God

Into the Word Wednesday

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So glad it’s Wednesday! That means Falen & Laura will be hosting their usual link up “Into the Word Wednesday” over at Upward Not Inward. This is a link up where we tell what the Word is saying to us. With no further delay, I present to you, my findings, this week,  while into the Word:

I Samuel 20:17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him;for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Jonathan and David were terrific friends. They had a deep connection that meant the world to each of them. Jonathan’s dad Saul did not like David. He threw a spear at David, trying to kill him at one point. And do you know why? He was jealous of him, that’s why. Why is it we let jealousy have such a strong hold over us? Jonathan was so upset with his father, that

he arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month,

for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully. v. 34

Saul did not stop there with his jealousy.

I Samuel 23:14 says ….Saul sought him (David) every day but God did not deliver him into his hand.

Why did God not let Saul find David?  He was holding out for the greater good.  He wanted Saul to be truly sorry for how he was treating David.  God was trying to teach Saul a lesson that being jealous hearted is not Godly & it doesn’t lead to anything good.

I Samuel 24: 4  …And David arose & secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

David perhaps was trying to seek revenge on Saul by cutting a corner of his robe when he found him sleeping.  Just to let him know,

“Hey Jack, I could have turned you every which way but loose, but I didn’t.”

Later when David caught up with Saul, he had already realized,

“You know what?  I tried to be a scoundrel like Saul, but then it dawned on me, if I get in the pig pen with the wallerin’ pigs, I’m gonna get some mud on me and ain’t nobody got time for that.”

That’s when , David told Saul what he had done & why he had done it.  David responded with kindness when Saul was showing him hatred & jealousy.  Saul’s response was this:

v. 17 You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.

Do you think Saul knew he had been treating David wrong?  You better bet your bottom dollar he did.  David did the right thing.  He was kind, even when Saul was everything but kind to him.  This still holds true for today.  My prayer is that the Lord will help us to be kind, even when kindness is the farthest thing from what we are being treated.  Why?  Because just like it was for David, it’s the right thing to do.  You will never regret being kind.  You may regret being hateful, mean, or spiteful.  However, you will never regret being kind.

Thanks so much for stopping by & visiting with me today.  Go on by Upward Not Inward & link up with those girls.  It’s such a blessing to see what the Word is saying to others.  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.

into the word wed

A Lesson in Prayer

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prayerDo you ever have times when you talk to God all day long? Or maybe all night long? I know I have done both. It is always a good idea to talk to God. Then, give Him a chance to talk to you by opening up His Word. Whatever you have going on, like my Miss Neenee, you will find life is more bearable with the comfort of the Lord with you.
With it being the end of school, there was some testing done a week ago. It is the first year my daughter has taken achievement tests. Her teacher prepared them, basically all year long, for these tests. Then, the week before the actual tests, they did practice tests. That was just so they could get used to what the tests looked like, how to answer, etc.,. They were, however, graded on these.
The weekend before the tests were to take place, we had an action plan. We bought her favorite Special K cereal with Red Berries , at the grocery store. This way, we could get up & not be rustling around in the pantry wondering what was for breakfast every morning. Next, I washed her clothes & put some outfits together. I made her lunch before I went to bed. This would take some stress out of our morning routine. Last, I promised her I would wake her up at least 15 minutes earlier each morning. That would give her extra time to get ready & hopefully not be so stressed out by the time we left the house.
On the 1st morning of the tests, we ate breakfast & got ready in record time. We were in the car ready to go. As we started driving to school- it all started. The wringing of hands, the worried look, the silence. I asked her what was wrong. She said, “I’m not going to do good on these tests.”
I said, “Why do you think that?”
She starts wailing, “They are going to be hard. Like stuff I don’t know ,hard. I just know it’s going to be bad.”

If any of my children are like my grandmother, this one is it. We called my grandmother Mama Boyce. She was somewhat of a worrier. When I say somewhat, I mean Lord have mercy, the biggest worry wart ever to live on the face of the Earth. She had passed away before my daughter was born. However, her genes did not miss my girl.
I told her, “ You made advanced on the practice tests. You are going to be fine.”
“Yeah, but what if I’m not?” she returned.
“What you do is pray about it before you take the test. Then, pray during & even after the test. Because you know you can pray anytime, anywhere.” I explained.
“Humph.” she said, shrugging her shoulders. Then more silence followed. We got to the spot where I drop her off. We said our goodbyes & I reminded her to pray.
That evening when I got home she said, “You know, that test today was not that bad.”
I hugged her up & asked her, “Did you pray?”
“Yep” ,she said, “all day long.”

I am so thankful you came by to visit with me today.  I hope you have a wonderful long weekend.  We will be grilling & spending time with family.  But for now, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes!

Was God in Oklahoma?

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oklahoma

I am a “Why” person. I like to know “Why” things happen. Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me. However, I have learned that sometimes it’s not necessary to know why, but to know how. It’s no secret there was a tornado in Oklahoma City this past week. Some people like to start with the why’s when tragedies happen. “Why did God let this happen?” “Why did this happen to innocent people?” “If God loves us, why did he not keep those people safe?” These are all very good questions, but maybe the answers are outside the box. Some people might get angry at tragedies & ask, “Where was God?” I will tell you where God was. He was in heaven ready to help. The Bible tells us in Psalms 46: 1 He is a “very present help in time of trouble”. All through the Bible, God was there, when people were experiencing a hardship or problem. God was not with these folks to answer their whys. He was there to show them how He loves & cares for them all through hard times.
God was there with Joseph. Early in his life, it would seem that Joseph had problems. His brothers were jealous of him, so they sold him as a slave. They deceived their father Jacob into thinking Joseph was dead. Later in life when his brothers needed him, Joseph responded with kindness. He told them how God was working in his life in a special way. (Gen. 50: 20)
God was there with Moses. When he was placed into the water by his mother to escape being killed, God was there. Through divine providence, Moses ended up being the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Later, God chose him as His mouthpiece. (Ex odus 4: 15)
God was there for Jesus. Even though Jesus was despised and rejected by many. (Isaiah 53:3) God was with Him. When He hung on the cross, He was carrying out the plan of God. Jesus was doing the will of the Father. (Luke 2:42; John 6:38)
God was there for the apostle Paul. Paul suffered for the gospel of Christ. Among those problems were being shipwrecked, beaten, and in perils. (II Corinthians 11:23-28). He also prayed that God would remove his thorn in the flesh. (II Corinthians 12:7) Yet through it all God was with Paul. Paul declared, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:10). This strength was not his own. In prison, he stated, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Philippians 4:13)
The Bible makes the simple point that God does not prevent trouble from happening. He is there in the midst of our troubles. A small child can fall with a parent close by, however, the parent is there to help and pick up the child. God works in the same way. He will be there for us when trouble comes. The Christian has the assurance that, “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (I John 5:14) The Bible promises us that, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers.” (I Peter 3:12) God has promised to be with His people (Heb 13:6) When a person is a Christian, trouble may come (II Timothy 3:12), but God is there.
I am so glad you have come by to visit with me today. It just makes my heart happy when you stop by! I have been so busy here lately with kids, Miss Neenee’s softball & school coming to an end. I may have to change my blog to I should be washing dishes because they are about to take over my kitchen! I do have to go now, because I should be washing clothes.
Parts of this article was taken from “The Messenger” from the church of Christ at Marion, IL with Brother Bill Brandstatter

A little boy that could…..

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Once upon a time a little baby boy was born.  1367A baby?? What are we going to do with a grandbaby?

1333His aunt said, I will feed him!  So, she did.

1393His aunt, Miss Neenee said, I will hold him.   So, she did.

1345Then, his other aunt, (whew! That’s a bunch of aunts!) said, all baby boys need to be so comfy they can stretch out their toes.  He needs to be comfy!  So, he was.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis baby turned one year old.  He was so happy!

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This baby had the sweetest little heart.  Then, the doctors found out it was a special heart.  It had 3 tiny holes in it.  Well, that would never do.  The doctors said, “We have got to make this  heart, good, strong, & healthy”.  So, they did.

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After that, the baby played & laughed & loved to be on his Aunt Neenee’s hip!  He was such a precious sight that no one could believe he had one more, teeny, tiny thing wrong.  One more time, the doctors said, “We have got to make sure this baby is perfectly perfect.”  So, once again, they did.  And that was today.  Mr. Sweetie Pants had another surgery.  And now, since God wants him to be big & strong & healthy He let him show the world the little strong trooper He meant for him to be.  Thank you God for healing this beautiful, loving, & delight of our lives baby boy.  (And his Grand-that’s me & Miss Neenee only cried a little.  By a little, I mean a lot. ) 

The end. 

I John 4:7 & 8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God & knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

New Year’s Resolutions for 2013

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Today, I am going to list my New Year’s Resolutions. Here goes:

1.Stay connected to God.
2.Remain a student of the Bible.
3.Lose 10 lbs FOR STARTERS.
4.Make my family healthier.
5.Be a better blogger.
6.Encourage others more.
7.Be more humble.
8.Love more.
9.Sew more.
10.Exercise more.
11.Walk weekly.
12.Do at least (5) 5k races.
13.Learn to let go of offenses. Because really, how important are they??
14.Read the Old Testament.
15. Less talk, more action, please.

Alright, that wasn’t too painful. I think I might could add- Be on time more & spend less. But good grief, let’s save something for 2014! I am hopeful that everyone at least attempts to make a list of resolutions (whether on paper or a mental list). The New Year is always a good time to take inventory of things that can be improved on. And, I can always make an extended list of how I am going to make these things happen, as well. All I know is, 2013 is going to be a wonderful year!
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I would love to hear about your New Year’s Resolutions. Comments are free & they make me very happy! However, I have to be going for now, because I should be washing clothes!
laundry help wanted

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I was taking one of Miss Neenee’s friends home the other day.  I saw this beautiful field, with all these big bales of hay.

It was such a pretty sight.  One that’s very familiar in Mississippi, this time of year.   To begin with, when I looked out into the field, it did not take but a second to realize what kind of seeds the farmer had sown.  The grass seeds yielded grass, that was cut & made into hay.  You may be thinking, “Alright, so what is that supposed to mean?”  It just got me to thinking about what the apostle Paul had said in

Galatians 6: 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

We should not be surprised if we sow seeds of discontent, judgment, impatience, hatefulness, jealousy, resentment, etc.  that we get that same behavior in return from others. If we sow seeds of kindness, understanding, peace, love, fairness, & patience- don’t be surprised if you see a lot of that come your way.  If I am quick to point a finger at someone, then I need to be aware that others could do the same to me.  What if God called for a harvest of our decisions & actions?  What kind of harvest would He get from us?

Dear Lord, Help us to be kind to one another.  Help us to be understanding & not quick to cast judgment on others.  Help us to know that we are just people & no one is without fault.  In Jesus name, Amen.

I have enjoyed you stopping by for a visit today.  Please leave me a comment, if you want to.  Hearing from you makes me smile!  I have to be going for now, because I should be washing clothes…..

What else can God do for me?

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Sometimes I am not so grateful for things.  I think it’s easy to do, sometimes.  When you are working & living normal every day life, things can get mundane.  At the check out line at the grocery store, I am conscious of how much it takes to feed my family.  It takes a lot just to pay the power & water bill.  Then, comes the car payments, insurance, gas, taxes, & all the other things we think we can’t live without! I sit & talk to God & ask why other people, who are not trying to live according to His will, how they can seem so much better off than my family.  I think about what we do have- a roof over our heads, food in our stomach, clothes on our back.  It occurs to me that I must learn contentment.  Instead of asking God, “Why can’t You do more for me?”  I need to be saying “Thank You” for sending Your Son, who died on the cross for my sins.   God has promised us  the hope of eternal salvation- for those who obey His will.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

We have  an aunt who has been through a lot here lately.  She has just finished treatments for Lymphoma.  She also had part of her colon removed.  Now, she has blood clots, that she has been hospitalized for.  I talked to her today & she was in the best spirits.  She was excited that she was getting to go home from the hospital.  During this process, she has made friends with the nurses, that are taking care of her.  She laughed & said, “Yes, they all know me on a first name basis here (hospital).”  I told her what a strong person she was.  She said that through everything that had happened to her, she had never been scared or upset.  She said she knew God was with her & she was at peace. What a wonderful thing to be sure of!  God did not promise us days without pain.  He did promise us peace, comfort, & strength for tomorrow.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me all you that labor & are heavy laden & I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart & you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.

So, as I sit fretting about all my problems- I can find comfort in knowing I have a God that’s bigger than all of that!   Instead of using prayer as a wish list to gain more material things, I need to thank God for what I have.  Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in what the world portrays as what you should have.  I just need to remember to quit thinking about what else God can do for me.  I need to remember the blessings of life, salvation, & peace, that’s already been given to me freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me today.  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes…..

Raising kids is so easy…said no one ever.

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I heard someone say, not too long ago: “The hardest part of raising kids is over.  Mine are almost teenagers.”  I chuckled, a little, to myself when I heard this.  My children are 21, 20, 19, 18 & 8 years in age.  While they were younger, I was so relieved when they started walking & talking. And too, when the last one came out of diapers, I thought what will I do with all this money I will save from not buying formula & wet wipes??  Well, don’t get excited, this is not the secret to becoming a millionaire. ( I never saved any money.)  Then, they started school. What ever happened to this free education they are supposed to be getting?  I’m pretty sure I have bought enough Kleenex, Germ-X, colors, back packs, lunch boxes, etc,.. to take care of a small family.

Back to my point- I have had babies, I have had elementary school kids, I have had middle schoolers, jr. highers, high schoolers, & college kids.  The hardest part of raising kids is not while they are babies, it’s these high school graduate- college kids.  Let me explain.  With a baby, if they get in to something they aren’t supposed to, you just pick them up from where they are.  You give them something else to occupy them.  All the  while you go back & wipe up the spilled Cheerios,  pick up the magazines flung from the coffee table, clean off the wall where they were showing their creativeness with their new colors, whatever it is, it’s exhausting, but obtainable.  When they are the college age kids, they get in to something they aren’t supposed to, well, you can pick them up at the county jail, go visit them in the hospital, or basically try to rescue them from themselves.  All the while, telling them over & over until you are blue in the face, this is NOT the way.  This behavior only leads to nothingness.  But they won’t listen.  What do you do?  Seeing that since I have an expertise in these things, I will share with you my solution.

  1.   As soon as they are home from the hospital & you are able to get out of the house, take them to church as much as possible.  Keep them involved in a lot of church activities.  Make sure they all know right from wrong, at an early age.  Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it
  2. Make sure they know you love them. However, let them know obedience is key to anything in life. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
  3. Make sure you are going to church yourself & leading a good example.  Ephesians 6:4 And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training & admonition of the Lord.
  4. Once you have provided the fertile soil for positive growth, have given guidance, instruction, in love, when they finish high school & reach the dreaded age of about 18, sell everything you own, buy a R.V. & set out to see the world, without them.  Otherwise, you will spend the next few years of your life in a bundle of nerves.
  5. If you decide not to purchase the R.V., then, you might want to have your doctor prescribe you a nice anti-depressant.  Because everything you have ever done wrong in your life, will come full circle & you will reap, heartily, of the bounty of crow that is set before you.  Every time you said, “My child would never ……(and finish this sentence with something seriously earth shattering), will come true before your eyes.  This is what your life will result in for the next few years.  This is the time in one of my friend’s lives that she gave me some really wonderful advice.  I won’t ever forget it.  Her son was marrying, divorcing, having kids, doing drugs, getting jobs, losing jobs, going to jail, etc.,. He was raised using the first 3 tactics above. When I asked her how she handling things & making it through, she said, “A lot of prayer & a lot of Paxil.”  I love my friend.  A lot of prayer is so vital to every aspect of life!
  6. When these kids get to acting like adults, don’t be afraid to treat them as such.  If they are old enough to make adult decisions, they are old enough to take adult responsibility.  Don’t enable.  Don’t let their actions take control of your life.  Even God lets go of people that won’t heed His will-Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.  Don’t make yourself crazy with worry over their behavior.  Pray- let go & let God handle it.  Raising kids is not for the faint of heart.  You have to be strong & have a load of self confidence, or it will really wear.you.out.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are kids that are raised right, that stay on the right path.  And my kids aren’t the only ones that do crazy stuff.   I said that to my Daddy one day.  I asked, “What did I do wrong?  What could I have done different?”  He simply said, “Do you remember Adam & Eve? Well, God was their parent.  If He could not make His kids act right, what makes you think you can?”  Thank you Daddy, for nailing it every time.  I like to refer back to Proverbs 22:6 in hopes that one day, it will click for them.

So, the next time that toddler throws up on you, or that school age kid gets a red dot for acting bad, or that high schooler smashes their car in to something– Just remember you have a few more years until they are 18.  Then I can stand up, clear my throat & say, “Welcome to raising college age kids, we’ve been waiting for you.”  And then give a “Muuwahhaaa!!” witch like laugh.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I have loved visiting with you.  I have to be going now because I should be washing clothes.

Our timing is not God’s timing

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Have you ever been disappointed?  I know I have.  There have been things that I have wanted & wished for in life, that never came about for me.  Yet, when I look back at those times in my life, I realize my life may have very well turned out differently, if God’s timing had not had it’s place.

READ:Psalm 37:3-11

All things work together for good to those . . . who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28

Perfect timing is rare—at least where humans are concerned. But God has specific purposes and plans for us, and His timing is always perfect.

We see that timing in the life of these Bible characters: Abraham’s servant prayed for a wife for Isaac. God answered his prayer by bringing the young woman to him (Gen. 24). Joseph was sold as a slave, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. But eventually God used him to preserve many people’s lives during a famine (45:5-8; 50:20). And we marvel at Esther’s courage as Mordecai reminded her, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Est. 4:14).

Are you disappointed in the pace of God’s plans? “Trust in the Lord” (Ps. 37:3). God will open doors when the timing is perfect.

Have faith in God, the sun will shine Though dark the clouds may be today; His heart has planned your path and mine, Have faith in God, have faith alway. —Agnew

God’s timing is perfect—every time!

Maybe God tests our faith by having disappointments come our way.  Maybe He has us wait so that we can obtain something better.  Whatever the reason, God knows best.   It can be hard to trust an unknown future- but we have an all knowing God that’s going to take care of us.   We must trust Him no matter what.

Miss Neenee has come to me saying,”Mama, can I get on the computer, now?  And you can ‘ya know, do laundry.” Then points at the pile of Mount St. Laundry (as my friend refers to it) in my bedroom floor.  So, friends, you know why I have to be going………

Parts of this message was taken from ”Our Daily Bread” written by Cindy Hess Kasper & accompanied by Agnew

Yes, Carrie Underwood, we all know you have amazing thighs, so you are welcome to put them away….

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I was watching the Country Music Awards last night, when low & behold here comes Carrie Underwood.  Her singing was amazing.  She was sure to entertain.  Especially, since she had on her shorts, baring her legs, again.  We saw her knockout legs on her video “Remind Me” with Brad Paisley.  And her “Good Girl” video, and ….. get the picture??  Yes, Carrie Underwood, we all know you have amazing thighs, so you are welcome to put them away, at any time.  Seeing Carrie out there on stage, looking gorgeous makes me feel like any other red blooded American woman.  Well, mad.  You see while sitting there in the living room watching all 72inches of Miss Carrie, with me, was my husband & my 8 year old daughter. My husband was all glassy eyed, staring at the t.v.  My 8 year old daughter said, “Mama, her thighs are so pretty.”  It’s not that I am not trying my best to keep my daughter from having body issues, as it is.  Now, I have a gigantic perfectly bodied singing woman standing there in front of us.  That’s a lot to try to live up to. There’s not many women out there that are as beautiful & talented.  And here she is making the rest of us look bad.  I mean what she has going on is almost unrealistic.

My friend SC a little something to post about on Facebook about Miss Underwood:

So I’m surfing through fb on my lunch and see a video of the cma fest preview.  I love carrie underwood. I loved her voice from the first audition. However, for once I would love to just watch her sing without having to stare at her thighs… While she balances on stilts to make them look more pronounced. All the while feeling like I am the most inadequate woman alive. We get it… She looks amazing. Now put em away. Okay… I’m going back to my tortilla crusted fish lean cuisine now….

I am glad God doesn’t have an unrealistic view of beauty.  He wants us to be more beautiful on the inside.   He wants us to have a clean heart.  In Psalms 51:10 it reads: Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.  He wants love for one another, inside our hearts.  John 15: 17 These things I command  you that you love one another.  He wants us to have the fruit of the Spirit, as well.  Galatians 5: 22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control.  Against such there is no law.

Remember God does not look at a person, the same way we do.

I Samuel 16:7 …For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

 I just want to make it clear, I am not bashing Carrie Underwood.  I think she is a very lovely young lady. I am just thankful God doesn’t care what my thighs look like.  I am so glad you stopped by to visit with me today.  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.
***Special thanks to my bud SC for letting me use her Facebook post!!!