Father, Thank You!

Father Thank you for healing; and healing me of the sun allergy I have had for 18 years, Thank you for building strength in me daily to continue the journey you have set before me! Thank you for building character in me, so I am able to walk in Your ways! Thank you Father for teaching me patience and determination through all of the trials I have been going through! Thank you Father for giving me understanding of your word; which is sharper than any two edged sword! Thank you Father for showing me compassion, so I can have compassion for others! Thank you Father for your son Jesus Christ, who suffered for my sins! Thank you Father for your Love, so that I can show Love to others! Thank you Father for the plans you already have for me; plans to prosper me and give me hope! Thank you Father for family and friends, who are saved to do the work of the the Kingdom; which is to increase the laborers by our actions of love! Thank you Father for life everlasting! Amen! So be it! 

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:15-16 NIV

Be sincerely Thankful, this Thanksgiving!

What's In It for Me?

I know as a person, I perform better when I’m encouraged, praised, and shown love by the actions of others! It puts a pep in my step, a smile on my face, and nothing will get in the way of that good feeling that comes over me when I receive all of that goodness and Godliness!

So much goodness, that we pass it on to others along the way. We see a little lady going across the street and are so filled with joy, we sprint to help her get there safe ~ or, a Mother who is trying to quiet her child down, and has three other ones standing by that are just as upset as the baby, but know they need to help Mom out by being quiet, so your heart just reaches out to them and the baby, and you give them each a bag of pretzels – with Mother’s approval of course! Or, you are driving down the road, and someone cuts in front of you and you have to slam the breaks on to keep from hitting them. You are so full of God’s love and joy, you give them a big smile and say a prayer so that they will get to their destiny free of frustration and harm. This is an example of how Christians were at one time!

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CHRISTAN VALUES?

We call our children names; and want them to be good. Or we demand an apology when someone cuts in front of us on the highway; however, just a few minutes ago, we cut in front of someone else down the road and felt we had the right do so ~ And didn’t even apologize. And, we forget about our elders who didn’t mind working four jobs a day to put food on the table for our sake. Yet, we ignore them all together~ as if they bother us or are in our way!

WE ARE SPIRITUALLY STARVED!

Or as Luke 12:1-5 states, hypocrites! It is important to have your spiritual food daily, so that you are being nourished within; and it shows without!

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another,

Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12:1-5 NIV

VOTE!

TUESDAY IS ELECTION DAY - PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!

Please remember to vote and pray for those already in office and those being elected to office WORLDWIDE! Those who are Christians have somehow strayed from the word and belittle our leaders and Presidents, regardless of political parties, race, and office. I myself have done so, and forgotten what God had said about it. Our prayers give our leaders wisdom and Godly ways to govern and lead us. Like Romans 13:1 says, Let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (ESV)

And I Timothy 2:1-4 says: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (ESV)

Mind Your Business!

Me and my best friend were at Dunkin Donuts in Tennessee just last week and a young woman was in there on the cell phone. She could have been texting, surfing, or even chatting with someone ~ we were not sure; however, my friend said, "She is so engrossed with being on that phone, she is not aware of anybody around her". That is so true! We as a human race are replacing interaction with each other with technology.

I know when I was substitute teaching, so many of the teenagers could not even walk down the hall with their head up, because they were texting someone on the phone. It is detrimental to their learning and their success! UNLESS, they are using it in a positive way.

Technology is so amazing how we are able to reach people world wide! But, like she said, we are so oblivious to those around us, we overlook how important it is to interact with others, especially our family.
We use it to date, bully others, argue, and even send inappropriate pictures that can ruin a person's reputation for life!

It's like the Hatfield and McCoys. Constantly looking for a reason to engage in conflict. By the way we went to the dinner party in Tennesse and had so much fun. Look closely at the picture and I'm the shooter and my best friend is the drinker! Haha! Anyway ~ Those things that have consumed all of our time, is also hurting our families and ourselves.

It's not any fun telling others about behaviors that we all engage in more than we should or is it any of my business how you maintain your home! But, it is my business to encourage a behavior worthy of praise from God that you are being a woman of virtue!

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

13 She finds wool and flax
    and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
    a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
    her lamp burns late into the night.

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
    her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
    and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
    for everyone has warm[b] clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
    She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
    where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
    and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
    and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
    Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
    but you surpass them all!”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
³¹ Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT

It's Not Old School!

Morals (n) - a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do.

Values (n) - a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

I overheard this conversation five years ago:

Woman 1:  “Hey girl, how are you doing?

Woman 2:  “Hey - - I’m fine girl! I haven’t seen you in years. How many children do you have now”?

Woman 1:  “I have four!

Woman 2:  “All by the same man?

Woman 1: “Girl no! I ain’t that crazy yet”!

Woman 2:  (laughs) “Well it was good talking to you”!

Woman 1:  “You too! I’ll holler at ya later!

Woman 2:  “Alright”! “You take care”!

My first reaction was, “Oh Wow”! What does she mean by, “I ain’t that crazy yet”! I pondered on this for a long time after I heard it and I'm still bothered by it today.

Morals and values do not change and God does not change; yet our worldly behavior is forever changing in a way that continues to reap below average results!

When we choose better, we have better and that’s first seeking Christ Jesus! Many of us women do not seek Him, but seek companions that are themselves lost, and we are breeding a lost generation, that has taken a detour and somehow are not sure how to get back on the righteous path. And notice I said lost; however, they can be found with knowledge of who they are and whose they are ~ which is a child of the Most High! 

We still have the belief that we can do it alone. We are not meant to be alone! The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 NIV

If you have been married, like I have, heal first spiritually, mentally, and physically, so that when God gives you a second chance, you are able to reap the reward!

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'  and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ?  So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:4-6 NIV

Appetizer # 7

# 7 Objectives (n) - something your working towards

Increase! ---Hmmm! Increase in what? I'm not sure what you mean by increase! Increase in finances maybe ~ or increase in knowledge ~ or perhaps you mean increase in healthy friendships! All of these are attainable; however, they are not accomplished without work on our part to obtain them ~ and keep them.

Maybe you want to increase your household! Uh Oh! (Big Smile) ~ VUALA ~ here's your baby! Wow that would be wonderful if it worked out that way, but we know better huh? 

How many of you have really sat down with a goal in mind and established a step by step plan to reach that goal? I have never done that, I have always flown by the seat of my pants and they would always work out! NOW? It's not that easy. I have had to think things through more, pray about them and believe they will happen! 

What I mean by that is, I became independent of Christ (sure of my own works), instead of dependent (leaning totally on Him and His word). It's an objective of mine - NOW -  to read the word daily so I can have success in every area of my life, including my finances!

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

It's Coming Along!

We are half way through the appetizers in Menu for Success. As we all know, appetizers are something we order from the menu at a restaurant to take the edge off of our hunger; however, it does not fill us up. We are still hungry and can't wait until the main course is served. This is how the Menu for Success is established ~ the words and definitions were chosen with precise intentions to quench your hunger ~ but you want more! 

It's digesting the appetizers into your whole being, so that when you are an avid reader of the word, you are able to comprehend and seek knowledge ---and have success in every area of our lives ~ not just in our finances!

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 every time. For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being, filling your life with joy. Proverbs 2:6-10 TLB