God is an Artist

I will not show you the pictures of my yard...its bad. I have no idea of how to do a yard. I have ugly grass, smashed against the fence trees, and an ugly planter box also smashed against the fence. Well, it is pitiful!

Recently I visited my neighbors yard which looks like a park. That woman has real talent and imagination. I came home utterly depressed wondering how she knew to do what she did. And realized my yard is really bad! So I bought some landscaping books to try and learn how to do my yard. What happened? I am more depressed! I am overwhelmed.

Isn't it wonderful though how God just "knows" how to do nature. I love the different styles too. Ocean, desert or mountains. All these areas have something to marvel at. I thank God for his touch of beauty. Not only is there an abundance of lovely things to textures, there is also an abundance of color! What a mighty God we serve!

Where We Talk to Jesus

I was so surprised when we went to pray at the table. My little granddaughter bowed her head, closed her eyes and waited. Then I praised her for talking to Jesus. She beamed. She knew how to pray.

What surprised me was that my littlest girl comes from a home with little faith. She sees us pray but I have not spent a lot of time teaching her. I don't know where she exactly learned. Maybe from our times at meals. But I really think it is from coming to church with me.

I am blessed to attend one of the warmest, friendliest and supportive churches. She has been loved by that church and tenderly they always embrace her, no matter what she does. She loves church and asks me to go to church.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all people felt as loved as my granddaughter does, and they too knew that church is where we talk to Jesus?

A Stamp of Hope

Inside of me I feel great frustration. It often seems that I do too little to change my world. And, even if I want to change my world- how do I do that? From my eyes, I tremble. Children today are having children but take no responsibility for it. Grandma's and Grandpa's are becoming the parents.

We have a culture that breeds selfishness and lack of responsibility. Parents often are chasing childish dreams trying to find happiness. But, turning their backs on the responsibilities adults should have. Marriages are not long term commitments, children raise themselves.

Where are the people that stand up for values, for children or parents which are hurting? What am I doing to change my world?

I feel like just one dot on a vast page. But, I must remember one dot with millions of other dots can make a lovely picture. My part may seem pretty unimportant, but joined with other "unimportant dots", we can change the world.

My job is to put my life in God's hand and do the work He puts before me. Then my efforts can become worthwhile. Today, may I not forget hope. May I focus on God, others and service. Then my life will change the world, and I will leave it with a stamp of hope.

Little Blessings

This past week I have been so busy with my grandchildren. Every moment has been wonderful but now I am down to one little one.

Isn't it wonderful that God gives us the joy of family and children. Today, I count my blessing to realize that my life is so full. Enjoy my little joys.

With Great Thanks

I am so busy as I run after my little two granddaughters. Grandma's pride and joys. Isn't it a great gift to have family? Today, as I run after life I am thankful for grandchildren.....

Mornings With God

I have changed my schedule. For years I spent an hour a day with God in the evening. Later in time I spent an hour a day in the morning. Either way worked but the last eight months my time with God was juggled. What happened? Well, I got lazy and skipped times. I got discontent and my faith took a beating.

Recently I went back to my schedule of morning time with God. How fortunate I am, because where I worship looks over a hill and the morning sun floods my space. This time is treasured time. I can meditate, pray and think of God's will and plan for me.

Today- its off to my quiet spot with God. A morning treasure.

Powerful Dog

This little dog is a powerful weapon! Today I was trying to take a nap with my grand daughter; but Jade decided she resented being put out. She was outside of my bedroom and started scratching at my door. Then crying. That did not work, so she started howling. Still not able to get me up to open the door, she ran and threw herself against the door.

I was so angry I thought I would kill the little thing! I was determined that a little stubborn dog would not get me out of bed, and risk the chance of waking up my grand daughter. But she was more determined. She kept it up so long I feared my door would be ruined. Very angry I went and opened the door. She was so excited she jumped up. She ran up on the bed and almost woke my grand daughter. But once I had the dog in my arms she settled down, and curled up to sleep. She just wanted to be with us.

I wish I was as insistent on my relationship with God. No matter what happens, not give up until I know God has me in his arms.

Jade, I love you but let me sleep. Thank you for loving me enough to not give up because you are an example of powerful determination and love.

Just Move

Proverbs 31: 16

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

When I thought about this text I always thought it meant that we are to be good business people and industrious. Maybe that is what it is saying. But I also have been thinking about something recently that would change my family. I don't know what path to take and I am rethinking things over and over. I pray and stew over the issues so many times. I add all the "goods" and all the "bad things". Instead of trusting God.

I am wondering if this text could also be saying that we need to consider all things and then move. Trust God, and get going.

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. These are Jesus words. When I consider my life. I need to do my best and trust that God will lead me. Moving forward....

The Day the Lord Has Made

Have you ever met someone which is never happy? I have. Some people almost seem to enjoy being miserable. Why is that? I don't know. I think there are certainly times when we may not be happy but it seems to me that Christian's should be a people that find joy.

Once I heard Oprah say that she keeps a joy journal. She writes five things a day she is thankful for. What a splendid idea. I have practiced that, but I have even a better way. How about if we praise God for our blessings. We all have them.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it; the bible says. Today. I will rejoice.

Trapped in Life

I opened the door to the home of my grand daughter. There on the floor was a person I thought was a very ugly woman. But instead it was a man which was Gothic style. His hair hung down in black pieces, which graduated to multi-colored and wore clothes of black ripped up. His body was cut up and I was disgusted.

But I realized that this person, was a child of God too. I had to pray a bit even to know what to say. What do you say to someone on the floor looking better suited for Halloween? I noticed the cut marks on his arms. I knew this is a symbol of a life of pain. I had burned myself before to get rid of pain too. So I simply asked the young man about himself. Where did he live? What brought him here?

After about 20 minutes of conversation my heart went out to this young man. He was truly alone. His family lived on the streets. He knew he needed a better life but was not sure of how to get that life. He wanted not live be like his own family, but simply did not know how to do that. I don't know the answers either. But I offered compassion, to be a friend, my phone number and we ended with prayer.

I pray for that young man. Trapped in life. Please pray for "Max". Hurting, alone, and needing love.

FAMILY

There are so many blessings in life. Family, friends and nature. But recently it seems my family is struggling. My parent's health is poor. My daughter is engaged to the wrong person, and my son is a drug addict. I feel stressed and concerned as I wonder how to help my family members. But God is in control. He knows all things and in his love guides my life. So for today, I will rest knowing he will never leave or forsake his children. Pray for my children. My jewels.

Gensis 28:15

Genesis 28: 15

And behold...I [am] with thee, and will keep in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land....... A promise given to Abraham

But God wants to be with all people's in this world.

This weekend my country celebrated our home land.

I am so thankful......God Bless America............ we are humbled by what you do for us. And as we turn our hearts to God, we see blessings everywhere.......

Thank You

Today is the Fourth of July. It is a big day of celebration for our country. It is the day we celebrate our birth as a nation.

Our country has a rich heritage of people which gave their lives for the service of mankind and God. As I get ready to end my day, I just feel humbled to those in our past that loved God and country enough to give everything for it.

Thank you people of faith. Thank you soldiers that serve. Thank you politicians that seek justice for all. Thank you pastors and teachers that mold lives for good. Thank you God, for a land that is free to worship. I am humbled.

Do Not Disturb

Recently it seems God has a sign up, Do Not Disturb, on my prayers. I feel empty and unheard. These things are hard to understand in a Christian life. I don't know why it seems God is not listening.

Yet, I believe. I believe God has not forgotten me. I believe He is a God that loves us, and I believe that his goal is my happiness, faith and character.

So while it seems that God appears to not be listening, I know He is and I will stand in faith until I understand. Because I believe in a God that loves us. He has been faithful. He is faithful. He will be faithful. I will trust him.

A Peaceful Moment

Doesn't this look restful? Well, this is a picture I took walking with our daughter. It shows how I feel today- rested and happy.

There are few days that I have for myself, but today is one of those days. I feel so peaceful and I am busy doing odd jobs. So, just wanted to share with you a peaceful moment and I hope you are having a peaceful moment too.

Times like these are when I feel God the most.

Phone Problems

Today I tried to upload a program that makes phone calls pretty cheep. The problem was that I could not get the phone to ring. I got angry, and frustrated. What on earth was wrong! Did I have the wrong package? Were the directions wrong. Just what was it?

Well, I finally figured out the problem was myself. I had hooked up the lines incorrectly. RRRRRRRRR

Recently I have felt like God is not hearing when I call. He tells us that we are his friends, children and that he loves us. I don't know why there are times it seems God does not answer. But, I believe, by faith; he is listening the most. Maybe it is those times we need to just trust he loves us and take us at his word. Trust his love, keep moving and know his is still there.

A Servant's Heart

Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here Jo works to get our fund raising project off the ground. I appreciate her willing atttude. She is a computer wiz and when I was too lazy or skilled to work, she came to my rescue.

A servants heart.... that is God's way.

Thank you Jo.