The End Of Another Year

Each year it seems like the year goes by so much faster than the year before. It just seems like it was January of 2011.

In our family we had a lot of good things happened and a scarry things happen also. I was in the hospital for four days not knowing if something was wrong with my heart. I am thankful that there was nothing wrong with it but just that it was beating a little fast. It was in the stomach area that I had the problem and they did a bio and it came out fine.

As I look back over the year I see how the Lord has been in all of it. The good and what seem like the bad. And I learned many things through the trials and the good times and that is how good the Lord is to me and my family and to all those that know Him. I am so thankful for this.

I hope is that you discovered the same thing.

Happy Birthday Our Dear Gabrielle Renee

Most times birthdays are a happy occasions. We just celebrated the birth of Christ and this was a very happy event. December 12th and 13th were birthdays of my grandson and my son. But today's birthday of our granddaughter Gabrielle is both happy and sad.

My daughter and son-in-law found out in August of 1999 that Gabrielle had the same condition that her cousin had and that she had no brain. But our daughter and son-in-law decided to carry Gabrielle to her birth date and letting God decide what would take place. Life or death.

Well, God chose life. Gabrielle was taken by c-section and she was born alived. But hearing the screams of our son-in-law and being in a different room we were not sure. So my husband and I waited to see if we would be seeing our granddaughter. When the doctor came in with Gabrielle we could not believe what we saw. She was beautiful! With this kind of condition she could have been very deformed. Actually she was, but I didn't see it because they had  put a cap on her head. My son-in-law saw her when she was born and the cap slipped off enough so my husband saw it, but the Lord sparred me of seeing the top of her head.

We all got to hold her. Her dad sang to her and we all told her we loved her. She hated her bath, she drank some milk, she did everything a normal baby would do but cry.

The next morning around 6:30 my husband called my daughter to see how things were going and just as he called Gabrielle's heart stopped pumping and she went to be with the Lord. She died in my daughter's arms.

We know that she is in a better place and someday we will see her again. But even though it has been twelve years now we still miss her. Her name means courage and that she had. And so did my daughter and son-in-law. To carry her full length and not knowing what would take place was what I call real faith.

Enjoying One Of My Gifts

I wasn't expecting anything from my husband for Christmas as we decided to get ourselves a new video and cd player so that we can play the things that we like. So when I started to be handed all kinds of gifts on Christmas Day from my husband I was overjoyed.

Right now I am listing to one of the cds he gave me. I got six in all. Then I received a gift certificate to Barnes and Nobles, a poem written by him and then recorded on tape for me.

I also gave him a gift also so I didn't feel to bad that I received things and he didn't get anything. I know him to well and thought that he would give me at least the poem.

I really believe that the Lord put my husband and I together. We are completely different kind of people. But we get along very well most of the time. It is only when we actually try to do something together that it doesn't work out. But if we are working on a project and doing different things it comes out nice. The Lord knew that we needed each others strengths and that we could help each other in weakness. We have been together now for 45 years.

Hope all have a great New Year. It will be exciting to see what the Lord has for all of us to do.

Christmas Day Is Over

To me it is almost always a let down after Christmas Day is over. But this year the Christmas season was totally different. It was the first time in a long time that it was calm. The decorations that were up appeared very pretty. And we had a lot of nice music to listen to.

Our three children were able to come to our home this year. And it was nice that the boys brought their girlfriends and our daughter and son-in-law and our three grandchildren were all here. So we had a very full house. Many wonderful gifts were exchanged and a great dinner was prepared by many hands.

But Christmas is just the beginning of the life of Jesus here on earth. And so as the months go by there will be a lot of time to get ready for Easter. And Easter is when we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. So I will be talking more about Easter as time goes by.

I hope that all of you who read this had a good Christmas. I know that some may have had a sad one because of a loss of a loved one and my heart goes out to you. I hope and pray that the New Year will bring happiness to you.

Also now you can get this blog through your e-mail. So hope you will do that or can sign up here. Love to hear from you.

Christmas Shopping Done

I thought I had all of my shopping done but found out there was one more person I needed to buy for. I stood in line and got what I went for. The line was a little long but not to bad.  I can not imagine going shopping on Friday or Saturday and glad I got it done today.

It is fun to give gifts but I wonder if what I get the person is something they really like. Have you ever wonder this? There are two gifts that I received that were very special to me. The first gift I received that was very special to me is my husband asking me to marry him on Christmas Day 1965. He gave me his school ring and then on Valentines Day 1966 he gave me the official diamond. The second one was a lava light. I still have it and it still works. The best thing about these two gifts is I still have them both. And they both are doing fine.

Short Quiz

I thought since this is Christmas week that it would be fun to see how many people you can name that are involved in the Christmas story. If you need too you can look up the answers. But see how many you can put down without looking.

Games

I like to play games. I like board games, playing marbles with my grandkids, Jenga, and all kinds of computer games. I don't seem to get to play them as much as I used to but I still enjoy playing them. Actually they say it is good for your mind to play games. It helps your mind to stay sharp. Boy-I need all the help I can get. Between some of my illnesses which alter the chemicals in my brain and getting up in years. No, I not going to tell you how old I am. I am still a child's heart as far as playing games. A good way to enjoy life from time to time.

Boy Am I Tired!

I might have mentioned already that I have been trying to make up a Christmas card from one of my husband's paintings. We got a new computer and the program that we used last year we could not use this year. And I tried the program that is on our computer now and just couldn't get it to work. Then we went out and bought a program that is suppose to do what is already on the computer which doesn't really make any sense but we were desperate.

Finally, this evening,  I got the card made! Actually I got two made and now my husband can not decide which one he likes better.

I am so glad that the Lord gave me the kind of temperment that sticks to something untill I get it and I don't give up. Some people would call it being stubborn. That may be the case also. But whatever you want to call it I have it.

What Is Between The Dash?

I was just thinking about a neighbor of mine who just died this week. He was a very popular man and was involved in our community and politics and had many talents. There have been TV programs about him. Today they showed part of the funeral. 

He lived a very full life and since I have known him since I was eight and he died just before his 70th birthday there are a lot of things I know that other people might not know. I spent many hours at his home with his parents, brother and sisters. And then when he was married he lived across the street from me next door to where I grew up. So was able to see his family grow.

I am not sure if you ever heard the saying what counts in your life is not your birth date or your death date but the dash inbetween. How true. Some people have a lot be told and some maybe not so much. But you know what? We are all important!

Received A Blessing Today

Our church is looking for a new Pastor and today we had one come to speak to us. What a blessing he and his wife were to me. I learned so much just in two hours of (morning and evening services) then at any other time. His wife did not preach to us by words but by action. She showed me that she truly loved her husband (they held hands) and she supported her husband by listening to him and she was very good with talking to total strangers.

In the morning service the Pastor spoke on John 1:1-5. God spoke-Jesus did the work. In creation God spoke-let there be light and Jesus brought on the light. All the way through Genesis 1 and 2 what God spoke Jesus did. We also see the Holy Spirit in Genesis also. In two places in Genesis 1 and 2. He hovered over the face of the waters. And the other verse would be Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...".

2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This was the evening message and the Pastor was talking about revival and that it has to be in ourself first. The verse above shows us what we need to have revival in our lives.

Love Booksales

My husband and I hit the jackpot today as we got to go to three booksales. We didn't buy to much, but it was fun. My husband got me some dvds he knew I would like which was great! I also got a few stained glassed pattern books with nice patterns in. I also got some Christian books that look good and helpful information in them to help me grow in my Christian life.

Then after the booksales I finished up my Christmas shopping. So now I just need to gather everything together and wrap them all.

Where Is My Camera When I Want It?

Today as my husband and I were going to go clean the church that we clean together each Thursday when we both commented at the same time, "It's to bad we don't have the camera." I have one on my tracphone but have nothing to connect the pictures with to the computer. What we needed was my regular camera.

The picture that we wanted to take was the hillside of trees all covered with snow. It was a like snow, but it was just a glorious winter picture. The beauty of the season of which God has made.

Four Birthdays in December

December is one of those months in which our family have a lot of birthdays. I have a grandson's birthday on the 12th. A son's birthday on the 13th. My Aunt's birthday on the 23th.

Also on December 25 is the birthday of Jesus. As a family, we have a birthday party for Jesus. And I personally give Jesus a special gift for the following year. I have a small box that I put down what the gift is. I have been doing this for a few years. After all without Jesus' birth we would have no Christmas. For He is the reason for the season.

A busy month, but a happy one even though everyone is getting older which means that I am getting older too. But that is just part of life. I am going to enjoy the time I have left here on earth.

How Time Flies

If I don't get to the computer first thing in the morning or later afternoon I just don't seem to get my blog done. Of course some days it is easier to write something than other days. Like yesterday. I can share it now but it was a hard thing to deal with yesterday.

I was suppose to be at a meeting at 11:00 and I never checked my calendar and left my home around 11:00 and got to my meeting late. I felt so bad for I am usually early when I am suppose to be somewhere. I just had it in my mind it was for 11:30.

Then at the meeting I received some disturbing news and I was grouchy the whole day which isn't like me. I am usually very happy, easy going person--but not yesterday. I was so upset I couldn't even settle down to sleep.

I kept praying "Help me Father!" I finally got up and came to the computer and wrote out everything that was on my mind. That helped then went back to bed and slept for a few hours then had to get up to go to work.

Once to work I was able to talk to different people and the Lord worked everything out and what I was so concerned aboutwas not going to happen and I was so happy. I then said to my Father, "Thank you Father, I knew You would work it out."

Love Your Enemies

Tonight as I sat listening to my Pastor giving the message on loving your enemies all the time he was preaching I had a person in mind. And I tried to see if I did as the Scriptures said to do.

Luke 6:27-31
1. Love my enemy-I thought about this and I can honestly say I did love my enemy.

2. To good to those that hate you-Again, I could say I did good to this person.

3. Bless and pray for them that curse you and despitefully use you. I did pray for this person and I did try to do good things for this person.

4. The next part was the hardest to do and that was to stand by and allow my person to hurt me with words and actions. Not physical abuse but mental abuse and words.

5. We are to treat our enemies the way that we would want to be treated.

My enemy is no longer here on earth but I still love this person very much even though there were times of hurtful acts and bitterness.

So think of these verses in Luke 6. And love your enemies and do good to them.

Almost Left Behind

Yesterday I worked and after work my husband and I went grocery shopping and then I had a doctor's appointment. Instead of going home and coming back I had my husband drop me off at the doctor's office. He went home put the groceries away and then came back for me.


I arrived forty-five minutes early but had a good book to read while I waited. Three people went in ahead of me. The nurse called my name and took me to the room and got all the information that was needed and said that the doctor had one patient ahead of me.

I wasn't sure what time it was when I went in as there wasn't a clock near by. So I took out my book and started reading it. I heard people in the hallway and also my doctor. So put book away and was waiting for him to come in.

All of a sudden I was hearing nurses saying goodnight to the doctors that were still there. Which mine was. I was getting a little nervous. I was about ready to go to the door and the doctor came in. He took about maybe ten minutes at the most and everything was fine. It was a follow-up visit from the being in the hospital.

When we were through we went out to the hallway. The doctor asked if the waiting room was closed and it was and so he took me to another door near where we were standing. "By the way did you have anything in the waiting room?" the doctor asked me.

I said, "Yes, my husband is in there."

"Well I guess you better go and get him. Just go to the door and he can come out but the door is locked so you won't be able to go in." So I went to the door and my husband look my direction and he got out ok and we went on our way home. I asked my husband what time it was and he said 5:30.

Again, I just never know what is going to happen to me in a day. I still say God has a sense of humor.

Dreams

For many years I had the same dream over and over. And each time I would have it I would scream. So when I was about to be married my mother warned my husband that I screamed in my sleep.

It was our wedding night and many things had happened just before we got married. My grandfather died three days before my wedding. That meant a funeral should have been taking place on my wedding day but my grandfather told us before he died to go ahead with the wedding. The funeral was the next day.

Right outside our bedroom window was a fire escape. That was scarry enough but just a week or so before our wedding someone was killed in a near by town. So all I could think about was someone climbing up the fire escape and getting into our bedroom.

I soon got over that but not until after going to sleep on our wedding night. For in the middle of the night I let out with a scream that woke up the people that lived over us and those who lived on first floor of the apartment building.One person ran outside to see if something was happening out there. The people upstairs we could hear moving around a lot. It was not to long after we moved in they moved out. I wonder why?

I no longer have that dream which I am so thankful for but as a writer I wish that I could write down some of the dreams I have now. Most are not as scarry but they sure are full of action-packed adventure. I usually remember my dreams but writing them down doesn't seem to be as good as the real thing. Maybe should think about making movies instead. No don't think so.

In the Bible, God worked in ways that people would have dreams and the dreams would come true and that is how He talked to the people He wanted to talk to. I'm glad we have the Bible to read now as that is how He talks to us today.

I don't think God is talking to me through my dreams which is a good thing. I think I just have an over active imagination.

Rough And Smooth Side of Stones

I like to do crafts. Right now I am working on making paper weights using titles.

Not to long ago we went to a thrift shop and I found some glass pieces that look like stones except they are in different shades of blue. They were a little dirty and smelly and so I put them in a dish and soaked them in water with a little dish soap. When I dryed them off today they were just beautiful.

I found that the solid colors were very rough and had a design on them. When I turned them over they were very smooth and no design at all. The same thing with the see-through glass ones. Rough on one side with white swirling through the glass, but on the smooth side it was plain.

It made me think about our lives and what God does to us. We can be very rough and he smooths us out and makes us very bright and beautiful. Or we could be going along in our lives and be very smooth and polished looking like we have it altogether and then God roughs us up and makes us more beautiful. It all depends on how you look at things.

Either way God is still working on us and giving us what ever beauty treatment we need at this time.

Meeting Our New Neighbors

I have been wanting to meet our new neighbors for the last two weeks, but their schedule and mine were not compatible until yesterday.

My husband and I looked out our front window and we saw that our neighbor's dog was loose. We wanted to contact our neighbor, but he sleeps during the day as he works nights. I went over to his front door anyway hoping I could wake him-but to no avail.

I called my former neighbor to see if I could get a phone number, but his business was not opened yet and he didn't answer the phone. So I didn't get very far going that way.

My husband went for a walk and I decided to be brave as I saw the dog go into our other neighbor's garage. I thought that I would have enough time to get to the back door of the dog's house and knock on it as my neighbor could hear me if I used this door. But as it worked out the dog was faster than I was and before I knew it the dog was barking and headed toward my body.

I knew that this dog was being trained as a Police dog I knew enough to be calm and not try to run or move. The dog was barking so in a calm voice I kept saying to it, "Keep barking." I was hoping this would wake up my neighbor and He would come out and get the dog. It worked. The dog did keep barking long enough so that his owner did wake up and looked out the window to see a woman standing still with his dog not leashed up.

The dog started to go after me again but I said in a very sharp voice, "No." The dog turned around and so as quickly as I dared to I walked up to my back door and got in my house.Then I looked out the door and saw that my neighbor had the dog and was taking him to their side door to put it their celler.

The neighbor came around to the back of the house. I went out and told him what had happened and that we were trying to get his attention so he could get his dog in the house. He was so happy but sad at the same time for he thought that this was not the best way to met his new neighbors.

We talked for a few minutes and then he gave me his phone number so that if anything like that happened again or anything else happened that we would be able to get a hold of him.

I just never know what is going to happen to me in a day. I was just so glad that the Lord protected me and I knew about the dog's training and knew that I was to talk calm at one time and tell him no in a sharp voice another time so that I was not hurt.

The Bible

I don't know about you, but I like to read a lot. I have not read novels or fiction much in the past but now I have found some nice Christian writer's in which I enjoy reading their stories.

I find it amazing that if you take the Bible and divide it up into chapters as you would a regular book it doesn't take that long to read a chapter or a whole book.

What I find that takes the longest to read the Bible is that I have to stop and analyze what I read. Sometimes I only get to read one word and I am off looking up that word and seeing what it means in Hebrew or Greek (Stong's Concordance). Sometimes I get through a whole chapter but have every word is underlined so when I go back through my Bible I see that section. Sometimes I may only read a verse and meditate on what it is saying.

So reading the Bible may take a longer time to read, but really the books themselves may be shorter than a fiction or non-fiction book you may read.

So if I want light reading I read my fiction. But if I want a deep study and to learn more about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit I turn to my different versions of the Bible and enjoy the study.

A New Season Is Upon Us

Actually it seems like Christmas season came before Thanksgiving this year has it has been so much in the last few years.

But this year to me it feels more like Christmas, an old fashioned Christmas. With real cheer and joy in it and not so much fakeness to it.

I do hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving Day. Ours was quiet but nice. Last evening our youngest son and his girlfriend came and visited with us for a few hours. They live in New York City and don't get home much. So it was great to see them.

Our son works for a person who owns a Dog Walking Service. And our son was telling us all the funny stories that happen while he either goes to pick up the dogs or brings them back or while walking them. It was so funny to listen to him. He loves the job and the dogs and they get along great. Our son also has a photography business and is an artist. So New York City is the place for him.

I wasn't planning on talking about our son but he is so great to have around. We have two other children that are great to have around also. Our oldest son paints cars and repair cars and he is great at his job. And our daughter is a full time mom with a 13 year old, soon to be 9 year old and a 7 year old. Which at this time are getting a little restless and since the since the 7 year old is a girl and the other two are boys it is funny to watch them. Our granddaughter can be as tough or tougher and as loud as her brothers. Then at times she is so sweet and a real girl's girl.

I love being a grandmother and a mom.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Maybe this year Thanksgiving Day is going to be different. It is for our household. Maybe your family are not able to make it to see you for one reason or another.

Maybe you have losed a loved one and it is going to be an empty place at the table and in your heart.

God knows what you are going through whether it be good or sad or even bad. Tell Him your heart-He will hear you. By doing this you will have God's peace which is far more wonderful than your mind can understand.

His peace will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.

Thanksgiving Time

This is the time of year in which we think even more of being thankful for things that we have.

When I was doing my devotional "Sharing The Bible Together" I came across the verse Deuteronomy 8:10 which says, "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."

I had never thought about praying after my meal and thanking the Lord from where my food came from. I think this is a great idea? How about you? Do you think it is a good idea?

Retirement Time

Psalm 71:9
"Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

Some people when they are of retirement age (65), like I am, want to retire from their job and think of just having a relaxing time when they retire. Maybe take a trip by boat or go cross country in a camper and see the world.

The person who wrote Psalm 71 was not asking the Lordto have him retire but in fact--just the opposite. The writer did not want to be put on the shelf or be put him aside but he wanted to keep going with the Lord's help.

That is the way I feel. I do have a part-time job at a library and helping my husband clean a church. I am a writer and love to do create things and do blogging and twitter and read.

I don't think at this time the Lord is wanting me to retire and do nothing but to keep on doing the things I am doing and to enjoy the gift of sharing with others what He is sharing with me.

Added Part To Old Saying.

For those of you who remember your mother saying, "Always make sure you have clean underware on as you may be in a accident and need to go to the hospital." Well I have two other things to add to that.

The first, if you are a woman and you have hair on your legs and haven't shaved lately start doing it now for if you have unshaven legs and you need to be admitted to the hospital it becomes an embrassment.

Second, also make sure that you have clean socks on also. Dirty socks are not very good things to be seen either.

I know all this because I unexpectly landed in the ER room on Wednesday afternoon and they kept me and I got home Saturday afternoon. I didn't get my legs shaved--but I made sure my husband brought along clean socks to go in. In the meantime I got some slipper socks to wear.

I just wanted to post tonight to let you know why I hadn't posted since Wednesday and I am going to give myself some time to heal a little more before I write again. It still hurts to sit for a long time and to type.

So don't go away but should be up and around and doing much better by Tuesday. But will let the Lord decide when He wants me back to typing.

PS
Had chest pains so they had to do all kinds of test to make sure wasn't having heart attack. As it turns out I wasn't and I praise the Lord for this. It turned out to be a gastro infection and it was shooting pain into my chest and back.

It's Supper Time

I am usually the one that wants to eat but I need some new receipes. I am getting tired of the same old meals. I know I can go onto the computer and get some or go to some of my receipe books but just haven't gotten to it yet.

It is sort of what it is like when I don't get to my spiritual food. Sluggish, tired, and just don't know what to read or study.

I guess I best get going and eat better diet in both areas of my life and then will fell a whole lot better.

November

I enjoy the month of November in which I can see the bare trees. Yes, I think bare trees are beautiful. They look so majestic just standing there and reaching up to the sky which makes me think of God the Creator.

I enjoy the smell of wood smoke coming the chimney.

Then people have decorations up for fall and Christmas. It is a little early for Christmas decorations, but in our area the weather has been good so might as well get the decorations up before the real cold and snow come.

November, of course, is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. And I have so much to be thankful for this year. And also a tradition in my house is that I get to play Christmas music. To early for decorations but not to early for some of the music.

And one more thing that takes place in November is my granddaughter's birthday. She will be seven already. Where does the time go. It just seemed like yesterday that she was just born.

Disapponted

According to The New Roget's Thesaurus In Dictionary Form disappointment means: balked, chargrined, disgruntled, frustrated, let down, disillusioned, dischanted. Sometimes we are disappointed in a person. We don't want to be disappointed in this person or the things that they do - but it happens.

You know what? God is sometimes disappointed in us sometimes. And so when a person here on earth does something that has frustrated us, or let us down we still can love this person because God still loves us. And when we disappoint Him He forgives us and that is what we need to do with the person that has disappointed us.

We all still have the sin nature and because of this we have a choice between doing the right thing or making a wrong decision.

So love the one who has disappointed you as God loves you. As the Bible says," love covers a mulitude of sin."

In A Hurry!

About twenty years ago I found out that I had ADHD. This means that I can not stay at one thing for a long time. That is why I have three books I am reading right now. I also find that there are a lot of things I want to do but I usually need to finish a project all the way through at one time or it doesn't get finished. Does anyone also have this trouble? I have medicine for it but now my insurance doesn't want to pay for it. So either I have to change the medicine, which I don't want to do, or pay full price which I am not sure what would be. This is another story in itself.

With the medicine I find that I have slowed down some and can do more things but still need to slow down some more, relax, and enjoy life more. So I don't finish something, I can go back and do some more later if I train myself to do so. Does it sound like I am trying to talk myself into this?

Well I do need to slow down some and that is going to be one of the things that I will be working on.

Moods

Some days I wake up and the morning is just wonderful and the day starts out good but by the end of the day I may be crying over something.

Some days I wake up and am grouchy until I fully wake up and then it is a great day.

So moods are strange. Sometimes I feel depressed for no reason at all and then the other side of the feeling I am happy and at peace with myself, God, and living in general.

I guess one can not be happy all the time but I sure do like it when I am happy and rejoicing over everything that I have. It is a great feeling.

Writer Friends

In the last few months I have been making new friends. People that have things in common with me and we enjoy talking about those things. One group of people is my old/new writer's group. I say old/new because about ten years ago I belonged to this group but it was under a different name and met in a different place. But when I went to a Writer's Conference in my area I met a person who invited me to her writer's group.

When I arrived I said to myself "I know some of these people." It was some people from the writer's group that I belonged to before. I was excited as these people knew how to write and they also knew what red pens were for. Along with the older group some new people have joined. And they are also very talented people. And once I get to no how to put on blogs I, I will add to my blog their blogs so you can read what they have to write. Still learning this new system of communication. But I enjoy each one and am thankful for them.

God wants us to have friends that we can share things with. In this group I share my writing skills or lack of them and asking for help to improve my writing. Some other friends are there for me for help when I am sick or a Bible Study Group who prays for me.

So be very thankful for your friends. And I am very thankful for those who read this blog. I love sharing things and I find this a very good way of doing it and hoping you are being blessed, maybe laugh a little, and come closer to the Lord through these postings.

Prayer

When I am with people I feel I need to use fancy words when I pray. Do you feel that way? But when I am just talking to God my Father between ourselves I just pray as if He was right next to me and talk to Him in plain English. Psalm 139 tells me that He knows all about me so I can ask Him and tell Him all that is on my heart and He listens.

There is one lady that I listen too on one of the radio program from Chrisitian Women Affiliate that always starts out with Daddy. That is special to me.

So next time you go to pray just say, Father, can we talk now? And you will have that calmness and His Presents and just talk to Him. But also listen to what He has to say. He does talk to us. He might remind us of a verse or message. Different ways He talks to us.

Psalm 136

I don't usually do a whole portion of Scriputure on this blog, but today when I was doing my daily devotional, the chapter I came to was Psalm 136. I soon learned that at the end of each verse the phrase his mercy endureth for ever found.

So I took a closer look at the verses and discovered some other things which I would like to share with you.

• Give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good.


• Give thanks unto the Gods of gods.


• Give thanks to the Lord of lords to him who alone does great wonders.


• The Lord's wisdom made the heaven, the earth was stretched out above the waters and the great lights were made. The sun rule the day and the moon and stars rule the night.


• The Lord smote Egypt;s firstborn and brought out Israel from among them.


• With a strong hand and with a stretched out arm He divided the Red sea into parts and made Israel to pass through the midst of it. But He overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea.


• The Lord led His people through the wilderness in which He smote great kings.


• He slew famous kings and gave the land as an inhertence to Israel.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Missionaries

I did not grow up in a Christian home and it was not until I was nineteen that I accepted the Lord. And then the people that I was around were not missionary-minded people. So I must admit that I have not been as missionary-minded as I should be.

But yesterday at church we had a family that shared with us their ministry as missionaries. And in the morning service he went through the Bible and showed us how to pray for missionaries which was a big help.

If I can get a pray card or sign up for newsletters or get the newsletters from church then that is another way that I can pray for our missionaries. They are very special people in that they go through a lot especially if they are working in a foreign field. Have to learn customs, language, and change of weather etc.

Of course it was mentioned that we are all missionaries because we are around people that maybe no one else is and we can share by our actions or words what the Lord means to us.

Graphic Designer

Since the 1980's I have wanted to do graphic designs. I worked for papers that did advertisements and it always fascinated me how they did this. I did have an opportunity to do some graphic art work but for not to long. They said I was to slow.

But one of my main goals is to do cards 21/2 by 31/2 size and print Bible verses on them and decorate them and hand them out. Also I do paperweights and would like to have some graphic designs on them also.

I got a graphic arts program which is Shop Pro 8 and I just need to sit down and take the time to go page by page and understand how it works. So in this blog I am asking for prayer if this is what the Lord would have me do that I would be able to learn how to do it and do a good job that would honor Him.

I thank you ahead of time and if anyone has any suggestions would be glad to hear from you. Anyone is welcome to write comments on any of the blogs or join up and be part of this blog. Love to hear from you.

And I want to thank those who do read this blog. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Laughter

I am afraid that I don't laugh enough. I love it when I can laugh and it is great fun to be around people who laugh. I have a co-worker that you can always tell when she has come to work as you can hear her laughter throughout the building.

What makes you laugh?

Laughter is a good medicine as the Bible tells us and it costs a lot less than going to the doctors for depression.

So have a good laugh today!

Appreciation

Opening a car door for me. Opening doors in a room for me. Helping me put on my coat, buying me something he knows that I would like for no reason at all. Helping me with dishes or other house work if I am not feeling good. When we are walking somewhere, my husband always walks so that he is next to the road or street so he can protect me from danger. These are all the kinds things my husband does for me which is showing his love for me. I say thank you and I let him know that I appreciate him very much for doing these loving things and that I love him very much.

There is another person that I appreciate very much and that is God. He formed me and made me just the way that He wants me. And He also takes care of me and protects me. And I also thank Him and tell Him that I love Him also.

It is nice to be appreciated.

Being Real

Every time I do my devotion Sharing The Bible Together, which can be found 0n facebook, or when I write on my blog I want to come across as being real.

When I read the verses that I am typing they all reach out to me and I want to live the life that I am typing. I don't always do it, but it is a real goal that the verses that I type each day would be hidden in my heart and when I need help in a time of trouble or rejoicing I can at least quote the verse.

The Lord means a lot to me and my Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit they are so special in my life. Without them I would not be here today. They have brought me through many rough times. And I am so thankful that God chose me to be one of His children.

A Place To Think

Do you have a place that you can go to just to think about things? I do and it is my second-hand stationary bike. It is down in my cellar and when I want to think about what I am going to write about for this blog I just hop onto my bike and start to peddle. It is relaxing, it is good for me, and it is just such a quiet time for me.

I hope that you have a quiet place that you can go to and just be still and hear God's still small voice and that you listen to that voice and I know if you do you will have a much better day.

Rejoicing No Matter What

Did you ever have a day that you woke up and felt really close to the Lord? And you were happy and you knew exactly what you were to do with your life and you just couldn't wait to get started. And then it seems like things began to fall apart.

You wanted to be on the computer to do what you nomally do so that you could get some new things done and your husband was on it. So you started projects or did projects and just as you started to listen to a DVD he gets off the computer. And with a DVD you just can not start where you left off as easily as you can with a CD. So know will have to hear what you listened to all over again.

You go to do your computer project and it just doesn't work. You try everything to get the program on you want to hear on radio and just can not get it until the program is off and then you have a reminder that the program is on.

How about writing your blog and you had a great idea and then because of everything else that happened it just slipped from your mind.

I am a very strong-willed person and I know what is happening and that is Satan does not want me to do what the Lord wants me to do so he is trying his best to stop me by getting me discouraged. But it didn't work. I just told him to flee and that God is with me and so far I got all my devotiions done. I am doing my blog and am on my way to reading my e-mails and doing twitter.

The verse I had for my devotions today is Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Amen!

Happy Day

Today at my church we had an appreciation day for our Pastors. It was great and we also had a guest speaker. This man was in his seventies and has been preaching for 35 years. And he was the kind of Pastor you could fall in love with because he had a genuine love for preaching God's word, loving the people of the local church and many of us asked him if he would be willing to come and be our Pastor as we are looking for a new one. He said that if he was about ten years younger he would come in a heart beat. But he just couldn't take on a new church right now.

We have three Pastors. One works with those who are Seniors (55 and up), one who works with our youth groups, and our Main Pastor. These men are all great and will miss our Main Pastor when we get a new one. He is just filling in for now.

So what I am saying is to appreciate your Pastor and his staff. If they have been chosen from God they are the leader of the church and should be respected.

Loving My Job

Especially today, not many people can say that they love their job. But what is not to love about mine?

I am a writer and I work at a library. I work in the children's department. I get to see and read all the new books that come to the library and be put into the computer so that the patrons can take them out and read them.

When we have our rooms returned after the Town Hall people are gone, we had a flood and our Town Hall took over the library for awhile until they can get back to their offices, we will have story time again. This means that I have two days that I can read to children. One day ages 3-5 and on the other day 2 years-old.

I get to met local authors when they come in and look for books to read and they give me great advise. And my boss is a very compassionate and a very lovely person.

As a writer I also have the Bible to be my guide on how to write. The Lord gives me many examples in just reading His parables. So the Lord placed me just where He wants me for now and I am so thankful for this.

Trusting The Lord

I had an oppuntitiy to put my trust in the Lord this week. It was a little scarry because I didn't know what the outcome was going to be. But the problem that came was something I just didn't know how to handle and I had to believe what God's word said about what was going on.

As it turned out the Lord heard my prayer and knew my heart and that I wanted His will to be done and not mine and it has worked out well or at least a lot better then it would have if I taken the problem into my own hands and did what I wanted to do. It is still not finished yet, the problem, but it is being worked on and with the Lord's help I will continue to trust in Him and do as He ask.

Learning New Things

I love to learn new things. I was so excited when I was reading the book called A View From The Zoo by Gary Richmond and discovered that when a baby giraffe is born it drops six feet to the ground. Then when it gets up the mother makes sure it is ok and then she kicks her baby back down. The reason why is that if they were out in the wild the baby would have to get up and keep going or it may be killed. So the mother keeps kicking down her baby until it can stand on its own without falling down.

Now I know that may not be interesting to most people, but it things like this that I find fascinating. Another thing that I find fascinating is that I can read the Bible every year with a group that I am in and each time I read the Bible I always find something new in it. It is so exciting to see this happen.

So I hope that you enjoy reading your Bible and finding out new things as you go along.

Overwhelmed

Now that I have a blog, Twitter, Facebook and three different e-mails I have become overwhelmed. I have been trying for weeks to clear off my one e-mail account, but I get so far then I have to stop. I said to myself there must be a way that I can do all these things and not be overwhelmed.

Well, I prayed about it and what I came up with is to write down each site on an index card. I put them in an order of importance and then as I do them I place the card in the back of the pile. Then if I don't get to the least important at least I got done what was most important and then I feel like I have accomplished something and don't feel so overwhelmed.

Thank Father for giving me the answer to my problem.

Being A Storyteller

As long as I can remember I always love to make up stories. Growing up as an only child I remember washing dishes and making up stories to a pretend audience. As I grew older I did do storytelling in front of real group of people.

The first time was at a gathering in which there were the mixture of babies, small children, teens, parents, and grandparents. I was so nervous that I forgot to tell them why I had chose the story, The Giving Tree which I think is a great story.

This was a Christian group and if you didn't know why I had picked that story it really did not make a lot of sense. But everyone sat in silence and listened and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. But it did seem to go over well and the Lord helped me to remember the story.

The Giving Tree is a story about a boy and a tree. And how when the boy was small he and the tree were great friends. Then as the boy grew older he went away from the tree and only came when he needed something from the tree. Then as the boy became a man he only visited the tree once-in-awhile. The tree gave the boy everything he wanted and at the end an old man sits on the stump of the tree and that is how the story ends.

I see the boy as a new Christian and Jesus as the tree. And so when a person first becomes a Christian they want to be with Jesus all the time. Then as time goes on they grow apart and then only come to Jesus when they want something. As the person gets older and realizes all that Jesus had done for them at Calvary, and over the years, they come back to Him as a broken person wanting to have that special relationship with Him and never leave His side again.

I still like to tell stories, and now I am writing my own children's story about my pet. So I guess I never have out grown being a storyteller.

Be Still

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Psalm 46:10 and it is in part this: "Be still, and know that I am God..."

I don't know about you but I have a hard time being still in word or deed. I feel like I always must be busy doing something. I just can not set down and be still.

But, I am finding out that is just what I need to do daily. I need just to rest during the day and build myself up so can do the most important things. And I am so glad that the Lord knew that we all would need this verse found in Psalm 46.

Train Whistle Blowing

As I type this blog I hear the familiar sound of a train whistle blowing its signal of one long and three short blasts as it travels down the track. A town is near by and the whistle needs to warn them it's a coming.

Another sound that I will hear someday is the sound of a trumpet blowing. And then the Lord will appear in the clouds and those who have died already will rise first and then those that are still alive will follow and met the Lord in the air. At my age I am not sure which group I will be in but it is going to be great!

Both sounds to me are exciting. The one now of the train whistle and the one coming - the trumpet!

Train Whistle Blows

As I am sitting here typing today's blog and I hear the familiar sound of a train whistle blowing and the rattling of cars as they go down the tracks which are located on a high hill across the river from my home. The whistle starts blowing just before it reaches the small town just down the tracks. The sound carries far and when I here the whistle it reminds me so much of my eariler years growing up as a child.

For my first five years we had a train track right across the street from us. My grandfather worked for the railroad as a conductor so we got all our train rides for free. Then my father worked at a train station loading and unloading the baggage carts.

But most of all it was the actual riding on the train how that was so exciting as we traveled down those bumpy tracks and look out the window and see thing passing by so quickly and then we would arrive at grandpa and grandma's house. Those were the good-old days.

Some day I will be taking another kind of trip. This time I will hear a trumpet sounding out its sound and I will rise up into the air to meet Jesus in the clouds. Oh what a day that will be.

Being Thankful

This morning when I woke up and I was getting ready for my daily morning routine I kept thinking about and telling my Heavenly Father the things that I was thankful for.

He choosing me to be His Child - That still blows my mind.

Caring for me when I am sick or in trouble.

His testing me to see if I really mean what I say. That is the hard one.

Giving me a choice. That way He is not forcing me to do it His way but I do it His way out of love.

These are just some of things that ame to mind and I feel so good when I can just talk to him and not as for anything and have just a very quiet time with Him and know that He is there listening to me as I do with Him.

A Strange Noise

I was sitting at my computer and typing up the notes I had for the Bible Study Group that I am working with on the book of Romans, when all of a sudden I heard this huge banging noise. I had no idea where it was coming from. It didn't sound like it was coming from the room I was in, but it was most diffently coming from upstairs.

I stopped my typing and carefully and slowly began to make my way around the different areas. I didn't think to take a broom or anything so if I did come across some kind of creature I would have something to work with.

I went across the small little hallway and came into our spare room. The sound became louder and louder. I have a doll house on the floor and it is not easy to move ,but I became braver and I started to pull out the house away from the wall. Nothing there but a huge died spider. I don't think that is what was making the noise. But the pounding continued. I pounded on the wall. The noise stoped for a second then it pounded even more. Not seeing anything I decided to go back into my computer room and continue doing what I was doing.

Well, the noise stopped soon after I left the room and I haven't heard it since. But I know behind my walls is a very strong creature trying to make its way out. So I am going to be on the lookout and be prepared to do what it takes to rid this creature.

The verse that came to mind was the Lord is my strength and help in the time of my need. Last time something like this happened I screamed for about five minutes straight until my husband realized there was something wrong and came downstairs and there was a bat in our bedroom. It took me about a week or more to get my voice back.

Can The Protests Last Without Leader's ?

I was looking through the news headlights and came across the one about can the Protests Last Without Leaders? And my first response was no.

There must be some leader, some main theme, and everyone working togerher. One of the problems in this story that the protesters were having isthat drummers came in and they won't stop there drumming. Of course people in the neighborhood are complaining about the noise, there is really no one to get them to not do their drumming. It is a mess.

This is the same way it is in our lives if we don't have a leader, a plan or theme, and working together. As a Christian our main leader is Christ, The Holy Spirit directs us and God has already set up the plan. We just need to follow the leading of our leader and our lives will go a lot smoother and better than having no direction, no one to take orders from, and no theme. And being a Christian we have others to work together with.

I am I glad that I have a leader. I do feel sorry for those who are trying to make a difference in their world they just going about it in wrong way.

A New Season Starts

First, the temperature started to change and we had to put a sweater on or light coat. Pumpkins were being place on steps with or without faces. White sheets starting appearing all over. And the best part were the leaves beganing to change into their brilliant organges, reds, and yellows. The hillsides all around were taking on these colors.

Then, it seemed as as soon as we got these brilliant colors on the trees, rain came, a twenty-an-hour wind started blowing, and the leaves are now mostly on the ground. They still have some of their colors - but not the same.

In Genesis the Bible tells us that one of the first things God did was to make the seasons and I am so glad He did. I like to see, smell, feel the crisp air, see the snow, see the spring flowers and the falls colors.

How about you?

Haiku Poem

Not Feeling Well

Sitting alone no sounds
Headache, cough, aches, pain, asking
For hug from my Lord.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

For our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary people gave us money and at that time hot-air balloon rides were in. I called a person that flew a hot-balloon and asked if he could take us up for a ride. He really didn't want to because it was a windy night - but then he changed his mind. So we meant him on a high hill and started our adventure. And what an adventure!

Animals don't like the sound of the balloon so we saw chickesn going around in circles. Dogs were barking. The sound was go good that we could even hear the sound of fire engines traveling through the city. It was amazing what we could see and hear. We even saw a baseball game being played.

Everything was going well and our ride was almost over. It was scarry going up but to me it was also very scarry coming down. As we got closer to the ground the wind had picked up. We got to the place where we were going to land the basket of the balloon tipped over and I hit my knee on the gas tank. What was really funny was the company was called, "Soft Landings."

As I was floating through the air at what seemed a very slow pace and was looking down I was thinking of the verse where it says that people look like grasshoppers. It's true. They are so small the higher you go up. And I was really amazed how God, in His greatness, can see everyone and hear everyone.

Now, hot air balloons are not so popular and don't see many around but the thing that stays the same is how great our God is.

It's A Bonnie Day

I have a friend who was a nurse and for many years she would say that she would never allow me to come to her ER. She was just kidding, but it seemed like I was at the ER all the time. She said that I don't do anything normal.

I don't get a normal cold, no I have to have chest pains along with it. So when I called my doctor's office today to see if I could get in to see him I was put on hold and soon his nurse came to the phone and said because I had chest pains and would have to go to the ER. So I got myself ready and my husband drove me to the ER.

Now up to this point nothing had ever been wrong with my heart, but I have many illnessness that can feel like a heart problem. I got to the hospital and they hooked me up to the machine and did all the xrays.

This time everything came out well except my heart. My pulse was so high that they had to give me three medicines to get it down. It finally went down but now I have one more thing to add to my list of things that I have wrong.

But you know what? I thank the Lord for the great doctors and nurses that He gave to me to work on me today and that I was directed to go to the ER. I got the medicine that they gave me in the hospital and also a blood pressure machine that tells me all I need to know about what is going on with my body. Because of the infection my blood surgar was up to 248. Never has been that high. But the Lord knows all about it.

Now when something goes wrong in my friend's life she says to me, "I had a Bonnie Day."

Sign Language

One day I was visited a Christian College Library and I notice that there was a sign posted for learning sign language. There was a cost and I am thinking to myself should I take the course. I had taken a few courses earlier at other places. I prayed about and decided to go ahead and do the course.

I had no idea how the Lord was going to use it in my life. We had no ministries near by and it is very difficult to reach the Deaf people if you are not Deaf.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. And In July of that year I had my thyroid removed. In doing this they did get all the cancer and I am cancer free which I praise the Lord for. However, one of what I call a side-effect is that when the thyroid is gone all the vocal cords are left open and there is nothing to protect them. Because of this if I talk a lot I loose my voice.

So, now when we sing songs in church I use sign language. I have forgotten some of it so need to go back to the books and refresh my memory. What is so amazing is that the Lord knew all about this and now I can worship the Lord in using my hands and signing my praise to Him. He knows all languages.

So I am so glad that I did follow the Lord's direction and learned the sign language and there are a lot of people who want to learn it also. So there might be a ministry somewhere in this field.

So if the Lord is telling you to do something, and you just have no idea why He would have you do it - just go ahead and do it and He will direct your path.

What Do I Want To Do With My Life?

This morning when I woke up the question came to my mind and that was if I could do anything and had nothing to stop me from doing it, what do I want to do with my life? It kept coming back and I knew the Lord was talking to me as I have started to go backwards in my life and getting very upset because I couldn't seem to finished projects that I started.

There are so many things that I like to do, but I needed to know from the Lord which was the most important thing(s) I should be doing with my life. The answer came to me again, as this is not the first time I asked Him about this issue. Write-craft-read was the answer He gave me.

Let's start with reading. I have just collected a series of books by an author and it is going to take years for me to read them. Should I keep them or not. The Lord answered, "Yes, my child, as these are good stories. They will come in handy when you just want something easy and relaxing to read. Also, my child, it will help you learn new words to use in your writing." Ok Lord that answers that question.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter what about them Lord? "Pick out the ones that that you can learn from and be committed to. Again you can learn much from other people that I send your way." Ok Lord that answers that question.

What about my crafts? "Again you can use your knowledge and your creativity that I have given you to make things for people that would encourage them. Do them as you listen to your radio programs on your computer. This way you will be working on your crafts and also be hearing my word. In other words, my child, don't be afraid to do things because you think you are not doing what I want you to do. For I keep putting into your mind the projects I want you to do. And I always say to you, JUST DO THEM. No doubting allowed or any kind of double-mindness as I had James write."

"So Lord, I can't even be like Moses and say, "But, Lord!"

"No my child, who made you?" You did Lord and You have a plan for me and I see clearly Your plan for my life now. Thank you for listening to me and helping me to get this all straighten out."

"You are welcome my child and I am always here for you."

My Rubber Ducky

Yes, I must admit I have a rubber ducky and it sits on my computer table and looks at me everyday.

Now you may ask why a sixty-five-year old woman would have a rubber ducky sitting on her computer table. Well, it all happened like this.

I went to a writer's conference in July. And each evening they had a meeting around 7:00 p.m. So someone announced that everyone come and sit up front. So I did. Not really hearing the beginning of the conversation I found myself among many people who were now becoming a part of a duck group.

I stayed and was handed my rubber ducky. The group and the duck is to remind us to write everyday. And this I do, in one way or another. And if I don't feel like writing then all I have to do is look at my ducky and say, "I'm writing today." Who would think such a small strange object could get one to do something? I never thought about it, but I am glad I have it.

I love to write about everyday things and about Bible things. I don't think  rubber ducks are found in the Bible but I know there are all other kinds of creatures mentioned.

So if you are a writer or have a ministry of some sort and you are just not up to doing it just think rubber ducky and that might help you get into what you need to do.

Ring Around The Toilet Bowl

Yesterday, my husband and I cleaned a church that we clean each week. One of my jobs is to clean the five bathrooms that they have. We do them every week and so it is really not a hard job to keep them clean. But the one in the nursery I don't always put the tolilet bowl cleaner in it as it is not used as much as the rest of the bathrooms. I do swish around the water with the brush and clean the rest of it.

Well yesterday as I looked inside the toilet bowl I found that there was just a slight trace of a ring around the bowl. My first thought was, "Your sins will find you out." In otherwords, I need to make sure that each week I put the cleanser in the bowl correctly so that there will not be the ring around the bowl.

Then I was thinking about my spiritual life. How many times that I pass by on little things that I should be doing but don't. Then I become quilty of having something showing that shouldn't be there. For just one example it could be a bad attitude as I have not been thinking the right thoughts. Or reading other blogs and saying to myself, "I wish I could write like that," instead of being content with how the Lord has me deliver the message He wants me to deliver.

So I learned a very valuable lesson by cleaning a bathroom and that is "Whatever I do, do it unto the Lord." Actually He is my boss anyway. And I want to please Him everyday.

My Kids

Most parents believe that their children are the best. And I am no exception. As I looked on my facebook page this morning I saw my son's picture of one of the dogs that he walks for a living. He lives in New York City and it is a very good business walking dogs. He loves it. And in his free time he is a photographer and he is also an artist. When he was young he said that he wanted to be in the military and so in his senior year of high school he joined the Amy Reserves and served for six years as a Civil Affairs Specialist. This is my youngest child.

My oldest child is a full-time mother and has three children which keep her very busy. She wanted to be in TV and since she was in sixth grade she did all she could to reach her goal. And she made it and worked at for a station in Elmiria, New York. While attending church she meant her husband through. And now they has a thirteen-year-old son, a twelve-year-old daughter who went to be with Jesus shortly after her birth, a eight-year-old son, and a six-year-old daughter. They keep her busy, but loves to be a stay-at-home mom.

My oldest son paints cars. He was around his grandfather a lot who loved to work on cars by fixing them and we had a great neighbor who did work on cars for a living. So he got very good training and he is one of the best fixer-upper of cars and does a great job in painting.

The reason I mention my children is that the Bible says we are to train up our children in the way they shall go and they will not depart from it. I believe there are two meanings to this.

The first meaning is that as they begin to grow they usually have some type of talent that shows up in them. So we tried to encourage each child in their talent. The youngest is a wonderful artitist, he loves photographer along with antiques. So he took lessons in art and had a few shows of his own. Our oldest son when to special school to learn how to work on cars along with being with his grandfather. And our daughter did internships at various TV stations and radio stations to get her training.

The second part of the verse means to teach them about God and His ways. That was done also. However teaching and having them learn in their own way are two different things. They went to Sunday School, church, youth groups, Christian school so they received the truth. But two of my children strayed away from God and one stayed with Him. Of course my prayer is that the two that went away will come back as the Word teaches. Much prayer goes up each day for all of my children.

So I feel we need to get to know our children, see their gifts and talents and teach them how to use them for the best and let the Holy Spirit work in their lives to guide them even though they might not want to hear that still small voice.

If you have children like the two that have gone away from the Lord don't give up on them. The Lord sees the whole picture. Just keep praying for them.

Worry

Last evening I went to a writer's group, which I attend once a month, and one of the writer's there had written about worry. Even though she didn't know it I got news yesterday about my thirteen-year-old grandson who hasn't been feeling well for some time. My daughter was able to get him in to see a specialist that works with young people. As it turns out the doctor is very concern about his condition. Not going into details right now I could begin to worry about it if I let my mind go in that direction.

What I am saying is that I have a choice. I could think about the worse things that it could be, or I can give it over to the Lord, who knows all about it, and let Him guide the doctor in what is best to do to help my grandson.

I am going to trust in the Lord and take one step at a time and pray over each thing that comes about. James writes have peace, calmness, and assurance in your hearts when trials comes your way.

It makes a lot of sense to me as I think about it to be calm instead of being stressed out and see what the Lord is going to do for my grandson.

How about you? Which sounds best to you? Peace, calmness, and assurance that the Lord is in control, or stress, worry, health problems and fear.

What Is True Love?

True love is God's love in me.

True love endures long and is patient and kind.
True love it never is envious nor boils over with jealousy.
True love is not boastful or vainglorious.
True love does not display it self haughtily.
True love is not conceited, rude and does not ace unbecomingly.
True love does not insists on its own rights or its own way.
True love is not self-seeking, is not touchy or fretful or resentful.
True love it takes no account of the evil done to it.
True love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness.
True love rejoices when right and truth prevail.
True love bears up under anything and everything that comes.
True love is ready to believe the best of every person.
True love hopes are fadeless under all circumstances.
True love endures everything without weakening.
True love never fails or becomes obsolete.

True love is true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us.

Trust

Having Good News

I am always happy when I get good news. And in the past few weeks I got a lot of good news. The first, is no more body scans for cancer! My lost two came out negative so am just going to have blood work.

Next, I was told of a supplement that might help me with my running knee. Praise the Lord it has not only helped my knee but has also calm down my fibro. This is great news!

I am able to be back to work and that is also good. It means that the area that got flooded out is cleaned out enough that the Town Hall workers could move back into their building and not having to use the library.

The best news that I could receive is that there is a God. That He loves me so much that He sent His only Son down to earth and then His Son went to the cross and died there for me. He shed His blood for my sins. And the hardest part of all this for Jesus was not the pain from the crown of thorns, the scurging, the lost of blood, but that His Father had to turn His back on Jesus just at the time He needed Him most. That was when Jesus was bearing the sins of the world. Then Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. And then He went back to be with His Father and be able to be back Home.

And Jesus is coming back for me also. Some more good news.  So I have to make sure I am ready to meet Him in the air. And then the best news will be if He says to me, "Well done my favorite servant."

My Dancing Turtle

This morning as I was watching my turtle from across the room all of a sudden her front legs began to lift one at time to the music that was being played. It was so funny to watch. She does this often, but this morning what made it even more funny was that when the music stopped she stopped also.  Her neck and head came out of the water and she had this look on her face as if she wanted to say, "What, it's over--oh no--I like that piece of music play some more."  And then she went back to being quiet again. If felt sorry for her, but it was time for me to go to work so didn't have any more time to play any more music.

I am so God made all kinds of animals and creatures. They are so much fun to watch and to enjoy.

We Tell All

I find those who take a stand on what they believe in, rather it be right or wrong do something about it. In todays news there is an article that tells about another plot to blow up one of our buildings and other places in one of our cities. The problem for me is that they give detailed for each step that was going to happen. To me this could give other people the same idea and try it. Which in this case is not a good thing.

What would be great is if we were allowed to share the gospel with those in our country. Instead--Christ and God are taken out of our schools and government and in a lot of other areas and where are we as a nation? We are getting deeper and deeper in a generation that no longer believes in God or moral rights. Our children and grandchildren have nothing to hold on to. As each generation passes God fades away and we are turning into a nation like Israel was in the Old Testament.

Prayer
Our Father please help us to look to You no matter what comes and if need be that we will lose our lives in order to take a stand in like Stephen did in the New Testament and others who are being killed for your sake. In Jesus Name I ask this.

But one thing we can count on is that God is patient. It is a good thing or we would be out of this world very fast and a lot of people would be left behind and face what is to be one of the worse times in history. Even worse than now.

In Psalm 51:1-4 it reads as follows: "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly form mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: my sin is ever before me. Agains thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."

Let our prayer me that we as believers will take a stand and do what the Lord wants us to do and that is to honor Him.

Bored!

Have you ever been bored? I woke up this morning and I was grouchy and felt bored. Another day, same old thing. Then I felt ashamed. I looked out my front window and starting to think.

I have a home that I am safe and warm in. In my community and surrounding areas there are thousands of people who have all the belongings on the curb waiting to be picked up. Why? Because they no longer have a home, or anything that belonged in their home because of flooding.

Next, I thought about work. I have a job. It is just the right amount of hours, I receive enough money to help pay for food and gas for my car and just a little extra if I want to help someone else out.

And I have no lack of things to do at home. Cleaning, I have stained glass pieces, branches, beeswax, all kinds of tools to make all kinds of gifts and things to make cards to encourage others who are going through rough times' Being creative in the form of art is very relaxing and fun for me so I am also able to do something for myself.

Books--working in a library for me is like working in a candy store for others. I see all kinds of books to read and projects to do.

So, I thought instead of being bored, I would be thankful for all the blessings I have. I would enjoy each one and put my whole heart in doing what the Lord wants me to do and that is sharing my life with others through words, gifts,  and a good testimony. So I am no longer bored but a very thankful child of God, and now am ready to see what is planned out for me today.

A Little Prayer
Thank you my Father for creating me just the way I am. And Holy Spirit guide me today.

Looking Back

I grew up as an only child and so when my parents became ill it was a very busy time as they both had lung diseases and both were in hospice at the same time. But the Lord was good and they both improved enough to be off hospice and my father lived one more year and my mother lived another two before she had to go back on it.

But the one time I remember very well, was when my mother was put in the hospital. She had to stay for a few days and then it was time for her to go home.

I rode in the medical van with my mother and my father came home in his car. The van arrived at my parent's home and stopped in front of the house. I opened the door, and just about the time I was going  to put my foot down onto the sidewalk I saw it. Just below my foot was a snake curled up.

I shut the van door and ask the driver if he could move the van forward a little. I turned around and looked at my mother as she was sitting in the back seat and she said, "You saw a snake didn't you?" I had to admitt to her that I did. She was deathly afraid of snakes. And then the driver of the van said, "Lady, I don't do reptiles."  So he gladly drove the van forward and we got my mother in a wheelchair and went across the lawn and up the steps and into the house.

In the meantime, my father arrived home and he was so worried about my mother that he just stepped right over that snake and didn't even see it. I yelled snake! But he first went in and checked on my mother to make sure she was ok and then he came back out and killed the snake.

Of course the verse that came to my mind as I was typing this post was Genesis 3:1: "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

It is a good thing my mother didn't live during the time of Adam and Eve for she would not only would see a snake but would be able to talk to one. Not a good thing.

A Good Book

Being that my husband and I only have four channels to watch on TV, since we gave up cable when he retired, there is not much to watch even if the stations do came in good. So we have taken up reading.

I just finished a great book titled Bamboo & Lace by Lori Wick. I was waiting for my husband to finish cleaning the church and I was in their library and I found this book on their shelf. Since I had gotten some for myself to read from a book sale I thought I would read this one while I was waiting for him.

Well, it was so good I had to bring it home and I just finished it this morning. I like a good book don't you?

It is the same way with the Bible. Some people think it is a dry and an uneventful book, but if you really read it and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart as your read it, you can always find something new and just what you need at the time you are ready it.

So the Bible comes first then I think Lori Wick, who is a Christian writer, would come next. Both hard to put down once I get started.

Death Of A Child-Time Heals

I was reminded of the heartbreak of one losing a child through death as I was reading my e-mail this morning.

I lost a child through a miscarriage, but the doctor could tell that this special child was deformed, so it was best that the baby went to be with the Lord. This child would be thirty-seven now.

Then in 1994 our first grandchild was born to our son's wife and he also was deformed and we lost him. He would be seventeen now. Then in 2009 another grandchild was born, this time to our daughter.  Our daughter and son-in-law knew in August of 1999 that their daughter might not be born alive, but they decided that God was in control and so our daughter carried her to her due date which was scheduled for December 29th.

She was born alive and was normal until you came to her forehead and then she had no brain. But she did well. She ate, she had her diaper changed, she weighted in at eight pounds, she didn't like her bath, and she could follow movement. She lived for fourteen hours. Remarkable! We all got to say hello to her and tell her we loved her. Then she too went to be with the Lord.  She would be twelve now.

As time goes by it is easier and they are all remembered and we will see them in heaven when we get there along with our precious Jesus.

The verse that came to my mind when I read this woman's story was: "I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

So if you have lost a child through death my heart goes out to you.

Exercising

My husband and I went to a garage sale and I bought a second hand bicycle which is stationary and so when I ride it I can get my exercise without falling off the bike. As I rode the bike inbetween the sqeeking of the wheel I just pray and listen to God speak to me. It is such a relaxing time and a fun way to do excercise.

This morning the phrase that kept going through my mind is living through Christ. I am doing a Bible Study and we are talking about Christ and what the gospel story means to us.

So I came to my computer and looked up living through Christ. I was surprise when I came across a whole different verse but it was just what I needed to answer my question about living the gospel daily. Here is the verse.

Hebrew 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

I then looked up the word purge and this is what I found the Hebrew word to mean:

Purge

1. to make clean, cleanse
2. from physical stains and dirt
   1. utensils, food
   2. a leper, to cleanse by curing
   3. to remove by cleansing
3. in a moral sense
   1. to free from defilement of sin and from faults
   2. to purify from wickedness
   3. to free from guilt of sin, to purify
   4. to consecrate by cleansing or purifying
   5. to consecrate, dedicate
4. to pronounce clean in a levitical sense

Christ's blood frees me from fefilement of sin and faults. Frees me the guilt of sin. Cleans me and therefore I am consecrated and dedicated to God.

Then I looked up the word dead.

Dead

1. spiritually dead
2. destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
3. inactive as respects doing right

By being dead to self I can then serve the living God through Christ.

I get so excited when I really understand something. Now I just have to remember what I learned and do it.

A New Start

When I started this site I wanted to help those who were new to the Christian to understand what it meant to follow Jesus and help my using the Bible as the main source of information.

When I became a believer I did not have anyone to help me learn about how to live the Christian life. In other words I didn't have a mentor to guide me. I know there are many sites on this order but each person has their unique way of presenting the Bible and messages.

So I am going to start from the beginning and then add examples from my own life how the verses helps me and pray that it will help you get started on knowing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit better.

So come and join me as we travel through the Bible together.

Do You Have A Favorite Verse?

I was just working on my Bible Devotional and the verse for today is Psalms 46:10. Usually I just quote the first part which reads, "Be still, and know that I am God." But there is more to the verse and it goes like this, "I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

I call it my 'It is written verse' which I use when I am having problems and need help from Jesus. He quoted verses a lot of times. So I have my own verses I use in different times in my life.

How about you? Do you have a favorite verse or verses or any 'It is written verse(s)?'

Garbage Everywhere

I live in Upstate New York in the Binghamton, Endicott, Vestal, Johnson City area and on September 7th we had a massive flood which took a lot of homes, churches, and businesses. Even though it is now September 19th at the time of this writing there is still piles of garbage on the curb ready to be picked up.

Many families and businesses lost everything. The place in which I work the roof had some damage but it is ok. However the Town Hall was flooded out so they have taken over the library. So have not been able to work for the first week but now am able to go in and work to keep ahead of the books so when we can open to the public we will be caught up.

You know not only is there garbage found on the streets but it is also found in our minds. My husband and I pretty much stop watching TV because there is really nothing to watch but killings and other things that are not worth the time to watch. We have become great readers. The Bible for me is one. I am learning a lot.

So I hope that your mind is clear of garbage.

Practice-Practice-Practice

On Friday evening my husband and I we able to attend a live broadcasting of a very talented twelve-year-old girl named Anastasia Rizikov. With the lighting from the TV station and where we were sitting when she played her face glowed as if she was like Moses just coming down off the mountain after talking with God.

Anastasia's grandmother taught other students to play and when Anastasia asked her grandmother if she would teach her to play--the rest is history.  Her grandmother and mother go everywhere with Anastasia. Her first visit to our area she was when she was only nine and played from memory many classical pieces, as she did last night.

And practice she does and you can tell. Her goal is to be the best in her field. And she is off to a very good start.

We as disciples of Christ need to practice as well. Reading His Word and whatever He asks us to do we are to go all the way and practice-not just one time but many times in order to do the best that we can.

Let us put our whole heart into our calling as Anastasia puts into her music and see how good we can do things for God and give Him the glory for it all.

Blessed People

Psalm 41:1 "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

There are many ways people are poor. Those who are rich can be poor in spirit. Those who are poor due to lack of money but they may be rich in spiritual things.

The poor are always with us for one reason or another there are just some who just have a hard time here on earth. And the Lord is telling us that those that take care of the poor are blessed and He will deliver them from times of trouble.

That isn't the reason that we should do things for the poor just because we will be rewarded, but the Lord wants us to take care of each other with love in our hearts and love for the Lord. If you look at all of God's rules for His children and His chosen people there is a rule and if followed a reward. It may not be a reward we see here on earth, but will see it in heaven.

So can you think of anyone today that is poor and in need of help whether it is time, money, prayer, or food? If so please the Lord and allow Him to work through you even today.

Seeing His Face

Psalm 17:15 "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."


When I am doing my artwork or if I am looking at something I usually see a face. It is not usually the face of Jesus but I did have one experience that I thought I did see His face. It was very scarry as it appeared on a hospital wall.

The story goes like this. My mother was very ill and she was taken to the hospital. She was talking about things that were not even happening except in her mind. But then she said, "Bonnie, look on the wall their is the face of Jesus." I looked not expecting to see anything. But just the shape of the wall to me it did look like it could be the face of Jesus. It was like He was there one minute and gone the next. But it gave both my mother and I peace.

But one day I will see His face for sure. And in Psalms 17:15 David gives me that assurance that when I fall asleep in death, and when I wake up I will be in the present of the Lord and will see His face for sure.

That can be a great comfort to all of us who are believers. If we love Him and have lived our lives pleasing to Him, then we shall see Him face-to-face. If we know of any sin in our life right now we can pray to the Lord and ask Him for forgiveness and He will forgive us as it tells us in I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

What a day it will be when we do see the face of Jesus-what a joy it will be.  

Death

Death is a hard subject to talk about. I am not afraid of death for I know that I will be with Jesus, at least my spirit will be with Him if He doesn't return before I die. But what bothers me about death is just thinking about my body. It shouldn't bother me as my body and spirit will be together again when the Rapture comes. But it still bothers me.

But as I read Psalm 23 from the Amplified Bible especially verse 4 this helps me a great deal. "23:4 "Yes, though I walk through the deep sunless valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You(the Lord) are with me: Your rod to protect and Your staff to guide, they comfort me.

The reason I bring up the subject of death today is my daughter's mother-in-law died this evening and not only that but her sister-in-laws mother died this afternoon. So my son-in-law lost two people in his family today. His mother was a believer so my son-in-law and daughter know that they will see her again. Which to them is a great comfort.

As believers and disciples we need not fear death. But it is always sad when we lose someone we love. And one other thing that is sad about the two deaths happening today is my daughter and son-in-laws 14 wedding anniversary.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You knowing that You know all things and we don't know why You picked today for these two love ones to pass away but we were praying for Your will to be done. We accept it but please be with Tim especially today as he was very close to his mother. Thank You that he was able to be there with her at the time of her death. Be also with the other members of the family and be especially with Elijah her grandson as he still remembers his sister's death and his birthday will be Sunday the 18th. He will take it the hardest of the three grandchildren. I ask this in the Name of Your Son.

Rapture

What does the word rapture mean? According to The New Roget's Thesaurus In Dictionary Form by Norman Lewis it means ecstasy and happiness.

The rapture that I am going to talk about will bring us ecstasy and happiness if we have lived our lifes for the Lord. The rapture, which the word is not found in the Bible but is descriped in Acts 1:11 "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Matthew 24:30,31 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

It means to a believer that we will be able to go to the Lord who is in the clouds and no longer be here on earth if we are alive. If we have died we will be with Him first. So we win either way.

But be aware, those who do not accept Christ for who He is, the Son of God, and who died on the cross for their sins, shed His blood and then was buried and rose again and returned to His Father, will be left behind. For awhile there will peace and things will be good and then the worse time of history will take place. Read the book of Revelation.

I am looking forward to the Rapture are you?

Created Things

One of my favorite verses is Genesis 1:1 and it reads like this, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

What is so great to me about this verse is the first part, "In the beginning God" I just stop everytime I read it and think about God. Now God created things out of nothing, which we can not do. But one of the things I like to do is crafts.

I just recently took a book out of a library and it is called Trash-To-Treasure Papermaking. Now I have tried to make paper in the past and sometimes I got some very good things from it and then other times it didn't work. Best to follow instructions.

But as I was reading through this book this morning I came to a page that had the title People, Pressure, and Paper then it goes on to say, "What's the difference between people and paper? People don't like pressure, paper does."

Right away I thought of being a disciple and following Christ. It is not always easy following Christ as He has some very high standards. Sometimes we feel pressured into doing things we don't want to do but feel we need to do them anyway. Where as paper loves pressure. Actually the more pressure you put on it the better it comes out.

Thinking more about it maybe having pressure put on us makes us a better person. The Bible tells us that what God would have us to do is not hard. For God is with us through it all.

So are you like paper and like a lot of pressure to make you better, or are you like a person when God places pressure you don't like it as much?

The Signs Of The Time

As I hear another helicopter go over my house, and just heard of the news about the Town Hall being flooded in the area in which I work and all their records destroyed because of the flooding that is taking place in my area. It is sad to see all the destrustion around me. Highways closed, businesses, houses, churches all under water and over 1,000,000 of people homeless. To me it is another sign that maybe the end times on coming closer.

In Matthew 24:6 it reads (NKJ) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

We live in very sad and trying times but those who know Jesus can keep looking up and watching for Him to return in the clouds to take us up with Him.

I Am A Little Like Jonah

In my morning devotions I am starting the book of Jonah. If you have been a Christian for very long you have probably heard of Jonah. God asked him to go to the city of Nineveh, tell the people of God. Jonah hated that city, the people, and they were his enemies. Why should he go there and preach to them. He knew God would save them and Jonah didn't want them saved. He wanted them to all be killed and wiped off the face of the earth. So he ran away in the opposite direction.

Well a storm game and he was cast overboard and a big fish swallowed him. It was in this fish that Jonah prayed. And the fish burped and Jonah was cast out and he went to Niveveh, preached to the people and they repented and God saved them all. Jonah fumed and was furious over the turn of events and he sulked.

God hasn't sent me out to a place like Niveveh and asked me to preached to the people. Although He does want me to tell people my story of salvation and what the Lord is doing in my life. But my problem is that sometimes, well I should say most of the time, I am running from God in just ordinary things.

For example, I am a diabetic and should test my blood surgar at least twice a day. Do I do that? No. If I not feeling well I do. I am to wear special shoes all the time and not go barefoot at all. Do I do this-no. My problem is rebellion like Jonah.

But the Lord is showing me I can not rebel against, I can not run away, and not pay the price of disobedience. I feel this morning like Jonah in the belly of the fish and I am praying really hard. I am asking my Father to forgive me and I want to repent and go and do as I am told.

So don't be a Jonah, but be a Christian who is truly one who wants to please the Lord, and I do and I am convicted of my sin and I am going to turn around my thinking and do what is right. I hope you do too repent and start going in the right direction. Sin always reaps bad things.