and then you can love your neighbor. Don’t lose your self-worth. Each day make sure that you take care of yourself so that you will be able to take care of your neighbor.

Seems like we need to realize that we are important... that we are valuable to HIM. He watches over us, cares for us, supplies our needs... all the while wanting us to grow, believe, trust in HIM.

I always loved the song, "Consider the Lilies"

Consider the lilies they don’t toil nor spin
And there’s not a king with more splendor than them
Consider the sparrow they don’t plant or sow
But they’re fed by the Master who watches them grow

We have a Heavenly Father above
With eyes filled with mercy
And a heart filled with love
He really cares when Your head is bowed low
Consider the lilies and then you will know

May I introduce you to this friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars
and tells the sun when to shine
And kisses the flowers each morning with dew
But He’s not too busy to care about you.

Just a sign

I wish I could count the times I have asked God for a sign, a confirmation, a "holy word"... an answer to a need/prayer. Growing up in church (I was in attendance from the time I was three days old!), I was taught to have faith in the Word of God.

"Ask and ye shall receive" was one of my first memory verses. I saw God answer so many prayers that my faith was increased just by watching the hand of God move. Healings, Deliverences, Financial needs met, Broken-hearts mended, Forgiveness given, and the list goes on.... all the wonderful works of a loving savior.

It is with joy that I can say that God has always been with me. Yes, even when I failed or was not acting in the "proper manner", HE was still with me. I remember crying to the old Gary S Paxton song, "He was there all the time". Just knowing that he would not walk away, disown me, or be totally devastated at my failures was liberating! Of course, it has taken me a few years to let this realization 'sink in'. I used to think each time I was not perfect, HE would walk away and never look back. I'm glad I know his nature now, the loving...forgiving nature... not that I want to abuse it. NO! I want to please HIM and let him know I appreciate his love!

In wanting to please God, I have sought his guidance, REPEATEDLY! I ask so MANY questions!!!

Should I do this?

What can I do about that?

How must I react in this situation?

A million questions, that's me!!! I worried about 'troubling God' about his "perfect answer" for my situations until I read about three examples in the Bible (there are so many more, but I just want to use these ones for now!) They were men called by God and used of God, but they were "imperfect" like me! Guess what? God loved them and used them anyways! IMAGINE THAT!!!

First up: Moses

After Moses saw the burning bush on the back-side of the desert, he proceeded to tell God why he could not do the job God had instructed.

Exodus chapter 4 says:
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ?

12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."

NO HE DIDN'T!!! He asked God to send someone else? Yep! And you know the rest of the story... Moses ended up doing (and saying) all the right things.

Secondly, Peter:

Oh my, ever-zealous Peter! I think I must act like him at times... when my enthusiastic heart sometimes overlooks reality and 'jumps the gun to save the day'... all the while thinking I have been a winner! Clueless? Yes, sometimes!!!!

Remember when Peter cut off the soldier's ear because they came to get Jesus (of course Jesus re-attached the ear!)? All the while thinking he was defending Jesus!

Then he cursed and denied the Lord? Three times! Until the rooster crowed...

When Peter didn't want Jesus to wash his feet?

John 13:5-9 (King James Version)

5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Still, after all the 'mess-ups', God knew Peter's heart and gave him the "Keys to the Kingdom".

Thirdly, and my favorite, Gideon:

While tending his little "hidden" garden that he was hiding from the Midianites...

Judges 6:12 (King James Version)

12And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Gideon went on to get an army together (that God kept reducing in number so HE could get the glory for the Victory!). But the part I like the best, was when Gideon made God PROVE TO HIM..not just once, but TWICE (with the fleece test!), that HE was with him...

Judges 6:36-40 (King James Version)

36And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,

37Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

38And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

39And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

40And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

All of these examples prove to me that I can question God, do dumb things and feel like I am 'not able' to accomplish a task and God will still understand and love me. He uses "incapable people to impossible tasks"...because we need HIS help to do them, HE gets ALL the glory!!!

So, when I am asking God AGAIN for an answer, I am confident that he will hear and know that I am wanting his excellent opinion.

A few days ago, I blogged about "The Promise" when I saw a rainbow. It reminded me of a time I was flying for business. We (my boss and I) were on the plane, off the plane due to severe weather at our destination. After multiple times of 'delays', I started to get worried. I walked over to the huge windows and said a simple prayer. "Lord, if you will keep us safe on that plane to reach our destination, I would like you to give me a sign... let me know all will be well." As looked out the window, I saw a RAINBOW! This filled my heart with peace... I LOVE the promise of a rainbow! But that was not all! I saw the OTHER END of the rainbow! The full arch was in front of me... total peace came! As they announced our boarding AGAIN, I marched onto the plane without hesitation. All was well. I had "heard" from my Father and he gave the 'go ahead'.

Nothing like getting the "green light" from heaven... HIS directions are always true, safe and the very BEST!

Keep asking, he doesn't know how to fail...

Promises

Yesterday, after a long period of dryness, the rain came. I was visiting my step-mother and we were returning home from a great afternoon of shopping, visiting and (of course!) eating. All of a sudden, Jean saw the rainbow. We stopped the car and just sat a few moments in amazement. How totally awesome!

Rainbows remind me of the promises of God. I know that many have taken this symbol and used it for their own representation, but I KNOW what the true meaning is... GOD IS STILL WITH US!

The original definition from God Almighty still stands:

Genesis 9:15-17 (New International Version)

15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

God hasn't forgotten us! He still reminds us... in the same ways he always has.

Open your heart today... hear his voice, know his love, feel his communication. It's there... it has been all along.

Everywhere

He was just a little boy,

On a week's first day.

Wandering home from Bible school,

And dawdling on the way.



He scuffed his shoes into the grass;

He even found a caterpillar.

He found a fluffy milkweed pod,

And blew out all the 'filler.'



A bird's nest in a tree overhead,

So wisely placed up so high.

Was just another wonder,

That caught his eager eye.



A neighbor watched his zig zag course,

And hailed him from the lawn;

Asked him where he'd been that day

And what was going on.



'I've been to Bible School ,'

He said and turned a piece of sod.

He picked up a wiggly worm replying,

'I've learned a lot about God.'



'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said,

'for a boy to spend his time.'

'If you'll tell me where God is,

I'll give you a brand new dime.'



Quick as a flash the answer came!

Nor were his accents faint.

'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,

If you can tell me where God ain't.'

Don't Jump!

Today I am "bogged down" as they say. If you read my blog yesterday, you realize that I am "in the zone" of dates, times, budgets, revisions.... hard to focus on the 'real world' during this time!

Perserverance takes a whole new level when project deadlines are UPON you. Today I am taking this 'virtue' to a whole new level! You know what makes me 'trudge on'?

VACATION!

Knowing that in exactly three weeks I will flying to Dallas! YIPPEE!!! Gonna meet up with a new friend (finally GR!) and re-connect with some old friends. Just sooo excited!!!

Are you taking a vacation this year or doing the "staycation" option? Either way, I hope it includes lots of rest, fun, relaxation and .... REPEAT!!!!

Revisions to the Revisions

This time of year is GHASTLY for the State/Federal agencies. Your life gets taken over by the dreaded word...

BUDGETS

I wonder why my already "filled-to-overflowing" mind gets confused when my mind goes something like this...

I am working on budget revisions for 2009 and budgets for 2010. How can I remember what year it is when I am ALWAYS working for next year, or last year, or 'what year is it anyways?" I actually had to take a minute and study hard to remember what year it actually was. If someone were evaluating my mental status and would ask me to tell what day/year it is, I don't know if I could remember! Does that qualify me for a disability? I think I'll take that option today.....

Not only do I have my own office a mess, my PC had given me some trouble, so I found another that worked for me....giving me the opportunity to mess up ANOTHER office. If I can get ahead enough, I will HAVE to take a whole day just to get back on track...but what if I don't have time to do that? Does that mean I get a third office so I can feel "organized" again?

Don't mean to poke fun at the worksplace, but sometimes...

I do thank God for my job. I work with kind, loving, hard-working people. That is a plus and bonus in itself.

Just the stress of life... It gets crazy when my sleep is interrupted by the adding of a column over and over and over in my dreams. They always add up the same... why do I have to re-do that same column 1,000 times (at least that is the way it seems!).

Days will get better. I remember being overwhelmed on some days when time crunches and project were due and overdue! After considering some things, I realized that everyone feels these pressures most of the time...it's not just me! I can do this because everyone else is making it happen! A 'pep-talk' was what I needed and sometimes I had to give them to myself!

Consider this your pep-talk for the day... YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN SUCCEED! How do I know? If I can do it, ANYONE CAN! Hold on... the ride may be bumpy but the rewards are 'out of this world'.

Looking for JOY

Today I want my life to be full of MANY THINGS... love, kindness, hope, faith, gladness, caring, contentment and JOY!

Without JOY, life has a void. There is an empty place that searches... many people do not quite figure out what they are searching for... they can try all manner of experiences in life. The answer is simple. JOY.

What is joy? Delight. Hapiness. Bliss. Elation.

Where can I find it?

You can find it in the 'simple pleasures' of life. The simpilest and truest form comes from God. This is the ONLY JOY that is never-ending... the "fulness of joy" category...

Psalm 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Other 'fleeting moments' that bring us joy come to an end; like a baby's smile, a tender touch, a hug, flowers blowing in the wind. You experience them and keep looking, because you desire to see/feel another 'burst' of JOY!

How is joy shown? How is it manifest?

Leaping...

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Singing...

Psalm 33:1
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Shouting...

Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Dancing...

Psalm 30:11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,



Anthing worth having is worth 'seeking after'. Today I seek JOY! In it's fulness, filled with singing, shouting and leaping.

I have always said I will be so happy to get to heaven that I will "SKIP" all over the place! And that is what I really want to do... skip, leap, run, dance, shout, holler, laugh, smile, giggle.... feel the JOY!

May I be able to rise above the troubles here to experience HIS JOY today... then be able to share it... hapiness is infectuous you know!

Am I Important?

How important are you? To your children, your spouse, your parents, your friends...

I'm sure you could think of a zillion, million ways that these people would miss you if you were not around.

But how important are you to God? When I ask that question, do you get positive or negative thoughts? I sure hope they are positive!!! We need to have a positive view of God's love for us. Very easy to think bad of ourselves... this does not please God!

Think of it like this, how does you earthly parents feel about you? Good, godly parents will give you 'unconditional love'. You mess up, they keep loving... you act badly, they keep loving (even if some correction is thrown in there when needed, you know you are loved!!).

We are such NEEDY people... needing reassurance, direction, support and love CONTINUALLY! Jesus made us and knows human nature... he "Gets" us.

In needed to be reminded, here are some scriptures that only 'begins' to tell us his great love for us...my favorite is John 3:16:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He gave his only son... that should say it all right there!!!

Here is some more:

GENESIS 1:26-27; PSALM 8:3-8

26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

God made us in his image or likeness, the first sign of the value he places on us. No other creature on earth is made in the image of God. The second sign of the value God places on us is that he placed people over all creatures on earth.

PSALM 139:13-16; JEREMIAH 1:5

13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God made us with great skill; he crafted us with loving care. He showed how much value he places on us by the way he made us.

PSALM 139:17

17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Almighty God thinks wonderful thoughts about us all the time. He looks inside of us and sees our real value.

PSALM 139:1-3, 6

1O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

God values you so much that he watches over you no matter where you are or what you are doing. This truly is wonderful, too wonderful to believe. But it tells you how special he thinks you are. God cares about everything we do because he loves us so much.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20

19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

God values you so much that he even allows your body to become a temple in which he lives. God does not need to live in you. He can live anywhere. But by choosing to live within you, he declares you his temple, his dwelling place. What a great value he places on you to do that!

GALATIANS 3:26; GALATIANS 4:7

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

God values you so much that he thinks of you as his child.

MATTHEW 28:20

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

God promises to be with us always; why would he want to be with us if he didn’t value us?

Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself... How important am I to God? If you get the right answer, you will be rejoicing all day long....YOU ARE LOVED!!!!

Not what it seems

Can you see? I sure hope so! If you are not blind and can read this blog today, you are blessed!

According to America Foundation of the Blind, more than 20 million American report experiencing some significant vision loss. Now you should feel doubly blessed!

But, do we use our eyes to "really see"? I have pondered the meanings of the scriptures MANY times....

Matthew 13:16-17 (King James Version)

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

I have written about "The Big Picture" previously and I know how important it is to be aware of what is taking place in our lives. I need reminded (constantly it seems!).

Seeing with UNDERSTANDING is the goal. Not just focusing on the "outward, recognizable" parts of our lives...but the "hidden, true self" that abides within, beyond where the 'naked eye' can see...the spiritual soul.

This story sums up the difference in Seeing and Seeing....

Two traveling angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, 'Things aren't always what they seem.'

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. 'Things aren't always what they seem,' the older angel replied.

'When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.' 'Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem.'

True meanings are sometimes hidden. Why would your parents tell you that they think some action/decision is not good for you? That hidden "knowing"... the spiritual eye... the understanding of ALL the facts that for some, stays hidden.

I have been guilty MANY times of wanting to do something and being told "NO" just upset me. BUT, I have always found that if the "No" comes from good instruction (God, Men of God, Godly counsel), that I am kept from SO MUCH HARM by obeying.

Most often, situations and life's little "burps" are working out miracles for our future. Being thankful for the "good and bad" makes everything better... our lives and our hearts.

Open your eyes, the answers are there, they CAN be revealed to you... but you must pray for spiritual interpretation...because to the material eye, life is not fair, and things are not what they seem.