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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Our Happily Ever After

My father took many photographs of us growing up and I found them to be a real sense of comfort during difficult times growing up. If I had a particularly difficult day I could always count on those photos to pull me out of a sad or angry mood. Photos are usually always taken of fun times and things we want to remember so it isn't difficult to see why they would cause my mind to meditate on pleasant memories instead of the difficulty of the moment.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

 I always tease that my pictures are my anti-depressant but actually I got into the habit of looking through photos any time I felt any negative emotion. There are days when I miss someone who has passed away or circumstances have removed them from my life and I will take out the photographs and remember special memories together. It brings me joy instantly to relive those moments and I am grateful to God for His goodness. Even though I may have been robbed  of my relationships in life through death and circumstances,  I am grateful that no one can rob me of my memories. We have to find healthy ways to control our emotions so they don’t take control of us.

The scriptures are another way I find hope in the midst of any circumstance. This week I am reading the book of Ruth which is a beautiful love story but it certainly did not start out that way at all. The story begins with the death of Naomi's husband and two sons. Ruth 1:5b so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. We have all had losses but so many at one time? This is a beautiful story on how God turns the most difficult of circumstances into a happily ever after. We need to always trust God for our own "Happily Ever After."

This is one of my grandkids at a trip to Disney, September 2014.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Sacrifice

I John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Anytime we begin to hear ourselves talk about all we do for this person or that person, sounding like a martyr, a red flag should go up! A healthy individual is not someone who believes they are the only one who does anything in their family or community. There are moments when we believe we alone are the only ones making sacrifices in the relationship. We only deceive ourselves and usually blinded in the contributions of others around us.

This verse tells us about God loving us so much that he sacrificed his only son. This verse also tells us that we should do the same for others. I am sure there are moments in my life where I have felt that I have sacrificed for my children or my spouse but in all honesty have I really ever laid down my life for them or anyone else? 

Let's remember God's sacrifice to us the next time we are in a place feeling that we are the ONLY ONES who give our all because realistically we have not given enough.


This picture was taken of a Hibiscus flower in my back yard in 2006.

~ Worship Is Important ~

      Revelation 4:8b   “ Holy, holy, holy,
                                      Lord God Almighty,
                                     Who was and is and is to come!”


written by Tamela on January 20, 2009:
In Chapter 4 of Revelation there are a lot of different things going on but what sticks out the most is the fact that the Angels and the Saints are worshiping God continually. If the Angels and the Saints think it's important to worship the King of Kings all the time, then why shouldn't we? Don't you think you should be practicing for that day when you finally get to heaven?

God's right over us as the Creator gives Him claim over everything, and that is a fact that should be accepted and enjoyed. Rejecting that fact only leads to frustration.

Make sure your planning ahead for that great day!

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, who was and is and is to come." (vs. 8b)

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (vs. 11)

AMEN! WORSHIP HIM!

My daughter when she gave birthday to her youngest son in 2010.


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Don't Worry!

Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?"

We know as Christians that we shouldn't worry if we trust God but there is plenty to worry about for everyone in this crazy world. The problem is how do we not let that worry defeat us? In the scriptures above, Jesus is giving us some examples of what we worry about such as our health (what shall we eat & drink) and our possessions (what shall we wear).

Some people believe that these types of worries are only for the poor but actually the rich worry too. The poor worry about how they will get these things, the wealthy worry about losing them. Actually there are so many things we could spend our days worrying about in our relationships, job security, family, health and the list is endless.


Worry is stressful to our mind, body and soul and can make us physically sick. It can also take away precious time from our life if we spend too much time worrying; such as hours, days, months and even years. Is there really anything good that comes out of worrying? I can't think of a thing!


If we want to stop worrying then let's begin to take action steps to change this unhealthy pattern. First of all we should pray....then we need to ask others to pray for us too.  Once we have given that worry over to prayer we should begin enjoying creation and taking the time to look at what is beautiful in the world. The ocean is the place where I like to take my worries and my sadness because I feel God's presence; and I pray that I am able to leave them there! 


God has provided so much beauty around us to be able to enjoy and see His goodness. He provides us with His Word to give us hope of uncertainty. He provides us with good people to help us sort out the chaos and assist us in making sense of what is truly important. 


We cannot control those things around us....and most of the time I can't even control my response to those things.....but God has a way of guiding, teaching and comforting while in the midst of the worry....


I took this picture October 2013 of the typewriter in our office that I have used since the early 90's - I love the wheelwriter 10 and get a kick out of it when young people come in here and look at it as if it is something out of Jurassic Park.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Fear Of Change

“And the Lord spoke to me, saying:  ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward. Deuteronomy 2:2-3

This was written in 2014 when we began to talk about retirement and what that was going to look like.

There have been many changes these past few years. Change in my church, in my work, with my friends and with my family. God has given and God has taken away these past 10 years. Now God is moving us to make even more changes and we are making plans. Change is never easy but it always seems to be better for us once we have accepted it into our life. 


Even though there have been so many changes I still fear the thought of what we are planning for our future. It is so much easier to live in the what we know and have learned to handle. God has lee both me and my husband to come up with the same plan. He and I are so different and have a tendency to feel the opposite in most things so when we are on the same page, it is a sign as far as we are concerned because it is so rare.


We have been traveling some in the desert these past few years grieving the losses. We have also enjoyed some of the much needed change. Now we are in the acceptance stage of our lives and would like to move forward to what God has in store for us. 



My prayer ~ Lord lead us today and each day as we embark on this new journey!


This picture was taken when I visited Vizcaya in Miami with my niece Theresa in 2006.