Something Different

Ok. so I've lost track of how many incarnations this blog has had. I'm not known for sticking to just one thing. I'm kinda like a hummingbird. Or a magpie. lol My brain never shuts off. Not even for sleeping. So, whatever is going through my head I may just share here. I'm not trying to be new or different or trendy. This is just me, who I am, in whatever I am.

I'm sitting here with the dog under my blanket, snoring away. I have a "virtual fireplace" with Christmas music playing (courtesy of YouTube). Hubby should be home from work shortly. Daughter is out with friends for dinner. So, for now, it's very peaceful. I also have a small candle burning on the table next to me. I really like candles. I just wish I could afford to buy more. 

I will probably be posting lots of pictures. I love to share pictures!! Here is one of our dog, Chipper. He's a Boston Terrier who sleeps, eats, farts and snores!

My current obsession is all things British. I watch British tv shows, I have a few British acquaintances on Facebook. What's not to love about the U.K.? They have a scheduled tea time every day!! And oh...those lovely British accents (which actually vary depending on where you are from). They are a very proper culture. I would love to have tea time in England. All pretty dessert trays and fancy tea sets. And to dress up! Be a proper lady! What fun! 

And let's not forget "Downton Abbey"! Oh to live in the lovely manor with the Crawley's. I don't know if I'd like to be the aristocracy or the "staff" or maybe just the crazy relation that is kept in the attic! lol I binged on the entire show and had it done in a number of weeks. Oh how I miss my "date" with the Crawley's.


Well, folks... that's all for now. Have a peace filled evening.

Are We Forsaken?

This will be brief because I'm on my lunch at work. As I was reading my book, this whole thought jumped out at me. It has been a recurrent theme of my blog posts. And maybe there is a reason for that. It reminds me of how I am having such a bad day, but consider Jesus' worst day...the day He died on the Cross. Talk about really bad days! 

It's funny, because my devotional this morning was on this same topic. And the words I wrote to go with it is somewhat similar to what I am writing here: "We have all had times when we have felt alone despite all busyness in our lives and the people in our lives. It's often hard to remember that Jesus is always with us. I'm just as guilty as the rest of us for not remembering this. We need to find ways to remember this in the times of our darkness. We can lift each other up in times of despair & loneliness." (I will post the link to the devotional at the end of this post.)

As Jesus slowly died on the Cross, He cried out to God, His Father "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me". Wow... Jesus, the perfect image of peace and love. The One who says that He will be with us always. And here He is wondering where God is in all this. Jesus KNEW He would die on the cross. He knew who would betray Him. He knew the reason for His crucifixion and death, so that we may have new life. And yet, knowing all this, at the last hour He wondered why He had to go through this. Why doesn't His father hear Him? Can you just imagine how alone He must have felt at that moment? 

It is the same thing in our own lives. Where is God when we need Him? Why doesn't He answer our prayers? Why is there so much pain and suffering in this world? Isn't that the reason WHY Jesus died for us? It's so hard to not feel alone in the middle of our anguish. When we're in the midst of chaos, it's hard to remember that Jesus is right there with us.God uses us in a myriad of ways. I also believe that God uses women to raise others up and encourage them so that they can then past that encouragement on to others. Women are born nurturers. So who better to inspire and encourage others than a woman? 

That's why us women need to stick together. For support and encouragement. For someone to remind us that indeed Jesus is watching out for us. He's helping us by making us reliant on Him. When we are broken down is the time when we need to really reach out to God to get us through. I think it is a reminder that God has not forsaken us. 

God Bless.
Linda

Here is the link to my devotional this morning: http://odb.org/2015/06/04/my-father-is-with-me/

Good Morning Girls Devotional: Why Easter Matters: Week 1 Memory Verse, Challenge and Video

{Week 1} Challenge: Make a list of things in your life that you’re tempted to rely on other than Jesus. Every day this week take time to pray over your list, asking God to help you place your full dependence and trust in Christ alone.

                                                    Memory Verse:

Here is the link to the official Good Morning Girls blog and page for resources for this study:

http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2014/03/easter-matters-materials-checklist/ 

Wishing you all a blessed week! 
Yours In Christ,
Linda

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7: Our Ministries

Reading for Wednesday 3/12
1st Timothy 5:1-10 (NLT)

Caring for God’s family

Don’t correct an older man, but encourage him like he’s your father; treat younger men like your brothers, treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.

  

Take care of widows who are truly needy. But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God. A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day. But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive. Teach these things so that the families will be without fault. But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.

Put a widow on the list who is older than 60 years old and who was faithful to her husband. She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing.

S: 1 Timothy 5:10
She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing. 

O: A godly woman should be known by her reputation. The kind that shows her faith in God. She should be upright in character. She should be known for her kindness, her good deeds. Much like is described in Proverbs 31:30-31 " Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Let her share in the results of her work; let her deeds praise her in the city gates."

A woman's looks and charm can quickly evaporate. But it is her reputation will stay with her for a long time. Believe me, I should know. I have done some things I'm not proud of, and it had become known throughout the church that I used to attend. It was my own doing. It's not something I can change. It's not something I can make people forget. 

Our reputations are also a reflection of our families. People will gossip, even though God tells us it's a sin. It's human nature. Be a woman after God's own heart. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Let Him lead you. Your children and husband will follow in your example. And you will make your family and friends proud. 

A: There's not much I can do now to fix my reputation. It is what it is. But I have a chance to start over. As my husband has reminded me, I am a reflection of him. I want to do things that are pleasing to God and to my husband. I need to remember that everything I do I need to do it for God's glory. 

P: Lord, I ask You to guide my steps in my life. I need to be reminded that everything I do I should do for Your glory. I am to lead by Your example. I need to be of flawless character. I am Your child and the things I do should reflect that. Help me to keep my eyes on You and do things that bring You glory. In Your Holy Name I ask this. Amen.

 


 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7: Our Ministries Tues 3/11/14

Today's reading takes into Proverbs 31, which most of us women strive to be. It is not an unrealistic goal. You can be that way! Just do it a step at a time.
 Read: Proverbs 31:26-28
 Her mouth is full of wisdom;
    kindly teaching is on her tongue. She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness. Her children bless her; her husband praises her.

S: Proverbs 31:27
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.

O: As wives and mothers oh how vigilant we are!! We watch over our children, our husbands. We don't miss a trick that goes on! How many times have we've been asked "Do you have eyes in back of your head?" Why, yes I do. It's called a Mothers' Instinct!! I could tell just by the sounds what my kids were up to. And we know that when things are quiet, THAT'S time to worry!! 

Most of us don't have the time to be lazy! I know when my kids were little I ran here and there! I drove the husband to work, drove the kids to school. When my daughter started full-day kindergarten I went back to school. I also worked part-time here and there as well as taking classes at the local community college. I never sat still!

And even if you don't work and/or go to school, your days are full. Before I did all that, I spent most of the day cleaning. Then the kids came home from school and it was home work, getting dinner started. Then it was Cub Scouts. And dance class. And PTA. And on and on. Us moms never seem to sit still. 

We need to be vigilant in our relationships as well. We need to nurture our marriages and our friendships. We need to keep nurturing our relationship with Jesus. All of these things are important. All of these need daily attention, same as the attention we gave our kids. Make time every day to find the time to spend in the Word. It should be an important part of your day as it is making sure the kids get to school ok, get their homework done, and get to their activities.

A: I will admit, I have let my most important relationships flounder. My hubby and I got into a rut. I need to start developing friendships. And most importantly, I need to feed my faith by strengthening my relationship with Jesus. When I nurture that, then that will spill over in all my other relationships. 

Hubby and I go to a recovery group. It has been such a blessing to me because I found a great group of women with whom I can talk to, be friends with and find support from. One of our steps is that we will make time in our day to be in the Word. It is important. It will help keep us on track and give us comfort and guidance. It is God who will get us through the tough times and He will be there to rejoice with us in the good times. It is the most important relationship we can have!

P: Jesus, my Savior, Yours is the most important relationship I could ever have in my life. No matter what may be happening in my life, You are there every step of the way. You give me strength and comfort in the tough times. I sing and praise You in the good times. You give me all I need. When I have all that, it multiplies itself into all my other relationships. You guide me in all I do. I am so thankful for You! I am truly blessed! In Your Holy Name, Amen!

 

 

 

 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7 Your Ministries (Week beginning 3/10/14)

Well, well.. I made it to week 7! At least now I'm only a few days behind!!! lol So, let's dive right in!!

Think about your ministries this week. What do you do to help others? Do you volunteer at your church? Do you work with kids after school? Anything that you do that reaches out to others that offers help and encouragement is considered a ministry. You don't have to have a title or a special job. As long as you do it for God's glory, then it is a form of ministry.

Read 1 Peter 4:1-11

Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will. You have wasted enough time doing what unbelievers desire—living in their unrestrained immorality and lust, their drunkenness and excessive feasting and wild parties, and their forbidden worship of idols. They think it’s strange that you don’t join in these activities with the same flood of unrestrained wickedness. So they slander you. They will have to reckon with the One who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Indeed, this is the reason the good news was also preached to the dead. This happened so that, although they were judged as humans according to human standards, they could live by the Spirit according to divine standards.
 
The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.

S: 1 Peter 4: 9-10:  Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.

O:  I remember reading a blog on this very verse. It was around Christmastime. If you've ever had family come to stay with you, do you remember how you felt while they were there? Did you grumble about the extra housework? Did old family squabbles come into play? Were you relieved when your company left?

God's gifts? Stop scratching your head. We all have a gift. We just have to ask God what it is. Or maybe you already know. Do you like to cook? Do you enjoy doing for others? Maybe you like decorating. 

My husband LOVES to cook and serve people. He has taken over our kitchen at church. It is now HIS domain! No one messes with hubby's kitchen! Those are his gifts. Mine...well.. I've been told I'm compassionate, kind, a godly woman (that may be stretching things..but that's what someone at church described me as). At our old church I was the dishwasher. I had everything organized and had all my supplies that I needed. 

In this letter, Peter is telling us to JOYFULLY open our homes to visitors. Don't grumble or complain, but do it WILLINGLY!! Hmm...yup...ok....hhmmmm...




I like having company, when I'm in the mood for it. But Peter tells us to do this willingly and joyfully. It's not always the easiest thing to do. Think of The Last Supper when Jesus shared a meal with the Apostles. He KNEW He was going to be betrayed. He KNEW He was going to die. And yet, He still sat there with His friends and shared a meal with them.

Being a Christian isn't always the easiest thing to do. No one promised us it was going to be easy. For the times when you really don't feel like it, stop for a moment and pray. Let God's peace guide you through the times when you have company and don't really feel like entertaining.

A: On those days when I'm not feeling really friendly or up to having company (even if it's my neighbor from across the hall) I have to remember that if someone took the effort to come see me then it's the least I can do to be thankful for their company and open my home to them. My husband usually will feed anyone who comes through our door! No one leaves here without food of some sort. And usually sends them home with leftovers! 

So, the next time someone comes over, regardless of how I am feeling, I will make them feel welcome. And I will welcome their company. I will do what Jesus expects of me.

P: Heavenly Father, we know we should be happy when someone comes to visit. We should welcome them with open arms and a smile. But we don't always feel like it. Help us to see that this isn't a job but a chance to have fellowship with friends and strangers alike. It is a chance to sit and "break bread" as Jesus did time and again wherever He would go. We pray for peace and joy at these times Father. In Your Holy Name we ask this. Amen. 

 

Good Morning Girls Week 5 Our Friendships

Read: John 15:9-17
"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other."  

SOAP: John 15:12-13
S: "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends"

O: God tells us that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend. It doesn't necessarily mean that we have to die for our friends. It means to put aside your own life for a time to help your friends. It means to be selfless. Stop and think about someone other than yourself. 

I just read a blog entry about life being hard. God never promised us a rose garden in life. He never promised it would be easy. But He did give us friends to help us along the way. A friend can take many forms. It can be your spouse, someone you've known a long time or someone you may not know. It is anyone who befriends us at a time when we need it the most. 

There was a post shared with my tonight about a young woman who has Stage 4 cancer that has metastasized and she was given only 6 months to live. The post said to find the young ladies' profile on Facebook and friend request her and give her some encouragement. So I did. I also shared the story in a couple of prayer groups that I am in. I don't know this girl. But I did tell her that I would pray for her and her family. 

I took the time to put aside my own problems for a moment so I could befriend this girl and pray for her. I believe that is what God had meant. Put your life aside for the good of someone else. 

A: I sometimes need reminding that it's not just me and my problems. I need to remember that helping someone else can be rewarding. I need to remember to put me aside. There are people with worse problems than me. I can make someone elses' life a little better, maybe, by doing something for them, such as praying. It doesn't cost anything but a few minutes out of my life. 

P: Lord Jesus, help us to remember that You sacrificed Your life for us. It was the ultimate gift of love and friendship. You taught us how to die to self. You taught us the meaning of sacrifice. Remind us, Jesus, that it is through Your absolute love that we are made stronger. Remind us that we are to love as You love us. Amen. 

 
 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 5

Well, here we are, more than 1/2 way through our study. This week we focus on our friendships. Our friends are more than just the people we hang out with or people we have known for a long time. Our friends can be more like the people we have chosen to be a part of our own families. They are just at home at our homes as we are at theirs. Oftentimes, our kids have all grown up together or have known each other for most of their lives. 

I have a best friend that I have known since high school. There were times in our lives when we didn't talk to each other, didn't see each other for years at a time. Yet, when we get together it's as if it was just yesterday. 

Today, we are reading from the book of Ecclesiastes on how two are better than one. 

Read: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

S: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10:  Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

O: When there are two of you, isn't everything you do made a little easier? Isn't it comforting to know there's someone who has your back? Sometimes we just need a little help in life. We can't always go it alone. We weren't designed that way. God made Adam and Eve so that neither would be alone. And He had His reasons for this. He knew that life ahead would be bumpy. He knew that by having someone by our side would make the journey just a little easier. 

In my opinion we, as a whole in society, have become very self-centered and selfish. So many people think only about themselves and not anyone else. Everyone seems to be out for only themselves and the heck with everyone else. People just don't seem to do anything out of the kindness of their hearts anymore. What ever happened to altruism? Has that gone the way of the dinosaur? I seriously hope not.

In a way, I am that way too. I spent most of my life learning that the only person you can rely upon is yourself. I had been let down by so many people in my life. I had been left to fend for myself because no one else wanted to be bothered, or it was an imposition. And so many times people will do things for you with the expectation that you will "owe" them. How many times have I been told that this person did this or that for me so I "owe" them? Especially when I never asked them for anything. I HATE when people do things for me because I know eventually I'll get it thrown back in my face. That is such a bad attitude to have, too. That is one area I really need God to work on me with.

However, sometimes I'll hear a story on the news that will reaffirm my belief in people, in the human race. I feel like maybe all is not lost. That there are still people who will do things out of the kindness of their hearts without expecting anything in return.

If any of you have been watching the news or live in the areas where there has been so much snow, then you know how hard it's been to keep up with clearing all that snow. I have heard so many touching stories in the last week of people helping people so they can just get through the snow and maybe make life a little easier.

There was a gentleman who woke up to his whole driveway and sidewalk completely shoveled. He had no clue who did it. But he taped a piece of paper to his front door thanking whoever did it. 

There was a woman whose husband had been away on a business trip and left his car in the park and ride for the last week or so. She went there before his flight arrived and completely shoveled the snow off his car and left him some treats so he'd have something to munch on on the way back to his office. 

I saw one post on facebook from a lady who said her husband had taken his shovel and walked down to the main road to help shovel out anyone who might have been stuck. 

It's stories like that that really make me think that not everyone in this world is bad. There are still people who care. And that's the exact meaning of our reading for today. We don't need to go it alone. We don't need to always be looking out for number 1. Sometimes we can just stop and think of someone else. We can make a difference in someone's life just by doing something small. 

I have a challenge to you all: For one day, try to do something for someone else. Someone completely random. Even if it's something as little as a smile or just saying hello. Let me know how you did!

A: In this one case, I already am doing this in my own life. I work as a Medical Assistant. I always have my focus on others. I am a naturally kind person (and I'm not trying to pat myself on the back or anything like that). It's just the way I am. I have spent my life being the one ignored. The one taken for granted. So I know how it feels. I believe in treating others as we would want to be treated. My reward in my job is knowing that I've helped someone feel better. I've had patients call saying that they just like to talk to me. I've had patients say that I've made their day just because I'm so nice to them. And that truly is a wonderful feeling!

P: Lord, I pray that we all learn from Your example. Help us to be better people. Help us to know that it truly is the little things that can make a difference in this life. Let us be humble towards each other, to reach out in kindness. Help us to remember that our reward will not be here on earth but when we reach Your Kingdom. Amen.

  

 

Good Morning Girls 1/22/14 Hebrews 12:1-3

Week 1: Wednesday 1/22/14

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3

SOAP: Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

S: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

O: When we are surrounded by others, we can let ourselves be lifted of our troubles because there are others to share the weight. And when we don't have that huge burden on us, we can focus on what lies ahead of us.

A: I need to learn that I am not alone in this world. People who genuinely care for me are willing to share my burdens with me. They will pray for me if I ask. They will support me, lift me up, or just be there to listen. And sometimes that's all we need, to know that someone cares. Yes, we should always lay our problems before the Lord, but the love of family and friends is also a wonderful benefit! Don't try to go it alone. Open your heart to God and to your friends. You might just be surprised!

P: Heavenly Father, I come to You with all my burdens and troubles. I know You are greater than the sum of all my problems. I know You can carry the load. Help me to open my heart to You and to others. Remind me that I am not alone in this world. All I need to do is ask for help and it will be there for me if I allow it. Amen.

 

GROW Online Bible Study Winter Session

This is a Facebook Group that I belong to. All are welcome to join. I will be following this with my blog as well. If you have a blog of your own, feel free to join the link up to the group. 

As far as my own personal posts go, I haven't decided yet if I will be doing a daily post or weekly post. I guess it depends upon when my brain feels like working and/or if something catches my interest or a particular bible verse or something I hear sparks my thoughts. I hope you will continue to follow me as I grow and learn. 
Here is the link to the Group page:
GROW in His Word