Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be man of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Cor. 16:13 NIV
Last week began as a normal week, it soon took a turn towards a bad week. It started out simple enough, one child not feeling well but that number multiplied quickly into seven sick children, three sick teens, and six sick adults or more.
As I laid in bed recovering, I questioned why me? I thought I had beaten it. When my stomach had begun to be upset, I found that adding ginger to my tea helped calm it right down. As two of my teens recovered from their bout with the stomach flu, I figured I had it beat and even offered them the ginger tea which one accepted the other declined.
Little did I expect to be lying in bed two days later, it's enough to bring your spirit's down. Still I was grateful that it only lasted 24 hours, and soon I was back to normal. I know there are people who deal with illness constantly, and look forward to days when they feel well.
The next bahumbug moment came yesterday, when my husband was all in a panic because his phone was missing. He remembers putting it in the normal place he leaves it, but later when he went to get it he could not locate it. I figured he just misplaced it. So now 24 hours later it is still missing.
Now we aren't sure what to do, we just got new phones 6 weeks ago. We did not get the phone insurance because who can afford $10 more dollars a month per phone, we can't. Now it's to late because it's been longer than 30 days. We won't be eligible for new phones for another 23 months, and to purchase one would cost a lot.
For now I guess we wait and see if it turns up. Pray for the Lord's guidance, and wait to see what he does. I will try to be on guard as we approach my Savior's celebration of his birth, and try not to let all of this bring be down.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Lights Are Shinning
"Hold out your candle for all to see, take your candle, go light your world" Kathy Troccoli
Lights are appearing on different homes all over the place. We really enjoy driving around viewing the different lights this time of year.
In fact, there is a street where the Christmas lights are hung over the street, and most times when we drive through Christmas music is playing. It warms our hearts as we enjoy the different light displays. It is a great family tradition which was begun when my husband and I were dating. All of us look forward to it.
We have located lots of different displays, we even found a magnificent one accidentally. Every year we have to accidentally locate it again, somehow we do.
This time of year the lights remind us of the light of the world. He came to earth as a little baby, and endured hardships and pain all to allow us to be saved if only we believe.
Lights are appearing on different homes all over the place. We really enjoy driving around viewing the different lights this time of year.
In fact, there is a street where the Christmas lights are hung over the street, and most times when we drive through Christmas music is playing. It warms our hearts as we enjoy the different light displays. It is a great family tradition which was begun when my husband and I were dating. All of us look forward to it.
We have located lots of different displays, we even found a magnificent one accidentally. Every year we have to accidentally locate it again, somehow we do.
This time of year the lights remind us of the light of the world. He came to earth as a little baby, and endured hardships and pain all to allow us to be saved if only we believe.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Attitude Adjustment
Your attitude show be the same as that of Christ Jesus:...made himself nothing...humbled himself...was obedient. Philippians 2:5,7,& 8 NIV
There are moments in my life that I have a chance to examine my attitude, and at times I don't really like what I see.
Usually, I try to keep a good attitude. There are times though when a headache or tiredness contributes to me having a bad attitude. Then everyone around me suffers. When I become aware of how I'm acting, I try to pray and change to have a better day. Unfortunately, sometimes it's awhile before I realize my stinky attitude.
Other times the people you're around can have an attitude, and it's a real challenge to step away from the situation. Especially when I'm responsible for the care of some of these with the bad attitudes. It's at these times when I try hard not to give in and have the stinky attitude right back. A quick word of prayer, and maybe a praise song running in my head can certainly help.
As I read in the Bible about how our attitude should be, I wonder how Jesus could keep a good attitude. He put others first, and obeyed what God wanted Him to do. At times He even displayed some anger, but He was defending the temple (God's home). For the most part though, He was calm even when He had to be stressed with all these people following him, pushing and shoving him every which way. I'm sure He must have been tired and yet He maintain his calmness.
I hope as the stress of Christmas-the pushing and shoving of people in the stores, the limit of time to get things done, and the worry of having just the right gift-that I can keep my attitude the same as Christ. After all He didn't get stressed about his birthday!
There are moments in my life that I have a chance to examine my attitude, and at times I don't really like what I see.
Usually, I try to keep a good attitude. There are times though when a headache or tiredness contributes to me having a bad attitude. Then everyone around me suffers. When I become aware of how I'm acting, I try to pray and change to have a better day. Unfortunately, sometimes it's awhile before I realize my stinky attitude.
Other times the people you're around can have an attitude, and it's a real challenge to step away from the situation. Especially when I'm responsible for the care of some of these with the bad attitudes. It's at these times when I try hard not to give in and have the stinky attitude right back. A quick word of prayer, and maybe a praise song running in my head can certainly help.
As I read in the Bible about how our attitude should be, I wonder how Jesus could keep a good attitude. He put others first, and obeyed what God wanted Him to do. At times He even displayed some anger, but He was defending the temple (God's home). For the most part though, He was calm even when He had to be stressed with all these people following him, pushing and shoving him every which way. I'm sure He must have been tired and yet He maintain his calmness.
I hope as the stress of Christmas-the pushing and shoving of people in the stores, the limit of time to get things done, and the worry of having just the right gift-that I can keep my attitude the same as Christ. After all He didn't get stressed about his birthday!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Life From a Different View
The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Zechariah 9:16 NIV
How wonderful it is to get to see a man and woman make a covenant to each other, a covenant they will hopefully keep for a lifetime. This weekend I had the privilege of seeing one of my cousins get married, and like most couples on their wedding day they look truly in love.
While I was there, I realized how lucky I am to have been married twenty-one years. My husband is a precious man of God. He works hard to provide for us as God's plans for him are unveiled a little more each year.
Right now he works two jobs, one he loves and one he does because we need the income and medical coverage provided by it. Sometimes it's tough for him and he gets tired and discouraged, this is when I encourage him to lean on the Lord more.
It's not always easy to walk with the Lord, and sometimes choices are tough to make. At times it might seem easier to follow the crowd, but I know that for me I need to follow the plans God has in store for me.
I guess it's good at times for these tough choices to come up, just so I can see how important it is to keep on the right path. Life brings about different choices and each of us most choose the path that's right for us.
It's truly a joyous occasion, when a man and a woman promise to commit to only each other for a lifetime. How they sparkled as they made their covenant and the joy that was brought to each person there as they witnessed this event.
How wonderful it is to get to see a man and woman make a covenant to each other, a covenant they will hopefully keep for a lifetime. This weekend I had the privilege of seeing one of my cousins get married, and like most couples on their wedding day they look truly in love.
While I was there, I realized how lucky I am to have been married twenty-one years. My husband is a precious man of God. He works hard to provide for us as God's plans for him are unveiled a little more each year.
Right now he works two jobs, one he loves and one he does because we need the income and medical coverage provided by it. Sometimes it's tough for him and he gets tired and discouraged, this is when I encourage him to lean on the Lord more.
It's not always easy to walk with the Lord, and sometimes choices are tough to make. At times it might seem easier to follow the crowd, but I know that for me I need to follow the plans God has in store for me.
I guess it's good at times for these tough choices to come up, just so I can see how important it is to keep on the right path. Life brings about different choices and each of us most choose the path that's right for us.
It's truly a joyous occasion, when a man and a woman promise to commit to only each other for a lifetime. How they sparkled as they made their covenant and the joy that was brought to each person there as they witnessed this event.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Proud Mom
"A wise son brings joy to his father..." Proverbs 10:1a
This past weekend brought about joy as we celebrated our athletic son's Eagle Ceremony. He's my shy one, he used to hide behind my legs when someone talked to him. Now he's too tall to do that, but he still is shy even in front of people he knows.
Still he stood up on stage proud to have accomplished the highest rank in Boy Scouts--the Eagle. He has been involved in scouting since he was in first grade. This program has been well worth the time we have invested into it. Each of our boys has been involved in scouting, and so has their father. The weekends spent together camping have been priceless.
My mechanical son received his Eagle in February 2010. I am very proud of each of them. They worked hard to accomplish this rank, and I know they will always look back to it as well worth the effort. Sure there had to be some encouragement from me and some pushing; after all isn't that what a mother's for.
I am proud of each of my children. Sure they've made some mistakes, and so have I. For the most part though they are good kids, who have an understanding of who God is. They try to make wise choices, sometimes they fail. It's at these times I hope they can learn and grow closer to the Lord.
As I continue to walk in the light, I hope they do as well.
This past weekend brought about joy as we celebrated our athletic son's Eagle Ceremony. He's my shy one, he used to hide behind my legs when someone talked to him. Now he's too tall to do that, but he still is shy even in front of people he knows.
Still he stood up on stage proud to have accomplished the highest rank in Boy Scouts--the Eagle. He has been involved in scouting since he was in first grade. This program has been well worth the time we have invested into it. Each of our boys has been involved in scouting, and so has their father. The weekends spent together camping have been priceless.
My mechanical son received his Eagle in February 2010. I am very proud of each of them. They worked hard to accomplish this rank, and I know they will always look back to it as well worth the effort. Sure there had to be some encouragement from me and some pushing; after all isn't that what a mother's for.
I am proud of each of my children. Sure they've made some mistakes, and so have I. For the most part though they are good kids, who have an understanding of who God is. They try to make wise choices, sometimes they fail. It's at these times I hope they can learn and grow closer to the Lord.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Just a Little Rose
"So I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5b
This little rose is full of beauty. It unexpectedly bloomed on my rose bush this week. I had thought it was done for the season, but no it still had some beauty to give.
Have you ever wondered if you still have a little beauty to give? At times I have, I've wondered at times "is what I do make a difference?" Sometimes it seems like I just go through my normal routine, every thing's the same old, same old. During my normal routines, I can at times feel down.
There are lots of times in my life, that I've felt overlooked. When I was younger, I was always chosen last to be on the team. During high school, I'd eat lunch alone at a table or people on the bus would choose a different seat to sit in. No one would sit with me. That still happens to me now, I'll go somewhere for a cover dish dinner and everyone passes by my table. I don't understand why I'm overlooked, I just am..
Luckily, though I am never truly alone. There is someone who never overlooks me. God, He is always with me, and He will never leave me nor forsake me.
I need to be on the look out for those who seem to be left out, and tell them we each have beauty to give. Let them know that their life does make a difference.
None of us are done giving, until the Lord says we're done.
This little rose is full of beauty. It unexpectedly bloomed on my rose bush this week. I had thought it was done for the season, but no it still had some beauty to give.
Have you ever wondered if you still have a little beauty to give? At times I have, I've wondered at times "is what I do make a difference?" Sometimes it seems like I just go through my normal routine, every thing's the same old, same old. During my normal routines, I can at times feel down.
There are lots of times in my life, that I've felt overlooked. When I was younger, I was always chosen last to be on the team. During high school, I'd eat lunch alone at a table or people on the bus would choose a different seat to sit in. No one would sit with me. That still happens to me now, I'll go somewhere for a cover dish dinner and everyone passes by my table. I don't understand why I'm overlooked, I just am..
Luckily, though I am never truly alone. There is someone who never overlooks me. God, He is always with me, and He will never leave me nor forsake me.
I need to be on the look out for those who seem to be left out, and tell them we each have beauty to give. Let them know that their life does make a difference.
Monday, October 31, 2011
My Life Changed for the Better
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
The sanctuary was empty and I was in the back. A song went through my head, a song that spoke to my heart and let me know that I needed a Savior. It was in the back of this little church that I accepted Jesus as my Savior.
I can't exactly remember the song, and I don't know the date. I do know the place and can still picture it today. I was just entering my teen years, and it was the Lord who helped me not to get into to much trouble.
Unfortunately, though I did not completely trust the Lord with everything. For some reason I figured God and money didn't mix--crazy I know. So for years, I lived the way the world did with my money. I spent it on things before paying the bills. I maxed out credit cards, and almost lost our home.
After my daughter was born, the day came when we were served. Our home was about to be foreclosed on. It was on this day when I completely surrendered. I gave the Lord all of my problems, and left it all at the cross. This was the day my life changed for the better.
The Lord sent us the answer to save our home, and we worked hard to stick to his plan. I have occasionally wondered back to the old ways, but soon realize it and get back on the right path. That's the best thing about God, he continually forgives every time I ask.
I am far from perfect. I make mistakes. I try to follow the Lord's plans for me as best I can, so when I don't take part in something the "world" does. Don't look down on me.
I am a new creation and everyday I try to walk in His light.
The sanctuary was empty and I was in the back. A song went through my head, a song that spoke to my heart and let me know that I needed a Savior. It was in the back of this little church that I accepted Jesus as my Savior.
I can't exactly remember the song, and I don't know the date. I do know the place and can still picture it today. I was just entering my teen years, and it was the Lord who helped me not to get into to much trouble.
Unfortunately, though I did not completely trust the Lord with everything. For some reason I figured God and money didn't mix--crazy I know. So for years, I lived the way the world did with my money. I spent it on things before paying the bills. I maxed out credit cards, and almost lost our home.
After my daughter was born, the day came when we were served. Our home was about to be foreclosed on. It was on this day when I completely surrendered. I gave the Lord all of my problems, and left it all at the cross. This was the day my life changed for the better.
The Lord sent us the answer to save our home, and we worked hard to stick to his plan. I have occasionally wondered back to the old ways, but soon realize it and get back on the right path. That's the best thing about God, he continually forgives every time I ask.
I am far from perfect. I make mistakes. I try to follow the Lord's plans for me as best I can, so when I don't take part in something the "world" does. Don't look down on me.
I am a new creation and everyday I try to walk in His light.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)