Counting Blessings

Sometimes I just like to sit and count my blessings. I have so many of them....here goes:

Great friends and family.

"Good health"

A home I love, lots of sun.

A faithful husband.

Fat dog, the center of my joyful day.

A faith that I find fulfilling.

Activities that keep my life fun.

Dreams.

My love to learn.

God.

Thankful for a Purpose

It was one of those crazy days where I was running all day. I simply never stopped, appointment after appointment. I was running from 7:30 A.M. until 9:30 P.M. What is my reaction? Great. I am so thankful for the ability to be out and doing what God called me for today.

Sometimes I think we forget what a blessing it is to be able to do anything. Once in my life I was very sick and could do little. Now, when I have days like today...I end it tired; but satisfied. I am thankful. I can drive, walk, meet friends, share ideas and work.

I think as Christians we need to have an attitude of gratitude. Because hectic days mean days with purpose. May I always remember to be thankful for purpose.

The Mystery

It's a mystery isn't it that God can love us so much. Sometimes I am in just awe of it all, and I think how much we gain by believing. I just want to reach out my hands to a God that loves us so much he sends his son to us. He gives knowing we will rebel against his greatest gift- yet, does it anyway.

Today as I sit in awe of a God that leaves heaven just to be with man...humbly I say, "thank you Lord", because I do appreciate the gift you have given mankind. Come soon Jesus......

Frustrated

Do you think God ever gets frustrated? I do. This past week I have been sick, but during that time I decided to work on making curtains. But, those curtains looked horrid on my windows. I set in my sofa looking at them just thinking about the money and work for nothing. After pouting I took them down realizing that they just were not working.

I think God must get frustrated with his greatest creation, mankind. We do our own thing and what God designed for the purpose of fellowship leaves disappointment. He designed us for love.

It comforts me to know that God gave us real emotions, that he too get frustrated and disappointed; but he keeps going. So I will too.

Spell Check

The spell check in this system is broken. That may seem like a minor thing for good spellers, but for myself it is misery. I have always had difficulty in spelling. It did not matter how many times I wrote a word, studied it over and over. I never can remember it for the next time. So when the spell check is "sick", I am too.

I was thinking about that situation. It seems to me the spell check is a good object lesson to me. Though it is only one part of a system it has a lot of value to me. It is the same way with each person. Though a person may seem to be only a part of humanity, they are of value. And to God, each of us is greatly needed in his service.

When I am impatient with those around myself I need to remember. They have value.

God's Ministry

Recently I have made it my mission to notice kind acts. It is so refreshing to count blessings given to us by others around us. The woman who saw me carrying a heavy load and gave me her space in line. The clerk which went out of his way to help me when I could not understand the directions he was giving me.

I believe that when we act in kindness it is self rewarding. Those which give; often get back. I am thankful for the kindness I have seen around myself lately. I believe it is my responsibility also, as a Christian, to give kind deeds. When I am cut off in traffic, remember the other driver may simply be so stressed they accidentally cut me off. When I am angry at a customer service representative that may not have mastered my language; remember he is trying to earn a living for himself and family. Be patient.

God's greatest witnesses are the ones that show it in actions. May I honor God today in service. That is where he made his ministry.

No Phone Day

I had a no phone day yesterday. Sometimes I get so over whelmed with how many phone calls I get. I am in charge of our prayer ministry and people often think I am also the person to talk to for their cares. I don't mind usually; but sometimes I just need a break. I screen phone calls for only the important ones, but let the others go on to my voice mail. It gives me a moment to rest and get caught up.

I am glad God does not have a no phone day. Constantly he invites us to speak with him on the prayer line. It is direct to us and always available. He is always listening too.

Not Very Spiritual

The mind is an interesting thing. I was listening to the Christian T.V. and they were talking about how much our bodies carry our stress. When we stress so many things attack our bodies. I believe that is one reason we need to be so careful on what we think about.

Last night I watched a program I would not typically watch. It was about a boy and eventually he got raped. Not very spiritual, but I had sucked into the story. Guess what I dreamed about......Not very uplifting.

I have a responsibility, I believe, to put thing that will build my mind up. That did not. I did pay the price too. I had nightmares and realized that I had not walked the high road.

I am thankful for a new day. Today, may I walk the high road.

In The Night

I think it is interesting how God works with me. Tonight at about 10:30 I heard screaming and fast driving cars. We have neighbor's which drink too much and do drugs. I thought they were out of control as they get sometime. But then I heard the yelling coming towards my house.

I got up and ran to the door. On my door step were two teens. I was alarmed as I know my neighbor's do drugs and was concerned for my own safety. But, on my door step were two teens fighting. I did not know if I should open the door to let them in, if they had weapons or what was going on. Yet, I could not see letting a child get hurt because I would not open the door.

I yelled out in a gruff voice, "What are you doing? What do you need?" I opened the door a crack and my dog went nuts. Apparently it frightened one boy as he ran away. The other boy stood obviously upset. I did not know what to do so I let the boy in; even though I felt very uncomfortable. I called 911 and the police finally came. Things settled down. I wondered at my own reaction. It seems that sometimes God makes me very brave and I am not afraid at all. I simply believe God will care for me. But tonight I was afraid. Afraid for the boy, afraid for the insanity of a neighborhood with fighting drug addicts out of control and afraid for our safety.

But, thinking of it: maybe that was God too. Had I not been afraid maybe I would not have been firm and confronted the boys on what they were doing. Perhaps they would not have scattered and I would not have called the police.

Once everything was settled, I prayed. America has so many cultural orphans. Children which are running hooked to drugs. Where are the parents and what is happening in America that we have such problems. I think it is that we have embraced a Godless attitude. No longer do we embrace values of respect; honesty and purpose. So our culture is crumbling. I grieve for all children that run in the night; driven by drugs and looking for a place in a crazy world. God bless all children, and may I keep them in prayer and in my heart. For children are God's diamonds.

Valentine

When Valentine's Day came for us I had an unusual thing happen. I was glad I had my dear husband as my Valentine but I also thought of all the people I know which had no Valentine. Sometimes holiday's can seem to be painful reminders of our loneliness. Almost cruel moments. But, in God's eyes everyone is His Valentine. He sees us as his special treasure.

When life comes along, and others are lonely. I hope I don't selfishly think only of my satisfaction; but that I also tenderly remember those around me that need a fleshly Valentine. A kind word, a gentle smile or a moment on the phone just to say, "I care."

I am thankful for God's Valentine to mankind, his son.

Worst Day

Well I had one of the worst days in a long time. It seemed I went from one fire to another, so to speak. I am getting ready for bed with a stress headache, feeling down and sort of like a deer with bright lights in its eyes.

Yet, I am OK. I know God is in control. Things that cause me to fear are totally in His hands and now I need to press in prayer and faith. So I will; and I will watch as God moves mountains.
I believe in a God that is making "all things work to good". It will be exciting to see what He does for my life.

Cleaning House

Last night I did some deep cleaning on projects untouched for months. The more I cleaned the more I got into it. But as I cleaned Inoticed how really dirty some things had gotten.

It can be the same way in our spiritual growth. As we work to grow often we can notice more and more which needs to grow. That is the time to rejoice really. Because then we learn and see the changes ahead of us. Those changes always needed to be done. But, once we see them things can change.

I am not discouraged by my deeper need for cleaning. I rejoice for the work that has been done. I know when I am done I will feel satisfied and happy to have a clean and well maintained home.

In the Wilderness

I absolutely do not understand God in many ways. One way I did not understand God was when He seems to not be talking with us when we call out to Him. It is not that I thought He forgot- but why so silent? And I still don't understand sometimes.

But recently I have seen something I never understood before. It is those silent times that God has our greatest attention. When we navigate life and don't "feel" God; that takes faith. Yet He clearly says He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. That says He is always there with us.

As I thought about this I realized that the very first thing God did when His son was baptized was to take Him into the wilderness. Why? Well, it to me that when we are alone: we listen better. We have time to think deeply. We develop much more appreciation. As I think of this I realize that perhaps it is the greatest call of God, the wilderness experience. We learn to have faith without feelings. We learn to listen for that still small voice. We acknowledge our total dependency on a mighty God.

I don't like it in the wilderness some times. But, it was there that Jesus had one on one time with His father and it is also the time when He began His ministry. So, now I am praying to simply rejoice in waiting for that still small voice, and trusting that God is still lovingly reaching out.

Obsessed!

Obsessed. That is really all I can say about the way I recently have been concerning my budget. I am a fanatic about debt. Debt to me is the fear that others have of cancer. Working with a tighter budget due to the economy now, I go over my budget daily; tweaking anything and everything. I spent over 40 hours last month just working on a program to track my spending. Why? Because it is my obsession right now. It has been lots of work. But that work has paid off now. As I worked I discovered holes to plug. That gave me satisfaction. I found ways to grow my money: that also gave satisfaction. I found that if I am very careful I can pay all my bills plus put money away for things I want.

It was a lot of work doing my budget recently. But this discipline has taught me a freedom I have not understood before. I learned that sometimes, when we face a fear; work hard, we can reap a lot of benefit. I think this is a valuable lesson with God as well. When I work hard to keep my spiritual life going; I gain. Constantly God shows me areas to grow. He tweaks me for a higher standard. I reach mountains, I did not know I could climb. And I can know a satisfaction I other wise would not know.

God says he disciplines those he loves. I understand this more now. And I am appreciative. Thank you Jesus.

Already Supplied

I think it is interesting how God works really. I had fallen into a place where I was not really studying, not working on my relationship like I should. I was frustrated and stepped out to look at myself. I was getting sloppy in my experience. My Bible time would be skipped or wasted as I substited other less spiritual material. I was discouraged with my own lack of spiritual growth and was coasting. But Friday night I decided to get back on my program. I turned on Christian T.V. and there was one of my favorite evangelist: Joyce Meyers. I love her. She speaks, frankly, boldy and my language.

In a nut shell she said: Get motivated. Stop being half baked as a Christian and keep walking for God. ( Of course, my view of what she said). Anyway....something clicked for me. Yes, without realizing it I had gone into a mild depression. The economy has our funds tight. We invest in real estate. And, so being "finacially strapped", I lost interest in house keeping, fixing up what I can. I was sitting doing very little. And- just what I needed to hear: God provided. Motivation.

Today I am going to be pushing myself to get up and going. I have lots to do. But I am excited. I realized in Joyce Meyer's sermon; I needed to do what God has already provided. He has provided me funds to finish my painting. To fix up my bedroom. It was while being content to settle for less than God provided that I feel into depression.

He has given us pleanty of funds to live. Our budget is tight; but I can use what my budget can afford. Paint. Cleaning and other small items.

He wants our lives to be abudant. But I was living with an unabundant attitude. I am thankful for Joyce Meyers speach. Thankful for paint. Thankful for accountability. And excited to see the changes about to happen in my home. Thankful most of all for a God that sometimes simply says...."Keep going! Use and appreciate what I have already supplied."

I'm Done!

"I'm done!", I thought. For years I have battled stopping drinking Diet Coke. My love. But, in my family we all have laughed because my words and actions simply did not match. Though my words said I was done my actions did not. But, on that Friday I said it and did it. I have been wondering what made the difference. I think it was the "no excuse" policy.

Instead of making excuses: "I will have such a horrid headache. It's so good on a hot day....". I looked squarely at my addiction to Coke; faced the fact, I may have a horrid headache, but I was willing to have the headache and stop drinking the Coke.

As I thought of this major change in myself I realize I need to do this in other areas of my life as a Christian. Instead of half embracing changes, I need to totally walk away from things that damage my relationship with God. Or maybe I need to be totally committed to good changes. I will be praying and thinking about a different attitude. I believe God wants us to do our best in all things, including discipline of our minds.

Behind a Cloud

I am in a dull place right now. My faith seems sort of flat and I feel frustrated. I want a vibrant fire for God. But I hold on to faith. I feel a calm, because I know this will pass. I am committed to my beliefs. I have seen and will see God's hand in my life. I do not always understand his leading, but I still believe he leads. Right now I feel flat I will continue to pray and seek his face. I know I will again be on the strong path. When the sun is not shinning on me because it is behind a cloud; does not make the sun does not shine. By faith I know it will return. So I stand on faith. God has not left me; and I know he continues to lead. Sometimes we just need to keep believing and keep moving. Soon the Son will shine on me again, clouds are a good place to keep us in prayer. So that is where I will be.

Sick and Rejoicing

Yesterday I was pretty sick. I spent my time in bathroom, bedroom or curled up in front of a dull T.V. I tried to use my time still in praise. Doesn't the bible say to rejoice in the Lord always? Though I did not feel like rejoicing; I still rejoiced. I praised God that I would not be sick all the time. I praised God that I was curled at home and not on a job. I praised God I could curl up, warm and safe. I praised God that I had a warm bed to comfort me.

I can not say I felt any better at the time. I did not. But the interesting thing was that all night; once I was over being sick, I just kept waking up truly thanking God. My heart felt deeply appreciative for so many things. I would silently sing about how good it felt to not be sick. I sang in my heart about my fuzzy flannel sheets. I sat up and looked at the black, starry sky. I was truly happy.

Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say rejoice!, the bible says. Rejoicing is a choice. So today I will rejoice.

OWWWWWWWWWWWW

Do you ever have those moments when you know God is trying to get your attention. Well, yesterday I turned on Christian T.V. and was listening to Joyce Meyers. Her message as I got it was simple. Grow up. Stop pretending to be obedient and do it. (Ok, maybe that is not at all what she was trying to say; but I heard it that way.) As she spoke conviction came over me of areas in my life where I simply have not totally been obeying God. I make poor, very poor excuses for the way I cut corners in my life. That is not God's will. Doesn't he expect us to be looking for the high road? It is not that he is some cruel task master, but he knows that when we look high; we gain. We gain confidence, self control and a feeling of well being.

I had cut corners and as I listened to the sermon I became convicted of some "cleaning up" I need to do in my life. I am thankful for a God that puts us "in the corner" when we need it. I felt like the child that has to take a time out. God did get my attention and I am going to be trying harder to obey. Thank you Jesus for caring. Thank you Joyce Meyers for giving me a wake up call. Today, may I walk the high road!