I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV
Grieving, that's what a lot of us are doing over this senseless tragedy. Worrying, is another thing some of us are doing as our safety has once again been compromised.
Churches, movie theaters, malls, and now schools are now a place where we wonder "are we really safe?" All of these are places some of us go to regularly without a second thought to our safety. These past few months have shaken our world and caused us to rethink.
Rethinking things is good, it's just horrible that people had to die in order for us to rethink. We've become desensitized to violence. It has become a common occurrence on television, at the movies, or in video games. Fiction has become non-fiction, sometimes we don't even think twice about what our children are watching. As long as they're occupied and being quiet it's OK. It doesn't effect them.
Let me tell you it does, I have worked with children for over twenty years. I can tell which ones watch violence and which ones don't. It comes out in their playing. I continually redirect them and try to get them playing something different. At times I'm successful other times I'm not.
We don't have any guns on our home, play or real. It's not worth it to me. I rely on God to protect me.
Having guns or not having guns is a personal choice, I mean if they became illegal people who wanted them would still get them. The pioneers had them displayed over their fireplaces. I don't ever remember reading in my history book about a teenager getting his father's rifle and shooting up his school or the local general store.
Maybe the answer doesn't lie in the hands of the government, but in the hands of each of us. We need to get back to the basics. Teach our children about God. Teach our children the Ten Commandments, and the new laws that Jesus taught which basically cover the Ten Commandments. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39 NIV
After all God did command his children to talk about him when we get up, when we go about our day, and when we lie down. Maybe if each of us do this there will be less violence and more love. each of us has a choice it's our God given right. What will yours be?
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Enjoy the Sunshine of Today
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life more important than food and the body more important than clothes. Matthew 6:25 NIV
"Why save up for a rainy day, why not enjoy the sunshine of today?" a character on one of the shows I watch said. His statement set me to thinking.
Part of what he said is true, really we shouldn't go around worrying about everything. This time of year though, the worry tends to sneak up on you.
We were out shopping on Saturday, and at one point I began to worry if I had put enough money in our account. I quickly added in my head and figured we were still OK, but still I worried.
Another thing that can cause worry, is how in the world am I gonna get it all done. There are only so many hours in the day. A friend said, "I decided if the tree gets up, there's a wreath on the door, and a few presents under the tree. Then it'll all be good." Sometimes in the stress of Christmas and with trying to keep all the traditions; we can lose sight of what Christmas is all about: "The Gift of Salvation."
Another part of me disagrees with what this character said. Sometimes you do need to save for a rainy day because sooner or later the rain does come. Let me tell you the rain does come. See if we go through our days unprepared for an unexpected event, then when the unexpected happens there will be chaos.
One of the best decisions we made this year was to prepare for a rainy day. It has been a blessing and a great relief to know that we're a little better prepared for the rain. Still I have learned to not worry about life because I know who wins in the end.
"Why save up for a rainy day, why not enjoy the sunshine of today?" a character on one of the shows I watch said. His statement set me to thinking.
Part of what he said is true, really we shouldn't go around worrying about everything. This time of year though, the worry tends to sneak up on you.
We were out shopping on Saturday, and at one point I began to worry if I had put enough money in our account. I quickly added in my head and figured we were still OK, but still I worried.
Another thing that can cause worry, is how in the world am I gonna get it all done. There are only so many hours in the day. A friend said, "I decided if the tree gets up, there's a wreath on the door, and a few presents under the tree. Then it'll all be good." Sometimes in the stress of Christmas and with trying to keep all the traditions; we can lose sight of what Christmas is all about: "The Gift of Salvation."
Another part of me disagrees with what this character said. Sometimes you do need to save for a rainy day because sooner or later the rain does come. Let me tell you the rain does come. See if we go through our days unprepared for an unexpected event, then when the unexpected happens there will be chaos.
One of the best decisions we made this year was to prepare for a rainy day. It has been a blessing and a great relief to know that we're a little better prepared for the rain. Still I have learned to not worry about life because I know who wins in the end.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I Saw God in the Sky
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NIV
The text came easy enough, a picture of GOD in the sky. I hurried out back and sure enough God was in the sky, then came God Loves...
It's so true God does love. He has loved us since before we even knew what love was. Some of us know what His love feels like. Others may not know that it's his love they've been feeling all along.
Have you ever felt peace in a stressful situation? Have you been guided through a dangerous place? Have you been doing better than the doctors predicted?
God's love is here for us everyday. He has been in love with you before you even came into being. It's time to know the kind of love he has for us. Reach out talk with him today; maybe even pull out the Bible and read the love chapter 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.
God loves me this I know, and I don't need it written in the sky. But it sure was nice!
The text came easy enough, a picture of GOD in the sky. I hurried out back and sure enough God was in the sky, then came God Loves...
It's so true God does love. He has loved us since before we even knew what love was. Some of us know what His love feels like. Others may not know that it's his love they've been feeling all along.
Have you ever felt peace in a stressful situation? Have you been guided through a dangerous place? Have you been doing better than the doctors predicted?
God's love is here for us everyday. He has been in love with you before you even came into being. It's time to know the kind of love he has for us. Reach out talk with him today; maybe even pull out the Bible and read the love chapter 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.
God loves me this I know, and I don't need it written in the sky. But it sure was nice!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Am I Alone?
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religous festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Col 2:16 NIV
It's another movie night at my house and for some reason my young ins always want to pick a movie I'm not interested in. Seriously sometimes it takes a half hour before we find a movie we can all agree on. Funny, when they were younger, I would shield them from violent movies and TV shows. Now that's what they seem to gravitate toward.
I guess the movies they want aren't exactly that bad, just not ones I'm interested in seeing. They delight in the Star Wars movies,the Lord of the Ring movies, the Batman movies, Spiderman movies, and now the other superhero movies. These may all seem harmless and great movies to see, I'm just not interested.
This weekend we were away, and it's become a tradition to watch a movie at night. It seemed all they brought were the movies I don't care to watch. There was one, but they didn't choose it. The choice came down to what I didn't care for. So soon I wondered over to bed--alone.
This of course was my choice, but still I was alone. Sometimes I wish it didn't seem it was me verses everyone else. I mean we all believe and should focus our attention on whatever is good and lovely. These are the things we should think about. For some reason though, it's not.
Someone this weekend accused me of living in a "Little House" world. Can I help it if that is one of the TV shows, I prefer. At least at times God was mention, and the family went to church on Sunday. Sometimes it'd be nice to go back to that time...a time before we became desensitize to violence. Where murder, obscene language, and obscene scenes were not a common part of our everyday TV or movie life.
It's another movie night at my house and for some reason my young ins always want to pick a movie I'm not interested in. Seriously sometimes it takes a half hour before we find a movie we can all agree on. Funny, when they were younger, I would shield them from violent movies and TV shows. Now that's what they seem to gravitate toward.
I guess the movies they want aren't exactly that bad, just not ones I'm interested in seeing. They delight in the Star Wars movies,the Lord of the Ring movies, the Batman movies, Spiderman movies, and now the other superhero movies. These may all seem harmless and great movies to see, I'm just not interested.
This weekend we were away, and it's become a tradition to watch a movie at night. It seemed all they brought were the movies I don't care to watch. There was one, but they didn't choose it. The choice came down to what I didn't care for. So soon I wondered over to bed--alone.
This of course was my choice, but still I was alone. Sometimes I wish it didn't seem it was me verses everyone else. I mean we all believe and should focus our attention on whatever is good and lovely. These are the things we should think about. For some reason though, it's not.
Someone this weekend accused me of living in a "Little House" world. Can I help it if that is one of the TV shows, I prefer. At least at times God was mention, and the family went to church on Sunday. Sometimes it'd be nice to go back to that time...a time before we became desensitize to violence. Where murder, obscene language, and obscene scenes were not a common part of our everyday TV or movie life.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sun Or Clouds
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of the morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth. 2 Samuel 23:3-4 NIV
The day was dreary, the clouds seemed to hang around all day. I don't know about you, but when the clouds seem to hang around all day and cover the sun. It makes me feel a little down. The day is darker, duller and it just takes more effort to find joy.
Someone approached me while waiting for the kids to get out of school he asked, "how's your day?"
"It'd be better if the sun came out."
"I like it like this, I don't like the sun blaring in my eyes."
Interesting, he enjoys the dreary. I enjoy the sunshine. He though was able to find joy in the dreariness. I couldn't wait for the sun to shine again.
Yesterday, we went to the park. I thought it was going to be a sunshiny day, but no the clouds overtook the sky once again. The good news was that it was cool and not warm like most of our days in Florida. I wondered when the sun would be out, since there wasn't a chance for rain.
A friend was meeting me at the park. She pulled into the parking lot and amazingly the sun peeked it's way through the clouds lifting my spirit. How ironic that a friend's arrival brings joy and the sun decided to shine through at the moment of her arrival bringing a little warmth into the day.
Much like my encounters with my God bring warmth and sinshine to my day, even on the days when the sun doesn't shine. It's on those days that I need to rely on the Son who always shines down on me.
The day was dreary, the clouds seemed to hang around all day. I don't know about you, but when the clouds seem to hang around all day and cover the sun. It makes me feel a little down. The day is darker, duller and it just takes more effort to find joy.
Someone approached me while waiting for the kids to get out of school he asked, "how's your day?"
"It'd be better if the sun came out."
"I like it like this, I don't like the sun blaring in my eyes."
Interesting, he enjoys the dreary. I enjoy the sunshine. He though was able to find joy in the dreariness. I couldn't wait for the sun to shine again.
Yesterday, we went to the park. I thought it was going to be a sunshiny day, but no the clouds overtook the sky once again. The good news was that it was cool and not warm like most of our days in Florida. I wondered when the sun would be out, since there wasn't a chance for rain.
A friend was meeting me at the park. She pulled into the parking lot and amazingly the sun peeked it's way through the clouds lifting my spirit. How ironic that a friend's arrival brings joy and the sun decided to shine through at the moment of her arrival bringing a little warmth into the day.
Much like my encounters with my God bring warmth and sinshine to my day, even on the days when the sun doesn't shine. It's on those days that I need to rely on the Son who always shines down on me.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
It Happens to the Best of Us
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
A quiet evening at home, I'd been looking forward to it all day. My schedule sometimes has me out almost every night, this night though I'd be home.
The last day care child had gone home, and I was trying to figure out what to heat up since Friday night is left over night. Instead though I ended up doing something I've never done at least to this extent.
My husband and mechanical son were having a conversation and it was not going well. Which can occur when a son gets old enough to be an adult and the parent has a hard time accepting that. My son had taken care of a problem he paid for it and all was well. Except my husband had to explain why he should of taken care of it sooner. I figured my son had learned a lesson and probably won't let it happen again, after he's an adult now.
Another issue came up, we had set aside a date for a family trip. I had checked with everyone and it seemed like a good date so it was set. Well now eight days before this trip this same son informs us he has something else. It's some thing he looks forward to a once a year thing. This is why I checked with him, so it wouldn't conflict. Instead of taking the minute to check his calendar; he just agreed it was a good date.
The tension got bad in the house. Usually I stay out of their tifts, but then the unthinkable happens. My husband blocks my son from leaving the room, and for a minute there I thought things were going from bad to worse. The lion was ready to devour.
I step in the middle yelled my peace and then had to calm down. I went out the front door, so I could regain my compusor. This didn't improve anything, instead it made things worse. So then I ended up back in trying to state my opinon only to be stopped by my son. I mean I really blew my top! I still had sense enough not to slap someone's face, but it took all I had.
The worse part of all this is, we all know the Lord. We all serve him and talk with him constantly, just not at this particular moment. The devil got a foothold and devoured each of us.
The good part is during the calming down I was calling out to the Lord. I sought his forgiveness and he graciously gave it. My son came to seek forgiveness from both of us, and I sought forgiveness from each of them. My husband did as well.
Did we handle this exactly right? No. But did we learn something, hopefully. I know I did, God is by my side and he can help me through even when those I love the most seem to be hurting me the most.
A quiet evening at home, I'd been looking forward to it all day. My schedule sometimes has me out almost every night, this night though I'd be home.
The last day care child had gone home, and I was trying to figure out what to heat up since Friday night is left over night. Instead though I ended up doing something I've never done at least to this extent.
My husband and mechanical son were having a conversation and it was not going well. Which can occur when a son gets old enough to be an adult and the parent has a hard time accepting that. My son had taken care of a problem he paid for it and all was well. Except my husband had to explain why he should of taken care of it sooner. I figured my son had learned a lesson and probably won't let it happen again, after he's an adult now.
Another issue came up, we had set aside a date for a family trip. I had checked with everyone and it seemed like a good date so it was set. Well now eight days before this trip this same son informs us he has something else. It's some thing he looks forward to a once a year thing. This is why I checked with him, so it wouldn't conflict. Instead of taking the minute to check his calendar; he just agreed it was a good date.
The tension got bad in the house. Usually I stay out of their tifts, but then the unthinkable happens. My husband blocks my son from leaving the room, and for a minute there I thought things were going from bad to worse. The lion was ready to devour.
I step in the middle yelled my peace and then had to calm down. I went out the front door, so I could regain my compusor. This didn't improve anything, instead it made things worse. So then I ended up back in trying to state my opinon only to be stopped by my son. I mean I really blew my top! I still had sense enough not to slap someone's face, but it took all I had.
The worse part of all this is, we all know the Lord. We all serve him and talk with him constantly, just not at this particular moment. The devil got a foothold and devoured each of us.
The good part is during the calming down I was calling out to the Lord. I sought his forgiveness and he graciously gave it. My son came to seek forgiveness from both of us, and I sought forgiveness from each of them. My husband did as well.
Did we handle this exactly right? No. But did we learn something, hopefully. I know I did, God is by my side and he can help me through even when those I love the most seem to be hurting me the most.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
It's All About Values
"...for there is no authority except that which God has established..." Romans 13: 1a
Today I proudly voted my values with one of my sons by my side voting his values. I let my voice be heard and now we wait to see how many others let their voice be heard.
Values is defined as something of relative worth or importance. There are a lot of things I value: God, family, friends; just to name a few. These are things that are important to me.
I am glad I live in a country where I am allowed to let my values be made known. This weekend I had the chance to watch part of a program that explained what are founding fathers valued. Some how of the course of time these values have been changed. Some have made it seem as what they really valued wasn't what they meant when they wrote our Constitution.
Another thing I learn was when they disagreed they would actually adjourn and go down the street to church. They would spend time in prayer and worship, they would refill their tanks. Then amazingly when they met again the disagreement would be solved.
It sure would be nice if those we've elected to be in charge would take some time away from the disagreement, pray and worship, and then come back. Who knows what would happen.
Whether the candidate I want or the candidate someone else wanted wins, I will still pray for the president (whether he likes it or not) and all of our elected officals. They sure can use it.
Romans 13 makes it clear that I must submit myself to the authority because God put them there, even if I don't understand it. I will continue to serve the Lord and follow his will because ultimately He's the one in charge.
Today I proudly voted my values with one of my sons by my side voting his values. I let my voice be heard and now we wait to see how many others let their voice be heard.
Values is defined as something of relative worth or importance. There are a lot of things I value: God, family, friends; just to name a few. These are things that are important to me.
I am glad I live in a country where I am allowed to let my values be made known. This weekend I had the chance to watch part of a program that explained what are founding fathers valued. Some how of the course of time these values have been changed. Some have made it seem as what they really valued wasn't what they meant when they wrote our Constitution.
Another thing I learn was when they disagreed they would actually adjourn and go down the street to church. They would spend time in prayer and worship, they would refill their tanks. Then amazingly when they met again the disagreement would be solved.
It sure would be nice if those we've elected to be in charge would take some time away from the disagreement, pray and worship, and then come back. Who knows what would happen.
Whether the candidate I want or the candidate someone else wanted wins, I will still pray for the president (whether he likes it or not) and all of our elected officals. They sure can use it.
Romans 13 makes it clear that I must submit myself to the authority because God put them there, even if I don't understand it. I will continue to serve the Lord and follow his will because ultimately He's the one in charge.
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