What am I thankful for? Well, let me think. That is a good question. I believe that sometimes it is easy to just receive things and go on with our lives without a response one way or another. We really don't have to utter a word of gratitude. I watched a lady today bark at a waitress for another cup of coffee and not even utter a simple "thank you." How often do I receive something that I have either asked for or just gotten and never thanked God for? I told myself this morning that it is time for me to thank God for things when I pray before I start asking for more things.
Some things we just plain take for granted. Then I got to thinking of how thankful I really am. So many parents say to be grateful for the food on your plate because some children have no food to eat at all. I often stand in the shower and thank God for the hot water. I am thankful for my job, car, home, healthy family, and loving husband. I thank Him for the sunshine, the rain when needed, the spring flowers, the chirping birds early in the morning, and my ears to hear them. What would I do without a hot cup of coffee in the morning, mail without bills, and gas for my car as the prices keep going up, a needed hug or a kiss on the cheek just to say I love you? I am thankful for a bed to sleep on, clothes to put on my back, eyeglasses so I can see, and air to breathe. How blessed I am that I got the opportunity to move south to the beach that I can go to every day if I want to. Not many people can say that. I have 5 fingers, 5 toes, 1 head, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose, 1 big mouth, 2 arms, and 2 legs. They are all working, and I am thankful for that. I can go to God anytime and have someone to talk to. How many people have no air conditioning, no heat, no appliances, no washer and dryer, and no running water?
It is easy to just say thank you, yet we forget to. Nowadays, it is just nice to hear those words. I imagine that God feels the same way. Thank you, God, for a good night's sleep. Thank you, God, for letting me be here another day. Thank you, God, for being there for me. Take the time as you sit here today and think of what you are thankful for. It will make you smile. We are so blessed and don't even know it. Thank God for the small things, and who knows, maybe big things are coming in your future. Thank God!
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).
Standing in the shower this morning, I looked up and said I am so tired. I cannot tell you how many times a day I subconsciously mumble that I'm tired. This lady gets over eight hours of sleep a day. I always think that I'm tired because I'm old. People say you're not that old. You don't even look your age. But let's face it, I am 62 years old. I have a husband, two children, and five grandchildren. I work full-time, and I'm talking over 40 hours a week, but I have been blessed to work from home. I have a little farm to take care of, a house to take care of, and anything else that comes my way. But everyone's life is this hectic.
I go to the doctor, and they ask, what do you do for yourself? How do you pamper yourself? The first thing that comes out of my mouth is I work. I love my job. I was blessed with my job. I love what I do. So I work a lot. I also read sometimes, and I get a mani-pedi every three weeks, but that's about it. They always say you need to do more for yourself. It will help if you quit working so much. My husband even said you work too much. So all of a sudden, and I don't know how it happened, I changed my work schedule. I get up from my computer more often. I don't sit there for a constant five hours. I do something around the house for a minute to rest my eyes. What do we do for ourselves? When do we have time to relax? This world has us by the tail instead of us having the world by the tail. Jesus said to rest in Him. Rest in Him!
Now that I've rearranged my work schedule, I need to figure out how to rest my mind. We all have to figure out how to unfrazzle our lives. It's not an easy thing. My newest thing is to not work on Sunday. I'm going to get everything done before Sunday. I can tell you one thing; I never work if my husband is home. After he commented about me working so much, it made me rethink things. Evidently, it bothered him so much that he said something. I've been married for 38 years. I think I owe him something. That is why my mindset changed. And I actually believe it was God putting it on my heart to change my perspective. Maybe we need to pray for that. Perhaps we need to pray for guidance. It doesn't matter how young or old we are; it doesn't matter how much we have on our plates because we all have a lot. What matters is that we pay attention to what God is telling us to do. It may be through your husband. It may be through your children. It may be through your doctor or even how your body feels. Let's all pray about that. Let's give us what we need during these trying times. Let's rest in Him. It makes me think about lying in some cool grass with my eyes closed, giving him all our worries and troubles. Picture yourself taking in the noises of the chirping birds and the smells of honeysuckle and fresh cut grass; soul-soothing! When was the last time you took the time to open your imagination?
There are so many lists that we make for our lives. How many have we started and then thrown away, only to make another?
There are wish lists, guest lists, and grocery lists. A list of favorite baby names, a list of chores, and sometimes we are on the waiting list. Santa even has a list. Either you are good, or you are bad on his list. Does God have a list? What kind of list would it be? Would there be a good person or bad person list? I want to be on the God woman list. I want to have a couple of gold stars next to my name. I want to find favor with Him.
I try so hard every day to be a good person. I pray every day to keep my big mouth shut and be a good Christian. I want to be a God woman. I want to be at the top of His list with you.
People say they cannot think of anything nice to say about someone. She isn't a very nice person. She doesn't listen. She continues to talk right over the top of what I am saying. She is always negative. Nothing positive comes out of her mouth. Blah, blah, blah. She is always picking on someone. Have you prayed for her? I thought that scriptures in the Bible say to pray for your enemies. Have you tried it? Instead of complaining about her, pray for her. It is your obligation. You are a Christian and know better. If I were that person, I would want you to pray for me. Wouldn't you? Let's be God-people. Godmen. God women. Pray today so that more unhappy people can be happy in Christ just like us. Let's get them on His list. How about it?
What do you do when you don't really know what to do? I can tell you that all you have to do is pray about it, and the answer will pop right into the air like a bubble cartoon. But life's answers just don't quite come that way.
I can also tell you that when you sit and stew about problems, circumstances, or situations if you are anything like me, you allow them to consume you. You cannot seem to think of anything else. Experience has taught me that those kinds of patterns of thinking don't get you anywhere. This behavior continues until one surrenders them all to Jesus.
It is hard to give everything over to Jesus. It is easy to say or sing the hymn "I surrender all" if you think about it, but how many people do it? I mean, surrender it ALL. That means giving it ALL up and not taking any of it back. It is over. It is finished. You've drawn a line in the sand. Your pain, money problems, family, and work issues are all given over to Jesus at the Cross, understanding in your heart that He has heard you and will take care of them. It is that simple, but we just don't do it.
Why don't we do it? Why do we continue to talk about these problems continuing to have issues with them? Do we want to stay on this merry-go-round for the rest of our lives while we are here? No, but I think we don't have the concept or belief that it will be done when we get rid of it all with Jesus. Turn it over, get rid of it…surrender it.
In my life, I have dealt with a lot on my own. I like to control anything if I can, and if I can't, oh, boy!!!! God wants you to give up that control and feel free to live for and in Jesus. If you are truly walking with Jesus, you will do it because it will set you free to be with Him. Let Jesus handle the problems. Let Jesus control your life and live free.
Biblical Truth—Liberation costs you nothing, but holding on to patterns will cost you and everyone around you.
I love Nascar. I have my favorite driver, my favorite car, and my favorite track. I beam when they interview my driver on television and cheer him on to win the race. I have the top of my dresser full of his memorabilia. Chocolate race cars, ticket stubs of past races, a bumper sticker, a remote control race car, hats, shirts, and sweatshirts are all prized possessions of mine.
There is always one winner and forty-two losers. But, of course, everyone wants to win, and they try everything to accomplish this. Do you?
They change parts and crew chiefs. They come up with different strategies to include how they can make their car faster. They must rely on their spotters and crew chiefs to help them see what is ahead. They go into a curve and never let off the gas, holding it wide open and floor it. Do you? Do you rely on God to help you see what is ahead and help you through your challenging corners?
I can compare it to my walk with God. I am in the driver's seat with my helmet on and buckled into place. God is my crew chief, and one hears, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" My engine fires up. Does yours? It is time to race.
Are you ready to get your engine fired up and race? Are you prepared to win God's race? Don't you want the big trophy? I do. I want it all. The checkered flag is down…who will be the winner?
I Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
When I started to get serious about my walk with Jesus, I read two chapters of my Bible daily. To read my Bible and understand it, I had to focus only on it. That meant no television and no noise.
Two chapters soon became easy, but I felt I needed more to feed my spirit-man. So I read two chapters in the morning and two in the evening. Then, I also began to say my prayers before work and whenever I felt prompted during my workday. Additionally, I began to feel the need to pray before I got in bed and then start praising God for what He has done in my life.
Your spiritual life changes and grows with time and practice. I know when it is time to do something different. First, I feel inside I need more, and then I realize it is time to make the change. I have had many changes.
Now I read my Bible at night and watch some biblical teaching by a man or woman of God, someone I know who "walks the walk," not just talks a lot; a whole lot without bearing any fruit in their lives. You will know them by their fruit (Mathew 7:15-20, NIV). Six months ago, you couldn't make me watch anyone. Now I try to tune in to watch someone every morning. That time is the most peaceful, relaxing time of the day because my spirit is getting fed. I tried to "kill two birds with one stone," reading and watching simultaneously and got nothing from it. How can you listen and read simultaneously and grasp what God is trying to say to you?
Make the necessary changes to keep God first in your life. If you are unsure what changes to make, ask him for help; the Holy Spirit will guide you.
How was your day? My husband asks me that question when we see each other every evening. Some people reply same ole, same ole. My husband will be sarcastic and say, "Just peachy. It couldn't have been any better." We all have our good days and bad days. Some people think things are always great once you are saved. But unfortunately, Satan wants you even more now, and He will do anything to complicate your life.
I was emailing my friend and said that I wish my road in this life was straight and had a scenic view on both sides. Can't you just imagine it? I would be riding in my red Mustang convertible with the top down, and there would be palm trees or fruit trees on either side. The wind would be blowing my hair all around. Yet, all I would see would be the beautiful horizon in front of me. I think it is blue like the sky or maybe blue like the ocean filled with all sorts of colors. Well, let me wake up to reality!
When God came into my life, He didn't promise me a hassle-free journey but eternal life. To get there, you have to continue to grow. To grow, you have to walk the walk and talk the talk, as they say, day by day. There are lessons and tasks that He gives you to learn. But, it just seems that sometimes my road is like the yellow brick road. I have to go through that scary forest with all the mean trees. Remember? There will be palm trees and fruit trees along the way, but unfortunately, there will be some rotten fruit on those trees. We must remember that Oz was at the end of the road, and our God in Heaven is at the end of our road.
God is here for us all. All we have to do is talk to Him. I talk to Him everywhere, knowing He listens to my every word. It is a liberating feeling.
Satan seems like he is continually on my back 24/7 anymore. The closer I try to get to God, the more oppression. God knows that, but one must persevere down the yellow brick road, never giving up. I think of Jesus and what He had to endure when He walked the earth. I am sensitive, and it upsets me when someone hurts my feelings. Someone says boo to me, and I cry. Jesus must have cried many a tear with all that was said and done to Him. He was NAILED to a cross. Hello Susan!
If I have to continue driving or walking down the winding (sometimes scary) road to see my God in Heaven, that is what I will do. I will have my ups and downs. I will have my issues. I will cry once in a while and have my bad days. However, I will have done my duty for my God and be blessed forever in the long run. Never fear. God is here! How was your day?
Do you ever come across people or a particular person who continually seems to bring you down?
Is it hard to go to work every day knowing that your happiness may go down the tubes? Are you having a great day, and then someone cuts you off in traffic, or do you come home to a mess that someone made and should have cleaned up?
Well, let me tell you a story about JOY. My friend and I have issues like all of you. I told her that we needed to start carrying our JOY in our back pockets. In carrying our JOY in our back pockets, we have to make an honest effort to not let anyone steal our JOY. Now that is a tricky thing. Let's face it. For every kind person, unfortunately, there are 5 mean, hateful people who really want to steal your JOY. I would look in my back pocket at the end of the day, and sometimes my JOY was there, and sometimes it was just OY. My thinking is that when your JOY becomes just Y, you begin to think, WHY am I here, and WHY am I doing this? It frustrates me at times and makes me mad because the devil is winning. What right does he have to my JOY?
My new thing is that I will not let the devil win. Is it going to be a struggle? Well, of course. He really tries to make my life miserable. Doesn't he do that to you also? So we need to take control of the issues. Use the ten-second rule of waiting ten seconds before you answer anyone.
Make sure that it is what God would want you to say. Guard your JOY and be proud that you have come home with JOY in your pocket and in your heart. Remember, though, you will have those days that you end up with just OY or Y, but God is with you through it all. HE loves us all, and he is Y we are all here.
Biblical Truth: The joy of the Lord is your strength!
Good morning. We click on the light, and the first thing that we see is a reflection in the mirror. A mirror says a lot of things. The queen in Snow White would say, mirror mirror on the wall who's the fairest of us all. The funny thing is a mirror holds different things for different people. Some mornings you look in the mirror, wondering who is looking back at you. It can make you happy or can make you sad. It helps you do many things. We all know our rituals in front of the mirror. We even talk to ourselves.
I can honestly say that I usually pray in the shower. Being under all of that water, enjoying those hot streams coming over my head, puts me in a different frame of mind. It is quiet by myself, a relaxing time. I have poured my heart out and sobbed as I have repented and prayed. It seems like people don't take a little piece of their day to pray or talk to God in this day and age. I have heard sermon after sermon about all the time we have for other things, yet we have no time for the Lord. I am guilty, and you are guilty. So I pray in the shower.
Getting back to my mirror. On my mirror, written in lipstick, are people that I am reminded to pray for. I cannot tell you how often I say that I need to pray about something or someone, and I just plain forget. Let's face it, we cannot remember everything. So it is there right smack in front of me, every morning and every night, someone who needs my prayers.
Another critical part for me is that it keeps me in check. I can look in the mirror and stop grumbling about insignificant things because someone's name in lipstick is hurting more. Going through more. Even though I need Him, someone needs Him more.
Take time to pray. It can help someone through a tough day or time in their lives.
On my long journey to work one day, I followed a car with a sticker in the back window. Of course, my mind wondered what it meant, or I should say what it meant to me. Was God trying to get my attention? I believe in signs from God. I read license plates, posters, and all kinds of things because sometimes I think maybe the message is meant for me. The symbol I saw:
HE>i
That symbol says HE, as in God, is greater than little old i. Not big I but little i. Sometimes, we forget that there is one greater while walking through our trials and tribulations. HE is our savior from all of life's ups and downs. HE has led many out of the wilderness. HE has led many from the depths of hell to heaven. HE can do it all.
We get so wrapped up in little i, i, i that I imagine HE peers through heaven's window and says, I am here, just ask. I am greater than it all. For me, I am no one without HIM.
Of course, I looked at what the symbol truly meant on the Internet when I got home. It is a clothing store in Hawaii, but it means so much more to my heart. It touches me knowing that HE is greater than little ole "i," and He has and will always provide.
