It's All Good!

Ok, we are going to talk about cooking. It's getting colder and many of us enjoy a hot bowl of chili on a cold winter day. I know that there are so many varieties of how all of us cook it. The west cook it different than the east and the south cook it different than the north. Some put beans in there chili, some don't. Some put a variety of pasta ~ and again some don't!

Some families have passed down recipes for generations, others watch the cooking channel and think ~ hmmm, I think I'll get that recipe and try it sometime! For those of you who have something different that no one has - - or you think no one else makes it the way you do - - - send me your recipe; I'd like to try it!

Then Jesus explained: " My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields of human souls are ripening all around us, and are ready now for reaping. John 4:34,35 TLB

To Me It Looks Like Progress!

I had a peaceful walk around the lake this morning! The leaves are slowly changing, squirrels are preparing for their winter hibernation, and the temperature is gradually dropping as well! God is a Master Artist that amazes me daily! Everything he creates is Perfect in his sight, including you! What has God changed from Glory to Glory (little by little) in your life? Taking better care of your health? Increasing your Love walk? Or starting your child's day off with positive words of encouragement!

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:17,18 (KJV)

Choose Wisely!

Will you please try it this way just for once? Why do we resist trying something a different way or basically change? One is fear, the other is I want to be in control of what I am doing? God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7.

When I was married, my husband kept buying used cars at $1500 or under; however, every one would need major work. In his mind, he was saving money. That is not true if you don't have the money in your savings or checking account to pay cash for the repairs ~ now is it? If you are getting a loan to purchase the car and then another loan for repairs; both loans set you back and most of the time, the cars or trucks did not outlast the loans. This is not a win-win situation!

How do you overcome fear?  - You overcome it with faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.

So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17 TLB

I Can See Clearly Now!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t function in a messy, cluttered home. I am all bent out of shape. I become frustrated, irritable, and disoriented.

Many of us can organize something; it’s just what we make up our minds to organize. It’s easy to say, “I’ll take care of it later”! Six months have gone by and that “I’ll take care of it later”, is still there.

Check out how you respond when you walk into that cluttered room. As soon as you walk into that room, immediately your mood changes and it’s not a good mood either!

Chaos emerges, dissatisfaction emerges, and blame emerges, should I go on? All of this negative energy keeps peace from emerging! Think about it ~ Where did I put those keys? After a short time of searching; you can’t find them. Now you’re mad, frustrated, LATE for wherever it is you are going and the most widely used one, it’s all your fault, you had them last! Does that sound like a peaceful environment?

Clean out the clutter and only then can you organize your thoughts ~ once that’s accomplished, Peace Be Still!

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till if overflows). John 10:10 (Amplified Version)

Already!

Wow, did anybody else think this week went fast or is it just me? When we do what we enjoy, time goes at the same pace it always does. However, because we are what we call, "Living a life full of passion and joy", we are not fighting against the universe 

Swimming up stream daily wears us down, we get tired, but continue to do it. At the end of the week, we are drained, moody and just plain tired. Yep! I know because I have swam upstream in my life many times and when Friday came, I celebrated on the couch with the remote. What a life (big smile)! 

How about it, when we do something we enjoy, we don't notice the time and we don't tire easily doing it. In addition, we find creative ways to increase in every area of our life! What is your passion?

But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. And it was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives, through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family. James 1:17,18 (TLB)

Which Door Will You Open?

Seriously, SERIOUSLY! How did this happen. I was driving down the road…..of course, I was in bumper to bumper traffic; however, I was not speeding. I looked up and saw that I was getting close to the vehicle in front of me, but I kept hitting the breaks, but the car would not stop. Yep, I rear ended her. “Oh man”, I said.

We both got out, checked the damage, and since her car did not suffer any damage, she wanted to leave. I convinced her to stay so we could get a police report for insurance reasons. When the police arrived, she was inpatient, but she stayed until he was done questioning her and she took off. Well, it was my turn.

Pretty much, the car, a 1998 Mazda Protégé was totaled - - - -new tires and all. I hit her tow hitch that saved her car, but tore mine up. The cost to fix it was more than the estimated value. Yes, I hung my head low! No money, I was off work on medical leave, and no possibility of receiving temporary disability; because I was working for a temp agency.  Nope, I was not upset - - - I just kept asking myself, “How did this happen, when I kept hitting the break and the car would not stop”! I walked through the door of reason!

This happened in March of 2011. I know now, why it happened - - - - I valued my own accomplishments ~ the new tires, the car is paid for ~ instead of acknowledging God, who is our source and supply; without Him, I can do nothing!

What door do you keep opening that is hindering you from reaching your destiny? Keep in mind, there are times God test us – In all of our subjects in school, we have test to see how much we know, so it is with God!

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods) – (from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life). Amen (so let it be). I John 5:21 (Amplified Version)

Lighten The Load!

Why do we think we are super women? I'll tell you what I did this afternoon. My daughter was at her in-laws and  I was waiting for her to come and pick me up and take me to the library.
Well an hour had passed, so I decided to walk the two and a half miles ----maybe more ----- with my bag loaded down with two bibles, a folder full of paper, a bottle of water, a library book, and my computer.

Doesn't sound like much, but before I got downstairs, my shoulder started to hurt....so what did I do? I ignored it and continued to walk out the door and cross the four lane highway anyway! I didn't get far ~ I remembered that when Jesus told the disciples to go and preach the good news, He said take nothing with you that will slow you down.

I laughed to myself and immediately turned around, crossed the highway, and went back the 200 feet to the condo. Go ahead and laugh ~ it's funny! If you could of seen me, I looked like a comedy show!

When I reached the second floor of the condo, my shoulder by then was not hurting, but throbbing! I emptied the bag of everything except the computer and my water. And yes, the load was easier to bear!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Any load we carry will weigh us down if we are not careful ~ and some even throb!  The load of wealth (and yes that is a load to bear; because with it comes responsibilities we were not aware of), or the loss of a job, when you are the only one in the household working. Whatever, the load is, Jesus said, "the burden I give you is light". Lean on Him to carry the load ~ we can't do it alone!

Oh I Get It!

The strategy of the game, if you are able, is to land on an available property, purchase it and if anyone lands on your purchased property during the game, they have to pay you the fee indicated on the card.

I never did understand the monopoly game as a child. Me and my siblings would sit and play that game for hours during a cold winter day!  - - -Which made our Mother happy, because there are five of us! I know the word monopoly means exclusive control, and our oldest brother always somehow purchased the avenues and hotels that allowed him to collect the highest fees from us - - - we would be so frustrated because, most of the time, we could not gain enough money to stay in the game. And of course landing in jail did not help either; because to get out, you have to pay a fee to continue the game. Those detours~ UGH!

As the game progressed, all of us had purchased something that would allow us to increase our bank account; however, many times, it wasn’t enough to win the game. It ends when all of those playing, except the winner; goes bankrupt.

As I got older and understood God’s wisdom within, it really was not about buying up everything so no one else could buy it. It was and still is about receiving a return on your investment! How can this money work for me instead of me working for this money? That’s it!  ~ And all that time, I did not understand it.

I ask you again, does God give you the power of the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you as a result of your trying to obey the Jewish laws? No, of course not. It is when you believe in Christ and fully trust him. Galatians 3:5 (TLB)

We work hard to get something God has already given us; it’s within us already. What we have to do is fully trust in Him ~ he has already paid the price for our transgression ~ which makes us winners in every battle we face!

It Doesn't Matter!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day and since we are approaching the month of October, we know the cold weather is coming soon.....so why stay in. My two year old grandson loves to be outdoors and he wanted to go walking! Why not, "I said!" Here is a picture of him on his tricycle in their driveway! Thank you, I do agree he's a cutie!

Well they live sort of in a woodsy area that to get there you travel down a small incline and then up a steep one! Whew Wee! Imagine walking up and down that three times in one day with a two year old. I'm not sure if he's sore today, but I am! Whereas; my body needs it.

Yes, ladies as I have mentioned before our body is a temple and if we deprive our body of the good things it needs....proper nutrition, exercise, plenty of rest, and good laughter, it will decay! No exercise is not enjoyable; however, to live a quality of life, we need to exercise!


I have researched over the years that any excess weight we carry in our bodies, causes our internal organs to carry an overload as well and they have to work twice as hard to keep our bodies functioning properly. So if we continue to ignore our bodies and the message it is sending to us, the organs get tired and worn out and can begin to malfunction as well. So with that in mind, start out with baby steps and if it is just walking to the end of your driveway and back. Do it on a daily basis and see if you are not able to breath better, stand taller and increase your energy level. Is this a challenge? YES, it is.......and any type of exercising will keep you fit and looking younger.....Not pills, or Botox, or plastic surgery...good old fashioned exercise will!  Oh those wonderful sit-ups! They really do work and overtime are lasting!

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own). So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. 
I Corinthians 6:19,20 (Amplified Version)

Appetizer # 5 Aspiration

 #5 - Aspiration - the realization of an idea; goal

I am currently sitting at my son and finance's house and just happened to get up to throw away a napkin and noticed out of the kitchen window a deer. Oh Wow! Another one of God's sights that just takes your breath away to see up close. 

It has been a week of amazing sights this week at their house; whereas, Clifty Falls State Park is just a stone throw away from it. I have seen, the biggest woodpecker in my life, a variety of birds in all shapes, sizes and colors, and of course things not so pleasant to me; such as bees, mosquitoes, and flys. However, they all have a purpose for being here and a mission to accomplish to keep the earth balanced!

God's wonderful creations makes you marvel at what a wonderful artist He is. We also have to remember

we are His creations also ~ in which, he marvels at how fabulous we are created! So I know you are

wondering what does this have to with aspiration?  ~~ When we are at peace in our thoughts, our hearts, and our spirit, then we are able to dream, hope, and realize what it is we are here to do here on earth ourselves and then pursue it!

But He said to the them, I must preach the good news (The Gospel) of the kingdom of God to the other cities (and towns) also, for I was sent for this (purpose). Luke 4:43 (Amplified)

For Real!

Are we really entitled to anything? Yes we do have the spirit of entitlement. It is easy to look at others and see what is wrong with them; however, we do not take a good look at ourselves....nor do we want to admit to ourselves either, we have many faults also!  In Mark7:1,2 (TLB) it says, "Don't criticize and you won't be criticized yourself. Why worry about a speck in someone else's eyes, when you have a board in your own". We do have a right, by choice, to live a blessed life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; which is the Fruit of the Spirit! Wow, seems like a lot; however, we thrive on impure thoughts, jealousy, selfishness, conflict, complaining, criticism, anger, and injustice.......which leads to a life filled with severe dysfunction!

I have heard it's "hard" more than I want to for someone to think positive. REALLY? It's not hard it's our own selfish motive........because it's following our own feelings or our fears (Which Joyce Meyers defines fear as false evidence appearing real).........I want what I want when I want it! Correct? ............Say it with me, Yes, that is correct! We put our own needs in place of others, our own desires in place of others and our own wants in place of others.....even some of us women overlook their children's needs because they are so self indulged.

I am not saying, not to do good things for yourself, not to take care of your body (which is God's temple), or not to value you, but when a decision has to be made, and there is a husband and children involved, then it becomes "what is best for us versus what is best for me" The Fruit of the Spirit starts in the home. If there is not peace in your house, then you cannot live in peace, if there is not love in your house, then you cannot give love, if there is not gentleness in your house, then you cannot be gentle. God said, I have given you everything you need......it is already within us when we receive Christ as our Savior.

He says try me! I dare you to try him and see how your life will change from Glory to Glory (little by little) for the good of your household and those around you. However, if your home depicts a life of conflict and you think others are not aware of what goes on behind closed doors, think again, God knows......He knows all, sees all, and heals all! Let Him in, so your life can begin anew and brand new! God Loves You and I Love you too! Have a Blessed Day!

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

You Have It!

"Oh man, not a flat tire, in the middle of the night, on the highway, with a van full of sleeping children, my Mother and sister-in law", I said out loud.

We were on our way back to my home town from Indianapolis where we had attended a birthday party. Without notice, (well all flats are without notice), the van began to wobble, as any vehicle will do with a flat tire.....you talk about the blues! 

I had seen tires being changed many times; whereas, my Grandfather was a mechanic. However, I had never physically changed one. "What were we going to do now", I thought. I was the only one awake, so immediately I put the flashers on and pulled over on the shoulder of the road as far as I could get so as not to be too close to oncoming traffic.Once the van was pulled over, my Mother and sister-in-law woke up and asked what was wrong. Of course, no one wants to hear you have a flat tire at 1:00 am in the morning......so they were not happy at all either.

Well it was either sit there or change the tire. So I got out, gathered together all of the tools needed; and before we knew it, the tire was changed......perfectly! My Mother had her doubts if the bolts were back on tight enough .....I reassured her they were because truthfully I was not strong enough to get them loose, so I did the same thing I did to loosen them as I did to tighten them.......I jumped on them! 

Well she still did not trust that they were, so we stopped at a gas station in a small town we passed through and asked the attendant on duty to please check to make sure the tire is secure and changed accurately. His response was, " Ma'am, I can't get the bolts off, so, yes, the tire is changed accurately and securely. I smiled at Mom, my sister-in-law sighed a sigh of relief and we continued on our way home. We arrived home safe and secure! 

And they reached Jericho. Later, as they left town, a great crowd was following. Now it happened that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was near, he began to shout out, "Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!" Mark 10:46, 47 (TLB)

The interesting thing about this mishap was, if you see something done over and over again, you do perceive how to do it without being aware......subliminal! ~just, on occassion, passing by..........and yes, it was easy  - - - -The children never did wake up through the whole ordeal!

It's About Time!

You are given $100; however, you cannot keep it. You have to give it away to a charity or a person. Who would you give it to and why? 

This is a question that the students I was substituting for was given to journal. Almost all of the students argued that $100 was not enough money to give to anybody. "Hmmmm", I said. You can do quite a bit with $100  - - - - - -  Our Sunday School class did it with pennies! "How", the students asked.

All of the Sunday school classes were informed that it doesn't take much to give to others and if they would begin to bring in pennies, we would be able to give back to those in need. The first year, they gathered enough pennies to provide a Turkey dinner and the roaster to cook it in for a family of five. In addition to providing clothing for a child at Christmas. Each year the giving of pennies grew; whereas, the giving to others in the community grew as well. So if they can do it with pennies, you can do it with $100.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!" "Sir", Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again. And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear! Luke 5:4-6 (TLB)

The idea was to get them to think outside the box ~ basically, how creative could you be with this money? I was shocked to read the journals and find out, the majority of them had no idea what philanthropy was. To truly give to others unselfishly, I hope, is not a thing of the past. We shouldn't have to force our children to give when they are endowed with much, However, it was not easy for them to come up with a response.

How many times!

Our Mother was to have a procedure done while at a Louisville Hospital; however during the prep time and other test, her blood pressure elevated and would not go down. They moved her to ICU and we asked if we could come with her. When we got to the ICU unit, the blood pressure was still way too high! "Hit it again", as she reset the blood pressure monitor! It's still too high! "Hit it again!" Once again she reset the blood pressure monitor. The nurse kept resetting the blood pressure monitor, until, FINALLY, it began to drop after more than three times of shooting the medicine in her veins through an IV. Thank God, was our reaction and the nurses. It stayed down after that due to the nurses quick reaction. Hallujah!

When this happened, Mom was hospitalized to have angioplasty surgery about a month after she retired from work over ten years ago; however, after the doctors viewed the vein the clog was in, they decided the procedure would be too dangerous. The solution was to treat it with medication. Although the doctors were skeptical, the medication worked.

Go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Then pour olive oil from your jar into the pots and pans, setting them aside as they are filled. So she did. Her sons brought the pots and pans to her, and she filled one after another! Soon every container was full to the brim! "Bring me another jar", she said to her sons. " There aren't any more!", they told her. And then the oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:4-6 (TLB)

How many times are you willing to, "Hit it again", or fill another pot, to get the resources needed to survive?

If You Had A Choice!

Having babies was not something easy for me. Of course, carrying them was wonderful! Whereas, delivery was scary. I hemorrhaged with my son that could have led to the loss of both of us. The doctor told me not to have any more children ~it would not be beneficial. Well I went against his wishes and had my daughter close to three years later.

No, it was not easier or better. In fact it was the same. The only difference was, when our daughter was born, the doctor requested I didn't get up until I felt like it. Against the doctor's orders, an LPN insisted I was fine and told me she was going to get me up to walk. I said, "I do not feel good"! Well she got me up anyway and immediately I started to hemorrhage. She did not yell but screamed to the nurses to get in my room QUICK!

YES, she did get reprimanded!

The next day, a doctor and a team of surgery nurses came in to my room, woke me up and said, "You are going to surgery"! "For what", I asked. The doctor told me that my delivery doctor ordered me to have a tubal. Since my delivery doctor was a close friend of our families, he feared that if he didn't cut off the reproductive system in my body, either me or the child would not make it the next time. More or less, he wasn't going to take a chance the third time. I wonder why, was it because I went against his wishes and had a second child?

True, some of them were unfaithful, but just because they broke their promises to God, does that mean God will break his promises? Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is not. Do you remember what the book of Psalms says about this? That God's words will always prove true and right, no matter who questions them. Romans 3:3,4 (TLB)

Although, I did not promise I would not have another child, the doctor put his trust in me to honor his wishes and my health and not have the second child ~ In his mind, since I did not respond negatively or positively, a promise was made - - - and I broke it! This is what the passage means that God's words will always prove true and right, not matter who questions them!

Learn to listen to God's words through others who do know what is best for you - - even if you think you know what's best for you, you don't!

Reasons!

My daughter started running to lose weight and decided she liked it so much, that she would like to begin training for a marathon. I looked at her and said, "I'm am not interested in running a marathon, at all"! She laughed and said, "Why not? You used to run track in high school". "Yep", I said. But I don't like running that much to train for a marathon. I can discipline myself to lose weight, eat properly and other things; but running a marathon has never been on one of my list of things to do! Nope not at all!!     
WHOA, whose idea was it to make this sandwich that big? 

Believe it or not, this sandwich is actually healthy and "ok" to eat, just how are you going to eat it in bite sizes?

It takes more than dedication, training, and eating properly,. It also takes a will to want to! Many marathon runners very seldom run the marathon for fitness; which is not my daughter's motivation to do it. But, people run the marathon for the mental aspect it brings. I had the privilege of working with a young man who told me his junior year in high school,  he was getting the mail on the curb of his childhood home; and was ran over by a hit and run driver. He was in a coma for weeks, and they thought he would not recover. Although he did recover and the recovery was lengthy, he had to learn to walk and talk all over again. Today, if you met him, you would not know he was in a severe accident that left him comatose. Of course, he still can't get overly tired; however, he listens to his body to tell him when it is time to slow down. Guess what ~ he has run two marathons and is training for the third. Unbelievable, was his doctors reaction! They expressed that with his injuries and the pins in his knees, there was no way, he could have run a marathon. Well he did; and he did it twice! With man nothing is possible; but with God all things are possible!


Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (TLB)

I ask myself, what reasons or limitations do I give myself not to finish the race? What about you?

Appetizer # 4 Discipline

# 4 Discipline - train: punishment to correct poor behavior

Already the majority of us who are reading this blog has some recollection of being punished for something we knew was wrong. And we can also recall how uncomfortable the punishment was at the time too!

I had a co-worker who told me a wonderful story about her cousin, who became pregnant in high school (not sure how old she was at the time). I'm guessing this was in the early to middle 70's era as well! When the young lady delivered the baby, she told her cousin how she thought her Mother would help her out with the baby and on occasion give her a break to sleep in, get the baby up so she could get ready for school, and other assistance she needed to care for the baby.

To this young lady's surprise, her Mother would wake her up about an hour before she normally got up to go to school so she could get the baby up, ready and fed before the baby went to a babysitter. When she got home from school, her Mother was hands off from doing anything that needed to be done for the baby. Interesting,  I also thought what a powerful message the Mother is teaching her daughter without saying any harsh words or making any hard remarks!

The Mother continued training her daughter by not doing anything that the daughter was supposed to do as a Mother. (of course, I'm sure she interacted with the baby) I understoood that the daughter stayed with her Mother until she graduated from high school and purchased a place of her own. I asked my co-worker did the young lady have anymore children after that; and the answer was NO! She said her cousin remarked years later, that her Mother, even though it was hard at the time (with a few tears) to continue her education, raise a child, and work. I said to myself, "What an act of Discipline that was, without any hard feelings, remorse, or loss of a Mother/daughter friendship".

Let God train you, for He is doing what any loving Father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected? If God doesn't punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren't really God's son at all - that you don't really belong in his family. Since we respect our Fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God's training so that we can begin really to live? Hebrews 12:7-9 (The Living Bible)

That is how our God is with us! He is not harsh or hard; however, He does allow us to go through things to train us for what He knows will benefit us later! So if you are being disciplined, remember good works are being instilled in you to come up higher, be better, and live a righteous life! Even through all the tears!

How do you know?

We all have the spirit of intuition and women have it by nature. It's a gift that God has given us when we are privy to it! I was a little girl and I overheard my Mother telling one of her friends how we were going to a family picnic and she kept having this feeling that she needed to sit down and not get ready yet. Of course all five of us children were ready, our Father was ready, and the food she was taking was ready and packed up. My parents below  ~ years ago! (Beautiful couple - don't you agree :) ?)

She went on to tell her friend that her Husband kept getting frustrated with her and finally said in a stern voice, "Will you come on here, we are ready to go"! She responded back and said, "For some reason, I just can't get ready. Give me a just few more minutes and I"ll be ready to go". 

When the feeling subsided, she got dressed, loaded up the car ~with five kids and the food, and started to the area where the family picnic was being held. On the way there, traffic was stopped. She said they looked at each other with a puzzled face because in the small town I grew up in, unless there was construction, an event, or a wreck, there is no such thing as rush hour traffic. 

Traffic started moving again, and when they got to the place that stopped the traffic, it was a serious wreck. She proceeded to talk to my Father in a small voice and said, "You know what Honey, that feeling that came over me to sit down happened for a reason. If we would have been a few minutes earlier, like you wanted, we would have been in this wreck". 

Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin. James 4:17 (The Living Bible)

Knowing how to listen to God and obeying his prompting is Liberty; however, when we ignore his promptings, it can lead to disaster. 

Is it really easy?

I do not own the Rights to this photo 

I know we all have our favorite chewing gum that we like to chew and mine is Extra. I like this gum because my jaws do not get tired chewing it aannnddd the flavor last a long time.(chuckle chuckle) It's just good to me in all actuality! (SMILE) And my favorite flavor is peppermint! Yep!

However, that is not what I find interesting about the gum. If you will glance at the picture on your left, notice the row the gum is standing up in. To us, it's the middle row, however, when any one grabs the gum, it's the easiest access to the gum and the quickest.........RIGHT?........right!!

I have been buying this gum for YEEAAAARRS and just yesterday, I went to grab a piece of gum and grabbed the last middle piece! Wow! I just realized out of habit and easy access, until that row is empty, I kept grabbing from that row. Why not the left row first or the right row first?. Is it because it will take a little more effort to reach for them? No.......not really, it's what the viewing eye sees first, or to us, what is the easiest to grab. The other two rows are easy to grab also, however, they are just little obscured from our view. As is our thinking process. If something takes a little more thought or belief in it to happen, we quit and get discouraged; because it is taking too long to happen. I do that and still get discouraged when I want someting and it does not happen quick enough or easily accessible! So if I'm asking you to keep believing and don't give up, I need to do so myself.

What is Faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for  us, even though we cannot see it up ahead. Hebrews 11:1 (The Living Bible)

Think about it, how easy is it to dismiss something we have been wanting for a long time, because we cannot see it up ahead or within reach! Well Do not quit and give up just because it is not easily acccessible. Keep believing and in due time, it will come into clear view!

A lesson learned -All from a pack of chewing gum! Hallelujah!

Strolling along!

Ummm just the other day, when I decided to get back into my walking after my severe allergy mishap, I happened to look down and saw the cutest little lime green caterpillar. Of course I stopped to view it, and when I did, it stopped moving across the sidewalk as well to take a look at me. Ooohhhh I said, that is so neat! Then when I stopped staring, he/she decided to move right along to where ever it was going! I guess he/she was saying, if you are curious about what I'm doing, I;m going to be curious about what you are doing too (SO CUTE) God is so full of wonders and wonderful Blessings!

So naturally, I had to look up what it meant, because I very seldom see caterpillars on my walks. Many of us learn in school that caterpillars make cocoons and then transform into beautiful butterflies, but I wanted to look up information about them any way and this is a brief FYI of what Janie wrote about in 2012 (If you want to read the entire article, go to http://www.finding-the-peace.com/2012/07/messages-from-caterpillar.html :

Caterpillars are associated with good luck and new birth.  In the second stage of metamorphosis the caterpillar feeds to gain strength and build a foundation before the cocooning stage begins.  This stage is when we give birth to new ideas and new creativity which hones the foundation to allow a new expression of life. The caterpillar represents new birth and new foundation and is a symbol of good luck in the early phase of new actions. 

Caterpillars usually signify a need for gentle and quiet approaches to our activities and endeavors. They can also signal a surprise or gift about to be offered to us, or that can be beneficial to our future if we take advantage of it. Caterpillars herald a time of good news, new birth, and creative inspiration, signaling a time to get ready to start a new project or initiate a new endeavors. 

I just had to share, I enjoy nature and many things in it inspire me!!!!!

Appetizer # 3 Knowledge - Cont'd

Over eighteen years ago, God gave me the knowledge to create a flyer ~ and to this day I am not sure how I created it. I know the knowledge came from God because when I went to go to the computer to re-design it instead of scan it in, I could not figure it out! Hmmmm I was a computer tech when it was designed and had the ability to figure out the ins and outs of creating a custom flyer as the one you will see shortly. But today, the knowledge is not there. It's amazing how God gives us the gifts we need at the time it is necessary to do it! ~ I know, I got off the path a little bit ~well back to the flyer and the message God wants us to receive.

The message the flyer is portraying is so profound that I became ecstatic when in all of the wonderful creations from years gone by, I found this. OH WOW ~ was my initial reaction and then I ask myself, "What is it God wants me to do with this"? Obviously, there was work to do within me over the eighteen years to understand what it meant to me. .........  It has been a journey, and when our life is filled with trials, then and only then, can we talk about things with knowledge of it through experience! I hope I haven't lost anyone yet.......Hang on and stay with me (Smile) ......On with the flyer!

All of our thoughts, our journeys, trials, and victories are different and on different levels. So with that in mind, please take a good look at the flyer and ask yourself, "What in life has gotten me off the Road To Success"?, 

You know when we are young how we sit around and dream of what we want to become in life, what kind of car we want to have when we have landed that perfect career, or even, what type of man we want to marry. . . . . . . To dream is wonderful and we should dream. Without dreams, we will not have hope, and without hope, we quit and give up..........Life has detours and merging traffic; whereas, if we are not careful, can take us briefly off the "road to success"; and our intended destiny!  Yes it can be a challenge, when there are times when traveling we make a wrong turn and end up where we did not intend to be........but remember you are in the driver's seat! Sometimes you just have to fight with that steering wheel and say, "I am not going that way"! Life does happen and some of it is unexpected! But, we also have choices when we travel that road and not allow the detours to keep us off the path,or stay off the path. Get back in that driver's seat, flash your lights, honk your horn and smile to alert the other drivers you are merging into traffic and back onto the "Enriched Life Rd"! 


For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. He grants good sense to the godly  - his saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision everytime. Proverbs 2:6-9 (TLB)

Appetizer # 3 - Knowledge

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. It was a relaxing one for me. Since I am an empty nester, my sister and I took a road trip to visit our parents for the day.

Appetizer #3 - Knowledge - the total or range of what has been perceived or learned.

As I sit here at the library thanking God for the knowledge he has given me to utilize it for any thing I want to learn about, I marvel at how many of us do not utilize it as much as we should. There is a wealth of knowledge and resources in the library such as exercise tapes, music Cd's, and you can even rent pictures to hang in your house from local and national artist for a month or so; if they are available and if you seek it~~~ I'm not sure if the library still allows anyone to check out pictures anymore, however, the small town I am from allowed library card holders to do so.                                                                                                                                                    Gray Tree, 1911 Piet Mondrian

If you enjoy changing your pictures on a monthly basis that is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! You go girl!!!!! I'm not that ambitious! :)! Hmmmn ~ the first Appetizer word!!!! I do change my pictures once a year; which is the kids annual school pictures! Welllll  - - it's true! But since they are adults, I don't do that often either!

About 20 years ago, (and I know I age gracefully ~ Big SMILE) I volunteered to coach little league girls basketball. Although I played sports myself in high school, I still needed to know how to coach. So I went to the library to get books on how to coach, set up plays and learn basic skills for beginners to practice. Each year, there was something else I needed to know or be aware of, so in order to stay ahead of the players and the game, it was necessary for me to continually seek knowledge of the changing game and the rules involved with it.
My husband and I coached together one year, which was NOT good. There were times, we thought we were going to have to call the referee on the side lines to referee us.......Another stepping stone we had to overcome; which was how to get along with each other in coaching! Nope, we did not coach anymore after that. He had his own team and team of coaches and I established mine. But we will talk more about that in Appetizer #4.

Well back to my husband; He did give me good advice during our coaching years. He told me a good coach does not focus on winning as much as improving the skills of his players. If your players are not improving with basic basketball skills, then I am not doing my job as a coach! I took the advice whole heartily and worked harder to make sure the girls were receiving quality coaching.

When we go to the doctor, we expect the doctor to be knowledgeable in his profession, or if we decide to take a class in sewing, we expect the home economics teacher to be knowledgeable in using a sewing machine AND sewing. So if you are in doubt of seeking knowledge of anything and are not able to attend classes or have the money to do so; please remember that the library is available for anything we want to know or learn about. Our computers are also a source of knowledge; however, the library provides networking with others that many times can and will changes lives!

"The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly". Proverbs 15:14 (NASB)