Hope and Change

"Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy."  -Rudy Giulliani

This is a great thought as you begin your summer.  Just because you implement change does not mean you have reached where you need to be in your life or specific goals.

As well as hope is never a strategy.  You always need a plan...and then work that plan.

This thought will help to keep me on that right path.

What I Don't Know Anymore

The older I get, the more I realize what I don't know.  Yet, the older you get, the more wisdom you obtain.

I am at the point...I ask myself..."Do I know anything anymore?"

This is a very frustrating place to be.  Frustrating only to myself.  It brings about a feeling of insecurity...lack of confidence...what good can these feelings bring?

1.  Fact:  I don't know everything.  Therefore, every man is my teacher.

Every person knows something I do not know.  Every person can therefore teach me something I do not know.

2.  Fact:  When I don't know anything, the only way to go is up!  It is like restarting your journey with no mistakes in it.

3.  Fact:  When I don't know anything, I am in a good place.  I am humbled.

Want to be like Jesus?  He was humble.  Even though being humbled is not fun, it is needful.

Days when I am frustrated.  Days when I feel like I should have it all figured out.  Days when I am tired of trying to figure it all out.  I can look to these thoughts and know there is One who has it all figured out.

Human Tragedy...

"Miracles burst forth out of the moist, cold soil of human tragedy.  Moist with tears and cold with hopelessness."

This quote came across my path today.  What an encouragement to my heart and soul.  I hope it blesses you today on this Friday!

Wrestling

Just a reminder to pray for your fellow Christians today...

You never know what private battles one may be going through.  You don't know the demons that may be tormenting their soul.  You don't know what private hurts they may carry throughout their life because they are never free to share them.

And it is often a person that seems to have that perfect life...one that has it all "together".

Cover yourself and others in the wings of God today.  Saturate yourself with God's promises.  Soak yourself and others in prayer.  

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  Ephesians 6:12

When Worry Attacks...

When worry attacks...

What is worry?  It is the anticipated loss of some valued possession.

The word for worry is "wyrgan".  It means to strangle.  It is the picture of a dog with a shoe in his mouth.  He just moves his head back and forth...shaking that shoe as hard as he can.

Isn't that how worry feels?  It feels like a dog is inside you...ripping your emotions, heart and soul...shaking the life out of them.

Worry starts where faith ends.

How do you know if you haven't given your worries over to God?

Are you saying these statements?

1.  "I don't believe you are aware."

2.  "You must not care."

3.  "I don't think you are able."

What are YOU worried about today?  Health, finances, adult children, your marriage...

What must you do? 

 Give ownership of ALL you possess to God.  

Because when you do lose a valued possession, there is nothing left to worry about.  You have already given that possession to God.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  Phil. 4:6

Prisoner or Captive?

Often times, we are stuck in circumstances that are not of our choosing or making.  Many times, it is a situation as a result of a family member.  Here is a quote that I heard this morning and it was a help to me...

"You are not the prisoner of a dysfunctional family.  You are the captive of the Lord Jesus Christ."

I love that.  I hope that if you are in a situation that is not in your control, this statement will help you.

Budgeting Your Time

We are busy folks, aren't we?  Right now, I am finishing up our year of home schooling.  1 more day for Sierra in K-5 and 11 for Addie and Autumn.  I work 48 hour work weeks at my care giving job.  And I manage a household of four kids, a husband and two dogs.  LOL! Our girls also participate in a spring softball league which takes up to 5 days in the week.  In addition, I have many responsibilities in and for our church.  I oversee the nursery, teach Junior Church, teach a monthly ladies Bible study, manage the church secretarial and financial matters, oversee the music program, play the piano, clean the church bi-weekly.  

My plate is full.  I was thinking about managing your time. Everything in your life, if you want to be successful, must be on a budget.

 Two things that my husband and I are doing at this time is a budget.  A budget for our finances - including a debt reduction plan.  And a budget for our daily calorie intake.  

If I want to be able to pay my bills and pay off our remaining debt, I must stay on that budget!  

If I want to lose these extra pounds, I must stay on my daily calorie budget!

And if you want to be successful in your time management, you must stay on a time budget.

1.  Even if you think you are not a time waster, make a plan and follow that plan.

You would be surprised how many minutes in a day that you spend on Facebook browsing through your friends' lives.  

Time that you could use to read a chapter in your Bible...if you had it in your budget plan.

Time that you could use to write a note to a hurting friend...if you had it in your budget plan.

Time that you could use to take that walk...if you had it in your budget plan.

You see, you will accomplish far more, by simply having a plan and a budget for your time.

2.  Eliminate time wasters.

What do you waste time doing?  

Decide what your big time waster is...and eliminate it for one week.  

Use that time on the things you need to accomplish.  

3.  Simplify your life.

Clear out the physical clutter in your life.

Clear out the mental clutter in your mind.

You know when they say if you buy something new for your closet, you need to get rid of something?  The same applies with your schedule.  If you add something to your already full and complete schedule, you need to delete something that you already have in your schedule and replace it with the new thing.

Realize your capabilities and limits.  Don't use them as excuses.  Use them as your budget - your guidelines.  

Is your time on a budget today?  

"My Responsibility"

I read this poem while grading a Penmanship Test for my oldest daughter and really enjoyed the thoughts in it.

My Responsibility

I am glad to think
I am not bound to make the world go right,
But only to discover and to do,
With cheerful heart, the work that God appoints.

I will trust in Him,
That He can hold His own; and I will take
His will, above the work He sendeth me,
To be my chiefest good.  The glory is not in the task,
But in doing it for Him.

-Jean Ingelow

How To Get Past A Hurt...

I had a lady ask me a few days ago..."How do I get past a hurt of someone who has hurt me with mean and cruel words?"  Isn't this life a series of learning experiences?  Mine sure has been lately.

  

This lady said that she was praying for the person that had hurt her.  That certainly is something we should do.  But I have another thought to share...

My husband always says, "Don't pray for your husband to be a better husband.  Or your wife to be a better wife.  You pray for you to be a better husband or wife."

So, if you have been hurt by someone, and if you are praying for them...try something different.  

Just pray for yourself.  

I think you will be amazed at how different things look. :)

Shut Up Already!

I have been reading the past several days in the book of Job.  It is ongoing conversations between Job and his three friends.  As I read, I just want to scream at his three friends..."Really?  Would you please just shut up already?"  ;)

Job's friends seemed determined to prove their point that God was perhaps judging Job...that Job needed to confess hidden sin...and so forth.  Geez.  

I did enjoy a point amongst all this mess.  :)  Job says to his friends in Job 23:6..."Will he plead against me with his great power?  No; but he would put strength in me."

Love, love, love!  I crave that the Lord will put strength in me.  There are days that I need an extra dose of God's strength.  Do you need that extra strength today?  Ask God for it!  He will give you that strength today. :)

Modesty is...

Don't shoot me...I worked Friday through Monday nights and couldn't fit in blogging. :)

Here is a beautifully said quote that I wanted to share...

This is so well said and just what I believe.  It was an encouragement to my heart. :)

Thoughts on Suffering...

I have heard or read many people say "Goodbye to all the bad in 2012...I hope this year is better than last year!"

I don't know why they may be saying this.  Perhaps it is because a circumstance brought suffering in their life.  In my Bible reading, I am reading about Job - a man who certainly saw his share of suffering.

Three Views on Suffering:

Satan's View - People believe in God only when they are prospering and not suffering. 

The View of Job's Three Friends - Suffering is God's judgment for sin.  This is not always true and we will never know if God is truly judging them - for only God knows that answer.

God's View - Suffering causes us to trust God for who HE is, not what HE does.

120 Years...

Yesterday, I read the story of Noah.  God gave Noah a "project" to do.  For Noah, this project lasted 120 years.  It is interesting how Noah's project lasted longer than most of our entire lifetimes!

Noah's obedience to God...was simply a long-term commitment to the project God had given him.  Remember those New Year's Resolutions that you just made a few days ago?  Have you stuck with them?  If Noah was able to commit and complete a 120 year project, let that inspire you to stick with your 1 week, 1 month or 1 year goals!

The only comparable long-term project that we have is our very lives.  Let us commit or recommit today to live a lifetime of obedience and gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

Satan's Plan Against Us

Just a thought from Genesis...

Satan's Plan Against Us

1.  Doubt.  Satan will make you question God's Word and His goodness.

I decided that I want to make sure that even if nothing seems to be going right, God is good.  God's goodness does not depend on my circumstances.

2.  Discouragement.  Makes you look at your problems rather than at God.

January 1st is over.  The excitement of the new year is over.  It is already January 4.  Don't be discouraged.  Encourage yourself!

3.  Diversion.  Makes the wrong things seem attractive so that you will want them more than the right things.

Surround yourself with only good things.  Good music, good books, good TV shows.  The more you expose yourself to wrong things, the more chances there will be for you to run to them in times of weakness.

4.  Defeat.  Makes you feel like a failure so you don't even try.

I think this is a biggie for most women.  You have to keep trying...for if you don't, you have already failed.

5.  Delay.  Makes you put off doing something so that it never gets done.

This may seem trivial - but not accomplishing something will lead to the other points...defeat, discouragement, diversion.  Start now!  Make a plan, create a schedule, begin those goals!  Don't wait...don't put it off.  Start today!

My Main Goal in 2013

With only a few days left in 2012, minds go to what goals or resolutions they would like to set and accomplish in the new year.  I would like to share a personal goal that I am making.

I received a new Bible for Christmas this year from my sweet husband. :)  It is black and pink engraved in silver lettering - my name and the reference - Song of Solomon 2:9.  Which reads..."He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."  I love that. :)  It is a study Bible - the Life Application Bible.  I am so very excited to begin many studies in my new Bible.

I am the type of person who enjoys following a Bible reading schedule.  I enjoy reading through my Bible in a year.  I enjoy pursuing that goal.  This year, I am not only going to read through the Bible - in my new Bible :) -

I am going to listen to it while I read.

There is a wonderful Bible app out there.  My husband has it on his IPhone and I have it on my Kindle Fire and we have it on our laptop.  It is called You Version.  I can read any book, chapter or verse I want with this app.  I can add notes while I am reading.  I can bookmark favorites.  I can even choose a plan to follow such as The Bible in 90 Days, Chronological, Historical and so on.  

And I think my favorite part is I can listen to the Bible being read out loud to me.  So this year, I am going to follow the Chronological Bible Reading Plan - as I listen to the entire Bible - I will follow along in my new Bible.

And you know...there are many days that I just need the Word of God to soak into my heart, mind and soul.  So when I am doing dishes in the kitchen, I turn on the Word of God and just listen.  Frustrated?  Overwhelmed?  Defeated?  Discouraged?  Try listening to God's Word.  It provides a peace that passes all understanding.

I have other goals I really want to accomplish...but none as important as this one.  For it furthers my relationship with my Savior.  And that is worth more than anything.

Reset Button!

This post is more of a reminder to me than to anyone who reads this. :)

Christmas is a joyous time...usually a very busy time.  Shopping, wrapping, baking, Christmas activities and parties, cantatas and plays...the list goes on and on.  Sometimes, even though it seems like we are doing much for others...we can get wrapped up in what I am doing.

Today, I am refocusing on the needs of others this season...what can I do for someone else?  How can I encourage someone else?  

It isn't big things...just thoughtful things.  How about you?  Do you need a re-focus day as well?  Let us make today that day! :)

Guilt or Grace?

A certain incident that happened recently brought some thoughts and feelings to mind...

I remember as a teenager feeling guilty if I was reading my Bible enough.  I thought the point of "growing" as a Christian was you increase all your godly things you do.  So if I read a chapter a day this year, I was supposed to read two chapters the next year.  Was I living up to the standard I was supposed to?  And boy, the guilt that plagued my heart when I didn't read my Bible.  I struggled a lot with thoughts like that.

Now, I read my Bible because I love my relationship with my Savior.  It is not a guilt-ridden time - it is simply a time that I look forward to each morning.  A cup of coffee, my blanket in my favorite chair and my Bible.  I don't worry anymore if I am meeting any standard that someone has laid out for me.  

Once in awhile, I come across a situation where that feeling comes back.  Am I doing enough as a Christian?  Are my clothes modest enough?  Are my standards as high as they should be?

And then I tell myself, NO!  I refuse to live my Christian life in guilt.  "By the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain..."  I Corinthians 15:10

I am what I am by God's grace.  I may not be perfect and I may make mistakes daily.  But thanks be to God for His amazing grace.

The Fragrance of Christian Influence-Part 7

Continuing our study of influence...

Our sixth and final thought:  Dress to influence.

I know...God looks on the inside...but guess who is looking on the outside?  Yep, those who you are influencing.  And even though there are those who love you just the way you are...whether we have on our make-up, our hair done and our high heels on...let's not make that excuse.

We are a representative of our Lord!  We are a child of the King of Kings.  So...I think that makes me a princess. :)  I would love to be a princess in this life.  I love to watch the Queen of England.  Always proper, always representing her kingdom well.  I am pretty sure I have never seen the Queen out shopping at the grocery store in her pajama pants and slippers with no make-up!  She dresses appropriately for the occasion...always a lady...always a leader by her example.

As a pastor's wife, I want to be aware that I am an example to the ladies of our church.  I am the image that visitors may judge our church on.  Imagine that!  They will look to see if I am wearing make-up, if I am wearing a fashionable yet modest outfit, if my hair is styled.  I don't want visitors to whisper to their friend and say..."THAT'S the pastor's wife???"  LOL!  I am being silly but very honest.  It is part of my responsibility as a daughter of our KING to represent Him well.

And it is your responsibility to represent Him as well!  Never take that lightly.  I am not saying that when you are at home relaxing or cleaning the house, that you have to be dressed in your Sunday best.  But how about Sundays?  Do you wear your flip flops and jean skirt with your hair pulled back into a ponytail?  Or do you take time to care for your appearance?  

Isn't there a sweet fragrance...a breath of fresh air...when you see a young lady dressed modestly, appropriately and they look like a daughter of our King?  Let us remember that we can emit that same sweet fragrance to others when we dress to influence.

Wear make-up.  Style your hair and do it every day.  Update your wardrobe.  Dress appropriately for the occasion.  Add accessories.  

My 9 yr. old daughter has caught this lesson. :)  Every day, she dresses in her little outfits, fixes her hair, and even puts on her jewelry.  We don't go anywhere...we home school.  Yet, she puts on her best.  She is a challenge to me on those days where I want to say...I don't really need to put on my make-up, I really don't need to do my hair.  I love that she is an example for me!

Let us be challenged to do the same!  Let us represent our King!

The Fragrance of Christian Influence-Part 6

Continuing our study of influence...

Fifth Thought:  Be patient with people.  Growth does not come instantly, but slowly and steadily.

God is so patient with me.  I know I have so many flaws and consistently disappoint Him.  Yet, He is patient and loving...always giving the second chance.

I want to remember to do the same with others.  No one is exactly like me...and that is not how God designed it.  Tap into the strengths of others and you will soon find that if everyone is being used for their strengths...the entire body of the church or home or circle of friends will be stronger as a whole.

Love that person for who they are...as they are...with no changes.  And you will never go wrong.

And as you accept them, you will be a sweet fragrance of influence to others.

The Fragrance of Christian Influence-Part 5

Continuing our study of influence...

Our fourth thought:  Do not begin by correcting everything you observe that is wrong in their lives. Do not attempt to initiate a relationship by immediately calling attention to their dress, language, recreational activities, political orientation, etc.

First, influence them by example.  Make the outside a pleasing fragrance to smell...the way you dress, the way you talk, your smile.

I think of Mrs. Marlene Evans.  She was one of my teachers in Bible college before cancer took her to Heaven.  She was one of the most loud, boisterous, out-going ladies I have known. She had a booming voice that could be heard across the room. But she learned how to bridle that energy.  Her "loud" mouth was not abrasive to her hearer's ears.  She changed it to become a sound of encouragement, happiness and joy.

The way others see you on the outside...does it permeate a pleasant fragrance...or do they move away when they see you because of the overbearing stench of "let me correct your flaws"?

Second, watch for open doors.  You don't have to break them down. :)  If they have a spark of interest towards the things of God, they will comment or ask questions.  This is especially true of teen girls and ladies.  Sometimes in our eagerness to influence, we barge through doors that aren't open.  Just wait...let the fragrance of God through you float in the room and influence others before you even open your mouth. :)