Don't Know the WHY look to the WHO!

Life brings with it all kinds of experiences.  Sometimes we walk through times of extreme joy and peace that we can't even explain.  Other times we experience times of deep sorrow, sadness, pain and confusion that leaves us wondering "why". Surrounded by questions like: what if I would have. . . or what if I would not have. . .  or where did this slip in. . .  how did this happen. . .  what could I have done to change the end result of this situation. . .  and the big question we have all asked at some time - "WHY"?  Why this or that - why cancer, why death, why depression, why financial struggles, why prodigal children, why the fear, why divorce, why teen pregancy, why abuse, why anger, why car accidents, why job loss, why, why, why?  What are you experiencing in your life right this moment?  Are you questioning some of the "whys" in your life?  Are doubts creeping in trying to confuse you?

I recently heard this quote in a sermon and it has been in my thoughts all week long.  Isn't it great how God can use sermons preached on Sunday throughout the whole week!! 

"When we don't know the WHY - look for the WHO."
                                              -R. LaSalle

I couldn't help but think just how many times I have tried to know the "why" and sometimes have forgotten to look for the "who"!

Our first tendency is to ask "why", sometimes knowing we will never know the reason for each experience in our lives.  But we still tend to struggle with that one little question. With that one little question it is easy to face thoughts of doubt.  Doubt in ourselves, doubt in others and more importantly - doubt in God! I've seen those that have turned their back on God when going through these "WHY-TIMES". And then there are those that have just grown deeper with God during these same "WHY-TIMES". They have come to know them as their "WHO-TIMES"!!!

It is in these difficult times that we are looking for something to hang on to, something that is steady, a firm foundation, a solid rock. Something that is stronger than we are! Something that does not change with the force of the wind or circumstance.  Something or should I say "someONE" that is constant and true! That is the "WHO"!  God is the "who" we need to look to instead of the "why".  He is faithful and He never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!" (Hebrews 13:8) His grace is presently available to all who put their trust in Him.  His love is not affected by our present circumstances. He is changeless in a changing world of attitudes, life styles, habits, and experiences.  "Changeless" - He is the same and loves us (not our sinful ways) but US no matter where we are. And He is ready to forgive and forget. He is faithful and forgiving! (Am I as forgiving of others as He is of me? Or do I "remember" and "judge" and "criticize" others? Am I willing to forgive and forget and reach out a helping-hand to help and encourage others as Christ has done for me???) Just a thought!

To Christ darkness is light. Our confusion becomes clear through Him. Our doubts disappear when we run to the "WHO" and put our trust and faith in His never changing, loving and forgiving hand! We can then leave the "WHY" with the one that created darkness and light! The one that knows the way through our wilderness. Our anchor on the storm-tossed sea of life!  Just reach up and take the Hand of the "WHO" and let Him guide you through whatever "unknown" territory you (and I) may be going through.  Just hold on! Things are always changing in this life but He never changes, He is forever. Take His hand today! 

 But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way,

who can't see where they're going.

I'll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I'll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don't fall into the ditch.

These are the things I'll be doing for them -

sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

-Isaiah 42:16 

Maxine's Back

Let's face it . . . "nobody's" kidding Maxine!!!!! 
   .    .    .    .    .    .    or for that matter God!!!

What's Important

What's important is...
not what kind of car you drive,
but rather how many people you give a lift.

What's important is...
not the size of your house,
but rather the number of people you welcome into your home.

What's important is...
not your social status,
but whether you live your life with conviction and integrity.

What's important is...
not what you possess,
but rather what you give.

What's important is...
not how many friends you have,
but rather how many to whom you are a friend.

What's important is...
not how much overtime you worked,
but rather if you work overtime for your family and loved ones.

What's important is...
not if you live in a great neighborhood,
but rather how you treat your neighbor.

What's important is . . . You living out God's love each and every day!

Whipping Cream Biscuits

Here is a two-ingredient biscuit recipe that is so easy and so good! Heavy cream and self-rising flour and that is it.  The cream provides the fat, and the self-rising flour contains the leavening and the salt. 
Whip these up and add some sausage gravy . . .  yummy!
2 Cups self-rising flour
1 Cup whipping cream

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and cream in a mixing bowl, stirring just until blended. (The dough will be a little stiff) Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead 10 times. Roll to 1/2 inch thinkness and cut with a 2-inch cutter. Place biscuits close together on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Makes 12 biscuits.

We Choose . . .

We choose how we shall live;
courageously or in cowardice,
honorably or dishonorably,
with purpose or in drift.



We decide what is important
and what is trivial in life.
We decide that what makes us significant
is either what we do or refuse to do . . .
WE DECIDE.
WE CHOOSE.
And as we decide and as we choose,
 . . . so our lives are formed . . .

I'm not sure who wrote this but it tells it so well - WE CHOOSE / WE DECIDE!

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are exellent and worthy of praise, Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you."     
(Philippians 4:8-9)

Funny Humor

Two horses were galloping along when one stumbled and landed on its side.
After a number of tries the tumbled equine finally regained his footing, but
when he tried to run to catch up to his buddy he found he couldn't even trot.
Calling after his friend he neighed, "I've fallen and I can't giddy-up!"

~       ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~

"Accountancy Exam"

Dewey wanted to be an accountant, so he went and took the accountancy exam.

Examiner: If I give you two rabbits and then I give you another two rabbits, how many rabbits do you have?

Dewey: Five.

Examiner: No, listen carefully again. If I give you two rabbits and then I give you another two rabbits, how many rabbits have you got?

Dewey: Five.

Examiner: Let's try this another way. If I give you two bottles of pop and then I give you another two bottles of pop, how many bottles of pop have you got?

Dewey: Four.

Examiner: Good! Now, if I give you two rabbits and then I give you another two rabbits, how many rabbits have you got?

Dewey: Five.

Examiner: How on earth do you work out that two lots of two rabbits is five?

Dewey: I've already got one rabbit at home!

 ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~

God Knows Our Situation

"God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them."  (C.S. Lewis)

I don't know about you but this quote by C.S. Lewis speaks loudly to me. As I thought about it I realized that God really does know my situation and he also knows your situation.  He knows every little and big detail of what's going on with you and me.  He knows the difficulties we may have to overcome. The struggles we may be facing. And isn't is comforting that He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome.  But He will look deep down into our hearts, into our "will" and He sees the sincerity and the perseverance with which we "press on" to reach and overcome these parts of life that seem so difficult at times. People seem quick to judge by the outward things that they see - the surface situations.  But God knows "our" specific situation - sees our sincerity, our perseverance, our trust in Him and tells us to keep on - don't give up now - you're almost there - you've almost overcome this struggle - VICTORY is on the way! It is so easy to judge when we have not been there.  We've not walked in that other person's shoes. We can't possible understand the whole situation because we look on the surface and seldom bother to look below the surface to see the real struggle. 

Will we always have struggles and difficulties to overcome?  I think we will but just remember . . . "God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome.   What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them."

"But those who wait on the Lord shall

renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Courage

Bulletin Bloopers

They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletin Bloopers! Thank the Lord for church ladies with typewriters and computers. And may I say "human" ladies that every now and then make a "typo"!  (I always just say, thank you for catching that - I put that in to see if anyone really reads the bulletin!!!!) HA! HA!  I'm sure you have seen some of these but they are still comical as they appear in church bulletins and some even announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------

THOUGHT:  "Humor is to life what shock absorbers
are to a car!"

VERSE:  " A happy heart is a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing . . ."       (Proverbs 17:22)

Maple Bacon Flavored Coffee

Free Sample - Maple Bacon Flavored Coffee



The delicious flavors of sweet maple syrup and the aroma of crisp country bacon combine in this coffee brew to produce a taste you’ll jump out of bed for! Experience the ambiance of a charming maple farms with the fresh flavor of sugary sweet maple syrup. Maple bacon flavored coffee will not disappoint those lovers of breakfast flavors! . . .

I received this ad today and thought it sounded a little far out!!  Now, don't get me wrong - I like my coffee and I like lots of different flavors.  But I must say, this one really didn't hit me as the flavor that I would "jump out of bed for"!  (Sorry!)  I like maple syrup and I could "maybe" taste that in my cup of coffee but I'm not so sure about the "crisp country bacon" in my coffee cup!!!!  I like my crisp country bacon to crunch in my mouth not in my cup! And preferrably with a couple of eggs and toast. And, yes, with a cup of coffee that does NOT have crisp country bacon in it!

What do you think?  Does this sound like your cup of coffee? Needless to say - I did not send for my free sample.  I think I will just have to pass on this "freebie"!

Isn't if funny how some things in life we can simply live without - like Maple Bacon Coffee! And yet I am sure there is somebody out there that thinks "Maple Bacon Flavored Coffee" sounds just wonderful! And the smell of it in the morning probably does make them "jump out of bed for it"!  But that is what makes life so interesting, isn't it?  We can't all like the same things or we would be standing in line forever waiting to get our sample of Maple Bacon Flavored Coffee! (You know - because that is the kind everyone wants!!!)

Thank goodness we are all different! All unique in our own God-given ways. God gave each one of us special characteristics, talents, abilities, ambitions, dreams, and expectations.  Creating a special being that is like none other.  No two human beings alike - all special ordered by God Himself!   WOW!  That is exciting when you think about it, isn't it?  You and Me - special ordered by God.  And let me tell you - YOU are "special".  He (God) knows the plans He has for you and for you alone.  Plans that no one else can accomplish or fulfill - only you!  Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you  a future and a hope." God gave you everything you need to fulfill those plans.  Everything you need to fulfill your future and your hope in Christ.

Have you thought about your "special-ness" and how you are using the gifts you have.  What are your special gifts and talents?  Is it teaching, reaching out to others, music, laughter, computer skills, babysitting, visiting those in the hospital, care-giving, sending cards, cooking, cleaning, showing hospitality, working on cars . . . oh my, the list could go on and on . . . the real question is, how are you using these abilities to impact those around you?  Those that could use a little help and encouragement.  

It's easy to get so busy with all that we are doing "in and of ourselves" that we forget that God wants us to share "who we are" and "spread His love" to others through the "gifts and abilities" He has given us.  God wants to "SHINE" in and through each one of us.

So tomorrow morning when you smell that coffee aroma (whatever flavor it is!) rise and shine - jump out of bed ready and willing to share who you are and what God has done for you.  Somebody needs to see God's love through you!

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!