Strength & Courage

It takes strength to be firm

It takes courage to be     gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard

It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.

It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone.

It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love.

It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive.

It takes courage to live.

--Author Unknown

Girlfriends - Soul-Sisters

This is for my friends, my soul-sisters, whom I love and this is my prayer for each of them . . . 

Dear God:
 Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, she will always be safe. Help her to trust in You no matter where she is or what she is doing. And let her know that she has a friend and let me be that friend to her that will be there for her no matter what she is going through. Thank you God for the bond of love you have put between my  "soul-sisters"!  Amen.


Love you Girls!

Live your Life from your Heart

The Race of Life (Rat-Race!)

I was running the race of life, and the wind was at my back;

there was never a fairer day to run, never a smother track.

So with my head held high as the miles raced by,

I ran with careless ease.

I would run this race, I would win first place

so my Master I would please.

Then an unforseen hand rudely pushed me down,

and I fell with a thud in the cold, cruel ground;

and broken and bruised, I began to cry

as the other runners all passed me by.

"Lord, help me please! I'm tired and sore;

I don't think I can make it, I just want to die,

I don't even have what it takes to try.

And as I lay bleeding upon the ground,

a vast "cloud of witnesses" gathered round.

They were heroes of old, all the saints of the ages,

who through weakness were strong

and through faith made courageous.

They started to cheer and to wildly applaud,

and their voices rose up giving glory to God,

and then to myself I said, "How can this be?"

For the saints of the ages were cheering for me!

Then Abel cried out, "There is power in the blood!"

And Noah said, "He'll keep you safe through the flood."

Then Jacob said, "Weary one, lean on the Lord,"

And Moses cried out, "Child, look to the reward!"

Then Sarah stepped forward, holding Abraham's hand,

and they both said, "Trust God when you don't understand."

In God's promises, child, you must always believe,

For sometimes He'll do things you just can't conceive.

Come on! You can do it! Get up off your face

and run with endurance the rest of the race,

and remember, my child, when your strength is all gone,

the saints of the ages are cheering you on!"

So I rose to my feet midst their thunderous ovation

and started to run with great determination;

and that's when I saw Him, my Savior and Lord,

And I knew in my heart I must win the reward

to cast down before Him the crown that I'd won,

and to hear Him say to me, "Well done, child, well done!"

~Janice Rogers Edmiston~

Can you relate to this word picture of the race of life? Sometimes life's race seems more like a "rat race".  Always chasing after that bit of cheese!!  It is sometimes hard to understand as that "unforseen" hand pushes us down to the ground bruising and breaking us and our spirits.  Sometimes it seems that others do run right on past us leaving us in the dust.  Others get the "breaks" in life, or so it seems, the job promotions, the raises, the new cars, the new house, etc. 

It is at this point the devil wants to rub it in and make us feel helpless, useless, and unworthy of anything good in our lives.  But what we don't always see is that vast "cloud of witnesses" that are gathered round us.  Isn't that exciting?? Isn't that challenging to think and listen real close and hear that faint, "come on, you can do it"?  Sometimes that is all we need!  And then we feel the energizing strength flow through us as we hear:

"Come on! You can do it! Get up off your face

and run with endurance the rest of the race,

and remember, my child, when your strength is all gone,

the saints of the ages are cheering you on!"

Keep on running your race, don't give up, pick up the pieces and carry on to the finish.  Trust God to give you strength and determination to run your life's race . . . on to victory!!! 

"but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward for those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."     Phil 3:13-14

Rules from God

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.

"Today is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."

 Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance;
but the Lord looks at the heart."

I Samuel 16:7

3 . Shut Up !! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

"He who guards his lips guards his soul."

Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up !! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good."

Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !! To the Lord.

"I can do everything through Christ

who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !! For something higher.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your

 own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him,

And He will direct your path."

Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !! Your Prayers.

 "Do not worry about anything;
Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."

Philippians 4:6

Pray changes things. 

Pray lets the impossible become possible

When we let God do what only

HE CAN DO!

Valentine

For God so lo V ed the world, 

 

 That He g A ve            

His on L y       

Begott E n       

So N    

                  

                       T hat whosoever

Believeth I n Him    

   
      Should N ot perish, 

         
         But have E verlasting life." 

                                                            John 3:16

Erma Bombeck

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."                               ~Erma Bombeck

Day By Day

I left work on December 30, 2010, and knew something was up. When I went into work January 3, 2011, I was told that after 9 1/2 years I had no job!  So I have been job hunting for the last month. For me (at my age!) it has been a time of soul searching to find where God wants me - what He wants me to be doing - and trusting His divine leadership as He guides and directs me.  I feel like this door was closed, after so many years, but I am confident that God has a plan for me and will open the next door at just the right time.  I am anxious, I want to know what's ahead, I want to know everything about tomorrow!!!!  (Patience, Diana, patience!) It has been a little confusing and yet I have a calm assurance that God knows what, where, when, and how!  I am using these days to search out God's will for me and following God's direction day by day!  This hymn  - Day by Day - has always been a favorite of mine.  How fitting that I share this hymn story with you today! 

It is a common tendency for people to look ahead. They wonder - what will happen next? That's why the pseudo science of astrology is booming today as never before. Because we are apprehensive of the future, wondering about some health problem or perhaps a financial difficulty will surprise us, we long for a reassuring word of comfort.

"Day by Day" was a hymn written by a young Swedish woman who learned early in life the all-important lesson of living each day with the conscious presence and strength of her Lord.  Lina Sandell has often been called the "Fanny Crosby of Sweden" for her many contributions to gospel hymnody. From her pen flowed approximately 650 hymns which strongly influenced the waves of revival that swept the Scandinavian countries during the latter half of the 19th century.

At the age of 26 Lina had an experience that greatly influenced her life. She was accompanying her father aboard a ship to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, across Lake Vattern. The ship gave a sudden lurch and Lina's father, a minister, fell overboard and drowned before the eyes of his devoted daughter. Although Lina had written many hymn texts prior to this tragic experience, now more than ever poetic thoughts that expressed a tender, child-like trust in her Lord began to flow freely from her broken heart.

Day by day and with each passing moment,

strength I find to meet my trials here;

trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

gives unto each day what He deems best,

lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me

with a special mercy for each hour,

all my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me.

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

is a charge that on Himself He laid:

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

this the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in ev'ry tribulation,

So to trust Thy promises,

O Lord, That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a Father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

Practice the kind of deep and peaceful trust that Lina Sandell has expressed in this hymn. Focus only on the challenges and difficulties of today and trust the Lord for tomorrow.  Sing this message as you go:

The protection of His child and treasure

 is a charge that on Himself He laid.

"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

-Hymn Stories - Kenneth W. Osbeck-

"Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  -Hebrews 4:16

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."  -Psalms 55:22

The Lord is the one constant thing in life, the one true friend - come boldly and cast your care on Him in your time of need and find His grace and mercy!

The Master Painter

Beyond my windowpane I see

God's lacy snowflakes silently

Descend and paint an artist's scene,

All glistening white and so serene.

And as I gaze with rapt delight,

My heart is quickened by the sight

Of sparkling "diamonds" in the snow,

Transforming all with Heaven's glow.

With certainty and joy I know

The Master Painter made it so.

-Vi B. Chevalier-

"You fixed all the limits of the land;

Summer and Winter You made."

Psalm 74:17

Cardboard Testimonies - West Ridge Church

Humor For Lexophiles (lovers of words)

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger.
   Then it hit me.
Police were called to a day care . . . where a 
   three-year-old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off?
   He's all right now.
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table
   was Sir Cumference.

The butcher backed up into the meat grinder and
   got a little behind in his work.
To write with a broken pencil 
   is pointless.

When fish are in schools they sometimes 
   take debate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was
   a small medium at large.

A thief who stole a calendar 
   got twelve months.
A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement
   he became a hardened criminal.

Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be
   charged with stalking.
We'll never run out of math teachers because they
   always multiply.

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, 
   U.C.L.A.
The math professor went crazy with the blackboard
   He did a number on it.
The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes
   was on shaky ground.

The Guide

As kids we grew up on a farm.  We had 109 acres to run and climb over, around, and through!  We knew that farm like the back of our hands, even as kids.  We knew where nearly every ditch, dead end, look-out point, and hiding spot was.  We would go into the pasture and follow the cow-paths from one end of the farm to the other and we knew where each path would end up and where they would go as we followed them in the different directions.  Some paths lead down to the big ditch at the end of the farm. Some went past the cable swing that would swing out over the small pond.  Some would lead us clear on down past the big ditch to the big pond.  Some would lead us absolutely "no-where" - a dead-end!  Some would just lead to an open clearing where the cows would leisurely graze and lay down, rest and chew their cud as the baby calves would scamper around in their play.  We knew the lay-out of the ground whether it was in the pasture or across the cornfield. 

It seemed like our friends always wanted to come to the farm! We always had lots of fun as we would set out for a day of good old "farm fun".  We rode the horses, climbed the haystack and jumped into a big pile of loose hay. We'd swing out over the pond and let go - falling into the pond.  There was always something to do on the farm! 

One of our favorite things to do was play hide and seek! Especially when Uncle Bill and Nora came out - they had 10 kids so we always had plenty to play a fantastic game of hide and seek.  Of course we always had the advantage because we knew the lay of the land and every perfect hiding place.  My brothers and I would take off to hide and before we knew it we had one or two of the cousins following us to hide with us. So we would lead them on to some hiding places where no one would find us.  We'd usually be perched somewhere watching the others hunt all over for us - sometimes walking right by us! There we would wait and wait for them to find us until finally we would hear them calling out "ollie-ollie oxen all in free"!  I wonder who came up with that phrase?!  Anyway, in we would come running and laughing all the way! 

We would go into the pasture and sometimes the "city-kids" would get lost in the cornfield as we cut across the field to the pasture.  We were always the guides as we planned halloween ghost walks down through the pasture each year.  We would go ahead and scout out all of the paths and prepare them.  We would have camp outs for the kids from church making sure there was plenty of cut up wood for the camp fire and a nice sheltered spot for the tents.  We always put a lot of planning into these events and always had a good time of fun and fellowship as we made our trek down through the timber.  Many times some of our friends said "don't leave me" - they wanted to stick close to us . . . especially after it got dark!  Even with our flashlights, it can really be dark in the middle of 30 acres of timber with only the moon peeking out through the clouds!  They knew that we knew how to get back to the house - we knew which one of the cow-paths lead back to safety.

Life offers many paths for us to follow.  Some, like those in the pasture, lead past ponds, to and sometimes through ditches, some take us to dead-end places, some take us to quiet valleys of rest and refreshment and some take us "no-where" at all just "around in circles".  That is why we need a guide that knows the way.  A guide that scouts out what is up ahead and can provide shelter and provisions for our journey.  A good guide will clear the path and prepare the way and light the path for us offering us strength and will take our hand and help us up the path when we need that extra help.

Where do we find a guide like that?  A guide that will walk with us and talk with us and look out for our best interest every minute of the day? One that will light the path ahead of us and show us the way? 

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path". -Psalms 119:105 (NIV)
or the Message says it this way, 

"By your Words I can see where I am going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path".  

God's Word is that lamp and as we read it and let it take hold of our lives we see it's beam of light shining on our path illuminating the way "home".  The way to peace and happiness on our journey through life.  We can play hide and seek and be lead down paths that will only lead us far away from where we really want to be.  Unlit paths that lead to distruction and disaster.  Paths that take us to unfamiliar places filled with hate, heartache and regrets.  Paths that lead us farther and farther away from the God that loves us and wants to care for us.  The God that wants to be our "Guide".   

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"  -John 14:6

He wants to be our Guide and light the path we are traveling.  Wherever you are on your path of life -
TRUST HIM!

Anne's Chicken Burritos

Yummy and so easy! 

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
15-1/4 oz. can corn, drained
16-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
16-oz. salsa
6 to 8  10-inch flour tortillas


Garnish: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole

Place chicken in a slow cooker; top with corn, beans and salsa. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, or on high setting for 4 to 6 hours. Shred chicken; stir back into slow cooker. To serve, spoon mixture onto tortillas. Add desired garnishes and roll up. Serves 6 to 8.

Life's Snow Storms

Blonde Joke:  Due to the recent snow storm the news was alerting everyone to park their cars on the odd number side of the block for 24 hours so the snow plows could plow the streets.  The next day they needed to park them on the even number side of block.  It snowed again the next day and the "blonde" is listening to the news to see where she should park her car now and the electricity went off.  She was so upset she wanted to know where she should park her car now.  Her husband finally suggested that she just leave her car parked in the garage!!! (HA! HA!)

We recently had had a similar snow storm. We even received emergency phone messages telling us which side of the street to park on for the next couple of days. My neighbor tried to tell me it was the opposite side of the street first - I didn't think that was right but he insisted.  I went back into the house and listened to the phone message again and sure enough it was the odd numbered side of street the first night.  So I left my car parked on the odd side even though my neighbor kept telling me I needed to move it to the other side! I guess he finally figured it out but he didn't want to admit it!

Do we ever make more out of things than we need to - like my neighbor or like the "blonde" lady parking her car on the even and odd sides of the street when she had a garage!  She didn't even need to park on the street. She had a garage to park in where her car would be inside out of the weather - protected from all of the winter elements!

How many times have I insisted on doing what "I" thought or felt needed to be done without first listening to God's Majestic Voice?! Or, I have listened to what others were telling me instead of hearing God's Almighty Voice!  The book of Job talks about listening and hearing the thundering of His Voice as God sends it forth under ALL of Heaven!  (Job 37:1-6)  Wow!  How could I possible miss it? And yet there have been times I have done that - totally missed it in my attempt to park my car on the right side of the street during the "snowstorms" of my life.  "His Voice roars and thunders marvelously - and He does great things which we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:5).  Did you catch that?  Great things!!!

Are you going through a "blizzard" or a "snow storm" or a "winter weather watch"?  Just as the TV and radio broadcast storm instructions, stop and listen for "God's Majestic Voice".  Listen to the thundering of His Voice and KNOW that HE WILL DO GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS that we cannot comprehend if we will turn to Him and Trust him just as Job learned to do.  Job 37:6 says, "For to the snow He says, fall on the earth" . . .  Sometimes God uses these winter snow storms to stop everything around us so that we may listen and recognize the work of God - His great things that maybe we would not see unless we were in the middle of a snow storm.

Listen, Learn and Let it Snow!   

Man in the Coffee Beans

Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds, the right half of your brain is better developed than most people. If you find the man between 3 seconds and 1 minute, the right half of the brain is developed normally. If you find the man between 1 minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to eat more protein. If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the advice is to look for more of this type of exercise to make that part of the brain stronger!!!

And, yes, the man is really there!!

So, how was your brain functioning this morning?  Well, I have to admit - mine was a little on the slow side!  Even after my two cups of coffee!!! Guess I'll go to lunch and find some protein to eat!!! 

The Buzzard, Bat, Bumblebee & People

THE BUZZARD:  If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, with no top. This bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail.

 THE BAT:   The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:   A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:   In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust
in our Creator who loves us.

More Hours in my Day

Do you ever wish you had more hours in your day?  Have you ever crawled into bed only to lay there going through your "to-do" list of things that didn't get done?  I have done that.  Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in my day.  I wake up each morning ready to go out an "conquer the world" but find that my list is longer than my day.  So I cross off those things accomplished and move the untouched things on to the next day!

I read this the other day . . . decide to get up thirty minutes earlier. Do this for a year, and you will add seven and one-half days to your waking world!  Well, there is our answer!!!!  Yeah, who wants to get up earlier EVERY day?? Then I thought . . . "thirty minutes" - I easily waste thirty minutes throughout my day.  What is thirty minutes in exchange for seven and one-half days?  Could you use another week in your waking hours? 

What would I do if I actually would "rise and shine" thirty minutes earlier?  Well, I could always exercise, have my daily devotions, spend more time in prayer and meditation on God's Word, enjoy an extra cup of coffee without hurrying out the door. I could use that extra thirty minutes to stop and smell the roses, to visit with my neighbor, help that little old lady put her groceries into her car and push her grocery cart back to the cart rack, I could stop and watch the kids sled riding or ice skating, I could visit someone in the hospital, I could reach out and touch someone that is searching and in need.  So many possibilities!  What are some of the things you would do if you had and extra thirty minutes? 

"I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your Word".    -Psalm 119:147

For me, it is in those early morning hours that I feel my time with God is so special.  We all have our special moments we spend with God but for me it is those early hours when the house is quiet, the sun is laying low and just about to burst forth a brand new day!  Such an exciting time - the dawning of the morning!  I can cry out to the God of creation for help.  Help for my daily activities, help in showing me where and what He has in store for me, help in my struggles, help in my blessings and help in showing me ways to share His abundant Grace and Glory to those around me. What would another thirty minutes in His Presence do for my day??!!!

"Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in Him,

and He will bring it to pass".  -Psalm 37-5 

As we begin this new year, let's commit our way unto the Lord.  Commit that extra thirty minutes to Him and trust Him and let Him bring it to pass. 

Let Christ show us new and mighty things that we have never taken the extra thirty minutes (seven and one-half days) to experience!  A new year - a new day!

Maxine - Gas Prices

"But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Proverbs 4:18

Stepping Stones

Love is patient,
 Love is kind . . .

1 Corinthians 13:4

 In everything, be patient,
For good shall follow bad
And in time you won't remember
Most problems that you had.

In everything, show kindness

For others' great concerns,

And, my friend, it will amaze you

How great are your returns!

 

In everything, be willing

To learn, endure and grow,

For a candle that's unlighted

Cannot begin to glow!

 

                           In everything, show courage,

                           For courage conquers fear,

                           And fear can cloud our judgment

                            When storms of life appear.

 

                            In everything, be thankful,

                            For each path we must trod

                            Shall become a stepping-stone

                             Which leads the soul to God!

 

                                                  -Clay Harrison

2011 Handbook - Health, Personality, Society, Life,

Health:
1.   Drink plenty of water.
2.   Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
      like a beggar.
3.   Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat
      less food that is manufactured in plants.
4.   Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5.   Make time to pray. 
6.   Play more games.
7.   Read more books than you did in 2010.
8.   Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.   Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk,
      smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea
     what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot
     control. . . instead invest your energy in the positive
     present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind others of their
     mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present
     happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate
     others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
     Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear
     and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you
     learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
     disagree . . .

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything....
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 &; under the
     age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
     friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything. Turn to Him and Trust Him. 
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change....
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come....
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Start each day with pray, read your Bible and worship
     God throughout your day. 
40. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.