THE SEASONS OF MY LIFE
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Posted:Apr 24, 2008 2:49 am
Last Updated:Apr 24, 2008 2:50 am 1327 Views
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And it's STILL raining.
All I've got to say is, Spring has GOT to come some time, just like in our lives, when things are going wrong.
I just need to step into the wind, and keep my face to the sun.
Or as I like to say, charge against the wind and keep my face to the . Then take a step at a time.
I guess I'm not too profound...
But it works for me....
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AT PEACE, OR FEAR----I THINK THERE'S MORE TO IT
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Posted:Apr 22, 2008 2:20 pm
Last Updated:Apr 24, 2008 3:36 am 1381 Views
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In the women's Bible study today, a question arose about how people feel about death. The two options were: at peace with the idea of death, or fear of death.
And that was it.
I really do TRY not to rock the boat TOO often, but this time...
See, I don't agree that we're either at peace with the idea, or scared of it. I think some people are simply resigned to it. Those are the ones who live their lives the best they can, so they can leave the world having done some good.
There are others who see death as the end, and although these people don't FEAR death, they feel that life is meaningless. This ball, in the middle of nowhere, spins around with a bunch of ants frantically running to and fro on it. The ants think what they're doing is important, but really when they die, what they've done will die with them, and they will be forgotten eventually.
More and more ants are born. They live. They die.
And on it goes.
Occasionally, an ant will be remembered for awhile. But unfortunately the ants' memories are only so long...So life has no value.
When I said this in the women's Bible study, one or two women seemed to understand, but most of them looked at me like I was from another planet.
But I remember before I was a Christian. While I was researching whether this "Christian-thing" had any validity, I realized that if my answer came out to be that there is no God, life was going to be like a ball of string unwinding. It would unwind, and unwind, and unwind, with generations passing...and there would be no core, no real genuine reason why a person ought to exist.
But I wasn't afraid.
Oh, well. The women in the Bible study are probably used to having me say weird stuff.
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MUSINGS OF A MODERN-DAY FOLLOWER
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Posted:Apr 22, 2008 12:00 am
Last Updated:Apr 22, 2008 12:26 am 1351 Views
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Isaiah wrote of how he saw the Lord,
And flaming creatures as they shouted praise,
Elijah stood tall as the spokesman of God,
When the sun would hold back its rays.
Saul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus,
And became the apostle Paul,
Peter sat on a roof and got a lesson from Christ,
That the gospel should go out to all.
Enoch skipped death and went up to Heaven,
Because he had walked with God here,
Mary Magdelene got to touch Jesus' feet
When she wiped them dry of her tears.
I read of these people and things that they did,
The spiritual mountains they scaled,
And my lowly life on this day-to-day plain,
In comparison seems to have paled.
Lord, I confess sometimes I feel down
Because I'm just little old me,
Please forgive me, when I forget
Your blood paid for me to be free.
I need not climb mountains and look down on
clouds,
For I fly on eagle's wings,
You've chosen my heart as your dwelling place,
I live with the King of kings!
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GOD, THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
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Posted:Apr 19, 2008 4:36 pm
Last Updated:Apr 27, 2008 4:57 pm 1617 Views
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My was here with me yesterday.
Not an uncommon occurrance.He visits quite a bit.
But more and more, I see him crying out spiritually. We talked about God, about how important it is for Christians to LIVE what they CLAIM. In fact, one of his favorite songs is the one by DC Talk---What If I Stumble. The person is asking himself, am I singing these songs for God, for others, for myself?---I have to be clear about this, and I have to live right...I'm in front of everyone, an example.
My is an agnostic.
He no longer comes to church.He has fallen away. Far away.
Years ago, he was sent to jail. Our church couldn't accept an ex-con back into the fold. I was called into an elder's meeting and asked to tell my not to come back. I said I would do a lot of things, but I wouldn't tell my NOT to come to church. They would have to do that.
I left that church and went somewhere else.
My has tried going back to church now and then, but my whole family has been scarred.
The church I attend now, I asked for a consult with the minister. One of the things I asked was whether they could deal with an ex-con.
The minister surprised me. He began to laugh. A lot. He said half the congregation has been in prison, so he thinks they can handle an ex-con just fine.
I told my about this yesterday. I also told my about the preacher's testimony---having come out of drugs and alcohol--- a totally sinful life, and now he's, well, preaching.
My has seen me live what I claim to be.
And now here's a church full of people who can understand.
Okay, God, here's where you come in...some more...help my , would you please?
]bling 5845]
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
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Posted:Apr 19, 2008 1:25 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2008 2:24 am 1335 Views
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What do you think of when you think of fruit of the Spirit?
Do you think of several different fruits?
In your mind, do you envision an apple here, a pear there, etc.?
In the original wording, when the Bible speaks of fruit of the Spirit, it talks about it in a different way....
Not separate fruits, but sections of one fruit.
Think of an orange, after it has been peeled.
You can divide it into sections. Each section is part of a whole, yet is also whole in itself.
Each fruit of the Spirit is part of one whole essence, yet is also an easily identifiable trait.
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SATAN IS VERY GENEROUS
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Posted:Apr 18, 2008 3:08 am
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2008 8:37 pm 1667 Views
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Why do people always speak of satan as if he were a selfish person?
Satan is very generous.
Any one who has served satan with all they have can tell you, he doesn't hold back.
He makes sure you have everything you need.
Everything you need, as long as it is within the rules.
Someone might ask, "Within the rules? What rules?"
Well, there are two guidelines:
1. Because satan is a created being, just as we are, he can only provide us with so many things.
So as long as we don't need anything that he is unable to provide, he gives it to us.
2. As long as we don't need anything that satan feels will ultimately be good for us, he will give it to us.
Satan will give us anything and everything we need, as long as he is able to give it to us. He will give us all he is able to give us, as long as he's sure it will hurt us.
Makes a person wonder why anyone would choose to follow satan, rather than God....
God can do anything, and wants only our good.
God laughs with joy when He sees us flying free in our Christian life.
Satan paces, and wonders how, how, how can he get us to put the chains back on?
God has already won, and Christians will reign with Christ.
No matter where satan turns, every time he moves, the word "LOSER" echoes throughout creation.
He can't even get respect from the demons who work with Him. They know that cockroaches have a better future than he does.
God is worthy of all praise.
Satan isn't even worthy of a second look.
Glad I'm on God's side.
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THE "700-YEAR" PILL
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Posted:Apr 16, 2008 1:41 am
Last Updated:Apr 17, 2008 12:26 am 1564 Views
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In the women's Bible study, the question was asked---
If they invented a pill that would make it so you could live for 700 years, would you take it?
Most of the women said NO!
I have to make an admission here...I said that if, along with the 700-year pill, they sold a no-wrinkle pill, I'd consider it.
I mean, think about it...the wrinkles we have by the time we're 80 and 90...they're not all THAT bad...but---700 YEARS worth of wrinkles?!?
I'd be a raisin!! And my rear end would be picking up splinters every time I walked! I'd have to carry tweezers and a mirror everywhere I went!!
Nope. They definitely have to sell the pills as a set, or I'm not buying.
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I'M MOVING ! ! ! I'm Moving !! i'm moving...
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Posted:Apr 15, 2008 8:18 pm
Last Updated:Apr 24, 2008 3:41 am 1593 Views
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It's raining today.
Where I live, that isn't surprising.
We get sick of the rain around January.
I've been griping and fretting, threatening to move to an apartment in Florida.
It'll be warm there most of the time, I'll have a landlord to take care of most of the utilities so I have more time to play, and I can just sit outside and play the congas.
I've been saying for three years that I'M MOVING. I'M GOING TO FLORIDA.
And I know good and well that I'm not going anywhere.
First of all, if it weren't for all the rain around here, we wouldn't have the beauty we have around us. The greenery here is legendary. I have friends who have moved away and couldn't wait to get back.
Second, if I lived in an apartment and couldn't get outside and wander around, digging up this, planting that, talking to neighbors, rounding up pets----I'd go cuckoo, and I know it. The first time a landlord told me I couldn't build a grape arbor when I got a yen for fresh grapes, I'd probably explode. Or feel like I was going to.
And I feel very strongly about growing things organically. The first time I started pouring manure around everywhere---well, I don't even want to THINK about THAT. Even if I DO use chicken or bat "stuff", because it doesn't smell, some people just don't like having it around.
Also, I have lived in the shadow of a huge snowy mountain all my life. The way we tell whether it's a truly beautiful day is by how gorgeous the mountain looks against the bright blue sky.
No, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here.
But God, do you think you could give us some REAL sunshine for awhile? This liquid sunshine IS getting a little...
oh, who am I kidding? I love the rain!
(But don't tell anybody I said that!)
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MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
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Posted:Apr 15, 2008 12:48 am
Last Updated:Apr 15, 2008 7:55 pm 1345 Views
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Dear God,
You sure are cool. I'm really glad I belong to you.
I sat outside yesterday and looked at just a few of the things you created for our enjoyment---plants, trees, the sky with fluffy clouds. Some birds flew by, talking, and a kitty wandered over to me. A doggie came by and rested her muzzle on my arm, blinking her beautiful eyes at me. Then she ran off the find a squeaky toy.
Flowers danced in the breeze while squirrels chattered.
Thank you for this world. Instead of planting us on a planet like Mars, and having us sweat out our existence, you gave us so many things to delight in.
It's a pleasure worshiping you, Father.
Thank you, also, for loving me, even though I make a lot of boo-boo's. If there is a cosmic dictionary any where, I know that if I look up Yahweh, there will be a cross reference to "love beyond words". Because that is what you have shown to me, and that is what I have for you, my God.
All I ask right now is that you would please forgive me where I have failed you today, and that you would be with my and grandchildren.
May your Name be praised forever.
I speak to you, with thanks for the privilege, in Jesus' name.
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CARING FOR PRIMA DONNAS
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Posted:Apr 12, 2008 9:05 am
Last Updated:Apr 28, 2024 9:11 am 1378 Views
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We finally have two days running of sunshine. AND it's warm! So what have I been doing? Yep, I've been outside working, trying to get the yard to look like somebody really lives here.
I love planting things, even mowing the lawn with our push mower. What I'm not crazy about---oh, who am I kidding? What I HATE is pulling weeds in the rose bed.
Roses don't appreciate the work I put in. They just stand there and poke me. They're lucky they're so pretty, and smell so good.
That's nonsense, too, really. There are a lot of plants out there that are pretty and smell good that don't bite.
So why do I grow roses?
Most of these roses were here when I moved in. One is so old, it has a trunk, like a tree trunk.
It also used to smell good for two or three houses down, but the ol' bugger hardly has a scent any more, even though I feed it "rose pizza"---manure---and sour milk. The scent has picked up a little, but not like it was.
I keep another of the roses because my who died loved it. It's deep, velvety red, and smells delicious. My would stop as he went out of the gate, no matter where he was going, or who was waiting, and gently take a rose between his fingers, close his eyes, and experience it. It's one of my dearest memories.
So that rose stays.
Another rose smells like fruit, and looks like a sunrise. That's good enough for me.
And on it goes.
So what does all this have to do with my relationship with God?
I get out there and make sure there's plenty of garlic growing around the roses, so they won't suffer from aphids.
I pull weeds and grass from around the roses because roses like for their roots to "breathe".
And they thank me by grabbing my hair and pulling it out, scratching me, and poking me.
Prima Donnas.
But I know what I'm doing is for their good, and eventually they prove that I'm right by blooming up a storm. If someone needs to know where my house is during late Spring to early Winter, I can say, "It's the house with the roses," and everybody finds it.
God knows what's best for me. I may gripe, cry or fight what He's doing sometimes, but I can rest peacefully in the knowledge that He knows how to make my spirit healthy and beautiful.
And He actually seems to like having me around.
I wonder if He ever feels like calling me a prima donna? Impossible! impossible.....
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