Close enough to hear...

My Monday started out as a typical Monday in that I kept my morning routine. It was different in that I kept hearing an echo in my mind of the previous night's sermon. Bro. Mark Russell, an evangelist from Ohio was the preacher. His message took its text from Joshua 25. Today, it reverberated, "It's CHOOSE day! It's CHOOSE day, today!"

Too painful not to mention...and how a golf ball took it all away.

Sometimes wisdom derives from pain. I've been in extreme pain. I've grown wiser. Maybe I can bless someone with some wisdom that I recently derived.

The Armour

 I just got an email from world network of prayer. www.wnop.com  This article is good and I decided to share it on my blog.

We continually should wear the Whole Armor of God every day. Before we enter into prayer, especially Spiritual Warfare, it is vital to put on the Whole Armor of God to be fully equipped as a victorious Christian. Pray that God's people put on His Whole Armor:

One sentence a prisoner loved

I was a young Christian when a friend of mine was arrested and sentenced to Leavenworth Women's Prison in Leavenworth, MO. She is the first person I knew who was sent to prison. My heart was aching when I went to see her with another mutual friend.

Strength

Her mother, Patsy, was dying as we sat at her bedside, my friend Jane on one side, me on the other. I watched as Jane held her mom's hand, brushed her hair, and told her she loved her. In our 32 years of friendship, I've seen Jane survive some hard and serious situations. This is the most difficult thing I've seen her endure.I was so proud of her strength.  How does she keep it together, I wondered?

It's getting to me...

Dear Kids:
I'm watching my childhood friend, Jane, watch her mama die. The hospice worker was there Thursday and told Jane that she was giving her mother a great gift. I hadn't thought of it as a gift to her mom...only as a duty. But, he is right. Jane is by her moms side and I can see that it is tremendously painful for her to experience letting go of her mama and watching her leave!

Sorting it all out....

I've been learning a new craft where I use tons of beads. I try to buy multi-colored beads in high quantities because I do not want all my projects to be the same. It takes some time to sort all those beads into individual colors. But, I love it.

Because, I can do it. This bead goes here. This one goes there. The previously jumbled mass of beads is divided neatly into each individual bag of its own color. Easy!I think the reason I love that process so much is because, unlike in life, I can sort stuff out and put each thing in its place.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I spoke to a friend this morning about something that I know God is ABLE to do, but, I'm not sure HOW He is going to do it. She quoted a verse, but, she didn't give me the reference. I looked it up in the concordance and I found it in Matthew 19:26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 

Settling my estate...

Last weekend I went garage saling with my daughter, sister, mother, niece and four children. We had a lovely time. We got some great deals. We were about spent in more ways than one when we came across an estate sale and decided to stop. Normally, I don't go to estate sales because things tend to be pricier than at a garage sale. My sister said it is because of sentimental value. I can understand that. This estate sale was half price since it was the last day. We went in and at the front door, there was the owner of the home greeting us with a smile.

All things work...or do they?

Thank you, Erica, at http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/ (the one who does all and makes it seem effortless), for inspiring me to make the giant bubblemaker for my grands! I had my happy bubble picture in my mind as I viewed the delightful images from your blog! In my vision, I would give my husband a glimpse of one of your images and he would understand immediately what I expected him to fashion so that I could have my grands over and we would bask together in the fun and delight of the handmade toy. 

Here's what really happened...

The grinch of July 4th...

Truthfully, I am sort of a July 4th grinch.  I really don't care for the fireworks, the noise, the extra injuries and sometimes,  deaths. This is not to mention the expense of buying the fireworks. I don't have enough money yet to want to light a match to it.
However many cases of M80's my neighbor got this year, they are still not finished letting them blow up.

Sherii Parrett Digital Scrap: Bubbling bubbling bubbling in my soul

Sherii Parrett Digital Scrap: Bubbling bubbling bubbling in my soul:
"Most people have recipe boxes filled with Aunt Bessie's clam chowder or Grandma Lulu's apple crisp. I, on the other hand, do not own any foo..."

Bubbling bubbling bubbling in my soul

Most people have recipe boxes filled with Aunt Bessie's clam chowder or Grandma Lulu's apple crisp. I, on the other hand, do not own any food recipes. I  do have a recipe box filled with homemade kids entertainment.

Following one of my favorite blogs, http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-giant-bubble-wand.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ConfessionsOfAHomeschooler+%28Confessions+of+a+Homeschooler%29, I rediscovered an old favorite of mine...the bubble recipe.

Natural Beauty

Here are some pics from a recent float trip to the Elk River in Noel, MO. It was very tame this time of year. Perfect for a family outing. But, be prepared to ROW quite a bit. :)

I love to surround myself with beautiful things. I like to fill my rooms with photos, paintings, mirrors, fabrics, pillows, sconces, sculptures, metal work art, glass, comfy furniture, soft pillows and a host of other baubles and delights.
Still none of that compares to being outdoors in nature.
Reflections on water cannot be hung neatly on a wall. Floating clouds cannot be nailed down. Ripples in a pond can be photographed but they cannot show movement or cause the relaxation that observing them in motion will. Nothing I have in my home compares to God's own handiwork in nature. I crave that natural beauty.
So, that is why every chance my husband and I get, we  float down a river in a canoe. Or, if we can't get away, we get out and walk on hiking trails in our area or whereever we vacation.  If you haven't been to Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs, http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/kansas-city/burr-oak-woods-nature-center or Watkins Mill http://www.stateparks.com/watkins_mill.html in Kearney, those are two that I recommend. Float trips to enjoy are Niangua River  http://www.fortniangua.com/   and  Current River http://www.currentrivercanoe.com/, both in MO.
Be sure to take lots of water, healthy snacks and proper shoes. early morning and later in the evening are more comfortable as fr as temperatures. Or, wait til fall. I can't wait that long, though.
I pray your week finds you somewhere in the midst of His natural Beauty. :)

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Thankful for freedom and those who died that I might have it.

Dear Jesus,
I am mindful today of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that my freedom was purchased with a very high price. My freedom cost others their  lives.
Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. Meet their needs and watch over their families.
Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing YOU, Jesus.
Amen

Confession...

Maybe because it is late. My guilty consience and fears of being found out are wearing me down. I feel like it is time for a confession. I will write about it here, but, I haven't decided yet if I will post it to my FB account. Here goes:

I continually get posts about  games I am playing on my wall, Empires, cityville, games like those. They are directed at me...but, I feel so dishonest when they appear. Because,  here is the confession: I am NOT the one playing the games! My grandson plays them in my name. Whew! I feel a little better.

Sometimes, I wonder if people see  posts on my wall and think, why does she play those games?? Well, the reason my grandson plays them,  and maintains them in my name is because evidently, he receives stuff that "I" give to him and it helps him out in his own game.

I constantly see posts from people complaining about activity or lack thereof from others. They give things to someone and some people never give things to them in return. There are literal threats as statuses saying they are not going to give stuff to "certain people" anymore. They are also in danger of being blacklisted if they don't start coughing up some comeback atcha.

 I read those statuses and I panic, wondering if I (my grandson) am possibly being considered as one of those greedy/stingy people! Is my ghost game player doing his part? If not, please, people, forgive me! I am not like that! I am actually rather giving. At times, maybe I have been a little too giving. (I didn't learn the word "No" til I was in my early 40's).

I am on your side! I think if someone goes out of their way for you, you should say, "thank you". Show appreciation. Go out of your way for them, sometime. If someone gives you something for your farm, city, whatever those games are...drop by their game and leave them some goodies!

Do I sound like  Robert Fulgham in All I Ever Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten? This stuff should be understood by now for these virtual games. Apparently, guaging from how many statuses there are complaining about this problem,  a lot of people missed kindergarten the day they taught Politeness 101.

Are there people who act  this way in the real world? Surely not! Don't all people give and take?

I used to hear it quoted, "Give a man a million dollars every day and he will love you. Skip one day and he will hate you." I thought that was the most absurd thing anyone could ever come up with. Why would someone all of a sudden feel that way then you had done so much previously? That does not even make sense.

I've never proved whether the adage was true. I've never given anyone a million dollars a day and then stopped one day. I have experienced sicknesses that left me limited in the things I was able to physically do for others. I hope no one hated me. At least if I'm not giving as much, I'm not asking for as much either.

My present day self does not have as much time as the younger me did. Kind of unbelievable since I thought my time was so limited when I had 5 children! Now, I have 5 children, their mates, and 10 grandchildren. I am very involved in their lives. That won't change. But, the time I have available for others might, somewhat.

I hope I don't lose any friendships.

I am thinking that maybe I should go into "my" game accounts to check if my grandson  gives as well as he receives. I hope I find that he gave out a milion every day. Then, if anything beyond his power happens and he has to cut back on his playing and giving, I hope he isn't booted off anyone's list for that.

YES I can create one for you! :)

BABY DEDICATION INVITATIONS-here are just a few styles.  

I can make one for YOU! :)

Email me the information, color choice, verse you would like.

Cost: $12 You can use the file to print as many as you like. No print or paper images.

Just the file will be sent to you.

I can also create BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS or  BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Here is a baby announcement sample...colors, images, and information would be custom to your information and preferences..

Choose LOVE!

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal.

Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

C.S. Lewis

Who hasn't, at one time or another, put themselves out there only to find a much different reaction than one might have hoped for their effort? Scientists have conducted actual studies which prove rejection causes true feelings of pain. Did we really even need a study to corroborate that?

I started a new blog. Tentativley,(putting myself out there), I invited a few people to check it out. I hoped they'd come.
I said to myself that I wouldn't get hurt feelings if no one showed up. So, why did I trepidatiously look this morning to see if anyone came by?

Because... I didn't want to be rejected. What if NO ONE had showed up? What if those who did thought it wasn't that great. I would be embarrassed that I put it out there.

It was kinda silly to worry whether someone would read or like my blog. It's just a blog. Who has time to read another blog, anyway? I know that I will find an audience for the subject. Besides, I did have some people take me up on the invitation! I even got my first follower! Thanks, JEN! And comments! Thanks, Terri! Thanks, Junnia!

All my negative brain activity wasn't totally wasted because it did make me ponder. Rejection is miserable. It hurts. It is proven (scientifially, even). But, I remembered that I, with all my insecurities, misgivings, shortcomings, and very unadvanced blog to show off, who willingly and maybe regrettably exposed some of my own nerves,I cannot even hold a candle to the rejection Christ receives.

People wake up every single day and make a conscious choice to ignore Someone who is so gentlemanly He patiently waits, hoping we will accept what He so generously offered. If you are a Christian, others often shy away from you. Of course, it isn't you they reject.

Jesus, said, in Luke 10:16, He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me;

I would say that it is possible that Jesus might have, in the flesh, felt a little vulnerable as he put a True Example of Love up on the cross. Beaten, naked, thirsty, exposed. He gave His all for us. Yet, He is all Powerful, Omniscient, Omnipotent, the King of Kings, and He is EVERYTHING.

Still, He puts Himself out there to us. Inviting us to speak to Him. Offering to guide us in a perfect path. He wants to fill us with His Spirit. He says He will Heal us. He truly desires to bless us.


Who then, would EVER reject HIM?

People do.

People are living and breathing and making choices whether or not they "want" Him. He gets rejected time and time again. Over, and over.

He doesn't give up on us if we disappoint or disobey His Word. There is no silent treatment from Him. When we call, He answers.

There is no disfellowship from Him if we don't meet His expectations. He knows we are not perfect. He says, My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Rejection not only hurts, it can leave you feeling very angry. Even bitter. He does not cuss or swear at us. No, He tenderly calls us by our name. Then, He is often ignored. Still, no scoffing, no scorning, no avoidance.

Who would refuse the only ONE we can put ourselves out there to completely, with absolutely no fear of the pain of rejection. The opposite of rejection is comfort. He is the Comforter.

He says in His Word, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. (Isaiah 41:9)

I'm comfortable with choosing to love Jesus. I hope you are, too.